Mrs. Hill's new cook-book

Front matter

Coof<Boof< m m

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. ^jf&- —

<L_L_„ Copyright No.

Introduction

Till book which meets the wants of the times deservM a plaot in ever j household, and the writer who, in these degenerate days, contributes to the pleasures, and at the same time advances th€ real welfare, of the race, deserves a place in the Calendar with all the benefactors of the age. " The Southern Practical Cook *ry and Receipt Book" comes up to the standard here laid down.

In reading the advertisements in our daily papers, the eye frequently falls upon something like this: — " Wanted, A good Cook.* rhis is a universal want, and one that must, to some extent, be sup plied. We are an eating race, and people will eat ; they have been educated to eat. Indeed, hitherto we have lived by this process, and jven now there appears no sign among the improvements of the age, )f such a reformation as will dispense with " table comforts." f lappy is that family that has this want gratified. I do not mean hat we are an Epicurean race ; so far from it, indeed, that then ire no visible tendencies in that direction, and it is hoped none will wer appear. But man is an animal, and all animals must eat ; md although it is written of him, "Thou shalt not live by bread tlone, w yet, a bountiful Providence has decreed seed time and *ar\ est, bread earned by the sweat of his brow, and a table of olenty.

The forest grows timber, but it must be cut and dressed be ore it is prepared for the temple ; the quarries furnish the stonea^

© INTRODUCTION.

but the workman must hew and polish them before they are fit for the building; and so nature, cultiTated, furnishes the food but art must dress and prepare it before it is ready foi the palate and digestion. We are not just now in a condition to sacrifiot much to fancy or ornament ; we must address ourselves to the useful and substantial. Every mother, wife, and daughter must now become a practical operator in the domestic circle. Each should be emulous to excel in neatness, industry, usefulness and economy The days for romance have passed, if they ever existed ; the night for the dreamy visions of elegance and luxury in connection with a life of indolence has suddenly given place to the day of enterprise and industry. A crisis is upon us which demands the development of the will and energy of Southern character. Its prea tige in the past gives earnest of a successful future. As woman has been queen in the parlor, so, if need be, she will be queen in the kitchen ; as she has performed so gracefully the duties of mis tress of the establishment in the past, so she will, with a lovelier grace, perform whatever labor duty demands. She has learned that the services of a good cook, that queen of the kitchen, are essential elements in the health, the good temper, the enjoyment and peace of every family ; that the art of Cooking is the parent of all other arts, and eating and drinking the highest of all animal enjoyments. The race of good cooks among us is almost extinct. What shall be done to bring back the good old times, when a knowledge of the good housewifery demanded for the health and comfort of ever)' family was not considered too low for the atten* r tion of any lady ? Labor should not be held in disrepute by any for it is written " hi the sweat of thy brow shalt thou earn bread ;* and again, "Not slothful in business ;" i.r.d still again, "But il tny man provides not for his owr, and especially for his '- w»

INTRODUCTION 1

house (or kindred) he hath denied the faith and is worse th*»a an infidel.'' The v* :>rd " he " in the hist quotation is generic, and standi as the representative of both sexes.

Will not the ladies, whose opinions and actions form public f ntiment, lead off in a culinary reform, which will correct th6 er ws of the past, and introduce a system of industry and eoouoinj to meet the present emergencies 1 Reverse the present order of things. Make idleness and indolence disreputable, and labor and usefulness honorable. Pluck from the hand of the destroyer ths premium awarded to idleness and give it to industry. Teach to all classes of our people, by your uniform example, that : —

M Labor is rest from the sorrows that greet us, I

Rest from all petty vexations that meet us, Rest from sin's promptings that ever entreat us, Rest from world's syrens that lure us to ill."

Those now entering and soon to enter upon the duties of life, ihould not do so with mistaken views as to the responsibilities they will have to meet, and the manner of discharging the obli nations of the domestic sphere. They should not look forward is slaves to the task, or as idle pupils to the recitation. Labor aromotes hea.th, and health fosters contentment. So, to be both healthy and happy, we should be both usefully and profitably •mployed.

1 am most happy to be able to Slate that the reform here reeomttiended has already begun, and is progressing most encouraging iy. Our women have the will and intelligence; the practical development of the resources at their command is all that is necea aary to insure success. The appearance of the "Southern Practical Cookery and Receipt Book" at this crisis augurs a new and brighter era in the culinary art. It is a book admirably

9 nmtODtTOTioir.

adapted to the timc3 and the people — the production of a eminently practical mind, one whose long experience and acknowledged celebrity among ner friends as a cateress entitle! her opinions, as contained in the Showing pages, to be be! [ as oracular. The style of the boo*, is graceful and easy, ai U free from the monotony that usually characterizes the eluei dation of subjects so analogous to each other.

Our authoress has proved herself to be mistress in literature, aa well as queen in the kitchen. Her versatility of talent qualifies her for the positioi which her sense of duty urged her, against her inclination, to assume ; namely, to assist all who may desire knowledge and improvement in the important art of cooking.

The instructions here presented are the result of a life of experience, observation, and reading. No untried theory is offered, nor have we here a system too luxurious for the poor, or too ecu nomical for the rich. The wants, tastes, and abilities of all are consulted, so that the poor may luxuriate on delicious soupt every day made from the savings which a wasteful housekeeper would consider utterly worthless. If our Southern women ar going to meet the present crisis as they have all the trials of the past (and none can doubt but the)' will), they will find this book a companion of invaluable service, and a constant adviser, whose opinions may be trusted as entirely reliable. Adopt the system here presented, and you will soon find your husband delighted with the improvement in your style of living, and it will not be long before he will compliment you on the economy of yo ar new regulations. If, then, the system improves the style of living, and at the same time curtails the expenses of the table, none wil" doubt the wisdom of the authoress, the adaptation of this improve

TNTTIODI CrOV. •

mont to the necessities of the times, and its re a. value to every household

If Byron was not mistaken in the subjoined lines, the ladict will find that a feast to the palate is the most successful appeal hey can make to the hearts of the sterner sex. I do not endorse Ois views, but leave the reader to accept or reject, to prove or disprove by experience, as she may choose ; assuring her that no gentleman was ever offended by being invited to a good dinner, or thought less of his hostess for displaying good taste in the preparation and arrangement of the viands of which he was to partake.

Of all appeals— although I grant the power of pathos and of gold, Of beauty, flattery, threats, a shilling — no Method's more sure at moments to take hold Of the best feelings of mankind, which grow More tender as we every day behold, Than that all-softening, overpowering knell, The tocsin of the soul — the dinner bell."

But I must not close without a word to the sterner sex ; and fet, why say a word to men in introducing a cook-book? Who ever knew one to take such a work in his hands, much less to read a page of its contents? Well, if 1 can get the ear and interest of the women, I shall not fear that the " lords of creation" will long remain in ignorance of the suggestions here offered. I therefore feel encouraged to say a word for their benefit

I say for their benefit; for so it will prove if they will reduc nov suggestions to practice. Whei you come from your busi ness, weaiied and worn, you want a good, wholesome, healthy, And palatable meal. This is a reasonable want; it may and vught to be gratified ; and it can and will be, provided you wilJ 1*

10 INTRODUCTIOIT.

furnish the apparatus a::d facilities, You would not require t mechanic to Wld you a house without the necessary materials, nor should you exptc*. the mistress of your house to perform her duties well unless you furnish her with the requisite ccnveni» ,mces. Our enterprising lady friends are deterred from entering ipon the work which now so urgently invokes their persona attention. The task is a Herculean one : double the labor necessary for the end desired is to be accomplished, on account of the almost total absence of convenient utensils and the other et cseteras which make up a complete and cosey establishment Nothing is inviting, everything is repulsive ; nothing to facilitate, everything to hinder. Look around your premises and see if a reformation is not greatly needed. You sought insurance from fire in the magnificent distance which exists between the houses which make up the family group. Your kitchen is set quite a distance in the rear of your dwelling ; the smoke-house off in another direction quite as far; while the well may be a remove so great that one would think that the only exercise to be enjoyed by the family was in going after water. And as for a storehouse, that is voted s superfluity. Now the consequence of this horrid and unsightly arrangement is, that the labor necessary to gather materials for a meal is more fatiguing than its pieparation. If you cannot do otherwise, burn that kitchen and smoke-house where they stand. Your dwelling will be in no danger from the conflagration Unite your kitchen with your dwelling, and furnish with a stove, etc. Inclose your pump under the same roof; have your pantry large enough tc hold ; our supply of provisions, and let all your arrange ments be labcr-saving. When thus arranged, take the mistress of your household into your kitchen, and let her examine its con tents closely, to see if all necessary articles aro furnished ; than,

IifTHODTJCTICm. 1 1

If she is satisfied, jou Lave done your du';y, and are entitled to the thanks of a gratified and happy wife, who will greet you with her smiles and reward you with her economy. Are yoa alarmed at the trouble and expense necessary for the arrange uient of all these conveniences ? You should not be ; they will lontribute largely to the pleasure, ease, and health of your family. Try it, and see if I be a false prophet.

E. W. Worn