CHAP, xi.] BEAU TIBBS' ORTOLAN. 401 



little value : Is. 6d. each. It would at first seem strange 

 that their worth should be affected by political revolu- 

 tions; but it was so. In 1848, owing to the commo- 

 tions and troubles in France, there was no sale for them 

 in that country, which, till then, was the chief market 

 for them, and the whole quantity was brought here, 

 causing a glut, and reducing their price two- thirds." 



But even with all this tremendous sacrifice they are 

 not cheap food. Ortolans weighing three ounces each, 

 at only Is. M. the bird, give meat at exactly 8s. the lb., 

 not reckoning the offal. This, however, is very different 

 to a guinea each, or 5Z. 12s. the lb. Goldsmith, there- 

 fore, only the more bitterly ridicules the braggadocio of 

 Beau Tibbs, when he makes him say, " But I hope, my 

 dear, you have given orders for dinner ; you need make 

 no great preparations neither, there are but three of 

 us ; something elegant and little will do ; a turbot, an 

 Ortolan, or a " no matter what costly viand ; and sets 

 him down finally to feast on cow-heel. 



Roasted Ortolan natural size. 



D D 



