Asparagus Soup (I)

Ingredients

• 5 lb lean beef
• 3 slice bacon
• 1/2 pint pale ale
• a few leaves of white beet
• spinach
• 1 cabbage lettuce
• a little mint
• sorrel, and marjoram
• a pint of asparagus-tops cut small
• the crust of 1 French roll
• seasoning to taste
• 2 quart water

Instructions

1. Put the beef, cut in pieces and rolled in flour, into a stewpan, with the bacon at the bottom;
2. cover it close, and set it on a slow fire, stirring it now and then till the gravy is drawn.
3. Put in the water and ale, and season to taste with pepper and salt, and let it stew gently for 2 hours;
4. then strain the liquor, and take off the fat, and add the white beet, spinach, cabbage lettuce, and mint, sorrel, and sweet marjoram, pounded.
5. Let these boil up in the liquor, then put in the asparagus-tops cut small, and allow them to boil till all is tender.
6. Serve hot, with the French roll in the dish.