Published in 1837 in Philadelphia, The Art of Dining; And the Art of Attaining High Health was originally published as a series of weekly articles titled The Original by social-activist author Thomas Walker. The collection is divided into three parts pertaining to the art of dining, achieving good health, and enjoying supper.
Of dining, Walker states, “we are ordinarily content with the standard of mediocrity….Anybody can dine, but very few know how to dine, so as to ensure the greatest quantity of health and enjoyment.” Walker continues the section with a detailed explanation and ramblings about the proper way to dine, showcasing a fascinating glimpse into the dining habits of the early 19th century. This edition of The Art of Dining; And the Art of Attaining High Health was reproduced by permission from the volume in the collection of the American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Massachusetts. Founded in 1812 by Isaiah Thomas, a Revolutionary War patriot and successful printer and publisher, the Society is a research library documenting the life of Americans from the colonial era through 1876. The Society collects, preserves, and makes available as complete a record as possible of the printed materials from the early American experience. The cookbook collection includes approximately 1,100 volumes.
Of dining, Walker states, “we are ordinarily content with the standard of mediocrity….Anybody can dine, but very few know how to dine, so as to ensure the greatest quantity of health and enjoyment.” Walker continues the section with a detailed explanation and ramblings about the proper way to dine, showcasing a fascinating glimpse into the dining habits of the early 19th century.
Although most of the tome focuses on dining, The Art of Dining; And the Art of Attaining High Health also explores achieving good health and enjoying supper. Of the first, Walker wisely states, “Content the stomach, and the stomach will content you,” and follows with advice still believed today, that eating natural, good food leads to good health. Of supper, Walker proclaims, “Dinner is a business; supper an amusement” and warns readers to not forgo this important meal. The Art of Dining; And the Art of Attaining High Health was written in the early 19th century, but Walker clearly expounds on ideas that are still current for “foodies,” food writers, and health food advocates of today.
