sh, at a very little less than the price of prime and
proper food. With _savings_ like these they toddle home in triumph,
cackling all the way, like a goose that has got ankle-deep into good
luck. All the skill of the most accomplished cook will avail nothing
unless she is furnished with prime provisions. The best way to procure
these is to deal with shops of established character: you may appear
to pay, perhaps, ten _per cent._ more than you would were you to deal
with those who pretend to sell cheap, but you would be much more than
in that proportion better served. Every trade has its tricks and
deceptions; those who follow them can deceive you if they please, and
they are too apt to do so if you provoke the exercise of their
over-reaching talent. Challenge them to a game at "_Catch who can_,"
by entirely relying on your own judgment, and you will soon find
nothing but very long experience can make you equal to the combat of
marketing to the utmost advantage. If you think a tradesman has
imposed upon you, never use a second word, if the first will not do,
nor drop the least hint of an imposition; the only method to induce
him to make an abatement is the hope of future favours; pay the
demand, and deal with the gentleman no more; but do not let him see
that you are displeased, or as soon as you are out of sight your
reputation will suffer as much as your pocket has. Before you go to
market, look over your larder, and consider well what things are
wanting--especially on a Saturday. No well-regulated family can suffer
a disorderly caterer to be jumping in and out to make purchases on a
Sunday morning. You will be enabled to manage much better if you will
make out a bill of fare for the week on the Saturday before; for
example, for a family of half a dozen:

Sunday Roast beef and pudding.

Monday Fowl, what was left of pudding fried,
or warmed in the Dutch oven.

Tuesday Calf's head, apple pie.

Wednesday Leg of mutton.

Thursday Ditto broiled or hashed, and pancakes.

Friday Fish, pudding.

Saturday Fish, or eggs and bacon.

It is an excellent plan to have certain things on certain days. When
your butcher or poulterer knows what you will want, he has a better
chance of doing his best for you; and never think of ordering beef for
roasting except for Sunda