22 LETTERS TO BROTHER JOHN. 



ture. As this superior quality, like the supposed 

 superior magnitude of man's brain, is only the con- 

 sequence of his possessing articulating organs, my 

 assertion still holds, that his enunciatory apparatus 

 is the sole cause of his superior ratiocinative capa- 

 bilities. 



Now, my dear John, begging pardon for this long 

 digression about the talking organs, and with a 

 devout hope that your amiable wife, when she 

 learns how much she owes to these little instru- 

 ments, will be particularly careful never, by over- 

 tasking, to put them out of tune, I will descend 

 from generals to particulars. 



Many years ago, it was believed, by physicians, 

 that our food was operated on by the stomach, 

 pretty much in the same way as shins of beef and 

 ox-cheeks are dealt with by Papin's digester. 

 It was supposed to be digested ; that is, simmered, 

 concocted, or stewed. When a man, therefore, 

 felt himself strong and active, not oppressed after 

 meals, and altogether in excellent health and spirits, 

 this fine state of things was thought to be all owing 

 to the circumstance of the stewing and simmering 

 in the stomach having been carried on merrily and 

 well, till it was done enough; and then, it was 

 thought, the stomach handed over the stew to the 



