What Are Considered The Dainties Of The Table Consist
Chiefly Of Fresh Salmon, Preserved By The Patent Process, Highland
Mutton, Partridges Stuffed With Truffles, &C., These Things, In
Consequence Of Their Rendering The Dinner More Expensive As Well As
More Recherche, Being In Great Request.
Although the high prices of provisions are adduced as the reason of
the high rate of servants' wages, as compared with those of Bengal,
this increased expenditure, according to the observations I have been
able to make, relates more to the commodities of the native bazaars
than those consumed by Europeans.
The necessity of bringing in
supplies from a distance for the consumption of the island occasions
the increase of the price of grain, &c, while probably the demand
for beef, mutton, fowls, &c. not being go great as in Calcutta, these
articles are sold at a lower rate. Buffalo meat is occasionally eaten
by Europeans, a thing unheard of in Bengal; but it is not in any
esteem.
The tables in Bombay are handsomely appointed, though not with the
same degree of splendour that prevails in Bengal, where the quantity
of plate makes so striking a display. The large silver vases, in which
butter and milk are enclosed in a vessel filled with saltpetre, which
give to the breakfast-tables of Calcutta an air of such princely
grandeur, are not in use here.
The servants are summoned by the exclamation of "Boy" instead of the
Qui hi? which is so Indian-like in its expression, and has afforded
a distinguishing soubriquet to the Bengallees.
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