95 



shire, is supposed to have been so called 

 from the chesnut-trees with which it formerly 

 abounded. 



Camden remarks, that Cowdery Park, 

 near Midhurst in Sussex, abounded in fine 

 chesnut-trees. It is therefore evident that 

 chesnut timber has been long known in this 

 country ; but I am induced to believe that it 

 was one of the fruits which was introduced 

 by the Romans to this island. 



Chesnuts were certainly considered as a 

 proper food for man by Lord Bacon, who 

 in his " Essay on Plantations," says, " In a 

 country of plantation, first look about what 

 kind of victual the country yields of itself to 

 hand ; as chesnuts, waluuts, pine apples, 

 olives, dates, &c. &c." 



Chesnuts stewed with cream make a much 

 admired dish, and many families prefer them 

 to all other stuffings for turkeys ; they make 

 an excellent soup ; and I have no doubt but 

 that chesnuts might be advantageously used 

 in cooking, so as to make many agreeable 

 and wholesome dishes. I have had them 

 stewed and brought to table with salt fish, 

 when they have been much admired ; but it 

 is exceedingly difficult to introduce any 

 article as food that has not been established 

 by long custom ; and it is not more strange 



