226 



CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



importance, being in demand for the kitchen 

 at all seasons of the year, but more particu- 

 larly in the spring, after hard winters, when it 

 is often the earliest green vegetable our mar- 

 kets afford. Fontenelle, who was a great 

 epicure, is said to have been very fond of 

 this vegetable ; and an anecdote is told of 

 him that shews how much more he thought 

 of his appetite than of his departed friends. 



An acquaintance, who was equally fond of 

 spinage, appointed to dine with him, at a 

 season of the year when but a small portion 

 of their favourite vegetable could be pro- 

 cured. Just as the dinner was to be dished 

 up, the cook inquired if his master would 

 have the spinage served up au gras, which 

 was his favourite way, or au maigre, as his 

 friend preferred it ; or if it should be divided 

 and sent up both ways. The author of the 

 Plurality of Worlds, desired the cook to 

 wait until the guest arrived, before he dished 

 it up. At the moment, a messenger entered 

 to announce the sudden death of his ex- 

 pected friend. Fontenelle, having received 

 the message, called out to the cook, " Send 

 up all the spinage au gras."' 



Spinage eaten freely, is laxative, diuretic, 

 and cooling: it has no hurtful quality, nor 



