The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-14
SOLITARY EATING.
London Lance

LONDON Lancet.
AT a time like the present. when the mar
rying age of the average man of the mid
die classes is being more and more post
poned, the physical ills Of bachelordom
come Increasingly under the notice of the
woman 10 live alone. Indeed, Ii has been
well said that for solitude TO be successful
a man must be either angel or devil This
refers. perhaps, mainly to the moral as
poets of isolation, and with these We have
now no concern.
There are certain physical ills. however.
which are not the least among the dis
advantages of loneliness. OF these there
is many a young clerk in London, many a
young barrister, rising. perhaps. but not yet
Tar enough risen; many a business man or
journalist who will say that one of the most
trying features of his unmarried life is 10
have TO eat alone. And a premature dys-
pepsia is the only thing that ever takes him
happily disposed individuals who can dine
alone and not eat too fast, nor too much.
nor too little. With the majority il is diff
ferent. The average man puts his novel or
his paper before him and thinks and thinks
that he will engthen out the meal with due
deliberation by reading a little with and
more between the courses. He will just en-
prov MS mind enough TO help and too
little to interfere with digestion. In fact,
ne Will provide that gentle mental accom-
paniment which with happier people con-
Versation gives 10 a meal.
This is your solitary's excellent idea. In
reality he becomes engrossed in what he is
reddlng I'LL suddenly, finding his chop cold,
ne demolishes IL in a few mouthfuls; or
else ne fnds that he is hungry and paying
no attention TO the book, which he nings
aside, he PUSHES through his food as fast
as possible, 10 plunge into his armchair and
literature a~fterward. In either case the
iohely man must digest at a disadvantage
for due and easy nutrition food should be
Slowly taken and the mind should not be
intensely exercised during the process.
Every one knows that violent bodily exer-
else is bad just after a meal. and mental
exertion is equally so.
Wise people do not even argue during or
just atter dinner, and observation of after
dinner speeches Will convince any one that
most speakers neither endure themselves
tellectual effort.
In fact, the experience of countless gener-
ations. from the red Indian of the woods
10 the white-shirted diners of a modern
party. has perpetuated the lesson that a
man should not eat alone. nor think much
at this time. but should talk and be talked
10 While he feeds. Most people do not
think much when they talk and talking Is
a natural accompaniment OF eating and
drinking.
How does IT fare with the many solitary
women of to-day? No better. we know.
than with the men, but differently. Alone
or not a man may generally he trusted at
pose. OF course. that he can get it, With
a woman IL Is different. She is more emo
tional. more imaginative and less inclined
TO realize the gross necessities OF existence.
Therefore. the woman doomed 10 dine
alone as often as not does not dine at all.
has not sufficient practice; a man gets II
because his functions practice IL too often
In the wrong way
! Worst Of all. perhaps. is the case of the