attempted, is still a desideratum in the science of morals.
32. I continue the illustration. I go on to show you what the rules are by which the extrication just referred to may be effected. In the matter of eating and drinking, the first rule is, that life and health and strength are above all things to be attended to. These are the paramount considerations; for these are in fact our very existence as physical beings. This rule is so fundamental and elementary, that it may be said to precede or underlie any gastronomical code, any code, that is, that may be formed on the subject of eating and drinking, and the accompanying pleasures. This rule being understood and taken for granted, the next rule is, that every enjoyment which eating and drinking can procure may be freely indulged in, so far as they do not violate the aforesaid rule. I am considering man at present as a purely physical being, and I say that, health and strength being taken for granted as endowments which must on no account be impaired, pleasure may very well be set up as the great and chief end of eating and drinking, and in so far as duty may be alluded to in connection with so insignificant a matter, we may say that it is our duty to get all the enjoyment that we can out of the occupations of the table, subject to the restriction referred to. We thus perceive that, although life and health and strength must never be violated by any excess
