by way of valedictory, let me repeat that I do not think a lady's
best or proper place is the kitchen; but it is quite possible to have a
perfectly served table, yet spend very little time there. Only that one
little hour a day that Talleyrand, the busy man full of intrigue and
statecraft, found time to spend with his cook, would insure your table
being well served. For, after devoting say a few winter months to
perfecting yourself in a few things, you will be able to teach your
cook, who is often ambitious to excel if put in the right way. A word
here about cooks.

The knowledge that if they fail to do a thing well you will do it
yourself, will often put them on their mettle to do their best; while
the feeling that you don't know, will make them careless.

Servants have a great deal more _amour propre_ than people imagine;
therefore, stimulate it by judicious praise and appreciation; let them
think that to send in a dish perfect, is a glory to themselves as well
as a pleasure to you. While careful to remark when alone with them upon
any fault that results from carelessness, be equally careful to give all
the praise you can, and repeat to them complimentary remarks that may
have been made on their skill. Servants are usually--such is the
weakness of feminine nature, whether in the drawing-room or the
kitchen--very sensitive to the praise or blame of the gentlemen of the
family. Indulge poor humanity a little when you honestly can.

INDEX

PAGE
Almond creams, 93

Altering recipes, 111, 112

Asparagus, to boil, 66

Baba, 86
Small, 87
Syrup for, 87

Batter for frying a la Careme, 59
" " " " Provencale, 60

Beef, B[oe]uf a la jardiniere, 74
" au Gratin, 75
Filet de b[oe]uf Chateaubriand, 49
Fritadella, 81
Little breakfast dish of, 78
Miroton of, 76
Olives of, 79
Pseudo-beefsteak, 75
Ragout of cold, 78
Salmi of cold, 73
Simplest way to warm a joint, 77
To warm over a large piece, 78
Sirloin, to make two dishes, 49