PERFECT EXCELLENCE. 
215 
journey. The strawberry has the property of 
not undergoing the acetous fermentation in 
the stomach. The learned Linnaeus was cured 
of frequent attacks of gout by the use of 
strawberries. This fruit, it is said, has often 
restored to health patients given over by every 
physician. They will compose a thousand de¬ 
licious sherbets, they are the delight of our 
tables, and the luxury of our rural feasts. 
Everywhere these charming berries, which 
dispute in freshness and in perfume the buds 
of the most beautiful flowers, please the sight, 
the taste, and the smell. Yet there are some 
unfortunate enough to hate strawberries, and 
to swoon at the sight of a rose. Ought it to 
astonish us, since we see certain persons grow 
pale at the relation of a good action, as if the 
inspiration of virtue were a reproach to them. 
Happily, these sad exceptions take nothing 
from the charm of virtue,— from the beauty 
of the rose,— nor from the perfect excellence 
of the most charming of fruits. 
