his cheeks; but what made him more hideous than anything else was the three round chins of more than a foot long hanging over his breast, so that his face looked like the capital of a truncated pillar.

He sat thus beside a window of a low room opening on the street, drinking from time to time a glass of ale, of which there was a huge pitcher always

near.

His singular appearance could not fail to attract the notice of the passers-by, but they had to be careful not to remain too long. Edward quickly sent them about their business, calling out, in his deep tones, "What are you staring at, like wild cats?"-"Go on your way, you lazy body"-" Off with you, you good-for-nothing dogs." During several conversations I had with him, he assured me that he was by no means unhappy, and that if death did not come to disturb his plans, he could willingly remain as he was to the end of the world.

From all that has been advanced in this chapter, we must conclude that if corpulence is not Conclua disease, it is at least a troublesome in- sion. disposition brought on mostly by our own fault. Another conclusion is that corpulence is a thing to be guarded against by those who are free of it, and got rid of by those who have it; and it is in their

favour that we now proceed to investigate the resources which science, aided by observation, presents to us.

XXII.

ON THE PREVENTION OR CURE OF CORPULENCE.

I COMMENCE with a fact which proves that corpulence can neither be prevented nor cured without determination.

M. Louis Greffulhe (afterwards Count) being threatened with corpulence, came to ask my advice, having heard that I had given attention to the subject. "On one condition," I said, "namely, that you promise on your word of honour to follow with the most rigid accuracy the rule of conduct which I prescribe.",

Having so pledged himself, I next day presented my list of rules-the first article being that he was to have himself weighed at the beginning and end of the treatment. At the end of a month he called upon me again, and gave me the result in the following terms.

"I have followed your prescription as if my life

depended upon it, and have ascertained that during the month I have lost three pounds and a little over. But to reach that result I have been obliged to do such violence to all my tastes, all my habits -in a word, I have suffered so much, that, whilst giving you my best thanks for your kind directions, I renounce any advantage resulting from them, and throw myself for the future entirely into the hands of Providence."

After this resolution, which I did not hear without pain, the result was as might be expected: M. Greffulhe grew more and more corpulent, and after suffering the inconveniences due to such a habit, had scarcely reached the age of forty when he died of suffocation.

Every cure of corpulence must begin with these three maxims or absolute principles: dis- General cretion in eating, moderation in sleep, rules.

exercise on foot or horseback.

Now, firstly, much resolution is needed to leave the dinner-table with an appetite. Whilst the craving lasts, one morsel invites another with an irresistible attraction, and, as a general rule, men eat as long as they are hungry, in spite of doctors, and even by the example of the doctors.

Secondly, to propose to any of our stout friends. to rise early is the veriest cruelty. They will plead

that their health does not allow of it; that when they get up early, they are good for nothing the rest of the day; and if a lady, she will complain that it ruins the eyes. They will all agree to sit up late, but must have their morning snooze. Thus, then, the second resource is lost.

Thirdly, exercise on horseback is an expensive cure, suitable neither for all incomes nor all conditions of life. Thus, if the patient be a pretty woman, she will gladly assent; but on three conditions: that she may have a horse at once handsome, spirited, and gentle; that she may have a riding-habit cut in the latest fashion; and that she may have a good-natured and handsome fellow to act as her squire.

Foot exercise also meets with a host of objections. It tires one to death; one is apt to perspire and catch pleurisy; the dust ruins one's stockings, or the stones one's thin shoes; and it is impossible to keep it up.

Of all medical resources, the regimen or fixed

Best remedy

diet is the first, because it acts continuously, day and night, awake or asleep. Hence, since, as was shown in a previous chapter, the usual and main cause of corpulence is the use of farinaceous food, we must conclude, as an exact consequence, that to abstain more or less.

practically.

rigorously from all that is floury and starchy tends to lessen corpulence.

You like bread; then eat brown or rye bread. You are fond of soup; have it à la julienne, or with vegetables-bread, macaroni, and pea-soups being strictly forbidden. At the first course, all is at your service, with a few exceptions, such as rice boiled with poultry, and hot pastry; but at the second course, all your philosophy will be needed. Avoiding the farinaceous, under whatever form it assumes, you will still have roast meat, salads, and vegetables; and as sweets cannot be entirely dispensed with, choose chocolate creams, flavoured jellies, and others of the same sort.

Now comes dessert; but if, so far, you have been virtuous, you can easily complete the good task. Be suspicious of cakes and similar trifles, and keep your eyes off biscuits and macaroons. There is still left you fruits of all kinds, preserves, besides other things which a knowledge of my principles will enable you to choose for yourself.

After dinner I prescribe coffee, allowing you also a liqueur. I would also advise a cup of tea or a tumbler of punch, when opportunity offers.

At breakfast, take brown bread as a matter of course, and chocolate rather than coffee. Strong coffee, however, with milk, may be conceded;