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The number of English people who have never heard of 

 the Whitstable oyster must be very limited, though the 

 actual enjoyment of that seductive bivalve is preserved for 

 a comparatively few people, for lack of opportunity or 

 some other reason. It is very rare, however, to meet 

 anyone who does not at once seem interested when the 

 subject is mentioned. The mysteriously attractive flavour 

 of a good oyster and its almost inexplicable effect on the 



A modern corner of Whitstable. 



palate, the romantic nature of its production, cultivation, 

 and collection, create pleasurable impressions on the mind, 

 which a greater familiarity only serves to increase. The 

 general public, who may only revere the " native " at a 

 distance, and even those, and they are many, who will 

 never sharpen or satisfy their appetites with any other oyster 

 than the one which hails from Whitstable, possibly have but 

 a vague knowledge of the natural history and habits of their 



