DR. WHYTT, whose observations on _Nervous Disorders_, (like this work), are valuable, inasmuch as they are the authentic narrative of his own Experience--says, page 344, "When my Stomach has been weak, after I have been indisposed, I have often found myself much better for a glass of Claret and a bit of bread, an hour or more before Dinner, and I have ordered it in the same way to others, and again in the evening, an hour or more before Supper, with advantage." There is no doubt of the propriety of DR. W.'s prescription, the Editor's own feelings bear witness to it. For those who are just recovering from Diseases which have left them in a state of great Debility, a glass of Wine and a bit of Bread,--or a cup of good _Beef Tea_, (see page 96) are perhaps as good TONICS as any,--they not only remove Languor, but at the same time furnish Nutriment. We have known weak Stomachs, when kept fasting beyond the time they expected,--become so exhausted--they would refuse to receive any solid Food,--until restored to good temper,--and wound up by some Wine, or other stimulus--as Instinct proposed. Feeble Persons, who are subject to such sudden attacks, should always travel armed with a _Pocket Pistol_ charged with a couple of glasses of White Wine, or, "_Veritable Eau de Vie_,"--a Biscuit, and some strong Peppermint or Ginger Lozenges, or see "_Tablettes de Bouillon_" (No. 252):--when their Stomach is uneasy from emptiness, &c. these crutches will support the Circulation,--and considerably diminish, and sometimes entirely prevent the distressing effects which Invalids suffer from too long a Fast[80]. What a contrast there is between the materials of the morning meal A.D. 1550, when Queen Elizabeth's Maids of Honour began the day with a _Round of Beef_,--or a _Red Herring_, and a _flaggon of Ale_--and in 1821, when the Sportsman, and even the day-Labourer, breakfast on what Cooks call "_Chinese Soup_," i. e. Tea. SWIFT has jocosely observed, such is the extent of modern Epicurism, that "_the World[81] must be encompassed--before a Washerwoman can sit down to Breakfast_," _i. e._ by a voyage to the East for Tea, and to the West for Sugar. In THE NORTHUMBERLAND HOUSEHOLD BOOK for 1512, we are informed that "_a Thousand Pounds_ was the sum annually expended in Housekeeping,--this _maintained_ 166 _Persons_,--and the Wheat was then 5_s._ 8_d._ per quarter. "The Family rose at six in the morning,--my Lord and my Lady had set on their Table for BREAKFAST, _at Seven o'clock_ in the morning, A quart of Beer, A quart of Wine, Two pieces of Salt Fish, Half a dozen Red Herrings, Four White ones, and A Dish of Sprats!!! "_They_ DINED _at Ten_--SUPPED _at Four_ in the afternoon,--The Gates were all shut at nine, and no further ingress or egress permitted."--See pages 314 and 318. But now, A.D. 1821,