Victorian Picnic Menu ~1880

Happy Fourth of July to my friends in the US! A fine day for picnics, no?

Here’s a must-bring list from 1880. How does your shopping list compare?

A joint of cold roast beef, a joint of cold boiled beef, 2 ribs of lamb, 2 shoulders of lamb, 4 roast fowls, 2 roast ducks, 1 ham, 1 tongue, 2 veal and ham pies, 6 medium-sized lobsters, 1 piece of collared calf head, 18 lettuces, 6 baskets of salad, 6 cucumbers.

Stewed fruit well sweetened, and put into glass bottles well corked; 3 or 4 dozen plain pastry biscuits to eat with the stewed fruit, 2 dozen fruit turnovers, 4 dozen cheesecakes, 2 cold cabinet puddings in moulds, 2 blanc manges in moulds, a few jam puffs, 1 large cold Christmas plum pudding, a few baskets of fresh fruit, 3 dozen plain biscuits, a piece of cheese, 6 lbs. of butter (this, of course, includes the butter for tea). 4 quartern loaves of household bread, 3 dozen rolls, 6 loaves of tin bread (for tea), 2 plain plum cakes, 2 pound cakes, 2 sponge cakes, a tin of mixed biscuits, 1/2 lb. of tea. Coffee is not suitable for a picnic, being difficult to make.

Things not to be forgotten at a Picnic.

A stick of horseradish, a bottle mint sauce well corked, a bottle of salad dressing, a bottle of vinegar, made mustard, pepper, salt, good oil, and pounded sugar. If it can be managed, take a little ice. It is scarcely necessary to say that plates, tumblers, wine-glasses, knives, forks, and spoons must not be forgotten; as also teacups and saucers, 3 or 4 teapots, some lump sugar, and milk, if this last-named article cannot be obtained in the neighborhood. Take 3 corkscrews.

Beverages – 3 dozen quart bottles of ale, packed in hampers, gingerbeer, soda-water, and lemonade, of each 2 dozen bottles; 6 bottles of sherry, 6 bottles of claret, champagne a discretion, and any other light wine that may be preferred, and 2 bottles of brand. Water can usually be obtained, so it is useless to take it.

4 dozen cheesecakes?!? 2 dozen bottles of lemonade?!? 

Compared to my store-bought potato salad, this feast is mouth-watering. Would love to actually try this with a group of friends some day! Who’s in?

Oh, and … don’t forget the corkscrews.

More Fun Discoveries

• Mary Was a Baker ~1911
• Corn Pudding ~1905
• Soda Lemonade, from a Most Clever Physician ~ 1899