Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Physiology, Induction, Philosophy, Steamships

    Recalling certain meals that were particularly memorable, asks, 'Why is it that no bacon has since had that aroma, and that penetrating flavour? Or was the effect purely subjective? [...] Or was there some subtle physiological preparation of conditions, making the palate unusually sensitive? These be questions. An inconsiderate reader will answer that the whole mystery lies in youth and appetite; and in this answer the reader displays his imperfect induction' (616). Claims that the 'reader is a philosopher, and with that restless curiosity which is always prying behind facts in the hope of detecting the strings of the puppets, wishes to discover the First Principles [...] of this subject', and notes, 'If the reader can see his way to a solution, I can't. I believe it is a first truth'. Inquires, 'Can Science teach us to recover and multiply' the 'higher raptures of Flavour' which occur all too rarely? (618) Also recalls 'the lingering remembrance of that horrible steamer, quivering, shivering, groaning, moaning, and pitching' (617).