The Physiology of Taste by Brillat Savarin (bearly read books txt) đź“–
- Author: Brillat Savarin
- Performer: -
Book online «The Physiology of Taste by Brillat Savarin (bearly read books txt) 📖». Author Brillat Savarin
depart, a cook needs more talent than he who has solved the
INFINTESIMAL CALCULUS.”
The world was much surprised by finding in a book by Brillat
Savarin, a man it had always looked upon as simply a very pleasant
person, such a vast collection of general information; after his
laborious profession he had always seemed to expend the rest of
his time with the muses and graces, and none could divine where he
obtained so much information, as almost to recall the story of
some gray-haired sage of Greece. He had however already composed
more than one work unrecognised, if we except the two opuscula
“Critical and Historical Essay on Duel, with Relation to our
Legislation and Morals,” and a work on judicial practice. They
were successful, but he was just then attacked by a violent cold,
contracted by being present at the annual ceremony, [Footnote: Not
only Brillat Savarin, but Robert De St. Vincent, and Attorney
General Marchangy, contracted their death in consequence of the
same ceremonial.] the 21st of January at the Church of St. Dennis.
In spite of every care and attention, on the 2d of February, 1826,
he died. For many years gifted with robust health and athletic
constitution, made the more remarkable by his tall stature,
Brillat Savarin had a presentiment of the approach of death; this
feeling, however, did not influence the tenor of his life, for his
habitual gaity was maintained unimpaired. When the fatal point was
reached, he died tanquam convivia satur, not without regret,
certainly, for he left many kind friends to whom his memory could
not but be dear.
APHORISMS OF THE PROFESSOR.
TO SERVE AS PROLEGOMENA TO HIS WORK AND ETERNAL BASIS TO THE
SCIENCE.
I. The universe would be nothing were it not for life and all that
lives must be fed.
II. Animals fill themselves; man eats. The man of mind alone knows
how to eat.
III. The destiny of nations depends on the manner in which they
are fed.
IV. Tell me what kind of food you eat, and I will tell you what
kind of man you are.
V. The Creator, when he obliges man to eat, invites him to do so
by appetite, and rewards him by pleasure.
VI. Gourmandise is an act of our judgment, in obedience to which,
we grant a preference to things which are agreeable, over those
which nave not that quality.
VII. The pleasure of the table belongs to all ages, to all
conditions, to all countries, and to all aeras; it mingles with
all other pleasures, and remains at last to console us for their
departure.
VIII. The table is the only place where one does not suffer, from
ennui during the first hour.
IX. The discovery of a new dish confers more happiness on
humanity, than the discovery of a new star.
X. Those persons who suffer from indigestion, or who become drunk,
are utterly ignorant of the true principles of eating and
drinking.
XI. The order of food is from the most substantial to the
lightest.
XII. The order of drinking is from the mildest to the most foamy
and perfumed.
XIII. To say that we should not change our drinks is a heresy; the
tongue becomes saturated, and after the third glass yields but an
obtuse sensation.
XIV. A dessert without cheese is like a beautiful woman who has
lost an eye.
XV. A cook may be taught, but a man who can roast, is born with
the faculty.
XVI. The most indispensable quality of a good cook is promptness.
It should also be that of the guests.
XVII. To wait too long for a dilatory guest, shows disrespect to
those who are punctual.
XVIII. He who receives friends and pays no attention to the repast
prepared for them, is not fit to have friends.
XIX. The mistress of the house should always be certain that the
coffee be excellent; the master that his liquors be of the first
quality.
XX. To invite a person to your house is to take charge of his
happiness as long as he be beneath your roof.
DIALOGUE between the author and his friend. (after the usual
salutations.)
FRIEND. As my wife and myself were at breakfast this morning, we
came to the conclusion that you should print, as soon as possible,
your Gastronomical Observations.
AUTHOR. What the wife wishes God wills. In six words that is the
charta of Paris. I, though, am not subject to that law, for I am
an unmarried man.
FRIEND. Bachelors, though, are as subject to the law as others
are, sometimes much to our injury. Single blessedness here,
however, will not save you. My wife says she has a right to order,
because you began your book at her country-house.
AUTHOR. You know, dear Doctor, how I defer to the ladies; more
than once you have found my submission to their orders. You also
were one of those who said I would make an excellent husband. I
will not, however, print my book.
FRIEND. Why not?
AUTHOR. Because being devoted, from the nature of my profession,
to serious studies, I fear that those who only know the title of
my book will think that I devote myself to trifles.
FRIEND. A panic terror! Thirty-six years of constant toil and
labor for the public, have made you a reputation. Besides, my wife
and I think every body would read you.
AUTHOR. Indeed!
FRIEND. The learned will read your book to ascertain what you have
to tell.
AUTHOR. Perhaps.
FRIEND. Women will read your book because they will see–
AUTHOR. My dear friend, I am old, I am attacked by a fit of
wisdom. Miserere mei.
FRIEND. Gourmands will read you because you do them justice, and
assign them their suitable rank in society.
AUTHOR. Well, that is true. It is strange that they have so long
been misunderstood; I look on the dear Gourmands with paternal
affection. They are so kind and their eyes are so bright.
FRIEND. Besides, did you not tell me such a book was needed in
every library.
AUTHOR. I did. It is the truth—and I would die sooner than deny
it.
FRIEND: Ah! you are convinced! You will come home with me?
AUTHOR. Not so. If there be flowers in the author’s path, there
are also thorns. The latter I leave to my heirs.
FRIEND. But then you disinherit your friends, acquaintances and
cotemporaries. Dare you do so?
AUTHOR. My heirs! my heirs! I have heard that shades of the
departed are always flattered by the praise of the living; this is
a state of beatitude I wish to reserve myself for the other world.
FRIEND. But are you sure that the praise you love so, will come to
the right address? Are you sure of the exactness of your heirs?
AUTHOR. I have no reason to think they will neglect a duty, in
consideration of which I have excused them the neglect of so many
others.
FRIEND. Will they—can they have for your book the paternal love,
the author’s attention without which every work always comes
awkwardly before the public?
AUTHOR. My manuscript will be corrected, written out distinctly,
and in all respects prepared; they will only have to print it.
FRIEND. And the chapter of events? Alas! such circumstances have
caused the loss of many precious books,—among which was that of
the famous Lecat, on the state of the body during sleep, the work
of his whole life.
AUTHOR. This doubtless was a great loss; but I anticipate no such
regrets for my book.
FRIEND. Believe me, your friends will have enough to do-to arrange
matters with the church, with the law, and with the medical
faculty, so that if they had the will, they would not have the
time to devote themselves to the various cares which precede,
accompany, and follow the publication of a book,—however small
the volume may be.
AUTHOR. But, my friend, what a title! Think of the ridicule!
FRIEND. The word Gastronomy makes every ear attentive; the subject
is a la mode, and those who laugh are as great votaries of the
science as any others are. This should satisfy you. Do you
remember too, that the greatest men have sometimes written books
on very trivial subjects,-Montesquieu, for example. [Footnote: M.
de Monjucla, known as the author of an excellent history of
mathematics, made a Dictionary of Gourmand Geography; he showed me
portions of it during my residence at Versailles. It is said that
M. Berryat-Professor of legal practice, has written a romance in
several volumes on the subject.]
AUTHOR. (Quickly.) On my word, that is true. He wrote the Temple
of Gnidus, and it would not be difficult to sustain that there is
more real utility in meditating on what is at once a necessity, a
pleasure, and an occupation every day of our lives, than in
telling what was done and said a thousand years ago by two mad
people, one of whom pursued through the woods of Greece the other,
who had not the least disposition to escape.
FRIEND. Ah! ha! Now you yield?
AUTHOR. Not I. The ass’s ear of the author only was shown; and
this recalls to my memory a scene of English comedy, which amused
me very much; it is, I think, in the play called the Natural
Daughter. You shall see, however, for yourself. [Footnote: The
reader will observe that my friend permits me to be familiar with
him, without taking advantage of it. The reason is, that the
difference between our ages is that of a father and a son, and
that, though now a man of great note and importance in every
respect, he would be completely overcome with grief if I changed
my bearing towards him.] The subject relates to the Quakers, that
sect which uses “thee” and “thou” to everybody, which dresses
simply, never go to war, never swear or act with passion, and who
never get angry. The hero of this piece is a young and handsome
Quaker, who appears on the scene in a brown coat, a broad-brimmed
hat, and slick hair! All this, though, does not keep him from
being in love.
A fool who is his rival, emboldened by his exterior, ridicules and
outrages him so that the young man gradually becoming excited, and
finally made furious, gives his assailant a severe thrashing.
Having done this he at once resumes his habitual deportment and
says, sadly, “Alas! the flesh is too mighty for the spirit.”
Thus say I, and after a brief hesitation resume my first opinion.
FRIEND. That is impossible. You have shown your ear; you are a
prize, and I will take you to my bookseller. I will tell you who
has gotten wind of your secret.
AUTHOR. Do not; for I would speak of yourself, and who knows what
I would say?
FRIEND. What could you say? Do not think you can intimidate me.
AUTHOR. I will not say that our native city [Footnote: Belley,
capital of Bugey, where high mountains, hills, vines, limpid
streams, cascades, dells, gardens of a hundred square leagues are
found, and where, BEFORE the revolution, the people were able to
control the other two orders.] is proud of having given you birth.
At the age of twenty-four you published an elementary book, which
from that day has become a classic. A deserved reputation has
attracted confidence to you. Your skill revives invalids; your
dexterity animates them; your sensibility consoles them. All know
this; but I will reveal to all Paris, to all
Comments (0)