Page:Narrative of an Official Visit to Guatemala.djvu/306

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286
OFFICIAL VISIT
[CH. XX.

charcoal stoves: there was no open fire place for roasting; and about half a dozen earthen pans with handles formed the whole Baterie de Cuisine. On the floor was lying a turkey as if it were in a fit; and another was standing over it evincing the greatest distress at its situation: I hardly ever remember having witnessed so much feeling in any animal as that exhibited in the action and manner of this disconsolate bird: its companion, which, it seems, had been dosed with brandy so as to stupify it, was destined to die under the paroxysms of intoxication, for the purpose of rendering its flesh immediately available for the table. I had always remarked, both here and at Mexico, that the turkeys were delicately tender: we all remember that Horace prescribes a little vinegar for the purpose, but, perhaps, the plan of deadly intoxication is not so generally known. A large apartment next to the kitchen was occupied by some female domestics who were assorting cochineal, and packing it in small