Tag: diet

The pasty in the 1800s

Two reports illustrate the changing state of the pasty between 1850 and the 1890s. In 1850 the newspaper the Morning Chronicle ran a series of articles on the condition of the poor. One of these concerned Cornwall. The report tells us that the pilchard, one of the staple dietary items in west Cornwall ‘seldom constitutes … Continue reading The pasty in the 1800s →

Feasting and fasting: eating and drinking habits of miners in the 1860s

In 1862 Philip Vincent, a surgeon to several mines in the Camborne district, gave evidence to the Commission enquiring into the condition of mines. Here’s two of his answers … Qu 10455: Who lives best; the miner or the agriculturist? – The miner is rather improvident about it; it is rather a feast and a … Continue reading Feasting and fasting: eating and drinking habits of miners in the 1860s →