フライパン

解説

付記

老いたるニック（悪魔）が天上に召喚された。 ペテロは言った。 「お前の企ては良いが、新しい発明という点で 企業家精神に欠けている。 今や、炙るのは古代からの責め苦の方法だが、 聞くところによると、フライパンこそが、 最もよく邪悪な魂を焼くらしい。 行って一つ手に入れ、油を満たして、 罪人たちをこんがりと良い色になるまで揚げろ。」 「私はそれより二倍価値のある秘策を知っている」 とニックは言い、「奴らの食べ物をそれで調理してやる」と言った。

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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."