CAKES. 135 
years to become fully grown), has conveyed the lesson that those 
animate beings which are the slowest in their gradual progress 
to maturity, are found when at length they reach perfection, to 
have become the most richly endowed. 
The word Cabbage means literally the “ firm head,” or “ ball,” 
formed by the compact leaves turning closely over each other 
into a globular form; from which circumstance tailors, who 
formerly worked at the private houses of their customers, were 
said to ‘‘ cabbage ” pieces of cloth rolled up tightly into a handy 
ball, instead of the list, and shreds which they might more fairly 
consider their due. 
Sea Cabbage—‘“‘ Sea Colewort,” or “ Kale ”—Crambe maritima, 
(not the Brassica oleracea), is remarkable as being a soda plant ; 
this mineral, or earth-salt, prevailing over the potash in its ash, 
and making it unsuitable for gouty persons. Brussel sprouts, 
which are dwarf Cabbages, go by the name in Northamptonshire 
of Buffelgreens. 
CAKES. 
In the making of Cakes, which are capital food for growing 
children, but should be plainer for the sick, good sweet butter, 
and fresh eggs are absolutely necessary; what is known as 
‘* cooking butter,”’ which is a little rancid, should never be used, 
as is often done, this being a matter of false, and bad economy. 
Again, a dainty worker is needed to mix the ingredients for 
Cakes, and care should be taken that the baking-tin is never 
oiled with grease at all rancid: a very little sweet butter, or 
best olive oil should be employed. The dark-coloured fruit 
Cakes should be rather prohibited for invalids, and by persons 
of weak digestive powers, because of the dried fruits used in 
making such Cakes, also because they are often compact, close- 
grained, doughy, and not light. No less a saintly man than 
Columba learnt his alphabet by the process of eating Cakes 
which had the different letters stamped on them. At Biddenden, 
in Kent, some curious Cakes impressed with the print of two 
women joined together, are distributed, together with bread and 
cheese, to the poor on Easter Sunday. The story goes that two 
ladies were actually born there in 1100 joined together at the 
thighs, and shoulders, and who lived this double life for thirty 
years... . 
