“To see the butcher slap the steak before he laid it
on
the block, and give his knife a sharpening, was to forget
breakfast instantly. It was agreeable too - it really
was -
to see him cut it off so smooth and juicy. There was nothing
savage in the act, although the knife was large
and keen;
it was a piece of art, high art; there was delicacy of touch,
clearness of tone, skilful handling of
the subject, fine shading.
It was the triumph of mind over matter; quite.”
- Charles Dickens, Martin Chuzzlewit
