And now, having given directions for the manufacture of sundry "cloyless sauces"--with only one of the number having any connection with _Ala_, and that one a sauce of world-wide reputation, I will conclude this chapter with a little fancy work. It is not probable that many who do me the honour to skim through these humble, faultily-written, but heartfelt gastronomic hints are personally acquainted with the cloyless _Sambal_, who is a lady of dusky origin. But let us quit metaphor, and direct the gardener to Cut the finest and straightest cucumber in his crystal palace. Cut both ends off, and divide the remainder into two-inch lengths. Peel these, and let them repose in salt to draw out the water, which is the indigestible part of the cucumber. Then take each length, in succession, and with a very sharp knife--a penknife is best for the purpose--pare it from surface to centre, until it has become one long, curly shred. Curl it up tight, so that it may resemble in form the spring of a Waterbury watch. Cut the length through from end to end, until you have made numerous long thin shreds. Treat each length in the same way, and place in a glass dish. Add three green chilies, chopped fine, a few chopped spring onions, and some tiny shreds of the Blue Fish of Java. Having performed a fishless pilgrimage in search of this curiosity, you will naturally fall back upon the common or Italian anchovy, which, after extracting the brine and bones, and cleansing, chop fine. Pour a little vinegar over the mixture. "Sambal" will be found a delicious accompaniment to curry--when served on a salad plate--or to almost any description of cold meat and cheese. It is only fair to add, however, that the task of making the relish is arduous and exasperating to a degree; and that the woman who makes it--no male Christian in the world is possessed of a tithe of the necessary patience, now that Job and Robert Bruce are no more--should have the apartment to herself. For the labour is calculated to teach an entirely new language to the manufacturer. CHAPTER XV SUPPER "We are such stuff As dreams are made of." Cleopatra's supper--Oysters--Danger in the Aden bivalve--Oyster stew--Ball suppers--Pretty dishes--The _Taj Mahal_--Aspic--Bloater paste and whipped cream--Ladies' recipes--Cookery colleges--Tripe--Smothered in onions--North Riding fashion--An hotel supper--Lord Tomnoddy at the "Magpie and Stump."