I.—(To another.) Madame, if I do not mistake, you will accept a portion of this charlotte? I will attack it.
OBESE.—No, sir. I have two things which I prefer. This gateau of rice and that Savoy biscuit—I am very fond of sweet things.
I.—While they talk politics, madame, at the other end of the table, will you take a piece of this tourte a la frangipane?
OBESE.—Yes; I like nothing better than pastry. We have a pastry- cook in our house as a lodger, and I think my daughter and I eat up all his rent.
I.—(Looking at the daughter.) You both are benefitted by the diet. Your daughter is a fine looking young woman.
OBESE LADY.—Yes; but there are persons who say she is too fat.
I.—Ah! those who do so are envious, etc., etc. By this and similar conversations I elucidate a theory I have formed about the human race, viz: Greasy corpulence always has, as its first cause, a diet with too much farinacious or feculent substance. I am sure the same regime will always have the same effect. Carniverous animals never become fat. One has only to look at the wolf, jackal, lion, eagle, etc.
Herbiverous animals do not either become fat until age has made repose a necessity. They, however, fatten quickly when fed on potatoes, farinacious grain, etc.
Obesity is rarely met with among savage nations, or in that class of persons who eat to live, instead of living to eat.