THE OYSTER AT HOME. 255 



head alone, precedence for our "Natives' 1 amongst all 

 the oysters of the known world. But Britain is the 

 boasted land of liberty, and the " Natives ' : of one part of 

 her coast boldly assert their equality with the " Natives ' : 

 of any other. If London delights in Milton, Colchester, 

 or Whitstable oysters, Edinburgh has her "whispered 

 Pandores" and Aberdours, and Dublin her Carlingfords 

 and " Powldoodies of Burran ;" whilst all round our shores 

 each locality boasts of its own " Natives ' as the best 

 oysters in the land. 



Lest it should slip my memory, let me say a few words 

 in praise of the Carlingford oyster. Of all molluscs it is 

 the best in Ireland ; a black-bearded fellow, delicate and 

 of fine flavour, to be eaten in Dublin alternately with the 

 Redbank oyster, at a magnificent establishment in Sack- 

 ville Street, and to be washed dow r n with alternate draughts 

 of brown stout. It is said " to want nothing that it should 

 have, and to have nothing it should want." It is round 

 and rough as a walnut ; opens white, fat, and juicy ; it is 

 neither too large nor too small, and blends with extreme 

 delicacy the racy sharpness of the sea with the milder 

 flavour of the fish. But there can be no dispute concern- 

 ing tastes, and the Malahide, the Burren, and the Lissadell 

 have all their respective admirers. The Hibernian will 

 tell you that even our Natives are inferior to these. He 

 is right in his patriotism, but wrong in his assertion. How 

 often do our prejudices trip up our judgment, {a) 



Arklow was once famous as the nursery of Irish oysters. 

 From thence, as well as from Wexford, the artificial oyster- 

 beds were abundantly supplied with stock, which, being 

 furnished by the fishermen at so much a bushel, and laid 



(a) " The Oyster." 



