96 MEALS MEDICINAL. 
who could resist the soporific effects of bottled Stout: they are far 
better than those of opium, and have been ascribed to the hop 
resin.” Temperance advocates largely patronize the drink which 
is now widely known as Kop’s Ale, about the freedom of which 
from alcohol doubts are often expressed. But just lately this 
beverage has been carefully, and authoritatively tested, with 
the result that only -25 per cent of alcohol revealed itself,—an 
inappreciable quantity, less indeed than is contained in an 
ordinary loaf of bread. The beverage is bright, clear, well 
aerated, and of excellent flavour, tasting precisely the same as any 
light bitter ale which contains alcohol, and keeping for some con- 
siderable time without its alcohol increasing by further fermen- 
tation, or the quality, and potability deteriorating. It may be 
thoroughly commended for all who desire a palatable, refresh- 
ing, and safe summer drink. 
Thackeray said about a character in The Newcomes, ‘“ She 
thinks small beer of painters! Well! we don’t think small 
beer of ourselves, my noble friend!” 
BEET ROOT. 
THE Beet of our kitchen gardens is of the Goosefoot tribe, and 
derived from the Sea Beet, which grows plentifully about English 
coasts. Its name originated through a fancied resemblance 
borne by its seed vessels, when swollen with seed, to the Greek 
letter B. Therefore, 
‘* The Greeks gave its name to the Beet from their alphabet’s second letter’ 
As an Attic teacher would write the same on wax with a sharp stiletto.’, 
The Mangel Wurzel, also a variety of Beet, means literally, 
‘* Scarcity root.” 
Occasionally the leaves of the Sea Beet (which is slender- 
rooted) are cooked as “greens” for the table. Beet root 
contains a large amount of cane sugar, especially in the 
large white ve Sugar beet,”’ from the roots of which plant Beet-root 
sugar is extensively manufactured in France, Germany, and 
some other countries. The ordinary red garden Beet root 
contains nearly as much sugar as the Sugar beet; but in the 
process of cooking for table, a considerable quantity of this 
soluble sugar is lost, so that the garden Beet when boiled does 
not contain more sugar than three per cent; but its root is 
