One hundred years ago from The Vegetarian Spring 1995 Since 1848 the Society has been producing a journal for the benefit of its members. Times change but the issues surrounding the movement remains remarkably the same. Former Magazine Editor, now Local Network Co-Ordinator, Bronwen Humphreys looks at the way we were.   In the days before we organised conferences, The Vegetarian Society used to hold 'May Meetings' which seem to have been a cross between a press conference, a serious seminar and a jolly day out! In 1895, the event was held in Chester and the programme included a visit to Dickson's Nurseries, a walk along the city walls arid a quick look around the museum. Luncheon was at the Temperance Hall, followed by a couple of lectures - Diet in Cold Countries and The Thrift Aspect of Vegetarianism. The text of the lectures was published in the Messenger. Far from being the homily on Victorian housewifely virtues one might expect, it came rather as a shock to discover it was an account of the Liverpool Food Association's efforts to provide one good meal a day for that city's poorest schoolchildren. In the same issue, another article about tuberculosis, reminds us yet again that life was considerably harsher in those days. After the lectures, a banquet was held at 6pm, followed by a meeting that was open to the general public. Delegates seem to have all enjoyed their annual get-together very much. One visitor was prompted to comment 'What a cheerful aspect there is ahout the place, beaming faces, floral decorations, and kindly disposed people!' The May Meetings were perhaps of more interest in 1895 because for many members, this would have been their first opportunity to meet the Society's new Secretary, Mr Albert Broadbent. Introducing himself and his family in the May issue of The Vegetarian Messenger, Mr Broadbent describes his diet as cosmopolitan 'using raw fruits freely, also nuts, brazils and pine kernels... good homemade hread... plenty ofgreen vegetables.' He also states that 'we do not believe in the slavery of the kitchen, our desire is to minimise cooking, so that a thick soup with brown toast and fruit; or a savoury pie, with a steamed fruit pudding constitute an ample menu for dinner. We believe in simplicity, pastry we seldom have, fried food and greasy, bilious messes we avoid.'

Mr and Mrs Broadbent were bringing up their little girl, a toddler at the time, as a vegetarian. Her diet was simple in the extreme 'she has never had tea or coffee or even cocoa to drink; and until the cold weather came, her drink was cold water, this with brown bread and plenty of fruit is the food we give her. We have never allowed her to have to toffy or sugar to eat..'. A charming family portrait published in the May issue (left) illustrates how well the Broadbents thrived on this simple fare.

From the May issue, I also learned that the Society used to have a shop in Manchester 'close to the Deansgate tram station and within 3 minutes of the Central Station'. The shop stocked vegetarian foods of all kinds: pulses, cereals, biscuits and cooking utensils. In a world where no town is complete without a health food shop and even chemists and supermarkets are stocking wholefoods and vegetarian specialities, selling food and cooking utensils seems a strange function for The Vegetarian Society to undertake. However, our predecessors obviously thought it was a good way to spread the word for they emphasise that it has been 'the means of many people calling in and seeking for further information, and making small purchases to give the diet a trial.' Our readers of 100 years ago appeared to take a keen interest in news of overseas vegetarians. The March issue of 1895 carries a report about a major Industrial Exhibition being planned for 1896 in Berlin. The German Vegetarian Society was evidently very excited about this opportunity to promote the cause and had booked a large pavilion 'for the exhibit of all branches of vegetarianism and for the provisions ofa restaurant'. They feel confident that no Vegetarian Exhibition on so large a scale has been held in any country and therefore urgently request that every support be given them from all available quarters. There were also accounts of vegetarian activities in Oregon, USA, Melbourne, Australia and Christchurch, New Zealand. And there is news of what appears to be the first vegetarian restaurant opening in New York. The opening was marked by a banquet during which a specially composed song was sung by a Mr George Brunswick. Below for your edification we reproduce The Song of The Vegetarian.. With right goodwill to all mankind and animal creation We mean to show our friends a Vegetarian collation, Enjoying with praises the fruits of earth's plantation We raise our voice in glory, we raise our voice in glory That health and strength we may sustain without resort to death and pain Just as cannibals of yore from the cultured did dissent So the world yet sneers and scorns at our peculiar nutriment, Based on the highest sense of right, the humane sentiment The time will come when men will deem warriors like criminals; When men will no longer gloat in sport that tortures birds and animals; Then it may be recognised that we at least are rationals. This made the papers the next day, so maybe we have something to learn about PR even now!
Back to Vegetarian History Index	next page - Summer 1895
The Vegetarian is published by The Vegetarian Society and is sent free of charge to all members.