The art of dining, or, Gastronomy and gastronomers.

  • Hayward, A. (Abraham), 1801-1884.
Date:
1852
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The art of dining, or, Gastronomy and gastronomers. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    that all?’ ‘Yes, Sir.’ The man was not aware that Vatel had sent to all the seaports. Vatel waits some time ; the other purveyors did not arrive ; his brain began to burn; he believed that there would be no more fish. He finds Gourville; he says to him, ‘ Monsieur, I shall never survive this disgrace.’ Gourville made light of it. Vatel goes up stairs to his room, places his sword against the door, and stabs himself to the heart; but it was not until the third blow, after giving himself two not mortal, that he fell dead. The fish, however, arrives from all quarters ; they seek Vatel to distribute it; they go to his room, they knock, they force open the door; he is found bathed in his blood. They hasten to tell the prince, who is in despair. The duke wept: it was on Vatel that his journey from Burgundy hinged. The prince related what had passed to the king, with marks of the deepest sorrow. It was attributed to the high sense of honour which he had after his own way. He was very highly commended; his courage was praised and blamed at the same time. The king said he had delayed coming to Chantilly for five years, for fear of the embarrassment he should cause.” Such are the exact terms in which Madame de Sevigny narrated one of the most extraordinary instances of self - devotion recorded in history. “ Enfin, Manette, voila ce que c’etait que Madame de Sevigne et Vatel! Ce sont ces gens-la qui ont honore le siecle de Louis Quatorze.”* We subjoin a few reflections on the same subject taken from the Epistle dedicatory to the shade of Vatel, appropriately * Vanderdoort, who had the charge of Charles I.’s collection, hung himself because a miniature by Gibson was missing at the momenf — Walpole.