“Monsieur,” said madame d’Arestrel, fifty years ago, to me at Belley, “when you wish good chocolate make it the evening before in a tin pot.  The rest of the night gives it a velvet-like flavor that makes it far better.  God will not be offended at this little refinement, for in himself is all excellence.”

Meditation VII.

Theory of frying.

It was a fine morning in May; the sun shed his brightest rays on the smoky roofs of the city of enjoyments, and the streets (strangely enough) were filled neither with mud nor dust.

The heavy diligences had long ceased to shake the streets; the heavy wagons had ceased to pass, and only open carriages were seen, in which indigenous and exotic beauties under beautiful hats, cast disdainful looks on ugly, and smiling ones on good-looking cavaliers.

It was three o’clock when the professor sought his arm chair to meditate.

His right leg rested vertically on the floor, his left formed a diagonal angle with, and rested on it.  His back was comfortably supported, and his hands rested on the lions’ heads which terminated the arms of the venerable piece of furniture in which he sat.

His lofty brow indicated intense study, and his mouth a taste for pleasant amusement.  His air was collected, and any one to have seen him would have said, “that is a sage of ancient days.”  The professor sent for his preparateur en chef, (chief cook) and that officer arrived, ready to receive orders, advice or lessons.

Allocution.

“Master la Planche,” said the professor with that deep grave accent which penetrates the very depth of our hearts, “all who sit at my table pronounce your potages of the first class, a very excellent thing, for potage is the first consolation of an empty stomach.  I am sorry to say though that you are uncertain as a friturier. [Footnote:  Anglice.  Fryer.]

“I heard you sigh yesterday over that magnificent sole you served to us, pale, watery and colorless.  My friend R. [Footnote:  Mr. R—­ -, born at Seyssel, in the district of Belley, in 1757, an elector of the grand college.  He may be considered an example of the good effects of prudence and probity.] looked disapprovingly of it, M.H.R. turned his gastronomical nose to the left, and the President S. declared such a misfortune equal to a public calamity.

“This happened because you neglected the theory, the importance of which you are aware of.  You are rather obstinate, though I have, taken the trouble to impress on you the facts, that the operations of your laboratory are only the execution of the eternal laws of nature, and that certain things which you do carelessly, because you have seen others do so; yet these are the results of the highest science.  Listen to me, therefore, with attention, that you may never again blush at your works.”

Section 1.  Chemistry.