The Pleasures of the Table

Gastronomy from ancient days to modern times — the feasts of Greece and Rome, the great chefs and their schools, the literature of the table, and Ellwanger's own views on the aesthetics of dinner-giving.

This site is the complete 1902 book The Pleasures of the Table, page by page as originally printed — period spelling, remedies and opinions included. About this edition →

Browse the Book

This Volume Is Devotedly

INSCRIBED. "Gasteria is the Tenth Muse; she presides over the enjoyments of Taste."

Abraham Hayward

INTRODUCTORY It is far from the purpose or desire of the author to add another to the innumerable volumes having practical cookery as their…

XVII Sweets to the Sweet

BIBLIOGRAPHY. • INDEX.

Chas, Edw

From the painting by Gabriel Metzu, 1664 Fantaisie culinaire : le poisson prévoyant By A. Thierry Frontispiece PAGE iv xi Le Cuisinier.

Facing Page

3 From the stipple engraving in colours by Bartolozzi, after Cipriani Portrait du Gourmand 24 After Carle Vernet Le Livre de Taillevent 49…

Cookery Among the Ancients

9 pages

With Lucullus and Apicius

9 pages

The Renaissance of Cookery

22 pages

Old English Dishes

21 pages

Cobbes Prophecies, His Signes and Tokens, 1614

HE main attraction of the very early English cook-book, it must be confessed, is its rarity, to which may be added its quaint title-page…

L'Almanach Des Gourmands

13 pages

Second Service

Un pâté de foies gras. 4 Plats de Rôt.

See the full table of contents →

Highlights

Sundry Guides to Good Cheer

A "Sir, Respect Your Dinner; idolize it, enjoy it properly. You will be many hours in the week, many weeks in the year, and many…

Of Sauces (Je la redoute cette sauce Avec)

"Je la redoute, cette sauce. Avec elle on mangerait toujours. La lecture seule de sa recette donne faim."

Sweets to the Sweet (Jam jam efficaci do manus)

Jam jam efficaci do manus scientiæ.1 HOWEVER HORACE, Epode xvii, 1.

The Spoils of the Cover (It is difficult to imagine)

"It is difficult to imagine a happier conjunction than the blending of the symbols when the arms of a sportsman are quartered…

Sweets to the Sweet (Sprightly though bulky)

sprightly though bulky treatise is perfect, or that any of the voluminous "Cuisiniers' des Cuisiniers" has indicated the perfect…

Chas, Edw

From the painting by Gabriel Metzu, 1664 Fantaisie culinaire : le poisson prévoyant By A. Thierry Frontispiece PAGE iv xi Le…

Curious Facts

17 genuinely curious things this book actually says, each linked to its page.

Try it
62Chapters
1902Year
216Pages
Take the quiz Search the book
Rights & ReuseThe complete text of The Pleasures of the Table (1902) is in the public domain in the United States — like all works published before 1928 — and is free to read, download, quote, teach from, and reuse. This digital edition (its transcription, restored images, and site design) is © 2026 PhotoOpAI, and any editorial commentary we add is clearly marked as ours; the underlying public-domain text carries no such restriction.