Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-05-16
IN THE KITCHEN.

series OF lectures uON OOhAiS NSh'OANN IA
the CITY on the science of cooking were
not exciting a very general interest. as
wen as a very general and increased am
bition among the ladies' of Wheeling.
We say this not from any special inter
est in the lecturer herself, but in her
subject.
We believe that she is occupying
field that has been shamefully and mex
cusably neglected. Any individual,
male or female, who will undertake to
revive an interest in and assist toward a
higher development OF knowledge in the
healthful and attractive preparation OF
the food we eat, is benefactor OF the
race, for whom there is a loud demand,
and who ought to receive universal APP
probation and support.
II would, We think, be a greater sacri-
fee of frankness and truthfulness than
of gallantry ii we omitted to say, in this
connection. that the "woman OF the
period" is not enterprising. She com
plains OF the very narrow sphere IN
which she is compelled to move, and
she wants to vote, and to occupy the
hustings, and manage political conven-
tons, and wear breeches, perhaps, when
she could not make an apple dumping
that is fit 10 eat. The latter is conceded
to be a legitimate part of cher marrow
sphere" 1t is not so difficult thing to
do as to vote right, but it is equally im-
portant. and she ought to master 1t be-
fore aspiring to enlarge her sphere.
There are exceptions, OF course, among
the lair sex. Many of them can cook
and do cook, greatly to their credit.
But we adhere to our allegation that
they are unenterprising in this depart
ment of domestic science. They have
not advanced as men would have done
were they generally engaged in cooking.
Such advances as have been made
usually come through the male cooks
here and there employed. Women don't
originate. The dishes they learned to
prepare from their parents they set be-
fore their generation unimproved, un-
changed and without any increase save
what the market forces upon them.
These they transmit to their children.
And thus the stated bill OF fare that
comes down from our ancestors con-
tinues to be set before succeeding gener-
atoms.
Would men be thus content to remain
unprogressive? Is there any depart
meut of mans labor that does not al
vance and grow clear out Of recognition
in the space Of a generation? Is there
not such elasticity IN the art OF cooking
that a generation OF male cooks in the
kitchen would not reyolutionize the
whole business.
Certainly not. Woman is unentei-
prising. She ought not to have a vote.
We are opposed to all manner OF sui
trage for her till she gets up some new
dishes. She has chance to revolution
iza the world by prescribing it diet.
A great philosopher said, let me cook
nations victuals and | care not who
makes its lawS-(or words to that effect,
or somewhat similar.) Who would
want larger sphere than that? She
blames the men with being hard to
please and grabbed at meals. The reason
is, they are nearly all dyspeptic by
reason Of the cook. Ii she had mastered
her chemistry and her physiology, she
would know exactly what to put in his
stomach to brighten up his face.
But alas! where is the woman that
ever looks into book on chemistry or
physiology? Although they prescribe
Tor our stomachs three times day they
know about as much OF the wants and
workings OF that organ as OF the me-
chanicism OF steam engine. Ii they
were running the latter rs long rs there
was no explosion they would pro-
nounce it in perfect order, and when
they experiment on the ingredients that
make up a dish OF diet, if it don't kill
on the first dose it is all right. Slow
poison is of no moment. We all have to
die anyhow.
And now having "said our say We
beg leave to be understood as with
drawing any Of the above remarks that
may be considered ungallant or dis
courteous toward the fair sex, or in any
manner rejecting on their fitness and
capacity for anything under the sun.
They never do anything but what is
Just right. However much our re-
marks may be considered at variance
with this fact, we beg leave to assure
them that We are misunderstood.