276 ANECDOTE OP A PLUM-PUDDING. 



aware of the power of her charms. We found her 

 very conversable and good-natured, and she made 

 herself very much liked by all on board during 

 the four days' cruize she had with us. On one 

 occasion she caused no little merriment amongst 

 the English portion of the passengers, by incon- 

 siderately denominating John Bull's national dish 

 a " horreury She spoke French very well, and, 

 talking to some one whom she saw enjoying a 

 solid slice of a gigantic plum-pudding which had 

 been put upon the table, she was induced, from 

 motives of curiosity, to taste it. I have observed, 

 that foreigners in general detest every dish that is 

 called English ; they appear to have an idea that 

 it requires the digestion of a horse to get down 

 any of John Bull's solids ; but never shall I forget 

 the countenance of horror and disgust which this 

 lady exhibited, or the grimaces into which she 

 twisted her pretty mouth, when, after having 

 been tempted by her gallant neighbour to taste 

 one mouthful of the so much dreaded English dish, 

 she dropped her knife and fork, cast a reproachful 

 look on the miserable man who had for ever for- 

 feited her good opinion by his imprudent recom- 

 mendation to her to taste the j^oison^ looked piti- 



