DESSERT

A word, of doubtful etymology, signifying the last service at dinner, consisting of fruits and confections, Ac. The modern desert is probably equivalent to the tnensa secund at of the Romans. If we believe Con. greve, the term came into use among the French about the commencement of Ihe 17th century, and was soon adopted into and naturalized in most of the European languages. In all the countries of Europe the splendour of the des. sert has ever since the period of its introduction kept pace with the progre of refinement and civilization, and by many gastronomes the qualities and arrangement of a de ert are looked upon as the most valid test of all that is A! tic in taste and refined in elegance. [s. 347]