nnatural inclinations
implanted by the author of all evil for wise purposes of his own.

The philosopher had other weaknesses--but they are scarcely worthy our
serious examination. For example, there are few men of extraordinary
profundity who are found wanting in an inclination for the bottle.
Whether this inclination be an exciting cause, or rather a valid
proof, of such profundity, it is a nice thing to say. Bon-Bon, as far
as I can learn, did not think the subject adapted to minute
investigation;--nor do I. Yet in the indulgence of a propensity so
truly classical, it is not to be supposed that the _restaurateur_
would lose sight of that intuitive discrimination which was wont to
characterize, at one and the same time, his _essais_ and his
_omelettes_. In his seclusions the Vin de Bourgogne had its allotted
hour, and there were appropriate moments for the Cotes du Rhone. With
him Sauternes was to Medoc what Catullus was to Homer. He would sport
with a syllogism in sipping St. Peray, but unravel an argument over
Clos-Vougeot, and upset a theory in a torrent of Chambertin. Well had
it been if the same quick sense of propriety had attended him in the
peddling propensity to which I have formerly alluded--but this was by
no means the case. Indeed to say the truth, _that_ trait of mind in
the philosophic Bon-Bon _did_ begin at length to assume a character of
strange intensity and mysticism, and appeared deeply tinctured with
the _diablerie_ of his favourite German studies.

To enter the little _cafe_ in the _cul-de-sac_ Le Febvre was, at the
period of our tale, to enter the _sanctum_ of a man of genius. Bon-Bon
was a man of genius. There was not a _sous-cuisinier_ in Rouen who
could not have told you that Bon-Bon was a man of genius. His very cat
knew it, and forbore to whisk her tail in the presence of the man of
genius. His large water-dog was acquainted with the fact, and upon the
approach of his master, betrayed his sense of inferiority by a
sanctity of deportment, a debasement of the ears, and a dropping of
the lower jaw not altogether unworthy of a dog. It is, however, true
that much of this habitual respect might have been attributed to the
personal appearance of the metaphysician. A distinguished exterior
will, I am constrained to say, have its way even with a beast; and I
am willing to allow much in the outward man of the _restaurateur_
calculated to impress the imagination of the quadruped. There is a
peculiar