PREJUDICE FERSVS PHILOSOPHY. 89 



stewed for the benefit of the two philosophers, who had either 

 invited no guest to their banquet, or found none who relished in 

 prospect the piece de resistance. And philosophers are but men, 

 after all. When the huge dish of Snails came to be placed before 

 them, the stomachs of both doctors began to revolt against the 

 proposed experiment. Nevertheless, if they looked with disgust 

 on the Snails, they retained their awe for each other; so that 

 each, concealing the symptoms of internal revolt peculiar to 

 himself, began with infinite exertion to swallow, in very small 

 quantities, the mess which he secretly loathed. Dr. Black at 

 length showed the white feather, but in a very delicate manner, 

 as if to sound the opinion of his messmate : " Doctor," he said, 

 in his precise and quiet way, " doctor, do you not think that 

 they taste a little a very little green ?" Whereupon the other, 

 starting up from the table, and giving full vent to his feelings 



of abhorrence, vociferated, " green, green, indeed! 



tak' them awa' ; tak' them awa' !" prefixing, we are sorry to say, 

 certain epithets which a sense of propriety forbids our inserting 

 here. 



And so ended all hopes of introducing Snails into the modern 

 cuisine; so philosophy gave way and prejudice gained another 

 victory. 



