That _Meat_ which is considerably _under_-done, contains more Nutriment than that which is _over_-done, is true enough;--that which is _not done at all_, contains a great deal more--but, in the ratio that it is _Raw_[13], so is it unfortunately difficult of digestion, as _Spallanzani_ (see _Index_) has proved by actual and satisfactory experiments.
OUR FOOD MUST BE DONE--_either by our Cook,--or by our Stomach_,--before Digestion can take place--(see 1st page of _Obs._ on _Siesta_); surely no man in his senses, would willingly be so wanting in consideration of the comfort, &c. of his Stomach, as to give it the needless trouble of Cooking and Digesting also--and waste its valuable energies in work which a Spit or a Stewpan can do better.
Thoroughly dressed BEEF (No. 19), or MUTTON (No. 23), is incomparably the most animating Food we can furnish our Stomachs with, and sound HOME-BREWED BEER, the most invigorating Drink--It is indeed, Gentle Reader, notwithstanding a foolish fashion has banished the natural beverage of Great Britain--as extremely ungenteel.--
"Your Wine tippling, Dram sipping fellows retreat, But your Beer-drinking Briton can never be beat."
_The best Tests of the Restorative qualities of Food_--are a small quantity of it satisfying Hunger,--the strength of the Pulse after it,--and the length of Time which elapses before Appetite returns again:--according to these Rules, the Editor's own experience gives a decided verdict in favour of Roasted or Broiled Beef (No. 19 or 94), or Mutton (No. 26 or 23), as most nutritive,--then Game and Poultry, of which the meat is Brown, (No. 59, or 61, or 74), next Veal and Lamb and Poultry, of which the meat is White--the Fat kinds of Fish, Eels--Salmon--Herrings, &c. and least nutritive, the white kinds of Fish--such as Whiting, Cod, Soles, Haddocks, &c. For further information, see _Oysters_, (No. 181).
The celebrated Trainer, Sir Thomas Parkyns, &c., "greatly preferred BEEF-EATERS--to _Sheep-biters_, as they called those who ate Mutton."
By DR. STARK'S _very curious Experiments on Diet_, p. 110, it appears, that "when he fed upon _Roasted Goose_, he was much more vigorous both in Body and Mind, than with any other food."