OATMEAL FOR THE QUEEN.

Timaru Herald, Volume X, Issue 415, 19 May 1869, Page 4

OATMEAL FOR THE QUEEN.

The Dumfries Standard says :— " For a considerable time past quantities of oatmeal have been supplied by our worthy townsman, Mr Hamilton of Castlebank Mill, to the household of Queen Victoria ; and a few days ao-o he received an order for several stones of the same nutritious article of food for the Queen's own use. The annual sojourns made by her Majesty and the royal family m ' The Land of Cakes ' have familiarised them m some degree with the advantages of an oaten diet; and we have reason to believe that not unfrequently meal baked or boiled, sits side by side with the other dainty dishes placed upon the royal board." And our contemporary contrasts this royal favour with Johnson's famous depreciatory definition of oats being- a grain which m England is generally given to bores, but m Scotlnnd supports the people. Now it is a dainty dish to set before the Queen ! Swift was the first to point the national sarcasm about oats, for m quizzing the Scotch — "that noble nation" — the Dean refers to the grain, " which at little trouble and less expense, finds diet and lodging for themselves and their cattle." George the Fourth used to gratify the taste and palate of Lord Eldon, by commanding " liver and lights" to be served up at his dinner-table whenever the old Chancellor was a guest, but a " bicker" of oatmeal porridge on the royal board at Windsor, seems fully as revolutionary an innovation. "We live m a wonderful area!" (era) as the Edinburgh bailie sagely remarked. Her Majesty, however, has the courage and wisdom to follow simple natural tastes and feelings, without either losing royal dignity or being very anxious to preserve it.