Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1889-04-18
SILVER DISHES FOR COOKING.
A Fancy From Paris That is Bidding
For Dollars in New York.
(From the New York Sum-

FOR Dollars In New York.
CFrom the New York Sum-
"And is that h-kettle, too?" asked q
man of salesman at Tiffanys.
No, that is to cook asparagus in"
"Ahd what is its price?"
"a hundred and ten dollars"
The latest fancy in expensive appoint
ments for the homes of milliOnaires is bi-
metallic cooking utensils. They are made
of heavy copper, with cemented and welded
lining of one-six teenth inch sterling silver
The idea is Partisan; and the vessels them
selves are imported from France. They
are still comparative novelties in Paris.
where the hobby has gone to such
an extent that no fashionable kitchen
is considered properly furnished unless
the food prepared there need touch no
metal but silver from the time it arrives
from the market until it becomes part of
the family anatomy. Every hobby claims
a reasonable excuse for existence. 1t is
alleged in this case that food cooked in
copper or brass becomes permeated with
verdigris, which is rank poison, and that
iron kettles are only little less injurious
Against japanned and porcelain lined pots
and kettles is urged the assertion that the
| lining cracks or wears away imperceptibly,
leaving spots where the poisonous metal
touches the food in the process of cooking.
A substantial lining of harmless metal like
silver renders the pot absolutely safe.
Hence Partisan people who can afford the
luxury have become convinced that their
health demands silver; and an effort is
being made to convince New York people
who have money of the truth Of the same
axiom.
"They are so new," continued the sales
man, that we have not sold any consider
able number of these utensils yet. But we
expect to make large sales. People were
over from the Fifth avenue hotel the other
day examining them. But we probably
won't sell any TO large hotels, unless hotel
patrons come to discriminate in favor of
houses who do cook in silver. The chief
market will be wealthy private families.
Besides being perfectly healthful, you see
the union of copper and silver is very
handsome A little polishing of the
kettles will make the kitchen shine and
give it an air of good appointment.
But we do expect some hotel trade.
There will be family hotels which make
point of perfect cuisine and perfect ap-
pointments We will also probably fur
doubtless a number of health resorts and
hotels in the south, such as Mr.. Flagler's
Florida place, for instance. You see the
utensils have the further advantage of dur
ability. They are expensive and heavily
made, and will wear practically forever"
The utensils did not differ in shape from
those ordinarily seen in modern kitchens.
In fact, the uncouth peculiarities of kitchen
l. 81 ota1 of
the pieces were exceedingly heavy, and the
larger ones had turned rims of hand beaten
metal. There were every sizs and variety
of casseroles, or sewing dishes. The small
est, without lid, and which held perhaps
a cupful, was marked $3.50.
"To boil an egg or heat cupfal of con-
somme for a single light lunch" explained
the salesman. The ordinary sized stewing
dish, such as a moderate family might re-
quire, was marked $50. The largest size
costs $42.
'Now, this fish kettle" said the sales
man, would boil, / should say, three
pound cod. This big strainer and litter,
which rests on the bottom during the boil
ing is of solid sterling silver, like the lin
ing The cost of the kettle is $85. We
expect to sell great many of them. This
larger size, for small salmon, say, costs
Sis. That asparagus kettle at $110, o
course, can be used for certain other vege-
tables besides. Here are omelette pans of
various sizes. This one, for a two-egg
omelette costs $3.50; this larger size is S12.
They range between, according to size.
Here are frying pans at 50 and $40 so.
They are for the chef to toss cakes in; play
things, you know"
Boiling kettles were of all sizes. A good
large one, corresponding in size to our
grandmothers 81 iron kettles, was marked
$S5. One much smaller and higher cost
$50.
Mice for boiling calves head, when you
don't want to break them," said the sales
man.
Jelly 'tins" in various shapes were SIS
each, and small French" coffee boilers
were marked SIT. Pudding and macaroni
plates cost from 81 up, and samovars, for
heating water in the kitchen around
charcoal fire. were marked $65. Pitchers
for heating milk and water on the range
were marked from SIS to 13, and milk pals
to pass between milkman and kitchen were
the same price.