which is centered in power, and political consideration, but in vain; I
now bethought me of another.

"How few persons there are," said I, "capable of giving even a tolerable
dinner--how many capable of admiring one worthy of estimation. I could
imagine no greater triumph for the ambitious epicure, than to see at
his board the first and most honoured persons of the state, all lost
in wonder at the depth, the variety, the purity, the munificence of his
taste; all forgetting, in the extorted respect which a gratified palate
never fails to produce, the more visionary schemes and projects which
usually occupy their thoughts;--to find those whom all England are
soliciting for posts and power, become, in their turn, eager and
craving aspirants for places--at his table;--to know that all the grand
movements of the ministerial body are planned and agitated over the
inspirations of his viands and the excitement of his wine--from a haunch
of venison, like the one of which we have partaken to-day, what noble
and substantial measures might arise? From a saute de foie, what
delicate subtleties of finesse might have their origin? from a ragout a
la financiere, what godlike improvements in taxation? Oh, could such
a lot be mine, I would envy neither Napoleon for the goodness of his
fortune, nor S--for the grandeur of his genius."

Guloseton laughed. "The ardour of your enthusiasm blinds your
philosophy, my dear Pelham; like Montesquieu, the liveliness of your
fancy often makes you advance paradoxes which the consideration of your
judgment would afterwards condemn. For instance, you must allow, that
if one had all those fine persons at one's table, one would be forced to
talk more, and consequently to eat less; moreover, you would either be
excited by your triumph, or you would not, that is indisputable; if you
are not excited you have the bore for nothing; if you are excited you
spoil your digestion: nothing is so detrimental to the stomach as the
feverish inquietude of the passions. All philosophies recommend calm
as the to kalon of their code; and you must perceive, that if, in the
course you advise, one has occasional opportunities of pride, one also
has those of mortification. Mortification! terrible word; how many
apoplexies have arisen from its source! No, Pelham, away with ambition;
fill your glass, and learn, at last, the secret of real philosophy."

"Confound the man!" was my mental anathema.--"Long life to the Solomon
of s