It has been recommended, that those whose Teeth are defective, should mince their meat--this will certainly save trouble to both Teeth and Stomach--nevertheless, it is advisable, let the meat be minced ever so fine, to endeavour to mumble it into a pulp before it be introduced to the Stomach--on account of the advantage derived from its admixture with the SALIVA. "By experiment, I determined the quantity of _Saliva_ secreted in half an hour, to be _whilst the parts were at rest_, four drachms,--whilst _eating_, five ounces four drachms."--STARK _on Diet_, p. 99. MASTICATION is the source of all good Digestion;--_with its assistance_, almost any thing may be put into any stomach with impunity:--_without it_, Digestion is always difficult, and often impossible: and be it always remembered, it is not merely what we eat, but what we digest well, that nourishes us. The sagacious _Gourmand_ is ever mindful of his motto-- "Masticate, Denticate, Chump, Grind, and Swallow." The four first acts, he knows he must perform properly,--before he dare attempt the fifth. Those who cannot enjoy a savoury morsel on account of their Teeth, or rather on account of the want of them, we refer to the note at the foot of p. 260, and also have the pleasure to inform them, that PATENT MASTICATORS are made by PALMER, _Cutler, in St. James's Street_. To those who may inadvertently exercise their Masticative faculties on unworthy materials--or longer on worthy ones than nature finds convenient, we recommend "Peristaltic Persuaders." See page 235. When either the _Teeth_ or _Stomach_ are extremely feeble, especial care must be taken _to keep Meat till it is tender_--before it is cooked--and call in the aid of the _Pestle_ and _Mortar_.--And see Nos. 10,--18,--87,--89,--175,--178; from 185 to 250,--502--542--and especially 503. Or dress in the usual way whatever is best liked--mince it--put it into a Mortar--and pound it with a little Broth or melted Butter,--Vegetable,--Herb,--Spice,--Zest, No. 255, &c.--according to the taste, &c. of the Eater.--The business of the Stomach is thus very materially facilitated. "Mincing or Pounding Meat--saveth the grinding of the Teeth; and therefore (no doubt) is more nourishing, especially in Age,--or to them that have weak teeth; but Butter is not proper for weak bodies,--and therefore, moisten it in pounding with a little Claret Wine, and a very little Cinnamon or Nutmeg."--LORD BACON'S _Natural History_, Century 1.--54. This is important Advice for those who are afflicted with "_Tic Douloureux_,"--the paroxysm of which is generally provoked by the exercise of Eating,--and the Editor has known that dreadful disorder cured by the Patient frequently taking food thus prepared in small portions, instead of a regular meal.