Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Nutrition, Animal Behaviour, Cultural Geography

    Discusses consequences of the claim propounded by Isisdore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire and other 'persons in France' that humans can eat horseflesh. Speculates on the taste of horseflesh, observing that 'the flesh of a thoroughbred horse would be characterised by a peculiar raciness of flavour' and that horses 'entered some time upon the turf [...] would be entered for cups in a minor proportion than for plates'. Anticipates the appearance of obese horses at cattle shows and the sending of the 'high-mettled racer' to 'M. de St. Hilaire and his disciples', rather than 'the hounds'. Wonders why 'humbler and cheaper' examples of the genus cannot be eaten, but expects that horseflesh will 'remain untouched as an article of food'.