Canvas-back duck is a great delicacy. It is hung in front of a fire for a few minutes only. The first time this purple meat is presented to you, it horrifies you; but I advise you to try and surmount your repugnance—the dish is exquisite.
In France, the English have the reputation of liking all kinds of meat very much undercooked. It is only one of the thousand absurd stories told about them. They prefer their meat very much cooked, on the contrary.
One of the many jokes on the subject of canvas-back duck which I heard was this:
One of these birds having been served to an Englishman, he, after a glance at it, called the waiter and said to him:
"Pass through the kitchen with it once more, please."
CHAPTER X.
Millionaires.—A List of the Great American Fortunes.—The Stock Exchange.—A Billionaire's House.—Benevolent Acts.—A Democracy Ruled by many Kings.
am afraid it will make my readers' lips water, but here is a list of some American fortunes, as I have heard them stated:—