vegetarian history

100 Years Ago from The Vegetarian Autumn 1994 Since 1848, The Vegetarian Society has been producing a magazine to keep its members informed. Bronwen Humphreys flicks back in languor

There is a common misconception that vegetarianism is something new, a 'phase' or a passing fad at worst, a new lifestyle and philosophy at best. But The Vegetarian Society was founded in 1847 and although we've had our ups and downs, splits and amalgamations, The Society to which you belong now is a direct descendant of the original. The magazine has been published, under different titles, since 1848. We are fortunate to have a virtually complete set of back issues in our archives here at Parkdale, and these make fascinating reading. Some of their content seems totally alien to our nineties mode of thinking, while much is only too familiar. Sir Isaac Pitman, who invented the famous shorthand method, was a vegetarian, a vice-president of the Society and also an advocate of spelling reforms, so in the September 1894 issue of The Vegetarian Messenger, he writes: Eizak Pitman tu the Chairman and Sekreteris ov the Vejetarian Soseieti, - Jentelmen, I am unabel diuli tu ekspres mei graitful feelingz for yur afekshonet Adres on the okazhon ov mei reseeving the onor ov Neithud, and mei admirashon ov its artistik ekselens. Spelling reform is no longer a major issue but the question of vegetarian footwear is a subject of great interest to our members. In the October 1894 issue of The Vegetarian Messenger an anonymous contributor writes: I must take this opportunity to add that my India-rubber-soled shoes are most comfortable to wear; and all vegetarians or any suffering from corns or bunions should try them. And in another issue, on the letters page: Perhaps it will interest you to learn, if you do not know it already, that Mr Alfred Nobil, the well-known inventor of dynamite, has been granted a patent for a substitute for leather and India-rubber. The November 1894 issue carries a report of the Annual General Meeting which included a talk on 'the cruelties involved in transit of cattle by land and sea' and another familiar topic - 'Mr William Harrison (treasurer) read the statement of accounts and regretted the work of The Society was suffering for want of funds, and trusted the friends would increase their contributions to The Society and thus help to extend its operations.' Intriguingly, a children's section called The Daisy Society is mentioned in the report of the AGM, and this had its own magazine The Daisy Basket. Sadly, we do not have any surviving copies in our archives. Incidentally, the cost of the magazine at that time was 2d an issue, (approximately half a new pence) annual subscription (12 issues) half a crown. Cookery books were similarly priced, Dr Nichols' Vegetarian Cookery cost 1d, Practical Vegetarian Recipes 1s and Science in the Kitchen 12s post free! Clearly the latter was quite a luxury volume! Advertisements in the magazine include those for a vegetarian restaurant in Fountain Street, Manchester, a pure palm oil soap priced 9d for three tablets, and Cadbury's Cocoa Essence. The odd thing about the latter ad is that the theobromine it contains is extolled as a 'flesh-forming and stimulating constituent' whereas today medical advice recommends that we cut back on our intake of theobromine and caffeine. A hundred years ago The Society's campaigning seemed to comprise a large number of talks followed by tasting sessions of vegetarian food. Alas, Cordon Vert was 90 years in the future! Lentil Soup, Stewed Beans and Potato Pie seemed to be the main offerings, with Plum Pudding as it got closer to Christmas. A Mr Broadbent was particularly active visiting cab shelters and mothers meetings: Three cab shelters have recently been visited by Mr Broadbent in Trafford Road, Oldfield Road, Salford and Oxford Road, All Saints. Talks with the cabmen and lentil soup were apparently much enjoyed. A large company of ladies gathered in the Co-operative Assembly Room to hear an address from Mr Broadbent of Manchester on 'Vegetarianism '. The lecturer corrected the erroneous idea so many people have that the vegetarian dietary consists only of cabbage, lettuce, carrots, turnips and such like watery foods, and showed it to be a wonderfully varied dietary, consisting as it does of fruits, cereals, pulses, vegetables, salads and nuts, all of which can be cooked in such a multitude of ways and made so appetising as to please the most fastidious of tastes, so that the vegetarian dietary was not as some imagined, a waste howling wilderness, but a pleasant and enjoyable corner of God's garden. However, despite such gastronomic promise, the Co-operative ladies still got lentil soup! Sticklers for tradition might like to try the authentic recipe as used by Mr Broadbent at mother's meetings and cab shelters. 2 quarts water 1/2 lb lentils (steeped 1 hour) 2 medium-sized onions-cut fine 6 oz brown breadcrumbs 3/4 oz butter Boil one hour, stirring frequently, add butter 15 minutes before the hour pepper and salt to taste. Cost 2 1/2d. Double quantities for 4 quarts.
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The Vegetarian is published by The Vegetarian Society and is sent free of charge to all members.