A Vindication of Natural Diet - Shelley

2015/2/21
TheProjectGutenbergeBookofAVindicationofNaturalDiet,byPercyByssheShelley..
ProjectGutenberg'sAVindicationofNaturalDiet.,byPercyByssheShelley
ThiseBookisfortheuseofanyoneanywhereatnocostandwith
almostnorestrictionswhatsoever.Youmaycopyit,giveitawayor
reuseitunderthetermsoftheProjectGutenbergLicenseincluded
withthiseBookoronlineatwww.gutenberg.org
Title:AVindicationofNaturalDiet.
Author:PercyByssheShelley
ReleaseDate:January31,2012[EBook#38727]
Language:English
Charactersetencoding:ISO88591
***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKAVINDICATIONOFNATURALDIET.***
ProducedbyNorbertH.Langkau,MartinPettitandthe
OnlineDistributedProofreadingTeamathttp://www.pgdp.net
(Thisfilewasproducedfromimagesgenerouslymade
availablebyTheInternetArchive)
A
VINDICATION
OF
NATURALDIET.
[Pg1]
BY
PERCYBYSSHESHELLEY.
ANEWEDITION.
"Oursimplelifewantslittle,andtruetaste
HiresnotthepaledrudgeLuxurytowaste
Thesceneitwouldadorn,andthereforestill
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38727/38727h/38727h.htm
1/22
2015/2/21
Nature,withallherchildren,hauntsthehill."
Epipsychidion.
LONDON:F.PITMAN,20,PATERNOSTERROW.
MANCHESTER:JOHNHEYWOOD,RIDGEFIELDANDOFFICES
OFTHEVEGETARIANSOCIETY,75,PRINCESSSTREET.
1884.
PREFATORYNOTICE.
[Pg3]
Shelley's "Vindication of Natural Diet" was first written as part of the notes to
"Queen Mab," which was privately issued in 1813. Later in the same year the
"Vindication" was separately published as a pamphlet, and it is from this later
publication that the present reprint is made. The original pamphlet is now
exceedinglyscarce,butitissaidtohavebeenreprintedin1835,asanappendixto
an American medical work, the "Manual on Health," by Dr. Turnbull, of New
York.Twocopiesonlyareknowntohavebeenpreservedofthisexcessivelyrare
pamphlet,thoughpossiblyothersmaybehiddeninunfrequentedlibrariesandout
ofthewaycountryhouses.OnecopyisintheBritishMuseum,andtheotherisin
thepossessionofMr.H.BuxtonForman,whohasreprinteditinhisgreateditionof
Shelley, where it forms the opening part of the second volume of the "Prose
Works."
ThemainobjectofShelley'spamphletwastoshowthatavegetabledietisthemost
natural, and therefore the best for mankind. It is not an appeal to humanitarian
sentiment,butanargumentbasedonindividualexperience,concerningtheintimate
connection of health and morality with food. It has no claim to originality in the
arguments adduced its materials being avowedly drawn from the works of Dr.
Lambe and Mr. Newton, of whom an account may be read in Mr. Howard
Williams' "Catena," but the style is Shelley's own, and the pamphlet is in many
waysoneofthemostinterestingandcharacteristicofhisproseworks.Perhapsits [Pg4]
most remarkable feature is to be found in the very pertinent remarks as to the
bearingofVegetarianismonthosequestionsofeconomyandsocialreform,which
arenowforcingthemselvesmoreandmoreontheattentionoftheEnglishpeople.
[1]
At the time of writing his "Vindication of Natural Diet," Shelley had himself, for
some months past, adopted a Vegetarian diet, chiefly, no doubt, through his
intimacywiththeNewtonfamily.Thereseemsnoreasontodoubtthathecontinued
topractiseVegetarianismduringtherestofhisstayinEngland,thatisfrom1813to
the spring of 1818. Leigh Hunt's account of his life at Marlow, in 1817, is as
follows:"This was the round of his daily life. He was up early, breakfasted
sparingly,wrotethis'RevoltofIslam'allthemorningwentoutinhisboat,orinthe
woods,withsomeGreekauthorortheBibleinhishandscamehometoadinnerof
vegetables (for he took neither meat nor wine) visited, if necessary, the sick and
fatherless,whomothersgaveBiblestoandnohelpwroteorstudiedagain,orread
tohiswifeandfriendsthewholeeveningtookacrustofbreadoraglassofwhey
forhissupper,andwentearlytobed."
2/22
2015/2/21
In1818,heleftEnglandforItaly,andduringhislastfouryears,themostdreamy
and speculative period of his life, he seems to have been less strict in his
observance of Vegetarian practice. It is not true however, as has sometimes been
asserted,thatShelleylostfaithintheprinciplesofVegetarianismforhischangein
dietwasowingpartlytohiswellknowncarelessnessabouthisfood,whichbecame
moremarkedatthistime,andpartlytoadesiretoavoidgivingtroubletotheother [Pg5]
members of his household, which, as we see from a line in his letter to Maria
Gisborne,writtenin1820,"Thoughweeatlittlefleshanddrinknowine"wasnot
entirely a Vegetarian one. Yet, even at this period of his life, he himself was
practically, if not systematically, a Vegetarian, for all his biographers agree in
informingusthatbreadwasliterallyhis"staffoflife."Wecannotdoubtthatifhe
hadlivedinthepresenttimehewouldhavetakenaleadingpartinthemovement
towards Food Reform. As it is, he has left us an invaluable legacy in his
"Vindication of Natural Diet," perhaps the most powerful and eloquent plea ever
putforwardinfavouroftheVegetariancause.
He found in this the presage of his ideal future. To his enthusiastic faith in the
transformingeffectoftheVegetarianprinciple,weowesomeofthefinestpassages
inhispoetry.Inthecloseoftheeighthcantoof"QueenMab,"wehaveapictureof
atimewhenmannomore
Slaysthelambthatlookshimintheface.
It is the same ideal of bloodless innocence as that of Israel's prophetpoet, who
declaresthatintheHolyMountaintheyshallnothurtnordestroy.Neverdidsage
or singer, prophet or priest, or poet, see a brighter vision of the future than that
which is imaged in the description of a glorified earth, from which cruelty,
bloodshed,andtyranny,havebeenbanished.
"Mybrethren,wearefree!Thefruitsareglowing
Beneaththestars,andthenightwindsareflowing
O'ertheripecorn.Thebirdsandbeastsaredreaming.
Neveragainmaybloodofbirdorbeast
Stainwithitsvenomousstreamahumanfeast,
Tothepureskiesinaccusationsteaming
Avengingpoisonsshallhaveceased
Tofeeddiseaseandfearandmadness
Thedwellersoftheearthandair
Shallthrongaroundourstepsingladness,
Seekingtheirfoodorrefugethere.
Ourtoilfromthoughtallgloriousformsshallcull,
Tomakethisearth,ourhome,morebeautiful
AndScience,andhersisterPoesy,
Shallclotheinlightthefieldsandcitiesofthefree!"
[Pg6]
******
Overtheplainthethrongswerescatteredthen
Ingroupsaroundthefires,whichfromthesea
Eventothegorgeofthefirstmountainglen
Blazedwideandfar.Thebanquetofthefree
Wasspreadbeneathmanyadarkcypresstree
Beneathwhosespireswhichswayedintheredflame
Recliningastheyate,ofliberty,
3/22
2015/2/21
Andhope,andjustice,andLaone'sname,
Earth'schildrendidawoofofhappyconverseframe.
TheirfeastwassuchasEarth,thegeneralmother,
Poursfromherfairestbosom,whenshesmiles
IntheembraceofAutumn.Toeachother
Aswhensomeparentfondlyreconciles
Herwarringchildren,shetheirwrathbeguiles
Withherownsustenancetheyrelentingweep:
Suchwasthisfestival,which,fromtheirisles
Andcontinentsandwindsandoceansdeep,
Allshapesmightthrongtosharethatflyorwalkorcreep.
That this was no mere poetic sentiment is proved by this pamphlet, which is an
earnestvindicationofVegetarianism.
H.S.S.
W.E.A.A.
[ORIGINALTITLEPAGE.]
[Pg7]
A
VINDICATION
OF
NATURALDIET.
BEINGONEINASERIESOFNOTESTOQUEENMAB
(APHILOSOPHICALPOEM).
,,
,
'.
',
,.
.Op.etDies.1,54.
[Greek:Iapetionid,pantnperimdeaeids,
Chaireispurklepsas,kaiemasphrenasperopeusas
Soit'autmegapmakaiandrasinessomenoisi.
Toisd'egantipurosdskakon,kenapantes
Terpntaikatathumon,eonkakonamphagapntes.]
[Greek:SID.]Op.etDies.1,54.
LONDON:
PRINTEDFORJ.CALLOW,MEDICALBOOKSELLER,CROWNCOURT,
PRINCE'SSTREET,SOHO,
BYSMITH&DAVY,QUEENSTREET,SEVENDIALS.
1813.
PRICEONESHILLINGANDSIXPENCE.
4/22
2015/2/21
AVINDICATIONOFNATURALDIET.
[Pg9]
Iholdthatthedepravityofthephysicalandmoralnatureofmanoriginatedinhis
unnaturalhabitsoflife.Theoriginofman,likethatoftheuniverseofwhichheisa
part,isenvelopedinimpenetrablemystery.Hisgenerationseitherhadabeginning,
or they had not. The weight of evidence in favour of each of these suppositions
seems tolerably equal and it is perfectly unimportant to the present argument
whichisassumed.Thelanguagespoken,however,bythemythologyofnearlyall
religionsseemstoprove,thatatsomedistantperiodmanforsookthepathofnature,
andsacrificedthepurityandhappinessofhisbeingtounnaturalappetites.Thedate
ofthiseventseemstohavealsobeenthatofsomegreatchangeintheclimatesof
theearth,withwhichithasanobviouscorrespondence.TheallegoryofAdamand
Eveeatingofthetreeofevil,andentailingupontheirposteritythewrathofGod,
andthelossofeverlastinglife,admitsofnootherexplanationthanthediseaseand
crimethathaveflowedfromunnaturaldiet.Miltonwassowellawareofthis,that
hemakesRaphaelthusexhibittoAdamtheconsequenceofhisdisobedience:
...Immediatelyaplace
Beforehiseyesappeared:sad,noisome,dark:
Alazarhouseitseemedwhereinwerelaid
Numbersofalldiseased:allmaladies
Ofghastlyspasm,orrackingtorture,qualms
Ofheartsickagony,allfeverouskinds,
Convulsions,epilepsies,fiercecatarrhs
Intestinestoneandulcer,cholicpangs,
Dmoniacfrenzy,mopingmelancholy,
Andmoonstruckmadness,piningatrophy,
Marasmus,andwidewastingpestilence,
Dropsies,andasthmas,andjointrackingrheums.
[Pg10]
Andhowmanythousandsmoremightnotbeaddedtothisfrightfulcatalogue!
ThestoryofPrometheusisonelikewisewhich,althoughuniversallyadmittedtobe
allegorical, has never been satisfactorily explained. Prometheus stole fire from
heaven, and was chained for this crime to Mount Caucasus, where a vulture
continually devoured his liver, that grew to meet its hunger. Hesiod says, that,
before the time of Prometheus, mankind were exempt from suffering that they
enjoyedavigorousyouth,andthatdeath,whenatlengthitcame,approachedlike
sleep,andgentlyclosedtheireyes.Again,sogeneralwasthisopinion,thatHorace,
apoetoftheAugustanage,writes:
Audaxomniaperpeti,
Genshumanaruitpervetitumnefas,
AudaxIapetigenus
Ignemfraudemalagentibusintulit,
Postignemtheredomo
Subductum,maciesetnovafebrium
Terrisincubuitcohors
Semotiquepriustardanecessitas
Lethicorripuitgradum.
Howplainalanguageisspokenbyallthis.Prometheus(whorepresentsthehuman
5/22
2015/2/21
race)effectedsomegreatchangeintheconditionofhisnature,andappliedfireto
culinary purposes thus inventing an expedient for screening from his disgust the [Pg11]
horrorsoftheshambles.Fromthismomenthisvitalsweredevouredbythevulture
of disease. It consumed his being in every shape of its loathsome and infinite
variety,inducingthesoulquellingsinkingsofprematureandviolentdeath.Allvice
arose from the ruin of healthful innocence. Tyranny, superstition, commerce, and
inequality, were then first known, when reason vainly attempted to guide the
wanderings of exacerbated passion. I conclude this part of the subject with an
extract from Mr. Newton's Defence of Vegetable Regimen, from whom I have
borrowedthisinterpretationofthefableofPrometheus.
"Making allowance for such transposition of the events of the allegory as time
mightproduceaftertheimportanttruthswereforgotten,whichthisportionofthe
ancientmythologywasintendedtotransmit,thedriftofthefableseemstobethis:
Manathiscreationwasendowedwiththegiftofperpetualyouththatis,hewas
notformedtobeasicklysufferingcreatureaswenowseehim,buttoenjoyhealth,
andtosinkbyslowdegreesintothebosomofhisparentearthwithoutdiseaseor
pain. Prometheus first taught the use of animal food (primus bovem occidit
Prometheus)[2]andoffire,withwhichtorenderitmoredigestibleandpleasingto
the taste. Jupiter, and the rest of the gods, foreseeing the consequences of these
inventions, were amused or irritated at the shortsighted devices of the newly
formed creature, and left him to experience the sad effects of them. Thirst, the
necessary concomitant of a flesh diet," (perhaps of all diet vitiated by culinary
preparation)"ensuedwaterwasresortedto,andmanforfeitedtheinestimablegift
ofhealthwhichhehadreceivedfromheavenhebecamediseased,thepartakerofa [Pg12]
precariousexistenceandnolongerdescendedslowlytohisgrave."[3]
Butjustdiseasetoluxurysucceeds,
Andeverydeathitsownavengerbreeds
Thefurypassionsfromthatbloodbegan,
AndturnedonmanafiercersavageMan.
Man and the animals whom he has infected with his society, or depraved by his
dominion,arealonediseased.Thewildhog,themouflon,thebison,andthewolf
areperfectlyexemptfrommalady,andinvariablydieeitherfromexternalviolence
or natural old age. But the domestic hog, the sheep, the cow, and the dog are
subject to an incredible variety of distempers and, like the corrupters of their
nature,havephysicianswhothriveupontheirmiseries.Thesupereminenceofman
islikeSatan's,asupereminenceofpainandthemajorityofhisspecies,doomedto
penury, disease, and crime, have reason to curse the untoward event that, by
enabling him to communicate his sensations, raised him above the level of his
fellow animals. But the steps that have been taken are irrevocable. The whole of
humanscienceiscomprisedinonequestionHowcantheadvantagesofintellect
and civilisation be reconciled with the liberty and pure pleasures of natural life?
How can we take the benefits and reject the evils of the system which is now
interwovenwithallthefibresofourbeing?Ibelievethatabstinencefromanimal
foodandspirituousliquorswouldinagreatmeasurecapacitateusforthesolution
ofthisimportantquestion.
Comparative anatomy teaches us that man resembles frugivorous animals in
everything,andcarnivorousinnothing:hehasneitherclawswherewithtoseizehis [Pg13]
prey,nordistinctandpointedteethtotearthelivingfibre.Amandarinofthefirst
class, with nails two inches long, would probably find them alone inefficient to
holdevenahare.Aftereverysubterfugeofgluttony,thebullmustbedegradedinto
theox,andtheramintothewether,byanunnaturalandinhumanoperation,thatthe
6/22
2015/2/21
flaccid fibre may offer a fainter resistance to rebellious nature. It is only by

softening and disguising dead flesh by culinary preparation that it is rendered
susceptible of mastication or digestion, and that the sight of its bloody juices and
raw horror does not excite intolerable loathing and disgust. Let the advocate of
animalfoodforcehimselftoadecisiveexperimentonitsfitness,and,asPlutarch
recommends,tearalivinglambwithhisteeth,andplunginghisheadintoitsvitals,
slakehisthirstwiththesteamingbloodwhenfreshfromthedeedofhorror,lethim
revert to the irresistible instincts of nature that would rise in judgment against it,
andsay,Natureformedmeforsuchworkasthis.Then,andthenonly,wouldhebe
consistent.
Manresemblesnocarnivorousanimal.Thereisnoexception,exceptmanbeone,
totheruleofherbivorousanimalshavingcellulatedcolons.
The orangoutang perfectly resembles man both in the order and number of his
teeth.Theorangoutangisthemostanthropomorphousoftheapetribe,allofwhich
arestrictlyfrugivorous.Thereisnootherspeciesofanimalsinwhichthisanalogy
exists.[4] In many frugivorous animals, the canine teeth are more pointed and
distinctthanthoseofman.Theresemblancealsoofthehumanstomachtothatof [Pg14]
theorangoutangisgreaterthantothatofanyotheranimal.
Theintestinesarealsoidenticalwiththoseofherbivorousanimals,whichpresenta
large surface for absorption, and have ample and cellulated colons. The ccum
also, though short, is larger than that of carnivorous animals and even here the
orangoutangretainsitsaccustomedsimilarity.
Thestructureofthehumanframethenisthatofonefittedtoapurevegetablediet,
in every essential particular. It is true that the reluctance to abstain from animal
food,inthosewhohavebeenlongaccustomedtoitsstimulus,issogreatinsome
persons of weak minds, as to be scarcely overcome but this is far from bringing
any argument in its favour. A lamb which was fed for some time on flesh by a
ship's crew, refused its natural diet at the end of the voyage. There are numerous
instances of horses, sheep, oxen, and even woodpigeons, having been taught to
live upon flesh, until they have loathed their natural aliment. Young children
evidently prefer pastry, oranges, apples, and other fruit, to the flesh of animals,
until,bythegradualdepravationofthedigestiveorgans,thefreeuseofvegetables
has,foratime,producedseriousinconveniencesforatime,Isay,sincetherenever
was an instance wherein a change from spirituous liquors and animal food to
vegetables and pure water, has failed ultimately to invigorate the body, by
rendering its juices bland and consentaneous, and to restore to the mind that
cheerfulnessandelasticity,whichnotoneinfiftypossessesonthepresentsystem.
Aloveofstrongliquorsisalsowithdifficultytaughttoinfants.Almosteveryone
remembersthewryfacesthefirstglassofportproduced.Unsophisticatedinstinctis [Pg15]
invariablyunerringbuttodecideonthefitnessofanimalfood,fromtheperverted
appetiteswhichitsconstrainedadoptionproduce,istomakethecriminalajudgein
his own cause it is even worse, it is appealing to the infatuated drunkard in a
questionofthesalubrityofbrandy.
Whatisthecauseofmorbidactionintheanimalsystem?Nottheairwebreathe,
for our fellow denizens of nature breathe the same uninjured not the water we
drink,ifremotefromthepollutionsofmanandhisinventions,fortheanimalsdrink
ittoonottheearthwetreaduponnottheunobscuredsightofgloriousnature,in
thewood,thefield,ortheexpanseofskyandoceannothingthatweareordoin
commonwiththeundiseasedinhabitantsoftheforest.Somethingthenwhereinwe
differ from them our habit of altering our food by fire, so that our appetite is no
longer a just criterion for the fitness of its gratification. Except in children there
7/22
2015/2/21
remains no traces of that instinct which determines, in all other animals, what
aliment is natural or otherwise and so perfectly obliterated are they in the
reasoningadultsofourspecies,thatithasbecomenecessarytourgeconsiderations,
drawnfromcomparativeanatomy,toprovethatwearenaturallyfrugivorous.
Crime is madness. Madness is disease. Whenever the cause of disease shall be
discovered, the root, from which all vice and misery have so long overshadowed
theglobe,willliebaretotheaxe.Alltheexertionsofman,fromthatmoment,may
beconsideredastendingtotheclearprofitofhisspecies.Nosanemindinasane
bodyresolvesuponarealcrime.Itisamanofviolentpassions,bloodshoteyes,and
swollenveins,thatalonecangrasptheknifeofmurder.Thesystemofasimplediet [Pg16]
promises no Utopian advantages. It is no mere reform of legislation, whilst the
furiouspassionsandevilpropensitiesofthehumanheart,inwhichithaditsorigin,
are still unassuaged. It strikes at the root of all evil, and is an experiment which
may be tried with success, not alone by nations, but by small societies, families,
andevenindividuals.
Innocaseshasareturntovegetabledietproducedtheslightestinjury:inmostit
hasbeenattendedwithchangesundeniablybeneficial.Shouldeveraphysicianbe
born with thegenius of Locke, Iam persuaded that he might traceallbodilyand
mental derangements to our unnatural habits, as clearly as that philosopher has
traced all knowledge to sensation. What prolific sources of disease are not those
mineral and vegetable poisons that have been introduced for its extirpation? How
manythousandshavebecomemurderersandrobbers,bigotsanddomestictyrants,
dissoluteandabandonedadventurers,fromtheuseoffermentedliquorswhohad
theyslakedtheirthirstonlyatthemountainstream,wouldhavelivedbuttodiffuse
the happiness of their own unperverted feelings. How many groundless opinions
and absurd institutions have not received a general sanction from the sottishness
and intemperance of individuals? Who will assert that, had the populace of Paris
drank at the pure source of the Seine, and satisfied their hunger at the ever
furnishedtableofvegetablenaturethattheywouldhavelenttheirbrutalsuffrageto
theproscriptionlistofRobespierre?Couldasetofmen,whosepassionswerenot
perverted by unnatural stimuli, look with coolness on an auto da f? Is it to be
believedthatabeingofgentlefeelings,risingfromhismealofroots,wouldtake
delightinsportsofblood?
Was Nero a man of temperate life? Could you read calm health in his cheek, [Pg17]
flushed with ungovernable propensities of hatred for the human race? Did Muley
Ismael's pulse beat evenly, was his skin transparent, did his eyes beam with
healthfulness,anditsinvariableconcomitants,cheerfulnessandbenignity?Though
historyhasdecidednoneofthesequestions,achildcouldnothesitatetoanswerin
thenegative.SurelythebilesuffusedcheekofBuonaparte,hiswrinkledbrow,and
yellow eye, the ceaseless inquietude of his nervous system, speak no less plainly
the character of his unresting ambition than his murders and his victories. It is
impossiblehadBonapartedescendedfromaraceofvegetablefeeders,thathecould
haveeithertheinclinationorthepowertoascendthethroneoftheBourbons.The
desireoftyrannycouldscarcelybeexcitedintheindividualthepowertotyrannise
would certainly not be delegated by a society neither frenzied by inebriation, nor
rendered impotent or irrational by disease. Pregnant, indeed, with inexhaustible
calamity is the renunciation of instinct, as it concerns our physical nature
arithmeticcannotenumerate,norreasonperhapssuspect,themultitudinoussources
of disease in civilised life. Even common water, that apparently innoxious
pabulum,whencorruptedbythefilthofpopulouscities,isadeadlyandinsidious
destroyer.[5]WhocanwonderthatalltheinducementsheldoutbyGodhimselfin
the Bible to virtue should have been vainer than a nurse's tale and that those
8/22
2015/2/21
dogmas, apparently favourable to the intolerant and angry passions, should have
alonebeendeemedessentialwhilstChristiansareinthedailypracticeofallthose [Pg18]
habitswhichhaveinfectedwithdiseaseandcrime,notonlythereprobatesons,but
thesefavouredchildrenofthecommonFather'slove.Omnipotenceitselfcouldnot
savethemfromtheconsequencesofthisoriginalanduniversalsin.
There is no disease, bodily or mental, which adoption of vegetable diet and pure
water has not infallibly mitigated, wherever the experiment has been fairly tried.
Debility is gradually converted into strength, disease into healthfulness: madness,
in all its hideous variety, from the ravings of the fettered maniac, to the
unaccountableirrationalitiesofilltemper,thatmakeahellofdomesticlife,intoa
calmandconsiderableevennessoftemper,thatalonemightofferacertainpledge
of the future moral reformation of society. On a natural system of diet, old age
would be our last and our only malady: the term of our existence would be
protractedweshouldenjoylife,andnolongerprecludeothersfromtheenjoyment
of it all sensational delights would be infinitely more exquisite and perfect the
verysenseofbeingwouldthenbeacontinuedpleasure,suchaswenowfeelitin
somefewandfavouredmomentsofouryouth.Byallthatissacredinourhopesfor
thehumanrace,Iconjurethosewholovehappinessandtruth,togiveafairtrialto
thevegetablesystem.Reasoningissurelysuperfluousonasubjectwhosemeritsan
experience of six months would set for ever at rest. But it is only among the
enlightenedandbenevolentthatsogreatasacrificeofappetiteandprejudicecanbe
expected,eventhoughitsultimateexcellenceshouldnotadmitofdispute.
Itisfoundeasier,bytheshortsightedvictimsofdisease,topalliatetheirtorments [Pg19]
by medicine, than to prevent them by regimen. The vulgar of all ranks are
invariablysensualandindocileyetIcannotbutfeelmyselfpersuaded,thatwhen
the benefits of vegetable diet are mathematically proved when it is as clear, that
thosewholivenaturallyareexemptfromprematuredeath,asthatnineisnotone,
the most sottish of mankind will feel a preference towards a long and tranquil,
contrastedwithashortandpainfullife.Ontheaverage,outofsixtypersons,four
dieinthreeyears.InApril,1814,astatementwillbegiventhatsixtypersons,all
havinglivedmorethanthreeyearsonvegetablesandpurewater,aretheninperfect
health.Morethantwoyearshavenowelapsednotoneofthemhasdiednosuch
examplewillbefoundinanysixtypersonstakenatrandom.Seventeenpersonsof
allages(thefamiliesofDr.LambeandMr.Newton)havelivedforsevenyearson
thisdietwithoutadeath,andalmostwithouttheslightestillness.Surely,whenwe
considerthatsomeofthesewereinfants,andoneamartyrtoasthma,nownearly
subdued,wemaychallengeanyseventeenpersonstakenatrandominthiscityto
exhibitaparallelcase.Thosewhomayhavebeenexcitedtoquestiontherectitude
ofestablishedhabitsofdiet,bytheselooseremarks,shouldconsultMr.Newton's
luminousandeloquentessay.[6]Itisfromthatbook,andfromtheconversationof
itsexcellentandenlightenedauthor,thatIhavederivedthematerialswhichIhere
presenttothepublic.
When these proofs come fairly before the world, and are clearly seen by all who [Pg20]
understand arithmetic, it is scarcely possible that abstinence from aliments
demonstrablyperniciousshouldnotbecomeuniversal.
In proportion to the number of proselytes, so will be the weight of evidence and
whenathousandpersonscanbeproduced,livingonvegetablesanddistilledwater,
who have to dread no disease but old age, the world will be compelled to regard
animalfleshandfermentedliquorsasslowbutcertainpoison.Thechangewhich
9/22
2015/2/21
would be produced by simpler habits on political economy is sufficiently

remarkable. The monopolising eater of animal flesh would no longer destroy his
constitutionbydevouringanacreatameal,andmanyloavesofbreadwouldcease
tocontributetogout,madness,andapoplexy,intheshapeofapintofporterora
dram of gin, when appeasing the longprotracted famine of the hardworking
peasant's hungry babes. The quantity of nutritious vegetable matter consumed in
fatteningthecarcaseofanox,wouldaffordtentimesthesustenance,undepraving
indeed, and incapable of generating disease, if gathered immediately from the
bosomoftheearth.
Themostfertiledistrictsofthehabitableglobearenowactuallycultivatedbymen
foranimals,atadelayandwasteofalimentabsolutelyincapableofcalculation.Itis
only the wealthy that can, to any great degree, even now, indulge the unnatural
craving for dead flesh, and they pay for the greater licence of the privilege, by
subjection to supernumerary diseases. Again, the spirit of the nation that should
taketheleadinthisgreatreformwouldinsensiblybecomeagricultural:commerce,
withallitsvice,selfishness,andcorruption,wouldgraduallydeclinemorenatural
habitswouldproducegentlermanners,andtheexcessivecomplicationofpolitical [Pg21]
relationswouldbesofarsimplifiedthateveryindividualmightfeelandunderstand
whyhelovedhiscountry,andtookapersonalinterestinitswelfare.Howwould
England, for example, depend on the caprices of foreign rulers, if she contained
within herself all the necessaries, and despised whatever they possessed of the
luxuries of life? How could they starve her into compliance with their views? Of
whatconsequencewoulditbethattheyrefusedtotakeherwoollenmanufactures,
when large and fertile tracts of the island ceased to be allotted to the waste of
pasturage?Onanaturalsystemofdiet,weshouldrequirenospicesfromIndiano
wines from Portugal, Spain, France, or Madeira none of those multitudinous
articlesofluxury,forwhicheverycorneroftheglobeisrifled,andwhicharethe
causes of so much individual rivalship, such calamitous and sanguinary national
disputes.
Inthehistoryofmoderntimes,theavariceofcommercialmonopoly,nolessthan
the ambition of weak and wicked chiefs, seems to have fomented the universal
discord, to have added stubbornness to the mistakes of cabinets, and indocility to
the infatuation of the people. Let it ever be remembered, that it is the direct
influence of commerce to make the interval between the richest and the poorest
manwiderandmoreunconquerable.Letitberememberedthatitisafoetoevery
thing of real worth and excellence in the human character. The odious and
disgusting aristocracy of wealth, is built upon the ruins of all that is good in
chivalry or republicanism and luxury is the forerunner of a barbarism scarce
capableofcure.Isitimpossibletorealizeastateofsociety,wherealltheenergies
ofmanshallbedirectedtotheproductionofhissolidhappiness?
Certainly,ifthisadvantage(theobjectofallpoliticalspeculation)beinanydegree [Pg22]
attainable, it is attainable only by a community which holds out no factitious
incentivestotheavariceandambitionofthefew,andwhichisinternallyorganized
for the liberty, security, and comfort of the many. None must be entrusted with
power(andmoneyisthecompletestspeciesofpower)whodonotstandpledgedto
useitexclusivelyforthegeneralbenefit.Buttheuseofanimalfleshandfermented
liquors,directlymilitateswiththisequalityoftherightsofman.Thepeasantcannot
gratify these fashionable cravings without leaving his family to starve. Without
diseaseandwar,thosesweepingcurtailersofpopulation,pasturagewouldincludea
waste too great to be afforded. The labour requisite to support a family is far
lighter[7]thanisusuallysupposed.Thepeasantrywork,notonlyforthemselves,but
forthearistocracy,thearmy,andthemanufacturers.
10/22
2015/2/21
The advantage of a reform in diet is obviously greater than that of any other. It
strikes at the root of the evil. To remedy the abuses of legislation, before we
annihilatethepropensitiesbywhichtheyareproduced,istosuppose,thatbytaking
away the effect, the cause will cease to operate. But the efficacy of this system
depends entirely on the proselytism of individuals, and grounds its merits, as a
benefit to the community, upon the total change of the dietetic habits in its [Pg23]
members. It proceeds securely from a number of particular cases to one that is
universal, and has this advantage over the contrary mode, that one error does not
invalidateallthathasgonebefore.
Letnottoomuch,however,beexpectedfromthissystem.Thehealthiestamongus
is not exempt from hereditary disease. The most symmetrical, athletic, and long
lived, is a being inexpressibly inferior to what he would have been, had not the
unnaturalhabitsofhisancestorsaccumulatedforhimacertainportionofmalady
and deformity. In the most perfect specimen of civilized man something is still
found wanting by the physiological critic. Can a return to nature, then,
instantaneously eradicate predispositions that have been slowly taking root in the
silenceofinnumerableages?Indubitablynot.AllthatIcontendforis,thatfromthe
momentoftherelinquishingallunnaturalhabits,nonewdiseaseisgeneratedand
that the predisposition to hereditary maladies gradually perishes for want of its
accustomed supply. In cases of consumption, cancer, gout, asthma, and scrofula,
suchistheinvariabletendencyofadietofvegetablesandpurewater.
Those who may be induced by these remarks to give the vegetable system a fair
trial, should, in the first place, date the commencement of their practice from the
moment of their conviction. All depends upon the breaking through a pernicious
habit resolutely and at once. Dr. Trotter[8] asserts that no drunkard was ever
reformed by gradually relinquishing his dram. Animal flesh, in its effects on the
humanstomach,isanalogoustoadram.Itissimilarinthekind,thoughdifferingin [Pg24]
thedegree,ofitsoperation.Theproselytetoapuredietmustbewarnedtoexpecta
temporarydiminutionofmuscularstrength.Thesubtractionofapowerfulstimulus
willsufficetoaccountforthisevent.Butitisonlytemporary,andissucceededby
anequablecapabilityforexertionfarsurpassinghisformervariousandfluctuating
strength. Above all, he will acquire an easiness of breathing, by which the same
exertionisperformedwitharemarkableexemptionfromthatpainfulanddifficult
pantingnowfeltbyalmosteveryoneafterhastilyclimbinganordinarymountain.
Hewillbeequallycapableofbodilyexertionormentalapplicationafterasbefore
his simple meal. He will feel none of the narcotic effects of ordinary diet.
Irritability,thedirectconsequenceofexhaustingstimuli,wouldyieldtothepower
ofnaturalandtranquilimpulses.Hewillnolongerpineunderthelethargyofennui,
thatunconquerablewearinessoflife,moredreadedthandeathitself.Hewillescape
theepidemicmadnessthatbroodsoveritsowninjuriousnotionsoftheDeity,and
"realizesthehellthatpriestsandbeldamsfeign."Everymanforms,asitwere,his
god from his own character to the divinity of one of simple habits, no offering
would be more acceptable than the happiness of his creatures. He would be
incapable of hating or persecuting others for the love of God. He will find,
moreover,asystemofsimplediettobeasystemofperfectepicurism.Hewillno
longerbeincessantlyoccupiedinbluntinganddestroyingthoseorgansfromwhich
heexpectshisgratification.
Thepleasuresoftastetobederivedfromadinnerofpotatoes,beans,peas,turnips,
lettuces,withadessertofapples,gooseberries,strawberries,currants,raspberries,
andinwinter,oranges,apples,andpears,isfargreaterthanissupposed.Thosewho [Pg25]
waituntiltheycaneatthisplainfarewiththesauceofappetitewillscarcelyjoin
with the hypocritical sensualist at a lord mayor's feast, who declaims against the
11/22
2015/2/21
pleasuresofthetable.Solomonkeptathousandconcubines,andownedindespair
thatallwasvanity.Themanwhosehappinessisconstitutedbythesocietyofone
amiable woman would find some difficulty in sympathising with the
disappointmentofthisvenerabledebauchee.
Iaddressmyselfnotonlytotheyoungenthusiast,theardentdevoteeoftruthand
virtue, the pure and passionate moralist, yet unvitiated by the contagion of the
world. He will embrace a pure system, from its abstract truth, its beauty, its
simplicity and its promise of wideextended benefit unless custom has turned
poisonintofood,hewillhatethebrutalpleasuresofthechasebyinstinctitwillbe
acontemplationfullofhorroranddisappointmenttohismind,thatbeingscapable
of the gentlest and most admirable sympathies, should take delight in the death
pangs and last convulsions of dying animals. The elderly man whose youth has
beenpoisonedbyintemperance,orwhohaslivedwithapparentmoderation,andis
afflictedwithavarietyofpainfulmaladies,wouldfindhisaccountinabeneficial
change,producedwithouttheriskofpoisonousmedicines.[9]Themother,towhom
the perpetual restlessness of disease, and unaccountable deaths incident to her [Pg26]
children,arethecausesofincurableunhappiness,wouldonthisdietexperiencethe
satisfactionofbeholdingtheirperpetualhealthandnaturalplayfulness.
The most valuable lives are daily destroyed by diseases, that it is dangerous to
palliateandimpossibletocurebymedicine.Howmuchlongerwillmancontinueto
pimpforthegluttonyofdeath,hismostinsidious,implacable,andeternalfoe?The
proselytetoasimpleandnaturaldiet,whodesireshealth,mustfromthemomentof
hisconversionattendtotheserules
NEVERTAKEANYSUBSTANCEINTOTHESTOMACHTHATONCEHADLIFE.
DRINK
NO LIQUID BUT WATER RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL PURITY BY
DISTILLATION.
FOOTNOTES:
[1]Shelley'spamphletappearedin1813.TheVegetarianSocietywasnotfounded
until1847.InformationastothisSociety,withlistofitspublications,canbehad
freeonapplicationtotheSecretary,75,PrincessStreet,Manchester.
[2]"Plin.NatHist.,"Lib.vii,Soc.57.
[3]"ReturntoNature."Cadell,1811.
[4] Cuvier, Leons d'Anat. Comp. tom. iii., pages 169, 373, 448, 465, and 480.
Rees'sCyclopdia,articleMan.
[5]SeeDr.Lambe's"ReportonCancer."
[6]ReturntoNature,orDefenceofVegetableRegimen.Cadell,1811.
[7] It has come under the author's experience that some of the workmen on an
embankmentinNorthWaleswho,inconsequenceoftheinabilityoftheproprietor
to pay them, seldom received their wages, have supported large families by
cultivatingsmallspotsofsterilegroundbymoonlight.InthenotestoPratt'sPoem,
"BreadforthePoor,"isanaccountofanindustriouslabourer,whobyworkingina
small garden, before and after his day's task, attained to an enviable state of
independence.
[8]SeeTrotteron"TheNervousTemperament."
12/22
2015/2/21
[9] See Mr. Newton's book. His children are the most beautiful and healthy
creaturesitispossibletoconceivethegirlsareperfectmodelsforasculptortheir
dispositionsarealsothemostgentleandconciliatingthejudicioustreatmentwhich
theyexperienceinotherpoints,maybeacorrelativecauseofthis.Inthefirstfive
yearsoftheirlife,of18,000childrenthatareborn,7,500dieofvariousdiseases
andhowmanymoreofthosethatsurvivearerenderedmiserablebymaladiesnot
immediately mortal? The quality and quantity of a woman's milk are materially
injuredbytheuseofdeadflesh.Inanisland,nearIceland,wherenovegetablesare
to be got, the children invariably die of tetanus, before they are three weeks old,
andthepopulationissuppliedfromthemainland.SirG.Mackenzie'sHistoryof
Iceland.SeealsoEmile,chap,i.,p.53,55,56.
APPENDIX.
[Pg27]
Personsonvegetablediethavebeenremarkableforlongevity.ThefirstChristians
practised abstinence from animal flesh, on a principle of self mortification. Other
instancesare,OldParr152MaryPatten136AShepherdinHungary126Patrick
O'Neale 113 Joseph Elkins 103 Elizabeth de Val 101 Aurungzebe 100 St.
Anthony 105 James, the Hermit 104 Arsenius 120 St. Epiphanius 115 Simeon
112andRombald120.
Mr. Newton's mode of reasoning on longevity is ingenious and conclusive. "Old

Parr,healthyasthewildanimals,attainedtotheageof152years.Allmenmightbe
as healthy as the wild animals. Therefore all men might attain to the age of 152
years."Theconclusionissufficientlymodest.OldParrcannotbesupposedtohave
escapedtheinheritanceofdisease,amassedbytheunnaturalhabitsofhisancestors.
The term of human life may be expected to be infinitely greater, taking into the
considerationallthecircumstancesthatmusthavecontributedtoabridgeeventhat
ofParr.
Itmaybehereremarked,thattheauthorandhiswifehavelivedonvegetablesfor
eightmonths.Theimprovementsofhealthandtemperherestated,istheresultof
hisownexperience.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
[Pg28]
THEETHICSOFDIET.
13/22
2015/2/21
ACATENAOFAUTHORITIESDEPRECATORYOFTHEPRACTICEOF
FLESHEATING.
348pp.,8vo.
BYHOWARDWILLIAMS,M.A.
"Iconsideritaveryvaluablework."COLONELJ.M.EARLE.
"THECATENAisgoodanduseful."FRANCESE.HOGGAN,M.D.
"'TheEthicsofDiet'muchpleasesme."T.K.CHEYNE,M.A.
PriceFiveShillingsPostfreefromtheOfficeoftheVegetarianSociety,75,
PrincessStreet,Manchester.
ESSAYSONDIET,
[Pg29]
BEING
CollectedLecturesandPapersonVegetarianDiet.
BYFRANCISWILLIAMNEWMAN.
LONDON:KEGANPAUL,TRENCH,ANDCO.ANDTHEVEGETARIANSOCIETY,75,PRINCESS
STREET,MANCHESTER.
PRICEONEFLORIN.
THE
[Pg30]
PERFECTWAYINDIET:
ATREATISEADVOCATINGARETURNTOTHENATURALAND
ANCIENTFOODOFOURRACE.
ByANNAKINGSFORD,
DoctorofMedicineoftheFacultyofParis.
London:KeganPaul,Trench,andCo.,1,PaternosterSquareorfromthe
VegetarianSociety,75,PrincessStreet,Manchester.
PRICEONEFLORIN.
Price6d.64pp.,8vo.Postfree,7d.
[Pg31]
"ALMONDSANDRAISINS"FOR1884.
EditedbyR.BAILEYWALKER,F.S.S.
CONTAINS:
14/22
2015/2/21
MushroomsandToadstools.ByH.S.S.
AHuntingoftheDeer.ByE.DudleyWarner.
AChristmasGhost.ByE.GrenvilleWaller.
TheRibblesdalePapersNos.I.IV.By"Dora."
RubiesfromRuskin.
TheMinistryofFood.ByR.BaileyWalker.
TheAbbot'sReply.ByW.E.A.Axon.
AlmondsandRaisins.ByE.J.Baillie.
TheTorquoiseRing.AStorybyMrs.AnnaKingsford,M.D.
KalendarandNotesfor1884.
FruitsinSeasonforeachMonth,&c.,&c.
75,PrincessStreet,Manchester.
PRICESIXPENCE.POSTFREE,SEVENPENCE.
[Pg32]
THEHYGEIANHOMECOOKBOOK:
HEALTHFULANDPALATABLEFOODWITHOUTCONDIMENTS.
ByR.T.TRALL,M.D.
FirstEnglishEdition,withChaptersonBread,Pies,Puddings,Soups,Sauces,
Vegetables,Fruits,&c.AlsowithAppendixon
HygienicBreadMaking,FruitPreserving,&c.
ByMrs.MATTIEJONES.
VEGETIST'SDIETARY
ANDMANUALOFVEGETABLECOOKERY.
By"Domestica."
FourthEdition.Revised.PriceSixpence.Cloth,OneShilling.
PRICESIXPENCE.
OUTDOORFRUITFORTHEMILLION:
HOWTOGROWITINLARGEANDCONTINUOUSQUANTITY,BYSIMPLE
ANDINEXPENSIVEMEANS.
FIFTH,ANDAUTHORISEDEDITION,REVISEDANDILLUSTRATED.
By"HeadGardener."
Manchester:OfficesoftheVegetarianSociety,75,PrincessStreet.
15/22
2015/2/21
THESHELLEYSOCIETY
[Pg34]
PUBLICATIONSFOR1886.
The Society's Publications for 1886 will be at least twelve of the following
fourteen:
1.Shelley'sAdonais: an Elegy on theDeath ofJohn Keats. Pisa, 4to,
1821. A Facsimile Reprint on handmade Paper, edited, with a
Bibliographical Introduction, by Thomas J. Wise. (Second Edition,
Revised.)10s.
[Issued.
2. Shelley's Review of Hogg's novel, "Memoirs of Prince Alexy
Haimatoff."NowfirstreprintedfromTheCriticalReview,Dec.1814,
on handmade Paper, with an Extract from Prof. Dowden's article,
"SomeEarlyWritingsofShelley"(Contemp.Rev.,Sept.1884).Edited,
with an Introductory Note, by Thos. J. Wise. (Second Edition,
Revised.)2s.6d.
[Issued.
3. Shelley's Alastor, or The Spirit of Solitude and other Poems.
London, fcap. 8vo., 1816. A Facsimile Reprint on handmade Paper,
withanewPrefacebyBertramDobell.(SecondEdition,Revised.)6s.
[Issued.
4. A Shelley Bibliography, or "The Shelley Library." Part I. First
EditionsandtheirReproductions.ByH.BuxtonForman.
[Issued.
5. Shelley's Vindication of Natural Diet. London, 12mo, 1813. A
Reprint,1882,withaPrefatoryNotebyH.S.SaltandW.E.A.Axon.
PresentedbyMr.Axon.(SecondEdition.)
[Issued.
6. A Memoir of Shelley, with a fresh Preface, by William Michael
RossettiaPortraitofShelleyandanengravingofhisTomb.
[Issued.
7. Shelley's Cenci, (for the Society's performance in May), with a
prologue by Dr. John Todhunter, and an Introduction and Notes by
Harry Buxton Forman and Alfred Forman and a Portrait of Beatrice
Cenci.2s.6d.
[Issued.
EndoftheProjectGutenbergEBookofAVindicationofNaturalDiet.,by
PercyByssheShelley
***ENDOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKAVINDICATIONOFNATURALDIET.***
16/22
2015/2/21
*****Thisfileshouldbenamed38727h.htmor38727h.zip*****
Thisandallassociatedfilesofvariousformatswillbefoundin:
http://www.gutenberg.org/3/8/7/2/38727/
ProducedbyNorbertH.Langkau,MartinPettitandthe
OnlineDistributedProofreadingTeamathttp://www.pgdp.net
(Thisfilewasproducedfromimagesgenerouslymade
availablebyTheInternetArchive)
Updatededitionswillreplacethepreviousonetheoldeditions
willberenamed.
Creatingtheworksfrompublicdomainprinteditionsmeansthatno
oneownsaUnitedStatescopyrightintheseworks,sotheFoundation
(andyou!)cancopyanddistributeitintheUnitedStateswithout
permissionandwithoutpayingcopyrightroyalties.Specialrules,
setforthintheGeneralTermsofUsepartofthislicense,applyto
copyinganddistributingProjectGutenbergtmelectronicworksto
protectthePROJECTGUTENBERGtmconceptandtrademark.Project
Gutenbergisaregisteredtrademark,andmaynotbeusedifyou
chargefortheeBooks,unlessyoureceivespecificpermission.Ifyou
donotchargeanythingforcopiesofthiseBook,complyingwiththe
rulesisveryeasy.YoumayusethiseBookfornearlyanypurpose
suchascreationofderivativeworks,reports,performancesand
research.Theymaybemodifiedandprintedandgivenawayyoumaydo
practicallyANYTHINGwithpublicdomaineBooks.Redistributionis
subjecttothetrademarklicense,especiallycommercial
redistribution.
***START:FULLLICENSE***
THEFULLPROJECTGUTENBERGLICENSE
PLEASEREADTHISBEFOREYOUDISTRIBUTEORUSETHISWORK
ToprotecttheProjectGutenbergtmmissionofpromotingthefree
distributionofelectronicworks,byusingordistributingthiswork
(oranyotherworkassociatedinanywaywiththephrase"Project
Gutenberg"),youagreetocomplywithallthetermsoftheFullProject
GutenbergtmLicense(availablewiththisfileoronlineat
http://gutenberg.org/license).
Section1.GeneralTermsofUseandRedistributingProjectGutenbergtm
electronicworks
1.A.ByreadingorusinganypartofthisProjectGutenbergtm
electronicwork,youindicatethatyouhaveread,understand,agreeto
andacceptallthetermsofthislicenseandintellectualproperty
(trademark/copyright)agreement.Ifyoudonotagreetoabidebyall
thetermsofthisagreement,youmustceaseusingandreturnordestroy
allcopiesofProjectGutenbergtmelectronicworksinyourpossession.
IfyoupaidafeeforobtainingacopyoforaccesstoaProject
Gutenbergtmelectronicworkandyoudonotagreetobeboundbythe
termsofthisagreement,youmayobtainarefundfromthepersonor
entitytowhomyoupaidthefeeassetforthinparagraph1.E.8.
1.B."ProjectGutenberg"isaregisteredtrademark.Itmayonlybe
usedonorassociatedinanywaywithanelectronicworkbypeoplewho
agreetobeboundbythetermsofthisagreement.Thereareafew
thingsthatyoucandowithmostProjectGutenbergtmelectronicworks
evenwithoutcomplyingwiththefulltermsofthisagreement.See
17/22
2015/2/21
paragraph1.Cbelow.TherearealotofthingsyoucandowithProject
Gutenbergtmelectronicworksifyoufollowthetermsofthisagreement
andhelppreservefreefutureaccesstoProjectGutenbergtmelectronic
works.Seeparagraph1.Ebelow.
1.C.TheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation("theFoundation"
orPGLAF),ownsacompilationcopyrightinthecollectionofProject
Gutenbergtmelectronicworks.Nearlyalltheindividualworksinthe
collectionareinthepublicdomainintheUnitedStates.Ifan
individualworkisinthepublicdomainintheUnitedStatesandyouare
locatedintheUnitedStates,wedonotclaimarighttopreventyoufrom
copying,distributing,performing,displayingorcreatingderivative
worksbasedontheworkaslongasallreferencestoProjectGutenberg
areremoved.Ofcourse,wehopethatyouwillsupporttheProject
Gutenbergtmmissionofpromotingfreeaccesstoelectronicworksby
freelysharingProjectGutenbergtmworksincompliancewiththetermsof
thisagreementforkeepingtheProjectGutenbergtmnameassociatedwith
thework.Youcaneasilycomplywiththetermsofthisagreementby
keepingthisworkinthesameformatwithitsattachedfullProject
GutenbergtmLicensewhenyoushareitwithoutchargewithothers.
1.D.Thecopyrightlawsoftheplacewhereyouarelocatedalsogovern
whatyoucandowiththiswork.Copyrightlawsinmostcountriesarein
aconstantstateofchange.IfyouareoutsidetheUnitedStates,check
thelawsofyourcountryinadditiontothetermsofthisagreement
beforedownloading,copying,displaying,performing,distributingor
creatingderivativeworksbasedonthisworkoranyotherProject
Gutenbergtmwork.TheFoundationmakesnorepresentationsconcerning
thecopyrightstatusofanyworkinanycountryoutsidetheUnited
States.
1.E.UnlessyouhaveremovedallreferencestoProjectGutenberg:
1.E.1.Thefollowingsentence,withactivelinksto,orotherimmediate
accessto,thefullProjectGutenbergtmLicensemustappearprominently
wheneveranycopyofaProjectGutenbergtmwork(anyworkonwhichthe
phrase"ProjectGutenberg"appears,orwithwhichthephrase"Project
Gutenberg"isassociated)isaccessed,displayed,performed,viewed,
copiedordistributed:
ThiseBookisfortheuseofanyoneanywhereatnocostandwith
almostnorestrictionswhatsoever.Youmaycopyit,giveitawayor
reuseitunderthetermsoftheProjectGutenbergLicenseincluded
withthiseBookoronlineatwww.gutenberg.org
1.E.2.IfanindividualProjectGutenbergtmelectronicworkisderived
fromthepublicdomain(doesnotcontainanoticeindicatingthatitis
postedwithpermissionofthecopyrightholder),theworkcanbecopied
anddistributedtoanyoneintheUnitedStateswithoutpayinganyfees
orcharges.Ifyouareredistributingorprovidingaccesstoawork
withthephrase"ProjectGutenberg"associatedwithorappearingonthe
work,youmustcomplyeitherwiththerequirementsofparagraphs1.E.1
through1.E.7orobtainpermissionfortheuseoftheworkandthe
ProjectGutenbergtmtrademarkassetforthinparagraphs1.E.8or
1.E.9.
1.E.3.IfanindividualProjectGutenbergtmelectronicworkisposted
withthepermissionofthecopyrightholder,youruseanddistribution
mustcomplywithbothparagraphs1.E.1through1.E.7andanyadditional
termsimposedbythecopyrightholder.Additionaltermswillbelinked
totheProjectGutenbergtmLicenseforallworkspostedwiththe
permissionofthecopyrightholderfoundatthebeginningofthiswork.
1.E.4.DonotunlinkordetachorremovethefullProjectGutenbergtm
Licensetermsfromthiswork,oranyfilescontainingapartofthis
18/22
2015/2/21
workoranyotherworkassociatedwithProjectGutenbergtm.
1.E.5.Donotcopy,display,perform,distributeorredistributethis
electronicwork,oranypartofthiselectronicwork,without
prominentlydisplayingthesentencesetforthinparagraph1.E.1with
activelinksorimmediateaccesstothefulltermsoftheProject
GutenbergtmLicense.
1.E.6.Youmayconverttoanddistributethisworkinanybinary,
compressed,markedup,nonproprietaryorproprietaryform,includingany
wordprocessingorhypertextform.However,ifyouprovideaccesstoor
distributecopiesofaProjectGutenbergtmworkinaformatotherthan
"PlainVanillaASCII"orotherformatusedintheofficialversion
postedontheofficialProjectGutenbergtmwebsite(www.gutenberg.org),
youmust,atnoadditionalcost,feeorexpensetotheuser,providea
copy,ameansofexportingacopy,orameansofobtainingacopyupon
request,oftheworkinitsoriginal"PlainVanillaASCII"orother
form.AnyalternateformatmustincludethefullProjectGutenbergtm
Licenseasspecifiedinparagraph1.E.1.
1.E.7.Donotchargeafeeforaccessto,viewing,displaying,
performing,copyingordistributinganyProjectGutenbergtmworks
unlessyoucomplywithparagraph1.E.8or1.E.9.
1.E.8.Youmaychargeareasonablefeeforcopiesoforproviding
accesstoordistributingProjectGutenbergtmelectronicworksprovided
that
Youpayaroyaltyfeeof20%ofthegrossprofitsyouderivefrom
theuseofProjectGutenbergtmworkscalculatedusingthemethod
youalreadyusetocalculateyourapplicabletaxes.Thefeeis
owedtotheowneroftheProjectGutenbergtmtrademark,buthe
hasagreedtodonateroyaltiesunderthisparagraphtothe
ProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation.Royaltypayments
mustbepaidwithin60daysfollowingeachdateonwhichyou
prepare(orarelegallyrequiredtoprepare)yourperiodictax
returns.Royaltypaymentsshouldbeclearlymarkedassuchand
senttotheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationatthe
addressspecifiedinSection4,"Informationaboutdonationsto
theProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation."
Youprovideafullrefundofanymoneypaidbyauserwhonotifies
youinwriting(orbyemail)within30daysofreceiptthats/he
doesnotagreetothetermsofthefullProjectGutenbergtm
License.Youmustrequiresuchausertoreturnor
destroyallcopiesoftheworkspossessedinaphysicalmedium
anddiscontinuealluseofandallaccesstoothercopiesof
ProjectGutenbergtmworks.
Youprovide,inaccordancewithparagraph1.F.3,afullrefundofany
moneypaidforaworkorareplacementcopy,ifadefectinthe
electronicworkisdiscoveredandreportedtoyouwithin90days
ofreceiptofthework.
Youcomplywithallothertermsofthisagreementforfree
distributionofProjectGutenbergtmworks.
1.E.9.IfyouwishtochargeafeeordistributeaProjectGutenbergtm
electronicworkorgroupofworksondifferenttermsthanareset
forthinthisagreement,youmustobtainpermissioninwritingfrom
boththeProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationandMichael
Hart,theowneroftheProjectGutenbergtmtrademark.Contactthe
FoundationassetforthinSection3below.
1.F.
19/22
2015/2/21
1.F.1.ProjectGutenbergvolunteersandemployeesexpendconsiderable
efforttoidentify,docopyrightresearchon,transcribeandproofread
publicdomainworksincreatingtheProjectGutenbergtm
collection.Despitetheseefforts,ProjectGutenbergtmelectronic
works,andthemediumonwhichtheymaybestored,maycontain
"Defects,"suchas,butnotlimitedto,incomplete,inaccurateor
corruptdata,transcriptionerrors,acopyrightorotherintellectual
propertyinfringement,adefectiveordamageddiskorothermedium,a
computervirus,orcomputercodesthatdamageorcannotbereadby
yourequipment.
1.F.2.LIMITEDWARRANTY,DISCLAIMEROFDAMAGESExceptforthe"Right
ofReplacementorRefund"describedinparagraph1.F.3,theProject
GutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation,theowneroftheProject
Gutenbergtmtrademark,andanyotherpartydistributingaProject
Gutenbergtmelectronicworkunderthisagreement,disclaimall
liabilitytoyoufordamages,costsandexpenses,includinglegal
fees.YOUAGREETHATYOUHAVENOREMEDIESFORNEGLIGENCE,STRICT
LIABILITY,BREACHOFWARRANTYORBREACHOFCONTRACTEXCEPTTHOSE
PROVIDEDINPARAGRAPH1.F.3.YOUAGREETHATTHEFOUNDATION,THE
TRADEMARKOWNER,ANDANYDISTRIBUTORUNDERTHISAGREEMENTWILLNOTBE
LIABLETOYOUFORACTUAL,DIRECT,INDIRECT,CONSEQUENTIAL,PUNITIVEOR
INCIDENTALDAMAGESEVENIFYOUGIVENOTICEOFTHEPOSSIBILITYOFSUCH
DAMAGE.
1.F.3.LIMITEDRIGHTOFREPLACEMENTORREFUNDIfyoudiscovera
defectinthiselectronicworkwithin90daysofreceivingit,youcan
receivearefundofthemoney(ifany)youpaidforitbysendinga
writtenexplanationtothepersonyoureceivedtheworkfrom.Ifyou
receivedtheworkonaphysicalmedium,youmustreturnthemediumwith
yourwrittenexplanation.Thepersonorentitythatprovidedyouwith
thedefectiveworkmayelecttoprovideareplacementcopyinlieuofa
refund.Ifyoureceivedtheworkelectronically,thepersonorentity
providingittoyoumaychoosetogiveyouasecondopportunityto
receivetheworkelectronicallyinlieuofarefund.Ifthesecondcopy
isalsodefective,youmaydemandarefundinwritingwithoutfurther
opportunitiestofixtheproblem.
1.F.4.Exceptforthelimitedrightofreplacementorrefundsetforth
inparagraph1.F.3,thisworkisprovidedtoyou'ASIS'WITHNOOTHER
WARRANTIESOFANYKIND,EXPRESSORIMPLIED,INCLUDINGBUTNOTLIMITEDTO
WARRANTIESOFMERCHANTIBILITYORFITNESSFORANYPURPOSE.
1.F.5.Somestatesdonotallowdisclaimersofcertainimplied
warrantiesortheexclusionorlimitationofcertaintypesofdamages.
Ifanydisclaimerorlimitationsetforthinthisagreementviolatesthe
lawofthestateapplicabletothisagreement,theagreementshallbe
interpretedtomakethemaximumdisclaimerorlimitationpermittedby
theapplicablestatelaw.Theinvalidityorunenforceabilityofany
provisionofthisagreementshallnotvoidtheremainingprovisions.
1.F.6.INDEMNITYYouagreetoindemnifyandholdtheFoundation,the
trademarkowner,anyagentoremployeeoftheFoundation,anyone
providingcopiesofProjectGutenbergtmelectronicworksinaccordance
withthisagreement,andanyvolunteersassociatedwiththeproduction,
promotionanddistributionofProjectGutenbergtmelectronicworks,
harmlessfromallliability,costsandexpenses,includinglegalfees,
thatarisedirectlyorindirectlyfromanyofthefollowingwhichyoudo
orcausetooccur:(a)distributionofthisoranyProjectGutenbergtm
work,(b)alteration,modification,oradditionsordeletionstoany
ProjectGutenbergtmwork,and(c)anyDefectyoucause.
Section2.InformationabouttheMissionofProjectGutenbergtm
20/22
2015/2/21
ProjectGutenbergtmissynonymouswiththefreedistributionof
electronicworksinformatsreadablebythewidestvarietyofcomputers
includingobsolete,old,middleagedandnewcomputers.Itexists
becauseoftheeffortsofhundredsofvolunteersanddonationsfrom
peopleinallwalksoflife.
Volunteersandfinancialsupporttoprovidevolunteerswiththe
assistancetheyneed,arecriticaltoreachingProjectGutenbergtm's
goalsandensuringthattheProjectGutenbergtmcollectionwill
remainfreelyavailableforgenerationstocome.In2001,theProject
GutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationwascreatedtoprovideasecure
andpermanentfutureforProjectGutenbergtmandfuturegenerations.
TolearnmoreabouttheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation
andhowyoureffortsanddonationscanhelp,seeSections3and4
andtheFoundationwebpageathttp://www.pglaf.org.
Section3.InformationabouttheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchive
Foundation
TheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationisanonprofit
501(c)(3)educationalcorporationorganizedunderthelawsofthe
stateofMississippiandgrantedtaxexemptstatusbytheInternal
RevenueService.TheFoundation'sEINorfederaltaxidentification
numberis646221541.Its501(c)(3)letterispostedat
http://pglaf.org/fundraising.ContributionstotheProjectGutenberg
LiteraryArchiveFoundationaretaxdeductibletothefullextent
permittedbyU.S.federallawsandyourstate'slaws.
TheFoundation'sprincipalofficeislocatedat4557MelanDr.S.
Fairbanks,AK,99712.,butitsvolunteersandemployeesarescattered
throughoutnumerouslocations.Itsbusinessofficeislocatedat
809North1500West,SaltLakeCity,UT84116,(801)5961887,email
business@pglaf.org.Emailcontactlinksanduptodatecontact
informationcanbefoundattheFoundation'swebsiteandofficial
pageathttp://pglaf.org
Foradditionalcontactinformation:
Dr.GregoryB.Newby
ChiefExecutiveandDirector
gbnewby@pglaf.org
Section4.InformationaboutDonationstotheProjectGutenberg
LiteraryArchiveFoundation
ProjectGutenbergtmdependsuponandcannotsurvivewithoutwide
spreadpublicsupportanddonationstocarryoutitsmissionof
increasingthenumberofpublicdomainandlicensedworksthatcanbe
freelydistributedinmachinereadableformaccessiblebythewidest
arrayofequipmentincludingoutdatedequipment.Manysmalldonations
($1to$5,000)areparticularlyimportanttomaintainingtaxexempt
statuswiththeIRS.
TheFoundationiscommittedtocomplyingwiththelawsregulating
charitiesandcharitabledonationsinall50statesoftheUnited
States.Compliancerequirementsarenotuniformandittakesa
considerableeffort,muchpaperworkandmanyfeestomeetandkeepup
withtheserequirements.Wedonotsolicitdonationsinlocations
wherewehavenotreceivedwrittenconfirmationofcompliance.To
SENDDONATIONSordeterminethestatusofcomplianceforany
particularstatevisithttp://pglaf.org
Whilewecannotanddonotsolicitcontributionsfromstateswherewe
21/22
2015/2/21
havenotmetthesolicitationrequirements,weknowofnoprohibition
againstacceptingunsoliciteddonationsfromdonorsinsuchstateswho
approachuswithofferstodonate.
Internationaldonationsaregratefullyaccepted,butwecannotmake
anystatementsconcerningtaxtreatmentofdonationsreceivedfrom
outsidetheUnitedStates.U.S.lawsaloneswampoursmallstaff.
PleasechecktheProjectGutenbergWebpagesforcurrentdonation
methodsandaddresses.Donationsareacceptedinanumberofother
waysincludingchecks,onlinepaymentsandcreditcarddonations.
Todonate,pleasevisit:http://pglaf.org/donate
Section5.GeneralInformationAboutProjectGutenbergtmelectronic
works.
ProfessorMichaelS.HartistheoriginatoroftheProjectGutenbergtm
conceptofalibraryofelectronicworksthatcouldbefreelyshared
withanyone.Forthirtyyears,heproducedanddistributedProject
GutenbergtmeBookswithonlyaloosenetworkofvolunteersupport.
ProjectGutenbergtmeBooksareoftencreatedfromseveralprinted
editions,allofwhichareconfirmedasPublicDomainintheU.S.
unlessacopyrightnoticeisincluded.Thus,wedonotnecessarily
keepeBooksincompliancewithanyparticularpaperedition.
MostpeoplestartatourWebsitewhichhasthemainPGsearchfacility:
http://www.gutenberg.org
ThisWebsiteincludesinformationaboutProjectGutenbergtm,
includinghowtomakedonationstotheProjectGutenbergLiterary
ArchiveFoundation,howtohelpproduceourneweBooks,andhowto
subscribetoouremailnewslettertohearaboutneweBooks.
22/22

A Vindication of Natural Diet - Shelley

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

A Vindication of Natural Diet - Shelley

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

2015/2/21

flaccid fibre may offer a fainter resistance to rebellious nature. It is only by

would be produced by simpler habits on political economy is sufficiently

NO LIQUID BUT WATER RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL PURITY BY

Mr. Newton's mode of reasoning on longevity is ingenious and conclusive. "Old

You might also like