ENGLISH SNAIL-EATERS.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 16425, 24 February 1925, Page 6

ENGLISH SNAIL-EATERS.

It is common knowledge that the French esteem their large, vine-led snail a. toothsome mouthful : but how many people are aware that the familiar garden pest is eaten in Great Britain ? I had just come into an old house on the slope of a hill. The garden was a fnaze of steps and walls which teemed with creeping tilings of all kinds. ''Presently there came into sight a man with a long white beard, hearing a small sack from house to house. He seemed well known, for he came and went quietly, and his stay was nowhere long. With his hand on the latch ol my gate he paused, seeing a strange lace. “Good mcming. sir."—lie was clearly no beggar—“may I come in for snails-' Most people like me to.” He was welcome —I have no use for snails. I watched him make the round of the garden picking the creatures from loose stones and overhanging steps, not, overlooking the lintel of the tool shed. He knew every hiding place of these pests. “These won't trouble you again, sir." lie said, as ho turned to go. I put my ha ml to my pocket, hut the old man drew himself up. ‘T don't want anything, sir, thank you. I sell the snails.” Then, seeing my doubt, lie pointed to four great brick cones that rose above roofs and chimneys half a milo away. “The glass-blowers buy them. They say they arc good for the wind. They roast them, then pick off the shells, and eat them. It’s quite true, sir.’’ And tiie bent old figure, with the sack ■on his shoulder, shuffled off to the next house- to continue his queer harvest.— PLB.. in the London Daily News.