It is your superfluous Second Courses,—and ridiculous variety of Wines,—Liqueurs,—Ices, Desserts, &c.—which (are served up more to gratify the pride of the Host, than the appetite of the Guests that) overcome the Stomach, and paralyze Digestion, and seduce “Children of larger Growth” to sacrifice the health and comfort of several days—for the Baby-pleasure of tickling their tongue for a few minutes, with Trifles and Custards!!
Most of those who have written on what—by a strange perversion of language—are most non-naturally termed the non-naturals,—have merely laid before the Public a nonsensical register of the peculiarities of their own Palate, and the idiosyncracies of their own Constitution[74].
Some omnivorous Cormorants have such an ever-craving Appetite, that they are raging with hunger as soon as they open their Eyes,—and bolt half a dozen hard Eggs before they are well awake;—Others are so perfectly restored by that “chief nourisher in Life’s feast,” Balmy Sleep, that they do not think about Eating,—till they have been up and actively employed for several hours.
The strong Food, which the strong action of strong bodies requires—would soon destroy weak ones,—if the latter attempt to follow the example of the former,—instead of feeling invigorated, their Stomachs will be as oppressed, as a Porter is with a load that is too heavy for him,—and, under the idea of swallowing what are called strengthening nourishing things,—will very soon make themselves ready for the Undertaker.
Some people seem to think, that the more plentifully they stuff themselves, the better they must thrive, and the stronger they must grow.
It is not the quantity that we swallow,—but that which is properly digested, which nourishes us.
A Moderate Meal well digested, renders the body vigorous,—glutting it with superfluity, (which is only turned into excrement instead of aliment, and if not speedily evacuated,) not only oppresses the System, but produces all sorts of Disorders.
Some are continually inviting Indigestion,—by eating Water-cresses, or other undressed Vegetables[75], “to sweeten their Blood,”—or Oysters “to enrich it.”—Others fancy their Dinner cannot digest till they have closed the orifice of their Stomachs with a certain portion of Cheese,—if the preceding Dinner has been a light one, a little bit of Cheese after it may not do much harm, but its character for encouraging concoction is undeserved,—there is not a more absurd Vulgar Error, than the often quoted proverb, that
“Cheese is a surly Elf,
Digesting all things, but itself.”
A Third never eats Goose, &c. without remembering that Brandy or Cayenne is the Latin for it.