12 THE OYSTER. 



in the "Taming of the Shrew," when comparing the 

 resemblance of the old Pedant to that of Vincentio, which 

 she remarks was as complete as that of an oyster to an 

 apple. 



One must, therefore, take care not to eat oysters dur- 

 ing the months of June and July, because they are un- 

 wholesome on account of the spawning-time ; and also be 

 careful in their selection in August. There are instances 

 when persons, after having eaten oysters during these 

 months, have become ill, and have even died. Last 

 summer, at Ostend, thirty persons were taken ill in 

 consequence of having eaten oysters in the month of 

 July. They are, during these months, very thin, and 

 without taste ; in the month of September they become 

 again fat and eatable, which may be accounted for by 

 the fact of their being self-generated. The strength 

 of the poor oysters is entirely spent in fattening them- 

 selves, in order the more to tickle the palate of the 

 epicure iu the proper season. 



Now let us proceed to open the oyster. 



The Oyster ! The mere vrriting of the word creates 

 sensations of succulence — gastronomical pleasures, nu- 

 tritive food, easy digestion, palatable indulgence — then 

 go sleep in peace ! 



Lobster salads, beef and veal, truffles and chestnuts, 

 all good in their way, are, nevertheless, attended with 

 evU consequences to the human frame. 



But oysters — ye pleasant companions of the midnight 

 hours, or the mid-day feast ; is there a man, woman or 

 child in all Europe — ay, or in Asia, Africa, or America 

 — who does not owe you a debt of gratitude which they 



