Phenix Gazette

From the Boston Courier.

THE TOMATO.

This article we propose with all due humility to dedicate to Alderman Binns and the fraternity of Editorial Gourmands. The Tomato! We wonder, what, in the name of all that's edible, people have been about these forty years, that they have never discovered, or having discovered, have remained so silent, touching the incomparable qualities of this delicious condiment. We have heard certain people "talk it largely" of India Soy, and English Catsup, and Quin Sauce, and Walnut Liquor, and countless other anomalies in Gastronomy, who in the whole course of their epicurean orbits, never ate "Steak with Tomato." Venison and canvas back with their transparent and quivering jellies of currant and cranberry,—are as familiar to them as household gods, but Beef Steak,—"Steak and Tomato,"—why, they never heard of such a dish in "good society"—Steak and Tomato!—exceedingly vulgar; Steak and Tomato! food for draymen and coalheavers—precursor of Incubus and Dyspepsia, &c. &c—Now we hold all this to be mere slang, an uncharitable denunciation of a very modest and unassuming dish, about which we happen to know a little something, and in vindication of which we propose to put lance in rest. Our present business is with the zest, rather than the materiel of food, and we shall venture upon a round assertion, which, as we apprehend, the experienced will not gainsay, nor deny, that Tomato sauce, or Tomato catsup, or Tomatoes under any name and almost any form, is the best possible sauce or catsup, or any thing else that folks may please to call the manufactured article, of which Tomato is the basis, that ever was or ever will be eaten with a beef steak, this side of sun rise—Therefore we say, in the spirit of universal philanthropy, which is the blessed spirit of the times. If you would thrive, cultivate Tomatoes—if you would fatten and sleep well, eat Tomatoes—if you would encourage the extended usefulness of a very wholesome and most remarkably tooth-some culinary succedaneum, plant or purchase, eat and extol Tomatoes.