...and the good news is that the cook book turned up. Alas, no reference to Oysters. It was probably in the NMAA afterall, as was this diary quote: I walked home again with great pleasure; and there dined by my wife's bedside with great content, having a mess of brave plum-porridge and a roasted Pullet for dinner; and I sent for a mince pie abroad, my wife not being well to make any herself yet. Samuel Pepys 1662