This very seasonable novelty originated with M. Soyer, “the Gastronomic
Regenerator,” of the Reform Club; and, like everything which emanates
from his inventive brain, is distinguished by its taste and utility.
This is, indeed, a picturesque mode of keeping game, so as to make them
ornamental until they become useful--at table. The lovers of “still
life” pictures cannot but admire this “_Bouquet_;” and it is not
unworthy of our painters’ attention. The several articles of game, &c.,
are secured between branches of laurel and other evergreens, set off
with dried and coloured flowers, “everlastings,” &c. The handsome
specimen we have engraved bears the following, arranged in the order
here denoted:
TWO GOLDEN PLOVERS.
LEVERET.
WILD DUCK. PHEASANT.
WILD RABBIT.
GROUSE. WIDGEON.
FRENCH PARTRIDGE. ENGLISH PARTRIDGE.
WOODCOCK. TEAL.
TWO SNIPES.
TWO LARKS.
The brilliancy of the plovers and of the pheasant, and the brightness of
the wild-duck, backed by the sombre green, and the whole variegated and
relieved by multicoloured flowers, is really very effective.
Not many days since, M. Soyer presented one of his “Bouquets de Gibier”
to Viscount Melbourne, at Brocket Hall; when his lordship admired the
novelty exceedingly, as did also the noble party on a visit at Brocket.
Another “Bouquet” has been presented by M. Soyer to a lady of high
fashion and beauty, if we may judge from the triplet which accompanied
the offering: