Cassells Vegetarian Cookery | Page 5

will be found ample recipes for the benefit of
parties who take either view. In questions of this kind there will always
be found conflicting views. We have no wish or desire to give opinions,
but consider it will be more advisable, and probably render the book far
more useful, if we confine ourselves as much as possible to facts.
The origin of vegetarianism is as old as the history of the world itself,
and probably from time immemorial there have been sects which have
practised vegetarianism, either as a religious duty, or under the belief
that they would render the body more capable of performing religious
duties. In the year 1098, or two years prior to the date of Henry I., there
was a strictly vegetarian society formed in connection with the
Christian Church, which lived entirely on herbs and roots, and the
society has lasted to the present day. Again, there have been many sects
who, not so strict, have allowed themselves the use of fish.
Again, there are those who adopt a vegetarian course of diet on the
ground of health. Many maintain that diseases like gout and dyspepsia
would disappear were vegetarian diet strictly adhered to. On the other
hand, we have physicians who maintain that the great cause of
indigestion is not eating enough. An American physician, some years
ago, alleged he had discovered the cause, his argument being that the
more work the stomach had to do the stronger it would become, on the
same principle that the arm of a blacksmith is more powerful in
consequence of hard work. Of one thing we are certain, and that is,
there will always be rival physicians and rival sects; but the present
work will simply be a guide to _those who require, from whatever
cause, a light form of diet_. Perhaps the greatest benefit vegetarians can
do their cause--and there are many who think very strongly on the
subject--is to endeavour to take a dispassionate view. Rome was not
built in a day; and if we look back at the past history of this country,
during the last half-century, in regard to food, we shall see that there
have been many natural changes at work. Waves of thought take place
backwards and forwards, but still the tide may flow. Some fifty years
ago there was, undoubtedly, a strong impression (with a large number
of right-minded people) that plenty of meat, beer, and wine were good
for all, even for young children. The medical profession are very apt to

run in flocks, and follow some well-known leader. At the period to
which we refer, numbers of anxious mothers would have regarded the
advice to bring up their children as vegetarians and teetotallers as
positive cruelty. This old-fashioned idea has passed away.
One great motive for adopting a course of vegetarian diet is economy;
and here we feel that we stand on firm ground, without danger of
offending sincere opinions, which are often wrongly called prejudices.
To a great extent, the majority of the human race are virtually
vegetarians from necessity. Nor do we find feebleness either of mind or
body necessarily ensues. We believe there are tens of thousands of
families who would give vegetarianism a trial were it not for fear.
Persons are too apt to think that bodily strength depends upon the
nature of the food we eat. In India we have a feeble race, living chiefly
on rice. On the other hand, in China, for bodily strength, few can
compare with the Coolies. For many years in Scotland the majority
lived on oatmeal, while in Ireland they lived on potatoes. We do not
wish to argue anything from these points, but to bring them forward for
consideration. Probably, strength of body and mind, as a general rule,
depends upon breed, and this argument tells two ways--it does not
follow that vegetarians will be necessarily strong, and will cease to be
cruel; nor does it follow that those who have been accustomed all their
lives to eat meat will cease to be strong should they become vegetarians.
As we have said, the great motive that induces many to give
vegetarianism a trial is economy; and if persons would once get rid of
the idea that they risk their health by making a trial, much would be
done to advance the cause.
Another great reason for persons hesitating to make a trial is the
revolution it would create in their households. Here again we are beset
by difficulties, and these difficulties can only disappear gradually, after
long years of patience. We believe the progress towards vegetarianism
must of necessity be a very slow one. No large West End tradesman
could possibly insist upon his whole establishment becoming
vegetarians because he becomes one himself. We believe and