[F] For the general illustration of the banquet, see the “Illustrated London News,” of November 2nd, 1850.
[G] See [page 406].
[H] While thus hastily enumerating some modern banquets, we cannot refrain mentioning that illusive feast of the most effeminate of Assyrian kings, the plan of which seems to have been imparted by the magiric genius himself to our celebrated tragedian Charles Kean. Every night, Sardanapalus, the sensual king of the too joyous Ninevites, rising from his tomb, with his twenty-six centuries of renown, seats himself at table, in order to unveil to us long buried splendours, and confirm our belief in those sumptuous orgies of which history preserves to us but uncertain details.
The admirable works of Botta, Flandin, Layard, and Bonomi, have allowed the ingenious major domo who presides at these Assyrian feasts of the 19th century, to invest them with that couleur locale which would formerly have been sought in vain; and, should the shade of the voluptuous prince wander amidst the guests seated at his table, it may still recognise the cup from which he imbibed intoxication and forgetfulness of his tragic destiny. Altogether, this scenic representation appears to us the realisation of an extraordinary dream, and we have been tempted to place this fictitious repast of Sardanapalus amongst the modern banquets here called to remembrance.
[I] Since the above was written, my researches have been rewarded by success, and I have given a complete description of it in this work.—See [page 269].
[J] No less than £52,000, if Pliny really means the grand sesterce, which everything leads us to believe.
[K] Smallage, a species of parsley, known by the name of celery, is diuretic and aperitive. The celery, as cultivated now, is derived from the smallage.
[L] It is a question whether they could compete in quality with those caught in the Severn at the present day.
[M] This paper did not resemble our own of the present day; it was a kind of papyrus, which perfectly resisted all moisture.
[N] Pie of meat and flour.