The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-11-06
FIFTEEN CENT DINNERS.
Mis- Co~son Explains the scope and Intentions
Of Her Work.

To THE EDITOR or The SrN Sir: In The
SrN Of to-day appears apnragraph in reference
to one OF nv bills Of fare for family Of six. Mt
an average rate Of furty-hve cents lay The
paragraph says that the probable result OF such
a bill Of fare one day would be the requirement
of three times its value and quantity on the sue
ccedng day. The writer has fallen into an
error. The Lill of fare Is one Of series made
up from number OF compound dishes, parts Of
which furnish basis for others.
1t Is. Of course. impossible for man who can
afford to spend fifty cents for single meal for
himself To understand how amun who has only
fifteen cents with which to provide meal for
himself his wife. and three or four children can
make that small amount Of money do what
usually is done with thrice the sum.
Is tuot better to spend the few cents in hand
for TINT kind Of food which affords both health
and strength than for that which serves only to
duh the pangs Of hunger for an hour or two {?
In other words. is II not better Ia buy ten cents
worth OF pens, beans or l"ntils. winch. when
cooked. will furnish at least four pounds OF
nourshing food. than To spend that sum Tor
plain bread and tea or beer. which cannot sup
port either health or strength in u correspond
INK degree
The opening sentence OF my book should
guard II against Misrepresentation:
This little book may not he welcome guest IN the
moi written tor HIM nj to the workinginan who wants
MAKE ic hest ol ns vases pray 1t may bring help
and comfort
IT, before making comments upon the book
| which | wrote in the most friendly spirit. To
/ show very poor people row to make the best
! and most uf the little they have. my commcnta-
! tors would read the work. and then cook
| through IT, and live upon the food of which il
| treats. rs have done. they would $50 for them
! selves that do not propose any diet which is
| not perfectly practical and satisfactory.
| | did not write this book To- show wcll-to-do
people how to reduce their huhltunl expenses (;
! that IL the design of other works. This one Is
| intended to direct those who have only Is cents
| day to spend Tor food how To- use il to the
! best advantage. In doing 30 | have only car
/ ricd out my conviction that the poor man = best
! friend j. not the one who makes him disron-
/ tented with the lot already almost too hard to
/ bear. but the one who tells him how to do the
| best with the little he has.
| If your paper. or the public requires any evil
/ dencc ~ the opinions and feelings Of working
! men ia regard to my book. | can publish hum
drrds of letters from them and their wives. tell
ing mo in the plaincst words how much help /
| have given them.
And il written evidence does not satisfy my
| critics. cordially invite them to come and see
| the very dishes which they object TO cooked in
| the free lessons to the wives and daughters of
work ingmen. which shall give this winter.
| | ask for n fair field. and no favor. gentlemen
! critics; only Justice; and | will answer every
argument or theory which YOU may advance
with plain facts. JULIET CohsoS
NEW YoRK COOKING SCHOOL. st. Marcks
| Place, Nov 4.