Talleyrand's quote: A nation (USA) that has

[John Talbott]

This quote of Talleyrand's, “Une nation qui a trente religions et un seul plat n'est pas un peuple civilizé," appeared in Le Figaro I believe October 1st and France-Amerique 18-24 September. It dates from 1794 so it can't refer to a Big Mac; any Talleyrand scholars out there know what was our only dish in 1794?

[Mabelline]

I bet that Carolyn Tillie could find it for you...but, hey, Careme was his chef, and seeing 1793 was a banner year from royals, I am stumped. I now have a mission. I tried to get your link, but she won't say nothin' to me. I'm going to go dig in all of Carolyn's excellent links on food history.

Just on the off chance, do you reckon maybe he might have been "well-sauced" when he made the remark, and it was just one of those bon mottes no one really expected an explanation for, seeing as how he was so witty and so luxe?

[bleudauvergne]

Well now I know where my father in law got that line.

[jackal10]

Turkey?

Brillat Savarin (1755-1826) sings the praises of Truffled Turkey, although La Physiologie du Gout was not published until 1825. He wrote:

"Turkey is undoubtedly one of the best gifts that the New World has made to the old."

"Those truffled turkeys, of which the reputation and the price are still increasing, appear like beneficient stars, and make the eyes sparkle of all sorts of gourmands of every category, whilst their faces beam with delight and they themselves dance with pleasure"

"Ye, the first parents of the human race, whose gourmandise is mentioned in history, you who ruined yourself for an apple, what would you not have done for a truffled turkey? But in Paradise there were neither cooks nor confectioners."

[John Talbott]

Well now I know where my father in law got that line. 

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Sounds like he's the type to quote de Gaulle as well: "How can anyone govern a nation that has two hundred and forty-six different kinds of cheese?"

And Jackal10 I think you get the prize. That sounds correct to me. Good reasoning. Thanks.

[arielle]

The eminent Mr Frank Zappa:

You can't be a Real Country unless you have a BEER and an airline - it helps if you have some kind of a football team or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a BEER.

There's someone on eGullet who has this as their signature! Love it!

Anyway, in that case France definitely qualifies........I'm not sure that the USA does - *Budweiser*? - give me a break! Plus, they don't even play *real* football - I mean, what's with all the stupid time out stuff, and the padding, and the HELMETS! (Bunch of wusses, that's all I can say!)