Part 2
Fore Quarter Fore rib (five ribs); middle rib (four ribs); chuck (three ribs). Shoulder piece (top of fore leg); brisket (lower or belly part of the ribs); clod (fore shoulder blade); neck; shin (below the shoulder); cheek. Hind Quarter. Sirloin; rump; aitch-bone these are the three divisions of the upper part of the quarter; buttock and mouse-buttock, which divide the thigh; veiny piece, joining the buttock; thick flank and thin flank (belly pieces) and leg. The sirloin and rump of both sides form a baron.
_Beef is in season all the year; best in winter._
[THE MISER FASTS WITH GREEDY MIND TO SPARE.]
ii. Mutton.
Shoulder; breast (the belly); over which are the loin (chump, or tail end): loin (best end): neck (best end); neck (scrag end); leg; haunch, or leg and chump end of loin; and head. A chine is two necks; a saddle, two loins.
_Mutton is best in winter, spring, and autumn._
iii. Lamb
is cut into fore quarter and hind quarter; saddle; loin; neck; breast; leg; and shoulder.
_Grass lamb is in season from Easter to Michaelmas; house lamb from Christmas to Lady-day._
iv. Pork
is cut into leg, hand or shoulder; hind loin; fore loin; belly-part; spare-rib, or neck; and head.
_Pork is in season nearly all the year round, but is better relished in winter than in summer._
v. Veal
is cut into neck (scrag end); neck (best end); loin (best end); loin (chump, or tail end); fillet (upper part of hind leg); hind knuckle, which joins the fillet; knuckle of fore leg; blade (bone of shoulder); breast (best end); and breast (brisket end).
_Veal is always in season, but dear in winter and spring._
vi. Venison
is cut into haunch; neck; shoulder; and breast.
_Doe venison is best in January, October, November, and December, and buck venison in June, July, August, and September._
vii. Scottish Mode of Division.
According to the English method the carcase of beef is disposed of more economically than upon the Scotch plan. The English plan affords better steaks, and better joints for roasting; but the Scotch plan gives a greater variety of pieces for boiling. The names of pieces in the Scotch plan, not found in the English, are:
the hough, or hind leg; the nineholes, or English buttock; the large and small runner, taken from the rib and chuck pieces of the English plan; the shoulder-lyer, the English shoulder, but cut differently; the spare-rib or fore-sye, the sticking piece, &c.
The Scotch also cut mutton differently.
viii. Ox-tail
is much esteemed for purposes of soup; so also is the Cheek. The Tongue is highly esteemed. The Heart, stuffed with veal stuffing, roasted, and served hot, with red currant jelly as an accompaniment, is a palatable dish. When prepared in this manner it is sometimes called 'Smithfield Hare', on account of its flavour being something like that of roast hare.
ix. Calves' Heads
are very useful for various dishes; so also are their Knuckles, Feet, Heart, &c.
29. Relative Economy of the Joints.
i. The Round
is, in large families, one of the most profitable parts owing to its comparative freedom from bone: it is usually boiled, and is generally sold at the same price as the sirloin, and ribs. It is sometimes divided downwards, close to the bone; one side being known as the 'top side', and the other as the 'silver side'. Either of these parts is as good roasted as boiled.
ii. The Brisket
is always less in price than the roasting parts. It is not so economical a part as the round, having more bone with it, and more fat. Where there are children, very fat joints are not desirable, being often disagreeable to them, and sometimes prejudicial, especially if they have a dislike to fat. This joint also requires more cooking than many others; that is to say, it requires a double allowance of time to be given for simmering it; it will, when served, be hard and scarcely digestible if no more time be allowed to simmer it than that which is sufficient for other joints and meats. Joints cooked in a boiler or saucepan, should always be _simmered_, that is to say, boiled as slowly as possible. Meat boiled fast, or "at a gallop," as the phrase goes, is always tough and tasteless. The brisket is excellent when stewed; and when cooked fresh (i.e., unsalted) an excellent stock for soup may be extracted from it, and yet the meat will serve as well for dinner.
iii. The Edge-bone, or Aitch-bone,
is not considered to be a very economical joint, the bone being large in proportion to the meat; but the greater part of it, at least, is as good as that of any prime part. On account of the quantity of bone in it, it is sold at a cheaper rate than the best joints. It may be roasted or boiled.
iv. The Rump
is the part of which the butcher makes great profit, by selling it in the form of steaks, but the whole of it may be purchased as a joint, and at the price of other prime parts. It may be turned to good account in producing many excellent dishes. If salted, it is simply boiled; if used unsalted, it is generally stewed.
v. The Veiny Piece
is sold at a moderate price per pound; but, if hung for a day or two, it is very good and very profitable. Where there are a number of servants and children to have an early dinner, this part of beef will be found desirable.
vi. The Leg and Shin
afford excellent stock for soup; and, if not reduced too much, the meat taken from the bones may be served as a stew with vegetables; or it may be seasoned, pounded with butter, and potted; or, chopped very fine, and seasoned with herbs, and bound together by egg and bread crumbs, it may be fried in balls, or in the form of large eggs, and served with a gravy made with a few spoonfuls of the soup.
vii. Ox Cheek
makes excellent soup. The meat, when taken from the bones, may be served as a stew.
viii. The Sirloin and the Ribs
are the roasting parts of beef, and these bear in all places the highest price. The more profitable of these two joints at a family table is the ribs. The bones, if removed from the beef before it is roasted, are useful in making stock for soup. When boned, the meat of the ribs is often rolled up on the shape of a small round or fillet, tied with string, and roasted; and this is the best way of using it, as it enables the carver to distribute equally the upper part of the meat with the fatter parts, at the lower end of the bones.
30. Food in Season.
There is an old maxim, "A place for everything, and everything in its place," To which may be added another, "A season for everything, and everything in season."
[Fish, Poultry, &c., whose names are distinguished by _Italics_ [here marked _like this_] in each month's "Food in Season," are to be had in the highest perfection during the month.]
31. In Season in January.
i. Fish.
Barbel, brill, carp, cod, crabs, cray-fish, dabs, _dace_, eels, flounders, _haddocks_, herrings, lampreys, ling, lobsters, mussels, oysters, perch, pike, plaice, prawns, salmon-trout, shrimps, skate, smelts, soles, sprats, sturgeon, _tench_, thornback, turbot, _whiting_.
ii. Meat.--Beef, house-lamb, mutton, pork, veal, and doe venison.
iii. Poultry and Game.--Capons, chickens, ducks, wild-ducks, fowls, geese, grouse, _hares_, larks, moor-game, partridges, pheasants, pigeons (tame), pullets, _rabbits_, snipes, turkeys (hen), widgeons, woodcocks.
iv. Vegetables.--Beet, broccoli (white and purple), Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cardoons, carrots, celery, chervil, colewort, cresses, endive, garlic, herbs (dry), Jerusalem artichokes, kale (Scotch), leeks, lettuces, mint (dry), mustard, onions, parsley, parsnips, potatoes, rape, rosemary, sage, salsify, Savoy cabbages, scorzonera, shalots, skirrets, sorrel, spinach (winter), tarragon, thyme, turnips.
v. Forced Vegetables.--Asparagus, cucumbers, mushrooms, sea-kale.
vi. Fruit.--Almonds. Apples: Golden pippin, golden russet, Kentish pippin, nonpareil, winter pearmain. Pears: Bergamot d'Hollande, Bon Chrétien, Chaumontel, Colmar, winter beurré. Grapes: English and foreign. Chestnuts, medlars, oranges, walnuts, filbert nuts.
[THE HYPOCRITE WILL FAST SEEM MORE HOLY.]
32. In Season in February.
i. Fish.
Barbel, brill, carp, cockles, cod, crabs, cray-fish, dabs, dace, eels, flounders, haddocks, herrings, lampreys, ling, lobsters, mussels, oysters, perch, pike, plaice, prawns, salmon, shrimps, skate, smelts, soles, sturgeon, tench, thornback, turbot, whiting.
ii. Meat.
Beef, house-lamb, mutton, pork, veal.
iii. Poultry and Game.
Capons, chickens, ducklings, geese, hares, partridges, pheasants, pigeons (tame and wild), rabbits (tame), snipes, turkeys, turkey poults, wild-ducks, woodcocks.
iv. Vegetables.
Beet, broccoli (white and purple), Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cardoons, carrots, celery, chervil, colewort, cresses, endive, garlic, herbs (dry), Jerusalem artichokes, leeks, lettuces, mint (dry), mushrooms, onions, parsnips, parsley, potatoes, radish, rape, rosemary, sage, salsify, Savoys, scorzonera, shalots, skirrets, sorrel, spinach, sprouts, tarragon, thyme, turnips, winter savoury.
v. Forced Vegetables.
Asparagus, cucumbers, mushrooms, sea-kale, &c.
vi. Fruit.
Apples: Golden pippin, golden russet, Holland pippin, Kentish pippin, nonpareil, Wheeler's russet, winter pearmain. Chestnuts, oranges. Pears: Bergamot, winter Bon Chrétien, winter Russelet.
33. In Season in March.
i. Fish.
Brill, carp, cockles, cod, conger-eels, crabs, dabs, dory, eels, flounders, ling, lobsters, mackerel, mullets, mussels, oysters, perch, pike, plaice, prawns, salmon, salmon-trout, shrimps, skate, smelts, soles, sturgeon, turbot, tench, and whiting.
ii. Meat.
Beef, house-lamb, mutton, pork, veal.
iii. Poultry and Game.
Capons, chickens, ducklings, fowls, geese, grouse, leverets, pigeons, rabbits, snipes, turkeys, woodcocks.
iv. Vegetables.
Artichokes (Jerusalem), beet, broccoli (white and purple), Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cardoons, carrots, celery, chervil, colewort, cresses, endive, garlic, herbs (dry), kale (sea and Scotch), lettuces, mint, mushrooms, mustard, onions, parsley, parsnips, potatoes, rape, rosemary, sage, Savoys, shalots, sorrel, spinach, tarragon, thyme, turnips, turnip-tops.
v. Forced Vegetables.
Asparagus, French beans, cucumbers, and rhubarb.
vi. Fruit.
Apples: Golden russet, Holland pippin, Kentish pippin, nonpareil, Norfolk beefing, Wheeler's russet. Chestnuts, oranges. Pears: Bergamot, Chaumontel, winter Bon Chrétien. _Forced:_ Strawberries.
34. In Season in April.
i. Fish.
Brill, carp, chub, cockles, cod, conger-eels, _crabs_, dabs, dory, eels, floandeis, halibut, herrings, ling, _lobsters_, mackerel, mullets, mussels, oysters, perch, pike, _prawns_, plaice, _salmon_, shrimps, _skate_, smelts, soles, sturgeon, _tench_, trout, turbot, whiting.
ii. Meat.
Beef, grass-lamb, house-lamb, mutton, pork, veal.
iii. Poultry and Game.
Chickens, ducklings, fowls, geese, leverets, pigeons, pullets, rabbits, turkey poults, wood-pigeons.
iv. Vegetables.
Asparagus, broccoli, chervil, colewort, cucumbers, endive, fennel, herbs of all sorts, lettuce, onions, parsley, parsnips, peas, radishes, sea-kale, sorrel, spinach, small salad, tarragon, turnip-radishes, turnip-tops, and rhubarb.
v. Fruit.
Apples: Golden russet, nonpareil, Wheeler's russet. Nuts, oranges. Pears: Bergamot, Bon Chrétien, Carmelite. _Forced:_ Apricots, cherries, strawberries.
35. In Season in May.
i. Fish.
Brill, carp, chub, cod, conger-eels, _crab_, cray-fish, dabs, dace, dory, eels, flounders, gurnets, haddock, halibut, herring, ling, _lobsters_, mackerel, mullet, perch, pike, plaice, _prawns_, _salmon_, shrimps, _skate_, smelts, soles, sturgeon, tench, trout, turbot, whiting.
ii. Meat.
Beef, grass-lamb, house-lamb, mutton, pork, veal.
iii. Poultry and Game.
Chickens, ducklings, fowls, geese, leverets, pigeons, pullets, rabbits; wood-pigeons.
iv. Vegetables.
Angelica, artichokes, asparagus, balm, kidney-beans, cabbage, carrots, cauliflowers, chervil, cucumbers, fennel, herbs of all sorts, lettuce, mint, onions, parsley, peas, new potatoes, radishes, rhubarb, salad of all sorts, sea-kale, sorrel, spinach, turnips.
v. Fruit.
Apples: Golden russet, winter russet. May-duke cherries; currants; gooseberries; melons. Pears: L'amozette, winter-green. _Forced_: Apricots, peaches, strawberries.
36. In Season in June.
i. Fish.
Carp, cod, conger-eels, _crabs_, cray-fish, dabs, dace, dory, eels, flounders, gurnets, haddocks, herrings, ling, _lobsters_, mackerel, mullet, perch, pike, plaice, _prawns, salmon, salmon-trout, skate_, smelts, soles, sturgeon, tench, trout, turbot, whitebait, whiting.
ii. Meat.
Beef, _grass-lamb_, house-lamb, mutton, pork, veal, buck venison.
iii. Poultry and Game.
Chickens, ducklings, fowls, geese, leverets, pigeons, plovers, pullets, rabbits, turkey poults, wheat-ears, wood-pigeons.
iv. Vegetables.
Angelica, artichokes, asparagus, beans (French, kidney, and Windsor), white beet, cabbage, carrots, cauliflowers, chervil, cucumbers, endive, herbs of all sorts, leeks, lettuce, onions, peas, potatoes, radishes, salad of all sorts, spinach, turnips, vegetable marrow.
v. For Drying.
Burnet, mint, tarragon, lemon thyme.
vi. Fruit.
Apples: Quarrenden, stone pippin, golden russet. Apricots. Cherries: May-duke, bigaroon, white-heart. Currants; gooseberries; melons. Pears: Winter-green. Strawberries. _Forced_: Grapes, nectarines, peaches, pines.
37. In Season in July.
i. Fish
Barbel, brill, carp, cod, conger-eels, _crabs_, cray-fish, dabs, _dace_, dory, eels, flounders, gurnets, haddocks, herrings, ling, _lobsters_, _mackerel_, mullet, perch, pike, plaice, _prawns_, salmon, skate, soles, tench, thornback, trout.
ii. Meat.
Beef, _grass-lamb_, mutton, veal, buck venison.
iii. Poultry and Game.
_Chickens_, ducks, fowls, _green geese_, leverets, pigeons, plovers, rabbits, turkey poults, wheat-ears, wild pigeons, wild rabbits.
iv. Vegetables.
Artichokes, asparagus, balm, beans (French, kidney, scarlet, and Windsor), carrots, cauliflowers, celery, chervil, cucumbers, endive, herbs of all sorts, lettuces, mushrooms, peas, potatoes, radishes, salads of all sorts, salsify, scorzonera, sorrel, spinach, turnips.
v. For Drying.
Knotted marjoram, mushrooms, winter savoury.
vi. For Pickling.
French beans, red cabbage, cauliflowers, garlic, gherkins, nasturtiums, onions.
vii. Fruit.
Apples: Codlin, jennetting, Margaret, summer pearmain, summer pippin, quarrenden. Apricots, cherries (black-heart), currants, plums, greengages, gooseberries, melons, nectarines, peaches. Pears: Catherine, green-chisel, jargonelle. Pineapples, raspberries, strawberries.
[WITHOUT ECONOMY NONE CAN BE RICH.]
38. In Season in August.
i. Fish.
Barbel, brill, carp, cod, conger-eels, crabs, cray-fish, dabs, _dace_, eels, flounders, gurnets, haddocks, herrings, lobsters, _mackerel_, mullet, oysters, _perch, pike_, plaice, _prawns_, salmon, skate, tench, thornback, _turbot_, whiting.
ii. Meat.
Beef, grass-lamb, mutton, veal, buck venison.
iii. Poultry and Game.
Chickens, ducks, fowls, _green geese, grouse_ (from 12th), leverets, pigeons, plovers, rabbits, turkeys, turkey poults, wheat-ears, wild ducks, wild pigeons, wild rabbits.
iv. Vegetables.
Artichokes, beans (French, kidney, scarlet and Windsor), white beet, carrots, cauliflowers, celery, cucumbers, endive, pot-herbs of all sorts, leeks, lettuces, mushrooms, onions, peas, potatoes, radishes, salad of all sorts, salsify, scorzonera, shalots, spinach, turnips.
v. For Drying.
Basil, sage, thyme.
vi. For Pickling.
Red cabbage, capsicums, chilies, tomatoes, walnuts.
vii. Fruit.
Apples: Codlin, summer pearmain, summer pippin. Cherries, currants, figs, filberts, gooseberries, grapes, melons, mulberries, nectarines, peaches. Pears: Jargonelle, summer, Bon Chrétien, Windsor. Plums, greengages, raspberries, Alpine strawberries.
39. In Season in September.
i. Fish.
Barbel, brill, carp, cockles, cod, conger-eels, crab, _dace_, eels, flounders, gurnets, haddocks, hake, herrings, lobsters, mullet, mussels, _oysters, perch, pike_, plaice, prawns, shrimps, soles, tench, thornback, turbot, whiting.
ii. Meat.
Beef, mutton, pork, veal, buck venison.
iii. Poultry and Game.
Chickens, ducks, fowls, _green geese, grouse, hares_, larks, leverets, partridges, pigeons, plovers, rabbits, _teal_, turkeys, turkey poults, wheat-ears, _wild ducks_, wild pigeons, wild rabbits.
iv. Vegetables.
Artichokes, Jerusalem artichokes, beans (French and scarlet), cabbages, carrots, cauliflowers, celery, cucumbers, endive, herbs of all sorts, leeks, lettuces, mushrooms, onions, parsnips, peas, potatoes, radishes, salad of all sorts, shalots, turnips.
v. Fruit.
Apples: Golden nob, pearmain, golden rennet. Cherries (Morella), damsons, figs, filberts. Grapes: Muscadine, Frontignac, red and black Hamburgh, Malmsey. Hazel nuts, walnuts, medlars, peaches. Pears: Bergamot, brown beurré. Pineapples, plums, quinces, strawberries, walnuts.
40. In Season in October.
i. Fish.
Barbel, brill, turbot, carp, cockles, cod, conger-eels, crabs, _dace, dory_, eels, gudgeon, haddocks, _hake_, halibut, herrings, lobsters, mussels, oysters, perch, _pike_, prawns, salmon-trout, shrimps, smelts, soles, tench, thornback, whiting.
ii. Meat.
Beef, mutton, pork, veal, doe venison.
iii. Poultry and Game.
Chickens, dotterel, ducks, fowls, green geese, grouse, hares, larks, moor-game, partridges, _pheasants_, pigeons, rabbits, snipes, teal, turkey, wheat-ears, widgeon, wild ducks, wild pigeons, wild rabbits, woodcocks.
iv. Vegetables.
Artichokes, Jerusalem artichokes, broccoli, cabbages, cauliflowers, celery, coleworts, endive, herbs of all sorts, leeks, onions, parsnips, peas, potatoes, radishes, salad, Savoys, scorzonera, skirrets, shalots, spinach (winter), tomatoes, truffles, turnips.
v. Fruit.
Apples: Pearmain, golden pippin, golden rennet, royal russet. Black and white bullace, damsons, late figs, almonds, filberts, hazel nuts, walnuts, filberts. Grapes, medlars. Peaches: Old Newington, October. Pears: Bergamot, beurré, Chaumontel, Bon Chrétien, swan's-egg. Quinces, services, walnuts.
41. In Season in November.
i. Fish.
Barbel, brill, turbot, carp, cockles, cod, crabs, _dace, dory_, eels, gudgeons, gurnets, haddocks, _hake_, halibut, herrings, ling, lobsters, mussels, oysters, perch, _pike_, plaice, prawns, salmon, shrimps, skate, smelts, soles, sprats, tench, thornback, turbot, whiting.
ii. Meat.
Beef, house-lamb, mutton, pork, veal, doe venison.
iii. Poultry and Game.
Chickens, dotterel, ducks, fowls, _geese, grouse, hares_, larks, partridges, pheasants, pigeons, rabbits, _snipes, teal_, turkey, wheat-ears, widgeon, wild ducks, _wood-cocks_.
iv. Vegetables.
Jerusalem artichokes, beet root, borecole, broccoli, cabbages, cardoons, carrots, celery, chervil, coleworts, endive, herbs of all sorts, leeks, lettuces, onions, parsnips, potatoes, salad, Savoys, scorzonera, skirrets, shalots, spinach, tomatoes, turnips.
v. Fruit.
Almonds. Apples: Holland pippin, golden pippin, Kentish pippin, nonpareil, winter pearmain, Wheeler's russets. Bullace, chestnuts, hazel nuts, walnuts, filberts, grapes, medlars. Pears: Bergamot, Chaumontel, Bon Chrétien.
[WITH ECONOMY, FEW NEED BE POOR.]
42. In Season in December.
i. Fish.
Barbel, brill, turbot, carp, cockles, _cod_, crabs, dab, _dory_, eels, gudgeon, gurnets, haddocks, bake, halibut, herrings, _ling_, lobsters, mackerel, mussels, oysters, perch, pike, plaice, ruffe, salmon, shrimps, _skate_, smelts, soles, sprats, sturgeon, _tench_, whitings.
ii. Meat.
Beef, house-lamb, mutton, pork, veal, doe venison.
iii. Poultry and Game.
Capons, chickens, ducks, fowls, geese, grouse, guinea-fowl, hares, larks, partridges, pea-fowl, pheasants, pigeons, rabbits, snipes, teal, turkeys, wheat-ears, widgeon, wild ducks, woodcocks.
iv. Vegetables.
Jerusalem artichokes, beet root, borecole, white and purple broccoli, cabbages, cardoons, carrots, celery, endive, herbs of all sorts, leeks, lettuces, onions, parsnips, potatoes, salad, Savoys, scorzonera, skirrets, shalots, spinach, truffles, turnips, _forced_ asparagus.
v. Fruit.
Almonds. Apples: Golden pippin, nonpareil, winter pearmain, golden russet. Chestnuts, hazel nuts, walnuts, filberts, Almeria grapes, medlars, oranges. Pears: Bergamot, beurre d'hiver.
43. Drying Herbs.
Fresh herbs are preferable to dried ones, but as they cannot always be obtained, it is most important to dry herbs at the proper seasons:
Basil is in a fit state for drying about the middle of August, Burnet in June, July, and August, Chervil in May, June, and July. Elder Flowers in May, June, and July. Fennel in May, June, and July. Knotted Marjoram during July. Lemon Thyme end of July and through August. Mint, end of June and July. Orange Flowers, May, June, ard July. Parsley, May, June, and July. Sage, August and September. Summer Savoury, end of July and August. Tarragon, June, July, and August. Thyme, end of July and August. Winter Savoury, end of July and August.
These herbs always at hand will be a great aid to the cook. Herbs should be gathered on a dry day; they should be immediately well cleansed, and dried by the heat of a stove or Dutch oven. The leaves should then be picked off, pounded and sifted, put into stoppered bottles, labelled, and put away for use. Those who are unable or may not care to take the trouble to dry herbs, can obtain them prepared for use in bottles at the green-grocer's.
44. Dr. Kitchiner's Rules for Marketing.
The best rule for marketing is to pay ready money for everything, _and to deal with the most respectable tradesmen_ in your neighbourhood. If you leave it to their integrity to supply you with a good article at the fair market price, you will be supplied with better provisions, and at as reasonable a rate as those bargain-hunters who trot "_around, around, around about_" a market till they are trapped to buy some _unchewable_ old poultry, _tough_ tup-mutton, _stringy_ cow-beef, or _stale_ fish, 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 Sunday. When you order meat, poultry, or fish, tell the tradesman when you intend to dress it: he will then have it in his power to serve you with provision that will do him credit, which the finest meat, &c., in the world will never do, unless it has been kept a proper time to be ripe and tendar.
(Kitchiner's Cook's Oracle 56th Thousand. 5s. Houlsion & Sons.)
[DO GOOD TO YOUR ENEMY, THAT HE MAY BECOME YOUR FRIEND.]
45. The Family Circle
Under this title a group of acquaintances in London once instituted and carried out a series of friendly parties. The following form of invitation, and the rules of the "Family Circle," will be found interesting, probably useful:
Will you do me the favour of meeting here, as a guest, on------ next, at seven precisely, a few friends who have kindly joined in an attempt to commence occasional pleasant and social parties, of which the spirit and intent will be better understood by the perusal of the few annexed remarks and rules from
Yours sincerely,------
"They manage it better in France," is a remark to be often applied with reference to social life in England, and the writer fancies that the prevalence here of a few bad customs, easily changed, causes the disadvantageous difference between ourselves and our more courteous and agreeable neighbours.
i. Worldly appearance; the phantom leading many to suppose that wealth is the standard of worth--in the minds of friends, a notion equally degrading to both parties.
ii. Overdress; causing unnecessary expense and waste of time.
iii. Expensive entertainments, as regards refreshments.
iv. Late hours.
The following brief rules are suggested, in a hope to show the way to a more constant, easy, and friendly intercourse amongst friends, the writer feeling convinced that society is equally beneficial and requisite--in fact, that mankind in seclusion, like the sword in the scabbard, often loses polish, and gradually rusts.
RULE I. That meetings be held in rotation at each member's house, for the enjoyment of conversation; music, grave and gay; dancing, gay only; and card-playing at limited stakes.
RULE II. That such meetings commence at seven and end about or after twelve, and that members and guests be requested to remember that punctuality has been called the politeness of kings.