MODE OF DRESSING THE SWAX. 203 



gamekeeper who attended us pointed out to lis the 

 king and queen of the large flock of swans, and said 

 they were very unsociable with their subjects, keeping 

 them at all times at a respectful distance. This is rather 

 a curious circumstance, but I have no^ doubt of its 

 trutii, as the gamekeeper had an opportunity of con- 

 stantly watching the habits of the swans. 



It may, perhaps, be interesting to know how young 

 tame swans are fattened for the table at Norwich. Two 

 young swans, about seven months old, are sent to some 

 old men who reside in alms-houses. One of the swans is 

 kept by the man, the other is made fat by being fed on 

 four bushels of oats, for which the person who sends the 

 swan pays two guineas. Preparatory to the bird being 

 roasted, a beefsteak is put into its inside, which much 

 improves the flavour of this noble dish. It should be 



basted during the whole time of cooking. Mr. S 



once sent a swan as a present to Greneral Paterson, quite 

 a bon-vivant, wdio gave the cook of the Duke of Sus- 

 sex 51. to dress it, and invited a party of fourteen to 

 partake of this rare delicacy ; twelve out of the fourteen 

 decided that a swan was not worth eating, and that 



^Ir. S had better send a turkey the next time he 



made a present. I have never tasted the flesh of the 

 tame or wild swan, but see no reason why the latter 

 should not be palatable, as they feed chiefly on aquatic 

 plants, and certainly are not such foul feeders as wild 

 ducks, which are excellent birds for the table. 



The swans on the moat round the bishop's palace at 

 Wells, come to be fed at the porter's lodge by the 

 bridge. The porteress used to put the food upon a 

 stone near the water, and when they came and found 

 none, they used to tap with their bills upon the stone. 



