CHAP, vii i.J OYSTEK-EATING IN NEW YORK. 381 



that mollusc, great breakwaters being formed by oysters, which 

 keep off the sea from the land ; in fact all over America the 

 oyster is to be found in great abundance. In New York and 

 other cities evidences are to be seen on all sides of the love of 

 the people for this favourite mollusc. Oyster-saloons abound 

 in all the principal streets, and each one appears to do more 

 business than its neighbour. In these saloons most of which, 

 though handsomely fitted up, are situated underground in the 

 basement of some of the great mercantile establishments for 

 which the chief cities of the Union are famed the cooking 

 of oysters is carried on at all hours, and in all modes. A 

 writer who has described the traffic says : " Oysters pickled, 

 stewed, baked, roasted, fried, and scolloped ; oysters made 

 into soups, patties, and puddings ; oysters with condiments 

 and without condiments ; oysters for breakfast, dinner, and 

 supper ; oysters without stint or limit fresh as the pure air, 

 and almost as abundant are daily offered to the palates of 

 the Manhattanese, and appreciated with all the gratitude 

 which such a bounty of nature ought to inspire." So much 

 for America. 



