The handbook of dining; or, How to dine, theoretically, philosophically and historically considered : Based chiefly upon the Physiologie du goût of Brillat-Savarin / By Leonard Francis Simpson.

  • Brillat-Savarin, Jean-Anthelme.
Date:
1859
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The handbook of dining; or, How to dine, theoretically, philosophically and historically considered : Based chiefly upon the Physiologie du goût of Brillat-Savarin / By Leonard Francis Simpson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

    71/224 (page 55)
    All these various shades may be observed in a drawing-room, where men are waiting for dinner. They are so inherent in man’s nature that the most refined politeness cannot subdue the symptoms. Whence I maintain as a maxim :—‘ Punctuality is THE MOST INDISPENSABLE QUALITY IN A COOK.’ I will support this grave maxim by relating a little experience I had myself at a dinner to which I was invited— Quorum pars magna fui, and where the pleasure of observation saved me from the pangs of misery. I was invited one day to dine with a great public functionary. The hour mentioned was half-past five, and punctually to the minute all the guests had arrived ; they all knew the host’s punctuality, and that he always plucked a crow with late comers. I arrived a minute or so late, and was struck on entering at a certain appearance of consternation on the countenances of the guests. There were whisperings going on ; some were staring through the window panes into the court-yard ; some faces betrayed annoyance ; it was quite clear something unusual had occurred. I approached one of the guests whom I thought likely to enlighten me, and asked him what had happened. £ Alas ! ’ he said, in a voice of deep affliction, * Monseigneur has just been summoned to a state cabinet council : he is just going, and Grod knows when he will be back ! ’ ‘ Is that all ? ’ I said, with a nonchalance which was far from real. ‘ It is a little matter, which will be over in a quarter of an hour—some point they wish to be informed upon ; they are aware he has an official dinner to-day, they will not keep us