62 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



his dislike as to compare scalloped oysters to " children's 

 ears in sawdust." 



The poet Cowper liked oysters in all ways ; and in one 

 of his letters to Mrs. Newton, in Mrs. Unwin's name and 

 his own, he says, " We return you many thanks for a pot 

 of scallops, excellently pickled." In reference to the 

 present of a barrel of oysters sent him by the above named 

 lady, he wrote 



" A noble theme demands a noble verse, 

 In such I thank you for your fine oysters ; 

 The barrel was magnificently large, 

 But, being sent to Olney at free charge, 

 Was not inserted in the driver's list, 

 And therefore overlook'd, forgot, or miss'd." 



Then follows a particular relation of its recovery, and 

 having offered the advice that all such " commodities " 

 should be forwarded by what was called the " Diligence," 

 the poet thus concludes :- 



"We therefore recommend it with the aim 

 To save at least three days, the price the same ; 

 For though it will not carry or convey 

 For less than twelve pence, send whate'er you may, 

 For oysters bred upon the salt sea-shore, 

 Packed in a barrel, they will charge no more." 







The Acts of Parliament relative to the protection of 

 the oyster, from his greatest enemy, man, are given in the 

 thirty-second chapter, it only remains to state, in conclu- 

 ding this, that in America, where the quality of the native 

 oyster, though little inferior to the larger species of Britain, 

 is greatly over-rated, the legislature, some years since, was 

 called upon to make a similar provision for the protection 

 of the oyster. 



