648 MEALS MEDICINAL. 
precede it ; but if the soup itself is to be the piece de resistance, 
then it should certainly be chosen “thick.” But hot Soups 
in summer at the commencement of dinner are now becoming 
discouraged, and put out of favour; a small cupful of cold 
consommé, made from fine stock, is found to suit the digestion 
better; while thick Soup at this stage of the meal is almost 
entirely given up, the cold consommé instead being served in 
little cups, either of plain white ware, or of costly china. True 
consommé is strong broth obtained by boiling meat with 
vegetables, and concentrating the extract to the point of slight 
browning, or caramelization; it is then used for Soups, and 
sauces ; the present habit of London cooks to call their dish- 
water Soups “Consommés” should be condemned by every 
lover of honest fare. There is distinct evidence in favour of 
taking a moderate quantity of plain Soup at the commencement 
of a meal, as shown by the experiments of Schiff, and others; 
which have proved that solutions of dextrine, and of infused 
meat, favour the secretion of pepsin as a digestive of the meal 
which ensues. Abroad the first course sometimes consists of 
beer, with spices, and rusks, or, in summer time of strawberries, 
and milk, to both of which substitutes the name Soup is 
given. ; 
It is to be remembered that the water used in making a Soup 
not only dissolves certain salts, and tissues, of the meat-substance 
by the action of heat, but it also hydrates, or forms into water- 
combinations (with altered qualities) some of the constituent 
elements of the ingredients used. Foods are foods only 
by reason of their chemically-combined water in various 
proportions. 
Par excellence Turtle Soup, as served at the Lord Mayor’s 
Dinner in London, on the ninth of November, takes the lead 
amongst these concoctions. It consists of Green Turtle, with 
basil, marjoram, thyme, parsley, cloves, allspice, mace, nutmeg, 
and sherry. 
“ Beautiful Soup, so rich, and green, 
Waiting in a hot tureen ; 
Who for the dainty would not stoop ? 
Soup of the evening, beautiful Soup! 
Soup of the evening! beautiful Soup! 
Beau——ootiful Soo——up! 
Beau——ootiful Soo——up ! 
