1S27.] The Travellers Oracle. 383 



observes, moans *' no more!" He who was never late in all his life, is 

 now " the late' Dr. Kitchiner ! It may be asked with these feelings pre- 

 sent to our minds " whether it is possible for us fairly to review our late 

 friend's book ?" " Most possible I" is our answer. Criticism as he himself 

 said, over and over again, at his own table " Criticism, Sir, is not a pastime : 

 it is a verdict on oath : the man who does it is (morally) sworn to perform 

 his duty! There is but one character on earth, Sir." he would add, 

 "that I detest; and that is the man who praises, indiscriminately, every 

 dish that is set before him. Once I find a fellow do that at my table, am', 

 if he were my brother, I never ask him to dinner again !" Therefore it is 

 with the confidence that his very ghost (w r e see it now shrouded in a 

 damask table-cloth !) will rejoice in our impartiality, that we sit down to 

 comment upon the posthumous counsels of our whilom associate; coun- 

 sels which his modesty has designated only as " Maxims for Locomotion," 

 but which, in truth, are pandects for man's guidance almost in every 

 emergency to which nature can be subject. Fortunately, as the chance 

 falls with us, in the midst of his eccentricity, the good sense of the doc- 

 tor has left us sufficient to laud ; while very little, indeed, presents itself 

 which we can differ from, and nothing at all to discommend. 



In discussing a book dedicated to the use of travellers, it may well be 

 expected that our first notice will touch some point connected with a jour- 

 ney; and, in fact, Dr. Kitchiner sets out in his work beginning, as 

 an instructor should do, ab initio with a list of the materiel, or " ne T 

 cessaries," with which the voyager, by land or sea, should be provided. 

 We shall ourselves, however, pass over this list, not because it is not excel- 

 lent, but because it will be obvious that its utility or inapplicability must 

 depend almost entirely upon the means and circumstances of the party who 

 is to proceed with it ; and begin our notice with some portion of those 

 directions which will be available to all classes ; as, for example, the 

 argument instructing us " How to eat and drink upon a Journey:"- 



" People are apt to imagine, that they may indulge a little more in high Living 

 when on a Journey : Travelling itself acts as a stimulus ; therefore, less Nourish- 

 ment is required than in a state of Rest : what you might not consider Intempe- 

 rance at home, may occasion violent Irritation, fatal Inflammations, &c. in 

 situations where you are least able to obtain Medical Assistance. 



" During a Journey, endeavour to have your Meals at the hours you have been 

 accustomed, a change in the Time of taking Food, is as likely to affront your 

 Stomach, as a change in the Quality or the Quantity of what is taken. 



" Innkeepers generally ask their Guests, " what they would please to have for 

 Dinner? 5 ' The best Answer you can make to this, is the Question, " What have 

 you got in your Larder?" to which, beg leave to pay a visit. 



" Be cautious how you order Sea Pish in an Inland tewn ; and there is a silly 

 custom prevails of keeping Fresh water Fish, such as Carp, Eels, and other Fresh 

 water Fish, in Tubs and Cisterns, till they are very unfit for the Mouth." 



" Choose such Foods as you have found that your Stomach can digest easily 

 Nutritive, but not of a Heating nature, and so plainly dressed, that they cannot be 

 adulterated : the Safest Foods are Eggs, plain boiled or roasted Meat, and Fruit : 

 touch not any or those Queer Compounds commonly ycleped Ragouts, Made 

 Dishes, Puddings, Pies t &c. 



" Above all, be on your guard against Soup and Wine. Instead of Wine, it 

 will often be better to drink water, with the addition of one-eighth part of Brandy, 

 which Travellers may carry with them." The Oracle" declares, that if " a Man 

 is not a very fastidious Epicure, he need never fear Hunger or Languor, when he 

 can get good Bread and Water i. c. provided he carry with him a Brunswick 

 Sausage and a Bottle of Brandy/' 



