We have then only to speak of the manner they who wish to grow fat should live.  This will not be difficult, according to the many directions we have laid down.

To resolve this problem, we must offer to the stomach food which occupies, but does not fatigue it, and displays to the assimilant power, things they can turn into fat.

Let us seek to trace out the daily diet of a sylph, or a sylph disposed to materialize itself.

General rule.  Much fresh bread will be eaten during the day, and particular care will be taken not to throw away the crumbs.

Before eight in the morning, soup au pain or aux pates will be taken, and afterwards a cup of good chocolate.

At eleven o’clock, breakfast on fresh broiled eggs, petit pates cotelettes, and what you please; have eggs, coffee will do no harm.

Dinner hour should be so arranged that one should have thoroughly digested before the time comes to sit down at the table.  The eating of one meal before another is digested, is an abuse.

After dinner there should be some exercise; men as much as they can; women should go into the Tuilleries, or as they say in America, go shopping.  We are satisfied that the little gossip and conversation they maintain is very healthful.

At times, all should take as much soup, potage, fish, etc., and also meat cooked with rice and macaronies, pastry, creams, etc.

At dessert such persons should eat Savoy biscuits, and other things made up of eggs, fecula, and sugar.

This regimen, though apparently circumscribed, is yet susceptible of great variety:  it admits the whole animal kingdom, and great care is necessarily taken in the seasoning and preparation of the food presented.  The object of this is to prevent disgust, which prevents any amelioration.

Beer should be preferred—­if not beer, wines from Bourdeaux or from the south of France.

One should avoid all acids, except salads.  As much sugar as possible should be put on fruits and all should avoid cold baths.  One should seek as long as possible, to breathe the pure country air, eat many grapes when they are in season, and never go to the ball for the mere pleasure of dancing.

Ordinarily one should go to bed about eleven, P. M., and never, under any circumstances, sit up more than an hour later.

Following this regime resolutely, all the distractions of nature will soon be repaired.  Health and beauty will both be advanced, and accents of gratitude will ring in the ears of the professor.

Sheep are fattened, as are oxen, lobsters and oysters.  Hence, I deduce the general maxim; viz:  “He that eats may be made fat, provided that the food be chosen correctly, and according to the physiology of the animal to be fattened.”

Meditation XXIV.

Fasting.

Definition.

Fasting is a moral abstinence from food, from some religious or moral influence.