St. James’s Day, Old Style.
It is on this day, and not on St. James’s day new style, as mistakingly represented in vol. i. col. 978, that oysters come in.
Oyster Day.
For the Every-Day Book.
Greengrocers rise at dawn of sun—
August the fifth—come haste away!
To Billingsgate the thousands run,—
’Tis Oyster Day!—’tis Oyster Day!
Now at the corner of the street
With oysters fine the tub is filled;
The cockney stops to have a treat
Prepared by one in opening skilled.
The pepper-box, the cruet,—wait
To give a relish to the taste;
The mouth is watering for the bait
Within the pearly cloisters chased.
Take off the beard—as quick as thought
The pointed knife divides the flesh;—
What plates are laden—loads are bought
And eaten raw, and cold, and fresh!
Some take them with their steak for sauce,
Some stew, and fry, and scollop well;
While, Leperello-like, some toss;
And some in gutting them excel.[289]
Poor creatures of the ocean’s wave!
Born, fed, and fatted for our prey;—
E’en boys, your shells when parted, crave,
Perspective for the “Grotto day.”