same. The preparation of all these varieties is nearly the The slices should be cut about one third of an inch in thickness, and the butter in a solid state applied while the toast is warm. THIRD GENUS. PRIMARY IMMERSED TOAST. Three Species. 1. Biscuit. 2. Wheaten Bread. 3. Crackers. All the species of this genus are immersed in milk or water, after being cut into slices, and previously to being toasted. This whole genus requiring more delicacy in the operation, is of most infrequent occurrence. Perhaps the second species of this genus, when properly managed, offers the most seductive state, in which this pernicious substance ever appears. FOURTH GENUS. SECONDARY IMMERSED TOAST. 1. Biscuit. 2. Wheaten Bread. 3. Four Species. Rye and Wheaten Bread. 4. Rye and Indian Bread. These varieties are plunged, after being toasted, into a warm mixture of melted butter and milk, or melted butter and water. They are by far the most common, and prepared the most carelessly; and are frequently given to children, because, in this way, the quantity of butter may be greatly diminished. FIFTH GENUS. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY IMMERSED TOAST. Species Unique. Crackers. The remarks on the last genus are often true of this, though, when fabricated with care, it may vie with most of the other varieties. In France, only the first genus is ever met with. In England and some other countries in Europe, the first genus, and the second species of the second genus only are known; but in this country, though the first genus is the most rare, the whole thirteen species are found in great profusion. The hints contained in vulgar proverbs, often afford instruction to philosophical inquirers. It is very commonly said, that to eat fryed bread, will make the hair curl, and some fact must have given rise to this suggestion. Now, this preparation is very similar to toasts. If then so strong an effect is produced by eating bread in an incipient state of carbonization, it is extravagant to suppose, that much more powerful consequences would result from consuming it in a completely carbonized state? Is it not then open to conjecture, that, in the early ages of the world, some individuals might, from various accidents, have been obliged to live for a certain period on carbonized bread; which, frizzling their hair, and blackening their skins, would have produced that new species of the human race, that has since inhabited the continent of Africa ?* *The author appears not to have known, or to have disregarded the opinion of the celebrated Dr. John Hunter, that the negro was the original man, and all the others only varieties from him, degraded or improved.-ED. The various species of toasts, before described, compose a principal part of the morning and evening meals of the whole population; and as it happens from the carelessness of the servants, that a good deal of it, by being burnt, is eaten in a carbonized state, its effects on the animal system must be extremely deleterious. The chemical analysis of the human body shews, that it is composed of carbon, iron, and hydrogen. It is very probable, that, if the Americans were analyzed, they would be found to contain a greater proportion of carbon than the people of other nations. But not having been able to obtain one for this purpose, I cannot verify the conjecture. The astonishing indifference for the collection and preservation of interesting facts, so indecently manifested, and so generally prevalent here, occasions much embarrassment to the physiological inquirer. One effect is remarkable, its desiccative qualities tend to weaken the voice, and injure its powers of modulation. This is shewn in the dry, monotonous manner of public speakers, and still more in singing. The feeble, stifled, and spiritless intonations of both sacred and profane singers, are so remarkable as to strike every stranger; and I am convinced five Italians would drown the voices of the most numerous choir that could be collected. It tends also to give a stiff, dry, crusty manner, which would not exist, if this did not form such a prevailing article of food, I will not call it nourishment. This is demonstrated by the difference of those Americans who travel in Europe, where, be ing for some time deprived of this article, they become much freer from local prejudice, and of more open manners, than those in whom this daily habit has never been interrupted.* An opinion may be formed of the extensive consequences resulting from this practice, when what I was told is generally known, but still disregarded. An individual mentioning to another the manner in which he had his toast prepared, and the exact quantity he ate every day, the other made a hasty calculation with a pencil, and found that he had consumed, in the course of his life, one hundred and seventy five cords! It is a subject of regret to me, that I could not learn the name of the person, because, if he should be a man of prim, precise habits, it would serve to elucidate my theory. The subject would admit of much more ample developements, but I shall conclude with suggesting some of the prominent objections to the practice. Legislative enactments on the subject would be inefficient, if the general feelings and sentiments of an enlightened people could not be called in to their aid. 1. The abolition of this food would prevent an ignominious dependence on foreign nations, or a useless diversion of domestic industry, for the supplies of toasting irons, toasting forks, toast racks, &c. &c. *It cannot be necessary to remind the reader, that we are not bound to refute, or accede to the conclusions of the atthor.-ED. 2. It would diminish the necessities of scorching the skin and spoiling the complexion of many interesting servant maids. 3. It would prevent the present destruction of the voice; which, perhaps, if this practice ceased, would acquire force and mellowness. 4. It would serve to liberalize the manners, and enlarge the powers of the mind. 5. It would occlude the possibilities of being mutated into negroes. 6. It would operate a great saving of time, and, thus accumulating the national economies, produce a more ample developement of the national energies. SUPPLEMENT. I was unwilling to introduce any thing into the foregoing memoir, which might, by interrupting the continuity of the subject, divert the attention from the train of ratiocination, which, I flatter myself, so unanswerably shows the evil consequences resulting from a pernicious custom. Yet I cannot refrain from adducing further proofs, in reasoning by analogy, of the direct influences of the food we eat, on our moral as well as physical qualities, by some reflections on another substance, which will be perfectly familiar, and must have occurred to every individual. My ideas will be at once anticipated, when I mention Plum Cake, or its synonym, Wedding Cake; a com |