Take six fine, firm, red tomatoes; wipe them neatly, and plunge them into boiling water for one minute; drain in a cloth, remove the skins, pare off the stem side, let get cool, and then cut them into very thin slices; or, if preferred, into quarters, keeping them in a bowl, so that the juice be not wasted. Season with a pinch of salt, half a pinch of pepper, a wooden salad-spoonful of vinegar, and the same quantity of oil. Mix thoroughly together, and serve as cold as possible. A teaspoonful of chopped chives may be added, if desired, which will give a delicious flavor.