PISHES AND PISHING. 353 



day, it becomes, therefore, deteriorated in its sanative 

 qualities. The fat of the salmon between the flakes 

 is mixed with much albumen and gelatine, which 

 very speedily decomposes, and no mode of cooking 

 will prevent its injurious effects on a delicate human 

 constitution. I am confirmed in this opinion by every 

 scientific man with whom I have conversed, or who 

 has ever written on the subject. 



The quantity of fish of different species taken away 

 and destroyed from Billingsgate in a year, as unfit for 

 food, is enormous ; it is to be regretted that the same 

 supervision does not extend throughout the metropo- 

 litan district, and be extended to meat and vegetables ; 

 to the sale of which in an improper state for the nou- 

 rishment of man, is to be attributed as much as to the 

 want of cleanliness, and to foul air, the ravages of 

 the periodical epidemic, the cholera ! 



Eoach of not more than half a pound each, small 

 trout, dace, smelts, gudgeons, and bleak, are excellent 

 at the breakfast-table, when marionated according to 

 the Italian method. Thus, scale and cleanse the fish, 

 flour and cook in boiling oil till crisp, place them on 

 sticks to drain ; when cold, put them into stone jars, 

 they not being glazed with lead, which would be 

 injurious; between each layer of fish put leaves of 

 sage, a little rosemary, ginger, cloves, mace, and pep- 

 per in fine powder, and some salt, when the pot or jar 



