DOMESTIC GEESE. 267 



relates tliat he has seen Immense droves of Geese, which were 

 making their way towards Rome from different districts of Gaul, 

 but especially from the country of the Morini (now forming the 

 departments of the Nord and Pas-de-Calais). The conductors of 

 these feathered flocks were in the habit of placing the tired ones in 

 front, so that, being pushed forward by the whole column behind 

 them, they were forced to move on in spite of themselves. In the 

 present day, numerous flocks of Geese are driven in the same 

 manner into Sjjain from the French departments of Lot, Dor- 

 dogne, Lot- et- Garonne, Gers, Tarn, &c. 



The Goose, in its coarse and somewhat democratic condition, was 

 good enough food for the Romans of the republic ; but at a later 

 period, when the people became more refined in their tastes, they 

 invented a barbarous method of fattening it. By depriving them 

 of water, movement, and light, an extraordinary development of 

 the liver was produced, which gave them a particularly savoury 

 flavour. This invention — the triumph of modern gastronomy — 

 dates as far back as the days of Augustus and Varro ; indeed, two 

 persons of consular dignity disputed the honour of being its 

 originator. 



In order to fatten Geese in this way, an abundant supply of 

 food is administered, at the same time depriving them of light and 

 exercise. This food consists of balls made up of maize and wheat, 

 with which the poor creatures are crammed three times a day. 

 In some countries they force whole grains of maize down their 

 throats. At the end of about four or five weeks the fattening 

 process is perfect. This is at all events considered to be the case 

 when the wretched Palmipede exhibits signs of suffocation. This 

 is certainly a cruel method of feeding ; nevertheless, it is only 

 by this plan that the delicious fat and plump livers so much 

 appreciated by epicures can be obtained. The liver undergoes an 

 alteration which in the end must prove fatal to the bird ; in fact, 

 it assumes enormous development ; and the epicures, who hold it 

 in such high favour, regard as a dainty this diseased liver ! 



The introduction of the Turkey has led to the culture of the 

 Goose being more neglected in Europe ; nevertheless, the latter 

 bird is a source of prosperity at the present day in many parts 

 of France, and in many a rural district in England. In 



