The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1896-09-09
MISS JULIET CORSON.
Pioneer of Cooking Schools Is Sadly
Afflicted.
KINGS PALACE

There are few women the news OF
whose serious and permanent Illness will
occasion more widespread regret thau
that of Juliet COrsoH, Tor whom i tcSti-
mouial fund is now under way. There
are other cooking school teachers row be-
fore the public, but it is Miss CorsOn's
name that stands for that revival OF ia
terest in cookery which has given il q
representative place in schools, pbilan-
lhropc enterprises, aud made it some
lining more than the caprice OF day.
Miss Corson's connection with cookery
was incidental 1t grew out OF the panic
of 1873 AT that time she was Il writer
in New York city. OF an effort To ale
viate the condition of the women and
girls thrown out OF employment 10y The
sudden stopping OF factories and mills,
she was made secretary. The imposSi-
UiHty of finding work for these Gnfortu-
mates in the trades suggested the pro-
priety of opening schools to teach them
tbe arts OF the laundry, sewing, cooking,
chamherwork and thus equip the factory
girl for domestic service.
The first school was opened in Miss
Corson's library, and quickly became
fashionable The first year nearly 900
women were taught. To the schools peo-
pie came for all sorts of service. The
greatest demand, however. was for ser
wants, and the strength of the school fell
in this direction
Those in charge Were wise enough to
know that the most valuable results are
obtained from the finest cookery, and IN
accom- plished chef was engaged. Miss
Corson wrote to South kensington and
obtained the outlines OF their methods OF
teaching. These Cooking school lessons
were soon the talk of the town. The
places of the working girl were challenged
by the girl of leisure. When the mistress
saw Pallas, the chef. toss an omelet she
wanted to take a hand Then the oopss
emulous of the miStresses, made private
demand for instruction.
Thus there We're classes for working
girls, for rich girls. for mistresscs. for
cooks, for aspiring chefs The town went
cooking mad. The chef, Pallas, by this
time had been called to Europe, and the
cooking lessons fell into Miss Corson's
hands Her mind is of the orderly, sys-
tematic kind In addition to being dill
gent student of the practical side of cook
ing she applied herself to the study of
the economies of food Her Twenty five
Cent Dinners became the te-t book in
countless workmen'S homes. \ famous dim
ner was at the time given to dozen such
epicurcs as Robert Roosevelt, which con
sisted of ten courses and cost something
under 20 cents cover.
No less valuable were the ethical re-
suits of Miss Corson's teaching. When
the tired mothers, the ignorant girls.
and the slatternly cooks saw Miss Cor
son drawing. honing. hands deep in
everything, with spotless cuffs. her best
gown and apron on, the cause OF cock
ing rose In every woman who regards
her appearance
The enthusiasm for cooking soon spread
through the country. Cooking clubs were
organized In every city and town tAat felt
itself abreast of things. and Miss COrson
was in demand from the Atlantic to the Pa
cific coast. Cha ritabic boards, school
boards. hospital boards asked for practical
demonstrations. The organization OF a
diet kitchen in Chicago hospital was, in
fact, Miss Corsop's last public work.
She now, rs was said above. lies help
less with a painful disease and this brief
retrospect is intended to recall to her
many friends all over the country tho
great service she has rendered in order
that some substantial recognition Of it
may be made, and in full faith that 1t
will be regarded as o privilege. William T.
Blodgett, No. "a West Twelfth street. New
York city, IL In charge OF this testimonial
fund.