250 THE COMMON SWAN. 



them a fair and impartial trial. They may be had till 

 Christmas, after which they are good for nothing. A 

 bird weighing 28 lbs. before Christmas, has been known 

 to shrink to 17 or 18 pounds by the end of January, in 

 spite of high feeding. Therefore, " make hay while 

 the sun shines," Mr. Epicure. As in the spring, the 

 snowdrop gives way to the primrose and the violet, so, 

 in autumn, the swan yields its place on the board to 

 the turkey and the Guinea fowl. If to-day is lost, to- 

 morrow the opportunity will have flown, in higher con- 

 cerns than in mere eating and drinking. Now — or, 

 perhaps, never. 



The " swan feasts," which sometimes have occurred 

 in England, that seem to have left the most pleasing 

 impressions orf the palates of the partakers have been 

 solemnised in the course of the month of September. 

 As to the mode of dressing, those artists, who are 

 skilled in the treatment of venison, will easily cook 

 swan, namely, with a meal crust over it to keep the 

 gravy in. Instead of stuffing it with sage and onions, 

 like goose, (vulgar condiments to vulgar birds,) use 

 rump steak chopped fine, and seasoned with Cayenne 

 and salt. When browned, and served to an admiring 

 circle, let it have rich gravy and currant jelly, the 

 latter hot as well as cold, in respectful attendance. 

 And is that all ? No ; the best remains behind. The 

 hash, next day, is worth riding twenty miles to eat 

 Nay, more ; the giblets make soup before which ox 

 tail sinks into insignificance. The mere writing about 

 it has made me hungry. 



