The Physiology of Taste; Or, Transcendental GastronomyBrillat-Savarin
Philosophy
The Physiology of Taste; Or, Transcendental Gastronomy
Brillat-Savarin
Gastronomy
Several years ago the newspapers told us of the discovery of a new
perfume called the emerocallis, a bulbous plant, which has an odor
not unlike the jasmin.
I am very curious, and was, therefore, induced in all probability
to go to, the Foubourg St. Germain, where I could find the
perfume.
I was suitably received, and a little flask, very well wrapped up,
was handed me, which seemed to contain about two ounces. In
exchange for it I left three francs.
An etourdi would at once have opened, smelled and tasted it. A
professor, however, acts differently, and I thought modesty would
become me. I took the flagon then and went quietly home, sat on my
sofa and prepared to experience a new sensation.
I took the package from my pocket and untied the wrappings which
surrounded it. They were three different descriptions of the
emerocallis, and referred to its natural history, its flower, and
its exquisite perfume, either in the shape of pastilles, in the
kitchen, or in ices. I read each of the wrappings. 1. To indemnify
myself as well as I could for the price I have spoken of above. 2.
To prepare myself for an appreciation of the new and valuable
extract I have spoken of.
I then opened, with reverence, the box I supposed full of
pastilles. To my surprise, however, I found three other copies of
the edition I had so carefully read. Inside I found about two
dozen of the cubes I had gone so far for.
I tasted them, and must say that I found them very agreeable. I
was sorry though, that they were so few in number, and the more I
thought of the matter, the more I became mystified.
I then arose with the intention of carrying the box back to its
manufacturer. Just then, however, I thought of my grey hairs,
laughed at my vivacity, and sat down.
A particular circumstance also recurred to me. I had to deal with
a druggist, and only four days ago I had a specimen of one of that
calling.
I had one day to visit my friend Bouvier des Eclats.
I found him strolling in a most excited state, up and down the
room, and crushing in his hands a piece of poetry, I thought a
song.
He gave it to me and said, "look at this, you know all about it."
I saw at once that it was an apothecary's bill. I was not
consulted as a poet, but as a pharmaceutist.
I knew what the trade was, and was advising him to be quiet, when
the door opened, and we saw a man of about fifty-five enter. He
was of moderate stature and his whole appearance would have been
stern, had there not been something sardonic about his lips.
He approached the fire-place, refused to sit down, and I heard the
following dialogue I have faithfully recorded.
"Monsieur," said the general, "you sent me a regular apothecary's
bill."
The man in black said that he was not an apothecary.
"What then are you?" said the general.
"Sir, I am a pharmaceutist."
"Well," said the general, "your boy--"
"Sir, I have no boy."
"Who then was the young man you sent thither?"
"My pupil--"
"I wish to say, sir, that your drugs--"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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