The consideration of the destructive as compared with the
constructive forces of chemistry was present, as I recollect, to
your powerful intellect on the festive occasion to which I refer.
"Yes!" you said (permit me to repeat your very words)--"Yes, Count
Fosco, Alexander's morning draught shall make Alexander run for his
life at the first sound of the enemy's trumpet. So much chemistry
can achieve; but can she help as well as harm? Nay, can she answer
for it that the lemon which Professor Allen, from the best and
purest of motives, has blended with this milk-punch, shall not
disagree with me to-morrow morning? Can chemistry, Count Fosco,
thus thwart malign constitutional tendency?"
These were your words, sir, and I am now ready to answer your deep-
searching question in the affirmative. Prolonged assiduous
application to my Art has shown me how to preserve the lemon in
Milk Punch, and yet destroy, or disengage, the deleterious
elements. Will you so greatly honour science, and Fosco her
servant, as to sup with me on the night of the twenty-fifth, at
nine o'clock, and prove (you need not dread the test) whether a
true follower of knowledge or a vain babbler signs--in exile--the
name of
ISIDOR OTTAVIO BALDASSARE FOSCO?
From Mr. Pickwick to the Count Fosco.
May 24.
My Dear Sir,--Many thanks for your very kind invitation. Apart
from the interests of science, the pleasure of your company alone
would be more than enough to make me gladly accept it.
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