フライパン

解説

付記

地獄の主ニックが天に召喚された。 ペテロは言った。 「お前の心根は悪くない。 だが新しい発明への熱意が足りぬ。 焼くのは古いやり方だ。 だが“フライパン”こそが、 悪しき魂を最もよく焼くと聞いている。 取ってこい――油を満たし、罪人を揚げるのだ！」 ニックは答えた。 「それより良い方法を知っている。 ――やつらの“食い物”をそこで揚げてやるのさ」

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Original

One part of the penal apparatus employed in that punitive institution, a woman's kitchen. The frying-pan was invented by Calvin, and by him used in cooking span-long infants that had died without baptism; and observing one day the horrible torment of a tramp who had incautiously pulled a fried babe from the waste-dump and devoured it, it occurred to the great divine to rob death of its terrors by introducing the frying-pan into every household in Geneva. Thence it spread to all corners of the world, and has been of invaluable assistance in the propagation of his sombre faith. The following lines (said to be from the pen of his Grace Bishop Potter) seem to imply that the usefulness of this utensil is not limited to this world; but as the consequences of its employment in this life reach over into the life to come, so also itself may be found on the other side, rewarding its devotees:

Additional notes

Old Nick was summoned to the skies. Said Peter: "Your intentions Are good, but you lack enterprise Concerning new inventions. Now, broiling is an ancient plan Of torment, but I hear it Reported that the frying-pan Sears best the wicked spirit. Go get one—fill it up with fat— Fry sinners brown and good in't." I know a trick worth two o' that, Said Nick—"I'll cook their food in't."