Page:The Great Secret.djvu/164

148 of food and drink are not in the digesting, but in the eating and drinking, with the social advantages of being with those who are with us at the time, and the higher one advances in art and the perception of the gifts of Nature, the more exquisite becomes the pleasure and the keener the taste; only criminals of the grossest type and savages gorge themselves like ravenous beasts without discrimination. We have brought the gastronomic arts like our other arts and pleasures to perfection, as you will prove shortly when we reach my home."

"I saw that you brought us no animal food, as the lower spirits brought to the murderers."

"No. When I was in the flesh we had long given up the taking of life, and made use of only what could be utilised without causing suffering or outraging Nature, for we had discovered that where pleasure is obtained from the violation of Nature, Nature revenges the wrong by giving disease. We had conquered disease as we had removed the sting from death. Besides, there is no flavour in those savage, life-torn dishes which we cannot successfully imitate from the produce of our fields and gardens by the secrets of science, as you will see for yourselves, so why should we stain and clog our spirits with blood and torture?"

It was a city plentifully supplied with water, as Philip could see from the numerous fountains; each garden had several, as well as small lakes and streams, and all the houses had gardens of ancient date. The lofty palms threw out their feathery fronds from great heights, while tendrils and flowers crept up their rugged and massive trunks, crimsoned with the setting beam. Groves of dark green cedars and myrtles drew the glances from the marble arches and carved columns or statues into deep recesses of cool shadows; vines