Extracts from:
THE
TRUTH-TESTER,
Temperance Advocate
and
Healthian Journal
A periodical devoted to free discussion on anatomy, physiology, dietetics, temperance, hydropathy, and other questions affecting the social, physical intellectual, and moral health of man.
New Series – Vol. 1
London 1847
[It appears that the complete volume was published in 1847, but the individual issues, which were undated, ran from Sept. 1846 to Sept. 1847.]
On the back page of most issues:
Literary Communications, and all Orders (with cash) for the Tester, to be addressed to W. Horsell, Northwood Villa, Ramsgate, Kent. [also identified as the Editor]
VEGETARIAN FACTS
To the editor of the Truth-Tester.
Sir.- I have lived on a vegetable diet for 10 weeks, during which time I walked to work as follows. (details followed for the month of October 1846).
I am quite convinced that I could not have done anything of the sort previous to my becoming a vegetarian.
- this suggests that in 1846 a ‘vegetarian’ was a person who lived on a ‘vegetable diet’, but the words appear to have been interchangeable.
DISPEPSIA CURED by VEGETARIAN DIET.
… letter of a cheerful correspondent … Hull, Nov.1846 … :-
“Since then (1843) what changes have taken place, and what progress has been made in every quarter! Instead of a few vegetarians in one house, we have 30 or 40 in this very town … there are a good many vegetists (sic) now …. - the letter, from Hannah Bond, continues to explain how doctors ordered her to eat meat and avoid vegetables in order to cure dyspepsia, or indigestion. The symptoms grew worse until she moved to an establishment ‘a few miles from London’ (she became matron of Alcott House) where the diet was exclusively vegetable “roots, grains, pulse, and fruits’ – and she was cured….
HOWARD THE PHILANTHROPIST, who was a hydropath and vegetarian, was singular in many of the common habits of life. For instance, he preferred damp sheets, linen, and clothes, to dry ones; and, both rising and going to bed, swathed himself with coarse towels dipped in the coldest water he could get. In that state he remained half-an-hour, and then threw them off, freshened and invigorated, as he said, beyond measure. He never put on a great coat in the coldest countries, nor had been a minute under or over time of an appointment, so far as it depended on himself, for 26 years. He never continued at a place, or with a person, a single day beyond the period prefixed for going, in his whole life; and he had not, the last 16 years of his existence, at any fish, flesh, or fowl. – Ladies mag. 1792
- if that really was a direct quote from 1792 then the word ‘vegetarian’ was around earlier than anyone thought – but we have the full 1792 quote elsewhere is this is a re-worded summary of it. The following page has a brief item headed ‘Vegetable Diet’referring to ‘men who lived principally on vegetables’.
HYDROPATHIC INFIRMARY
Sir, - I beg to call the attention of the numerous readers of the Truth Tester, to a project that has been more than once proposed, but never fully carried into effect; I refer to the establishment of an Infirmary, to be conducted on Hydropathic principles.
(the letter continued at some length without actually mentioning Northwood Villa….)
An item in a later issue:
RAMSGATE
HYDROPATHIC INFIRMARY
(NORTHWOOD VILLA)
ONE MILE FROM THE RAILWAY STATION, ON THE ROAD TO MARGATE
The Subscribers and Friends of the above are informed, that this Institution is now open for the reception of 10 Indoor and 10 Outdoor patients.
It is almost unnecessary to enumerate the reasons for selecting Ramsgate for a Hydropathic Infirmary, its peculiar local attractions and advantages for invalids being so well known and generally appreciated. The building selected is open to fine breezes from the Downs, and is sheltered from the north winds. The soil is a dry chalk – the quality of the water good – the surrounding scenery is of the most attractive character – and the public walks are kept in excellent condition. The means of access to this town, both by sea and land, from London, and various parts of Kent, are numerous, and readily available to all classes. By land – the South Eastern Railway has a branch direct to the town, through Canterbury, by which it may be reached in about 3½ hours from London. Fares, from LondonBridge or Bricklayer’s Arms Station ; second class, 13s 6d. ; third do., 8s 1d. By water – Steamers ply daily nine months in the year, and three times week during the winter months, from LondonBridge and Blackwall, reaching Ramsgate in about six hours. Fares : best cabin, 5s ; steerage, 4s.
The treatment and regimen of the patients are under the superintendence of A. Courtney Esq., Surgeon, of the Hydropathic Establishment in Ramsgate ; and the domestic arrangement is under the direction of W. and E. Horsell, as Governor and Matron ; the whole being subject to the supervision of a resident Committee, chosen from among the Subscribers.
The charges are as follows, paid one week in advance :
To subscribers, or persons nominated by them, for board, lodging and treatment – indoor, per week £0 15 0
Non-subscribers – indoor, per week £1 0 0
Subscribers, or persons nominated by them, for treatment only – outdoor, per week £0 7 6
Non-subscribers – outsoor, per week £0 10 0
* Donors of one guinea are allowed to have a patient in the Infirmary four weeks for every sum so contributed, at the lower charge, to the recommendation of whom a preference will be given.
Each patient must provide one pair of sheets, one pair of blankets, and four towels, for his or her own use.
No consulting fee. No extras, except paying for washing.
All applications for the admission of patients must be made to ‘William Horsell, Northwood Villa, near Ramsgate,’ – post paid, and enclose a stamp if a reply be required.
One issue consists almost entirely of one article:
Prospectus of the Ramsgate Water-Cure Establishment, under the direction of A. Courtney, Surgeon R.N., Ramsgate; With an account of some of the Cases which have been treated by him. (continues for six pages . . .)
On the back page:
IMPORTANT TO PARENTS OF LIMITED INCOME
ALCOTTHOUSEACADEMY,
Ham Common, near Richmond, Surrey. A Boarding School for the temperate and industrious class.
It has long been a desire among the thoughtful parents in the working community, that they could send their children to a suitable school, where they would meet with a genial sphere for their health, reason, and morals. But this being always too high in the charge or unsuitable in the education, they have been compelled to put up with a day school.
To meet this desire, the above establishment is open, conducted by Mr. Oldham, and suitable assistants. A real practical education is given, to prepare the pupils of both sexes for actual life.
Terms, from £3 to £4 a quarter, without extras or vacations.
Prospectuses to be had at the house, or at 111 Fleet-street, London, or of the editor of the Truth-Tester, Ramsgate.
In another issue:
J. Brotherton, Esq., M.P., in his place in parliament . . . said he did not all approve of the use of malt liquors . . . We are glad that the member for Salford had moral courage enough to bear testimony . . . Mr. Brotherton and his lady are vegetarians of some years standing.
A letter in the same issue:
Sir. – The manner in which your correspondent J.F.O. urges his objections to an exclusively vegetable diet, ….
- again the idea that a ‘vegetarian’ was someone living on the ‘vegetable diet’.
FLESH V. FARINACEA
. . . the striking facts and principles recorded in the following letter of our esteemed friend and brother vegetarian. . . . Let the reader compare . . . with those of Mr. Simpson, and the result of the Manchester Soup Committee, . . . Mr. Simpson has been a vegetarian from infancy, . . . the letter then followed explaining how soup was shown to be better without meat in it. Mr. Simpson was later to play a major role in the new Vegetarian Society.
AN ADDRESS TO THE BIBLE CHRISTIANS MANCHESTER
We have great pleasure in presenting our readers with the following address, which was delivered to the members and friends of the Bible Christians, assembling at Christ Church, Every-street, Manchester, on Sunday evening, the 6th April, 1845 (being the 21st anniversary of the opening of the said church for public worship), by their sincere and affectionate minister James Scholefield . . .
Christian Friends - . . . The diet which the members of the Bible Christians adopt and recommend, is the one appointed by the Most High; . . .
When those principles were first published and enforced, both by example and precept, by the late Rev. W. Cowherd, upwards of 35 years ago, then indeed were they singular! . . . but now we have lived to see and hear of ‘the Testimony, direct and indirect, as published in 1838 by Dr. W. A. Alcott, of Boston, America, of nearly 100 individuals, - besides that of societies and communities, - on the subject of the vegetable diet.
- the address continued at some length, but did not use the word ‘vegetarian’. A letter in the same issue (2 years after the address) was from someone describing himself as ‘a vegetarian’. It made clear that the ‘vegetable diet’ was adopted for moral and health reasons, very different to the other Christians who had practised self-denial of meat (as with sex) because it was good….
A letter in the following issue compliments the editor on extending the magazine from dealing solely with temperance (anti-alcohol) to ‘the benefits resulting from a vegetarian life’. Other letters objected to the same change of direction.
The following letter was from William Oldham of Alcott House though, oddly, no mention was made of the venue. Perhaps Mr. Oldham was so well known as to make this unnecessary…:
PHYSIOLOGICAL CONFERENCE
To the Editor of the Truth-Tester
Dear Sir, - On page 112 of your last Number is a suggestion that persons who on principle adopt a vegetable, that is to say, a fruit and farinaceous diet, should hold personal communication with each other, as both interesting and useful in the work of human purification.
The conductors of this establishment respond with pleasure to the idea, and are ready to co-operate in carrying it out.
After consulting with some persons, who are also desirous that such unions should take place, they have determined to call a meeting of such friends on Thursday the 8th July next. They propose to appropriate the hours to communing together on the subjects of Physiology generally; of abstinence from the consumption of animal food, and the best means of disseminating a knowledge of its advantages – advantages not limited to the pocket and the physical health, but ascending to the still higher spheres of mental and moral harmony. Nor are the benefits limited by personal considerations, but may possibly solve the question of national famine, which threatens not Ireland alone, but many of the finest countries in Europe. It is proposed that a morning meeting be held at half-past 11 o’clock, that a dinner be on the table at half-past one, that a second meeting be held at 3 o’clock, and supper at 6. Should any friends desire it, they can be accommodated with beds, either on the previous or subsequent night. The charge to be 1s. for each meal, and 1s for each bed. As persons from all parts of the kingdom may, in these cheap postage and railway days, assist in this meeting, it is hoped that every one who feels deeply interested in human improvement will join the party and that those to whom distance or other circumstances may render attendance impossible, will, at least, express their sentiments by letter.
The friends who may design to participate in this rational and benign festival, are requested to inform me by letter, on or before the 1st of July, in order that arrangements may be effected to the comfort and satisfaction of all parties.
I am, dear sir, for self and associates,
Yours truly, Wm. Oldham
[Believing the above to be a most important proposal, highly calculated to promote the objects contemplated, we intend doing ourselves the pleasure of being present on the occasion, and hope to meet a goodly number of persons interested in the physical elevation of the community. Lat all attend who can; and let those who cannot write. A few short essays might prove useful, and suggest topics for converstion. – Ed. T. T.]
In the next issue:
PHYSIOLOGICAL CONFERENCE
According to the announcement made in the last number of the Truth-Tester, a considerable number of friends to universal purity, who had for some time past, on principle, adopted a vegetable diet, and were desirous of enjoying the advantages resulting from personal communion with others like minded, met at Alcott House (which for the last ten years has not been polluted by a flesh diet), Ham Common, on Thursday, the 8th inst., for the purpose of collecting and diffusing information on the subject of human physiology in general, and of abstinence from the consumption of animal food in particular.
Such a course was deemed proper and necessary for the purpose of strengthening the hands of the faithful, as well as of disseminating a knowledge of the numerous advantages resulting from such practice – advantages not limited to the pocket and the physical health, but reaching the more elevated question of mental and moral harmony. It was felt also, that the subject was not limited to personal considerations only, but that by aggravating the actual famine now raging in, and depopulating some of, the finest countries in Europe, it became a question of great national importance.
Preliminary arrangements having been made, the conference commenced its deliberations in the large and airy school-room of the establishment, at half-past 11 o’clock A.M. The chair was occupied by J. G. Palmer, of Birmingham, and the office of secretary discharged by W. Horsfell of Ramsgate.
After the proceedings of the day by a short and appropriate speech, the chairman read a number of letters from distinguished vegetarians, apologising for their unavoidable absence, expressing their sympathy with the objects of the meeting, offering various suggestions for its consideration, as to the best modes of spreading a knowledge of the benefits arising from abstinence from flesh, and pledging themselves to renewed effort in the great work of human progress and elevation.
The morning sitting having been occupied with reading the above letters, and making arrangements for its subsequent proceedings, the conference adjourned till three o’clock.
During the interval the friends (about 50), sat down to a very ample supply of excellent provisions, consisting of fruits and farinaceous substances in great variety, most elegantly prepared, displayed, and served up, and which furnished an admirable practical answer to the often proposed question of, ‘ What shall we eat, if we cannot have meat?’
In the afternoon there could not have been less than 120 to 130 persons present, including about 30 inmates of the house. The showers that fell during the early part of the morning having cleared off, and the air became bright, warm, and genial, seats were arranged upon the lawn, under the shade of a large tree in the beautiful and productive garden, the conference resumed, and passed the following resolutions:-
- That true humanity forbids the voluntary hurting, wounding, slaying of any being susceptible of pain.
- That the custom of eating the flesh of animals is erroneous and mischievous; erroneous as a secondary and expensive means of obtaining a limited amount of the identical nutriment originating in, and to be derived at a cheap rate from, products of the vegetable kingdom; and mischievous as limiting the supply of bread to the people; at the same time engendering disease, and by its unnaturally heating and stimulating properties, abridging the liver of its consumers.
- That abundant proof may be adduced from history, anatomy, physiology, and chemistry, confirmed by the facts of the experience, that the products of the vegetable kingdom are the natural and best food of man, as being most conducive to the beauty and full development of the physical constitution, to length of life, to intellectual power, and to moral and religious advancement.
- That the members composing this meeting, being fully persuaded that the habits of life which themselves have had the happiness of realizing, may be generally adopted, are earnestly desirous of thus meeting together from time to time, with the object of devising the best means of communicating their knowledge and experience to each other, and to the world at large, and awaking practical attention to the subject; assured, that in inducing the adoption of their principle of abstinence from flesh food, they are labouring to prevent drunkenness, war, capital punishment, slavery, sporting, and the many other cruelties originating in this leading error of diet; whilst at the same time, they directly secure the increased comfort, well-being, and happiness of society in general.
- That this meeting do now adjourn till the LAST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER NEXT (the day, time, and place, to be announced in the Truth-Tester), for the further interchange of opinion upon the above important subject, and with a view to the FORMATION OF A SOCIETY for promoting the objects set forth, and so extensively affecting the future progress and elevation of their fellow-men’s moral and religious advancement.
The above resolutions were illustrated, and impressed upon the minds of a deeply-interested audience by Messrs. C. Lane, of Alcott House, J. Simpson, of Fox Hill, near Blackburn, J. I. Hawkins, of London, G. Dornbach, a German, C. H. Mason, of London, and W. Horsell, of Ramsgate, who detailed the results of their own experience, and stated the principles, arguments, and motives, that impelled them to abstain from animal food, drawing largely from the results of practical chemistry, decidedly demonstrating the superiority of a diet derived from the vegetable kingdom, over that of the flesh of animals, in its influence upon the health, vigor, uniform well-being, and perfect development of the physical, intellectual, and moral natures of man.