It struck me last night, as I was lying in bed, that Mackintosh, if he were to write on pepper, would thus describe it:—
“Pepper may philosophically be described as a dusty and highly-pulverized seed of an oriental fruit; an article rather of condiment than diet, which, dispersed lightly over the surface of food with no other rule than the caprice of the consumer, communicates pleasure, rather than affords nutrition; and, by adding a tropical flavour to the gross and succulent viands of the North, approximates the different regions of the earth, explains the objects of commerce, and justifies the industry of man.”
I am very glad to hear from Miss Vernon, that you are all so well, and that you are enjoying yourselves so much at Ampthill.