New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-20
PRACTICAL COOKING AND DINNER GIVING. B,
Mrs. MARY f. HENDERSON limo pp 376. Harper d
Brothers

PRACTICAL COOKING AND Dinner CT GIVING BY
Mrs; MARY F. HENDERSON limo. PIP S76' Harper
The author of this volume is the wife of
ex-senator Henderson of Missouri, whose promising
public career brought to an untimely termination
by his in the Senate against the Impeachment OF
Andrew johnson. Mrs. Henderson brings wide expert
ence OF foreign travel and metropolitan life to the Illus
tration Of cookery and other branches Of do
nestle economy. Her book in fact, is treatise on the
science entertaining company. rather than collection
of traditional receipts for the kitchen which have been
handed down In regular succession from the time OF the
Immortal Mrs Glasse who never existed at all 10 That
OF Francateli and Soyer, Marion HaIland and Cath
eripc Beecher the ongsuering Professor Blot who
died a culinary martyr, leaving memory fragrant with
parsey sweet marjoram summer savory tarIagon ana
bav leaves" Mrs Henderson takes higher fight and
wider range dealing with the aesthetics OF the dinner
table, and teaching both hostess and guests the mys
teres good behavior well as the secrets OF good
living Her directions usually of the most pTactca
character Some Of them perhaps might have been
suggested by the light of nature but they oftener
the result of subtle etiquette, and nice observance OF
conventional FORMS Thus she insists putting thick
baze under the table CLOTH II prevents noise ana the
finest linen looks sleazy" bare table, Nor is she
less decided against the of starch in napkins which
makes them stiff and disagreeabe, though modicuIn
may be allowed in the table cloth These are plain die
tates Of common sense and might safely be left to the
indignant OF the household court. But soon come
10 more esotore doctrine. For instance, the arrange
ment bouquets at dinner party IS Defined win
refreshing precision Place little bouquet by the side
OF the pafe OF each lady, In small glass or
silver bouquet-holder At tie gentlemens plates PUT
a little bunch OF three four flowers III the folds
of the napkin As the gentlemen are seated
at table they may attach them to the left lapel OF the
coat" This is plain and IL is satisfactory. The finger
eIsscs should be bali filed with water with slice OF
lemon IN each or geraniu leaf and flower; sprig
of lemon verbena pretty and leaves pleasant odor
on the fingers after pressing il in the bowl In Paris the
water IS generally warm and scented with peppermint
Ladies and gentlemen IL might have been added are not
10 drink from the finger bowls any pretense. II Is an
excellent rule that when dinner is ready IL should be
announced by the butler diningroom maid, but bell
should never be rung for meal This may do very
well for country inns and steamboats,, but III pri
yate houses the menage should be conducted with
rs little noise as possible" This agrees with
the remark OF the Usage Of Concord" That
ono gentleman ever makes noise" A variety
of receipts both for delicate and substantial dishes
given from the invention Of the writer from written
culinary codes and from the experience OF several
ladies whose authorities all matters OF taste VIII be
accepted without question by every judieous eater
chapter devoted to cookery for the sick, ana
IN food for babes and ample miscellaneous directions are
given for those household emergencies which often occur
IN the best regulated families" The book may be MADE
suneny useful in the hands of an intelligent angel Of