The Book of Household Management by Mrs. Beeton

289. INGREDIENTS.--2 dozen oysters, 2 oz. butter, 3 tablespoonfuls of

cream, a little lemon-juice, 1 blade of pounded mace; cayenne to taste. _Mode_.--Scald the oysters in their own liquor, beard them, and cut each one into 3 pieces. Put the butter into a stewpan, dredge in sufficient flour to dry it up; add the strained oyster-liquor with the other ingredients; put in the oysters, and let them heat gradually, but not boil fast. Make the patty-cases as directed for lobster patties, No. 277: fill with the oyster mixture, and replace the covers. _Time_.--2 minutes for the oysters to simmer in the mixture. _Average cost_, exclusive of the patty-cases, 1s. 1d. _Seasonable_ from September to April. THE OYSTER FISHERY.--The oyster fishery in Britain is esteemed of so much importance, that it is regulated by a Court of Admiralty. In the month of May, the fishermen are allowed to take the oysters, in order to separate the spawn from the cultch, the latter of which is thrown in again, to preserve the bed for the future. After this month, it is felony to carry away the cultch, and otherwise punishable to take any oyster, between the shells of which, when closed, a shilling will rattle. TO KEEP OYSTERS.