e lived a wealthy gentleman, who,
having no taste either for improving his mind or exercising his body,
acquired a habit of eating almost all day long. The whole extent of his
thoughts was, what he should eat for dinner, and how he should procure
the greatest delicacies. Italy produces excellent wine, but these were
not enough for our epicure; he settled agents in different parts of
France and Spain, to buy up all the most generous and costly wines of
those countries. He had correspondence with all the maritime cities,
that he might be constantly supplied with every species of fish; every
poulterer and fishmonger in the town was under articles to let him have
his choice of rarities. He also employed a man on purpose to give
directions for his pastry and desserts. As soon as he had breakfasted in
the morning, it was his constant practice to retire to his library (for
he, too, had a library, although he never opened a book). When he was
there, he gravely seated himself in an easy chair, and, tucking a napkin
under his chin, ordered his head cook to be sent in to him. The head
cook instantly appeared attended by a couple of footmen, who carried
each a silver salver of prodigious size, on which were cups containing
sauces of every different flavour which could be devised. The gentleman,
with the greatest solemnity, used to dip a bit of bread in each, and
taste it, giving his orders upon the subject with as much earnestness
and precision as if he had been signing papers for the government of a
kingdom. When this important affair was thus concluded, he would throw
himself upon a couch, to repair the fatigues of such an exertion, and
refresh himself against dinner. When that delightful hour arrived, it is
impossible to describe either the variety of fish, flesh, and fowl which
was set before him, or the surprising greediness with which he ate of
all; stimulating his appetite with the highest sauces and richest wines,
till at length he was obliged to desist, not from being satisfied, but
from mere inability to contain more.

"This kind of life he had long pursued, but at last became so corpulent
that he could hardly move; his belly appeared prominent like a mountain,
his face was bloated, and his legs, though swelled to the size of
columns, seemed unable to support the prodigious weight of his body.
Added to this, he was troubled with continual indigestions and racking
pains in several of his limbs, which at length terminated in