the would-be consumer of clotted cream who loses by
the pursuance of this new method, but the calves that
are reared on the " skim," or " separated " milk, have
to be given, in addition thereto,—artificial foods ;
whereas the old-style " scalded milk" was far more
nourishing, and proved quite sufficient as the sole diet
(in their calf days) of the noted large well-grown Devon
cattle.
" For, O ! it's the herrings, and the good brown beef, And the cider, and the eream so white ;
O ! they are the making of the jolly Devon lads, For to play, and eke to fight."
Cheese-cakes
are so called because of their being filled as to their pastry, with a
soft curd (together with spice, butter, and egg). To Catherine de
Medicis French people owe the introduction of such confectionery, (and,
if malevolent rumour is to be credited, of half a dozen subtle poisons
besides). Lady Morgan, indeed, insinuated that the Italian princess
combined her skill, and craft, when sending as a present for our Queen
Elizabeth, at her palace in Sheen, a large cheese-cake, cunningly
poisoned. However, the " Bright Occidental Star," Elizabeth, survived
Catherine de Medicis by more than ten years. Nevertheless there is most
probably a measure of truth in the said report; it being not at all
unlikely that Catherine did send Elizabeth a present of (innocent)
cheese-cakes, which, being delicious were much relished by her Majesty,
and by the ladies of her Court; insomuch that these acceptable cakes
were imitated by the local pastrycooks at Richmond, where they survive
to this day as the historic " Maids of Honour" associated with that
place.
