OYSTERS. 19 



In my many journeyings to and fro over the sur- 

 face of the earth it is my lot to sojourn frequently 

 at hotels. I find the British waiter has invented a 

 shibboleth which in the matter of breakfast is repeated 

 over the length and breadth of the land. Inquire 

 what there may be ready to offer you for the first 

 meal of the day, and you are answered at hotel No. 

 I, " Chop-fish -steak -ham -and -eggs, sir!" At hotel 

 No. 2 it is, " Fish -chop -steak -ham -and -eggs, sir!" 



CM\ P.IFFLE 

 Fig' 7. Dahlia Wartlet Anemone (Tealia crassicornis}, 



At No. 3 it varies like the same old chimes " Steak- 

 fish -chop -ham -and -eggs, sir!" and so on, from 

 Land's End to John o' Groat's, the refrain ceaseth 

 never. 



What this plaint of mine has to do with oysters 

 may not, I confess, be apparent all at once ; but my 

 logical position is, luckily, secure. I contend that, 

 as we have gone out of our (edible) way, ages ago, 

 to devour the mollusc, we should progress a little 



