The herald., 1893-10-27
DELIGHTS OF DINING.
HOW EASILY THE SPELL OF SOLEMN
ENJOYMENT MAY BE BROKEN.

tention. Reverence and siIence--An Epi-
curc's Serious Afliction.
For my thorough appreciation of
large and good dinner I am, believe,
Indebted to my father. He was great
diner, and it is well known that the fin
est qualities OF the English race are her
editary. My father suffered from gout,
and the doctors, who are mass of pref
udices, tell me that l also have got it.
However, am thankful to say that
know my own constitution. What is
really the matter with me is sort Of
cold accompanied by inflammation in
one toe. 1t arises, should say, from
overwork. Old port is good for it.
A fine appreciation Of dinner should
be accompanied by large income.
When my father died of apoplexy
Drought on by quarrel with his cook,
who was fair instance Of talent as dis
tinct from genius), succeeded to his
position in the firm, and to an income
which even in the city is considered to
be fairly E.rge. love largeness. love
large incomes, large houses, large appe-
tites, large waistcoats, large dinners. |
can never be too thankful that ccn well
afford large dinners. 1t was always my
ambition 20 be, liko my father, great
diner. and it would be but false humility
to say that / shall die without having
earned the reputation.
distinguish between the diner and
the diner out. do not want to be un-
charitable, but / have no high opinion of
the diner out. He does not, as a rule,
take the dinner itself quite seriously. He
is liable to show an interest in the
women whom he takes in or in the con-
versation. Now, life is too short for
that division of interests; we only have
time to do rie thing we'll. Let dinner
be that ono thing. | say, dine-merely
dine. That is enough. Do that well,
and you have the best delight that this
world can give you. As for conversa-
ton, despise it.
Now, there was the case os Charles
Nutcomb. He was with us at one time
and might for family reasons have come
into small partnership. 1t would not
have been much-some 5000 year
but ample for young and unmarried
man who is willing to exercise ordinary
care. Charles was a diner out, and for
family reasons l once asked him to dine
with me, although in general way. |
will not have young men at my table.
At the very moment when we We're eat
s,,r ri hot -
ly subtle and lovely character demanded
the eaters attention, reverence and ST.
lence-at that very moment. Charles
Nutcomb was tactlSss enough to tell
a story. 1t caused noisy laughter. 1t,
if l may use the phrase, completely
broke the spell. 1t was like whistling in
church. However, it was not in conse-
finally decided to get rid of Nutcomb.
He refused port. A man who refuses
port--my ports fool and conse-
quently unfit to be partner in Gorg-
bury & Pigge. A fortnight afterward I
managed to make some excuse for get
ting him out Of office. / feel positively
certain that he would have embezzled
money if he had remained His after
career only confirmed my low opinion
of him. He went completely to the dogs
became an author, i'll fact.
But am not unduly devoted to wine.
Indeed ! sometimes wonder whether |
am more fond of that or of the solid part
of the dinner. Both are good. Both
bring out all that is best in a man. The
feeling of gratitude, for instance, is COM
mendable. 1t is impossible to think
much about the commonest viands--as-
paragus, the simple oyster, or oven cut
from perfect saddle of mutton-with-
out feeling grateful. Then, too, dinner
promotes the kindly spirit. When lie
back in r. chair after dinner, breathing
stertorously, my temper becomes kindly
to the verge of fatuousness.
When in the morning clerk arrives
an hour late and makes some paltry ex-
cuse--that his wife is dead. or some nom
sense of that sort-I of course dismiss
him at once. But if l were to defer my
decision until the evening / should very
likely conhne myself to fining him q
weeks salary. If it were mis- first offense,
and my dinner had been particularly
good, might even let him off with
reprimand. That is the reason why do
no business under any pretext after din
ner. 1t is all very we'll to feel kindli-
ness, but one has TO be careful that the
feeling shall not influence ones actions.
How inseparable from our dearest de-
lights are our deepest sorrows! | have
but one serious affliction. the great soup
the soup of the city-has not real at
traction for me. 1t is richly expensive;
it is hallowed by thousand historical
associations; it has brought ecstasy to the
hearts Of men with larger incomes than
l shall ever possess, but to me it is al
most a closed book. Sometimes when |
am eating it at city banquet feel as
If / could see afar off its perfect mean
ing and catch dim glimpses Of its su-
perb generosity. But that is all. Ican-
not love it as know that it ought to be
loved.
Heretofore I have kept my affection a
secret, but last night, when Thomas
Pigge and | were dining with the Fen
dermakers (ole of the 12 principal COM
panies), 1 noticed that he was watching
me. He saw that did not really under
stand that soup. However, am not
afraid that Thomas Pigge will ever dare
to reproach me for this. He also has his
weak point, and, as he is aware, know
it, He is quite unorthodox on the sub