embitters the latter half of life is due to avoidable errors in diet,
and that more mischief in the form of actual disease, of impaired
vigour, and of shortened life, accrues to civilized man in England and
throughout Central Europe from erroneous habits of eating than from
the habitual use of alcoholic drink, considerable as I know that evil
to be."--_Sir Henry Thompson._

* * * * *

"Knowledge which subserves self-preservation by preventing loss of
health is of primary importance. We do not contend that possession of
such knowledge would by any means wholly remedy the evil. But we do
contend that the right knowledge impressed in the right way would
effect much; and we further contend that as the laws of health must be
recognized before they can be fully conformed to, the imparting of
such knowledge must precede a more rational living."--_Herbert
Spencer._

* * * * *

"Cooking means the knowledge of Medea and Circe, and of Calypso and
Helen, and of Rebekah, and of the Queen of Sheba. It means the
knowledge of all fruits, and herbs, and balms, and spices, and of all
that is healing and sweet in fields and groves, and savory in meats;
it means carefulness, and inventiveness, and watchfulness, and
willingness, and readiness of appliance; it means much tasting and no
wasting; it means English thoroughness, and French art, and Arabian
hospitality; it means, in fine, that you are to be perfect and always
'ladies'--'loaf-givers.'"--_Ruskin._