98 DIGESTION 



He was a voracious feeder and rather a coarse one. 



When at table, he was totally absorbed in the business of the moment ; 

 his looks seemed riveted to his plate; nor would he, unless when in very 

 high company, say one word, or even pay the least attention to what 

 was said by others, till he had satisfied his appetite, which was so fierce, 

 and indulged with such intenseness, that while in the act of eating, the 

 veins of his forehead swelled, and generally a strong perspiration was 

 visible. 



Mrs Piozzi records that "his favourite dainties were — a leg 

 of pork boiled till it dropped from the bone, a veal pie with 

 plums and sugar, and the outside cut of a salt buttock of 

 beef," and it is recorded of him that on one occasion he 

 emptied the butter-boat full of lobster sauce over his plum- 

 pudding. 



But I must stop dealing Avith these literary appetites, and 

 get on with the next chapter. 



