The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-10-11 00:00:00

COTTAGE COOKERY.

"T. Y. B." writes from Llyswen to The Times :

Sir.—l have read your leading article on the cook-
ing question of the 27th inst. with much interest, also
the many letters that have appeared from time to
time in your columns. But all the machinery pro-
posed is far too expensive and unpractical. You must
take the farm labourer and the working classes gene-
rally and make the best of what you would find even
in the poorest cottage. This has struck some ladies
in thig parish, and we have determined, either
ourselves or our cooks, to give an hour's instruction

on Friday afternoons to some of the elder girls in the
school, and their mothers if they so desire. Our first
two dishes will consist af lentil soup and plain boiled
rice pudling, with either treacle or sugar for sauce.
We shall either make use of the :-chool-room fire or
that of one of the cottages. Our sole batterie de
cuisine will consist of a large and small saucepan an
earthenware cullender, a couple of common basins and
plates, and a couple of cloths. Our materials, lentils,
a few vegetables if we can get them, and some rice,
treacle, and sugar. As time advances we hope to
teach other equally simple dishes, but do not mean to
exceed our batterie de cuisine. What is cooked will
be sold at a little over cost price to cover all expenses.
If you could find a place for this letter I should
esteem it a great favour, Its it might lead to our
receiving useful hints from others. I feel sure were
the poor man's house made more comfortable there
would be less drunkenness.

THE EMPEROR ALEXANDER'S .THANKS
TO HIS TROOPS.
A most remarkable speech of the Emperor Alexan-
der to his troops at Odessa on the 6th ult, is reported
in the Russian Press. His Imperial
_Majesty was
inspecting the troops of the 8,1 Army Corps quartered
at alessa, and, after saluting the battalions of the
4th Brigade of Riflemen, stopped his horse befcre
the 13th Battalion, which has the Prince of
Bulgaria for its nominal chief. His Majesty shook
hands with the chief of the brigade, Major-
General Krok, and, ordering forward all the officers
and those men who were the happy possessors
of the Order of St. George, thanked them in
the following words :—" I have long wished to
see you, and today I am very happy to be
able to thank you for your heroic service." His a-
jesty then took off his helmet, and saiM
d, "Gen-
tlemen in the name of the whole Russian people and
Russian troops, I thank you for your glorious work
and heroic service." Then replacing his helmet, the
Emperor continued, "I expected in general a great
deal from my troops, but you have surpassed my
anticipations." His Majesty again shook hands with
Major General Krok and kissed him on the cheek
amid thundering hurrahs from the troops which were
silenced for a few moments while His Majesty further
said, "I would like to embrace each one of you, but
you are too many; therefore in the person of your
ch,.ef of brigade I embrace you all." This most
gracious speech of the Emp3ror, delivered with much
fervour, called forth tremendous enthusiasm among
the assembled soldiers, who continued to cheer until
His Imperial Majesty quitted the ground,