Text.Harvet.1597-02.A2r
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Source: Israel Harvet, Discours, par lequel est prouvé ... que la concoction du ventricule, Niort: Thomas Portau, [1597], sig. A2r–A2v = pag. 3–4 [BP.Harvet.1597-02]
Summary: In this letter, Israel Harvet addresses André Gallier, a distinguished counselor and president in Fontenay-le-Comte, expressing a change in his perspective on the topic of whether it's better to eat more at dinner than at lunch. Initially viewing the question as simplistic and only of interest to those outside the medical field, Harvet's opinion shifts upon reading Laurent Joubert’s paradoxical argument that digestion is more efficient in individuals who stay awake rather than those who sleep. This insight leads him to recognize the validity of discussing such matters at the dinner table. Harvet decides to write about Joubert’s paradox and, following a conversation with Jean Garnier de la Guérinière at Gallier’s house, chooses to present his writings in French to make them accessible to a broader audience. He acknowledges Gallier’s significant influence and support in his life, noting that Gallier introduced him to his circle of friends and emphasizing Gallier’s role as his son-in-law. The letter concludes with Harvet dedicating his work to Gallier as a testament to their relationship and Gallier’s impact on his intellectual journey. (generated by ChatGPT)
Text
Monsieur iavois tousiours estimé que demander s’il est meilleur de manger plus à souper qu’a disner, estoit vne question de gens seulement non versez en la cognoissance de la Medecine: mais depuis quelques mois en ça, m’estant tombé entre les mains, vn livre des Paradoxes de Monsieur Ioubert, entre lesquels ie vey qu’il defendoit que la concoction du ventricule se fait mieux en ceux qui veillent qu’en ceux qui dorment, en mesme temps ie changay davis, & confeßé que puis-qu’vn tel homme defendoit cette proposition, que ce n’estoit sans propos qu’elle estoit si souvant mise sus le beureau des propos de table, & veritablement encore que tous les hommes n’ayent visité les livres d’Hippocrate[c1], si est il certain qu’il s’en trouve qui sont douez d’vne telle vivacité de esprits que des divers effets qu’ils auront observé, durant les maladies & la santé, ils en sçavent tirer des preceptes & maximes certaines & infallibles.
Or ie ne diray [p. 4] point icy ce que i’estimay des raisons du Paradoxe de M. Ioubert, mais seulement que m’estant advenu depuis, d’en communiquer en vostre maison avec Monsieur de la Gueriniere[e1], qu’en fin à sa persuasion ie me resolu d’en escrire ce que i’en pensois, son advis fut que ie le devois mettre en François pour le contentement de plusieurs, qui sont capables d’entendre & de iuger de choses encore plus grandes en cette langue, & non pas en aucune autre, de sorte qu’il me fallut außi tourner en François le Paradoxe de M. Ioubert.
On dira que pour ces raisons, c’estoit à luy que ie devois le presenter, & ces raisons, & son sçavoir & merite, qui l’on rendu digne d’estre Conseiller d’vne Court de Parlement, & finalement l’extreme amitié de laquelle il m’honore, demandent encore de plus grande choses de moy, si i’en avois le pouvoir, mais çà esté en vostre maison que la resolution en fut prise, ça esté vous qui m’avez introduit au nombre de ceux qu’il repute ses amis, il est vostre gendre, vous estes le premier qui m’avez obligé pour toute ma vie.
C’est donc à vous Monsieur qu’il doit estre presenté pour vn tesmoignage perpetuel, de ce que vous pouvez attendre d’vn homme qui demeurer à iamais Monsieur
Vostre humble & tres-affectionné seruiteur I[srael] Haruet.
Apparatus
Word Explanations
- ↑ Jean Garnier de la Guérinière, deceased 1622, Ecuyer, seigneur de la GUERINIERE & de SURIN, Conseiller du Roi au Parlement de Bretagne, domicilié à Rennes, married in 1594 Suzanne Gallier, daughter of André Gallier de Guinfolle
Corrections
- ↑ Hippocrate] corrected from: Hppocrate
Modern English Raw Translation
Sir, I have always thought that questioning whether it is better to eat more at dinner than at lunch was a concern only for those not well-versed in medical knowledge. However, a few months ago, a book of Paradoxes by Laurent Joubert came into my hands, in which I saw he argued that digestion in the stomach is more efficient in those who stay awake than in those who sleep. At that moment, I changed my mind and admitted that since such a learned man defended this view, it wasn’t without reason that this topic was so often brought up at dinner discussions. Indeed, even though not everyone has studied the works of Hippocrates, it is certain that some people possess such keen intellects that from observing various effects during illness and health, they can derive precise and infallible principles and maxims.
Here, I won't delve into what I thought about Mr. Joubert’s Paradox, but only that, having discussed it at your house with Mr. Jean Garnier de la Guérinière, I eventually decided, persuaded by him, to write down my thoughts. He suggested that I should write in French for the satisfaction of many who are capable of understanding and judging such matters in this language, rather than any other. Thus, I also translated Mr. Joubert's Paradox into French.
One might say that for these reasons, it was to him that I should present this work. His knowledge and merit, which have made him worthy of being a Counselor in a Court of Parliament, and the extreme friendship with which he honors me, call for even greater efforts from me, if I had the power. But it was in your house that the decision was made, it was you who introduced me to those he counts as friends, he is your son-in-law, and you are the one who has obliged me for my entire life.
Therefore, it is to you, Sir, that it should be presented as a perpetual testimony of what you can expect from a man who will remain forever,
Your humble and very affectionate servant, Israel Harvet.