44 THE DOMESTIC FOWL. 



it will be an additional confirmation of my belief that the lapse 

 of ages upon ages is insufficient to alter any one living creature 

 into a new species. And should this little book ever penetrate 

 so far into the other hemisphere, let it persuade the Sandwich 

 Islanders to preserve by domestication, and by transmission to 

 this country, a stock of their most interesting,* pretty, and 

 unique little Geese, before the race is quite swept out of 

 existence. 



As to the estimation in which Domestic Fowls are justly 

 held, it is impossible for me to proclaim their merits ade- 

 quately. Every county has a " strain" which is superior to 

 that of the other fifty-one counties. " That strain again/' as 

 the Duke said to the singing-boy. Every neighbourhood has 

 some crack breed which is unrivalled elsewhere; every old 

 woman, in eVery village, has some pet Cock or Hen which 

 she would not part with for twice its weight in butcher's meat, 

 and an ounce of snuff into the bargain : 



"Non, mihi si linguae centum sint, oraque centum, 

 Ferrea vox, a strong steel pen, unlimited paper," 



could I completely detail the virtues attributed to Cocks and 

 Hens. 



Here is a list of " the Physical uses of a Hen and its parts :" 



" 1. The Jelly of an old Hen, made of a Hen cut with calves' 



feet, and sheep's feet, or beef, boiled six or seven hours in a 



close vessel, to which you may add spices, or cordial waters, 



is a great strengthener and nourisher. 



" 2. Cock Ale is made of Hen's flesh (a bit of a bull, surely), 

 boiled till the flesh falls from the bones; then it is beaten 

 with the bones, and strained for wine or ale with spices. 

 Note. The flesh of Hens is better than that of Cocks, except 



* They resemble the Anser albifrons in miniature, without the white 

 front. They are' so tame and attached as to follow their keeper 

 about the house, like dogs. 



