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TJic Coiintry Gentlcmaiis Magazine 



THE GREAT MEAT QUESTION. 



ANEW company for the supply of the 

 best preserved meat at a cheap price, 

 and in quantities suitable to the convenience 

 of the poorest, has just been launched, and, 

 we understand, with every prospect of suc- 

 cess. In fact, under present circumstances, 

 such a company can scarcely fail. Home- 

 grown meat is so short in supply, and so 

 dear in value, that even middle class people 

 are chary of purchasing it ; indeed their 

 means will not admit of them consuming it 

 to the extent that they would .do were the 

 terms more moderate. The imports of live 

 foreign cattle are falling off because the 

 prices obtained here are not so remunerative 

 as they once were, especially since the 

 Tonning beasts were consigned to Deptford 

 market, from whence so small a profit is re- 

 turned, that consignees are beginning to think 

 it not worth their while to run the risks at- 

 tending their transport. In fact we under- 

 stand that they scarcely realise, after deduct- 

 ing freight and other expenses, more than 

 they cost in the inland districts. Another thing 

 with reference to foreign cattle is that much 

 danger of disease is involved in their importa- 

 tion. Then, again, the best animals from 

 abroad are now little lower in price than our 

 own, the quality in fact not warranting much 

 reduction. The rapid strides which foreigners 

 have made within the last ten years in feed- 

 ing, is little short of wonderful, as evidenced 

 in the forms of the mild eyed but picturesque 

 beasts shipped to us from Oporto. 



But meat we must have if we are to 

 keep up the stamina of the British nation. 

 Beef cannot be banished from our midst with- 

 out carrying along with it a considerable 

 portion of the national character, and if we 

 cannot get it at home we must have it from 

 abroad. And we can obtain it from our 

 colonies in a nutritious and cheap form. 

 The Australian beef and New Zealand 

 mutton has been eaten and approved of by 

 the best and most fastidious in the land. 



Hear what everybody's good friend Mr 

 Fundi has to say about this food, and we are 

 sure nobody will ever accuse him of recom- 

 mending anything unwholesome or un-Eng- 

 lish, or of being careless about tenderness 

 and flavour, or indelicate in taste for meat : — 



THE SIRLOIN SUPERSEDED. 



Once mighty roast beef was the Englishman's food. 

 It has now grown so dear that 'tis nearly tabooed. 

 But Australian beef, potted, is cheap and is good. 



O, the boiled beef of Australia ! 



And O, the Australian boiled beef ! 



It is capital cold ; it is excellent hot ; 

 And if a large number of children you've got, 

 'Twill greatly assist you in boiling the pot. 

 O, the boiled beef, &c. 



First-rate is Australian mutton, likewise, 

 For curries, and rissoles, and jDuddings, and pies. 

 The thrifty good housewife no butcher's meat buys. 

 O, the boiled beef, &c. 



It will make you a hash that is fit for a king ; 



And the young ones all like it, and that's a great thing. 



So Paterfamilias it causes to sing. 



O, the boiled beef, i.e. 



For the small boys and girls eat the fat with the lean, 

 Don't leave underdone, but their plates nicely clean — 

 Where pigs are not kept which helps make all serene. 

 O, the boiled beef, &c. 



Australian meat from the bone being free, 

 The more economical needs must it be. 

 As there are no joints there's no carving, you see. 

 O, the boiled beef, &c. 



The flesh pots of Egypt were once in high fame ; 

 Australian fleshpots have more than the same. 

 Old England's roast beef is now rivalled in name. 

 O, the boiled beef, &c. 



The privileged victims, who Income-tax pay, 

 Whose earnings precarious are taken away, 

 While ceasing to deal with a Butcher, can say 

 O, the boiled beef, &c. 



'Tis true that your servants, fastidious and fine, 

 Australian meat in their folly decline. 

 On skilligolee they hereafter may dine. 

 O, the boiled beef, &c. 



Now pour out the wine which we could not afford 

 Except for Antipodes' meat on the board. 

 Its inventor's good health! whilst my helping's encored. 

 O, the boiled beef, &c. 



