Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Chemistry, Language, Gender, Representation,

    Expresses interest in two paintings on display at the Royal Academy of a young woman called Elaine, observing that 'Elaine, or Oleine, is the liquid constituent of adipose matter'. Insists that Elaine has a sister, Stearine, and explains how to produce this 'crystalline compound of fat'. Desires a pictorial representation of the latter, and in a postscript notes some of the other 'pretty' female names that 'might be culled from the flowery paths of Chemistry'.