The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-03-10
TIMELY TALK TO GIRLS.

far more profitable, while some one who
was skilled in culinary matters presided
over the kitchen. Kind matrOns told
me OF the great necessity of acquiring
some knowledge of housekeeping
secrets, if ever intended to become
wife. As that experience was always
embraced in my future calculations, |
made one or two futile attempts to
learn to cock, but my entrance into the
kitchen was always followed by reign
OF disaster. Pots, pans, boxes and
dishes were misplaced and lost, and
was begged to desist from my spasmodic
efforts to learn to be a cook, and to
devote myself to more profitable labors
There Is nothing SO gratifying in life
as to be advised by our elders to do
exactly as our inclinations lead US to do
had no natural taste for kitchen work,
and my experience in life had not yet
taught me its importance. 1t has been
my good fortune to never find any
practical disadvantage from my lack of
these accomplishments. | always feel
that my time was we'll and suitably
employed in my own congenial labors
but my ignorance of housework has
caused me much mental disturbance.
Housekeepers and domestics, however
we'll paid, once conscious that the mis-
tresS of an establishment is ignorant Of
their methods of work, are liable to
make her feel her dependence.
know of no people in the world so
inclined to tyranny over the uninitiated
as the women who are "born house
keepeis," The thought of any disaster
that could leave me without a cook,
and with family to provide meals for,
has been the cause of more terror to
my soul than any fear OF the hereafter.
| Every body knew that | could not cook
Everybody impressed upon my mind
the tremendous undertaking it would be
10 learn. Old housekeepers assured me
it was mysterious sort of business
requiring a life time to acquire. Young
housekeepers told me it was an ex-
hausting labor, requiring the sacrifice
OF every other aim in life Nevertheless,
| determined to learn to cook With
no small amount OF fear | undertook to
master the rudiments of this great art
supplied myself with good cook books
and bolstered myself with few manu-
script recipes from old housekeepers
| and began to practice on agreeable
breakf st dishes first. Then pro.
ceeded to the preparation of lunch and
| finally Of dinner. At the end of two
| months | had bid adieu forever to m,
stage fright" | was only an amateur
cook, to be sure, but never again could
threatened departure OF housekeeper or
cook. | could prepare a palatable
meal, no matter how sudden the emer-
gency, and l would not part with this
happy Consciousness-no, not for the
wealth OF Gould.
did not find it necessary to remain
in the kitchen after acquiring my knowl-
edge. 70 know how was a great com
fort ; to be able to instruct servant
delight but to continue to do the work
myself when more agreeable and prof.
table Iabors awaited me" would haye
been sheer nonsense. There are peo-
pie VINO are born to cook, and people
who are born to sing. Let the singer
learn how to teach her cook the right
and economical way, and then return
to the singing,
No girl or woman can ever become
good cook unless she loves the work or
loves the one for whom she performs it,
1t is impossible TO construct a thor
oughly palatable dish, no matter how
carefully you follow recipes, if you feel
| disgust or anger over your task. Even
the inanimate food feels the influence
of heart full of love or coldness. |
have always believed this to be the
explanation why hotel food is as a rule
tasteless and unsatisfactory. The work
is done for money-not for love. The
mistress who can inspire her servant
with fiction will lend SAVIOR to her
cooking at the same time. 1t is far
wiser 10 instruct your servant 10 per-
form labor than to do it in an un-
gracious manner ourself. | have seen
wives and mothers come to the dinner
table so irritable and tired and iull Of
complaints Of the fatigue they had in
Cured in the preparation of the meal
that every member OF the family felt
like a criminal in partaking of it. Far
better serve less pretenlious dinner
and make no comment on the labor it
cost. | believe that two months al
intelligent aud Interested work in the
culinary department will enable any girl
Of ordinary brightness to understand
the art of cookery sufficiently to minis
ter to the wants OF a family.
OF course high art is not acquired in
that time, or the conCoCtion of varied
or difficult dishes all that requires
study and attention to details like the
perfection Of any art. But | have been
surprised to find how easily one could
learn plain and palatable cooking, and
the peace of mind which the knowledge
brings is beyond all description to one
who has ever been tyrannized over by
domestic or housekeeper.
think no mother does her duty by
her daughter unless she gives her a