Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-13
cooTl1NG CLASS IN THE r1cr1MoND 111cu scuoor.

stamped Itself everywhere. Tho demand
has come for q retrenchirg Of the public
school expenses, and To meet this demand
the board has determined for the pre-
sent and as far as they can see now,
for an time 10 eliminate this expense
which many claim IS for a luxury That
tho instruction in this most inn
U0rtant branch OF all house work Is me-
cessary Is granted by the board readily.
but o. is claimed by not a few people
that similar. though. perhaps, not so
complete, training could be received
% home. IN this way the expense IN
CURED from purchase OF materials, fur
nishing q room. and salary for instruc-
tor would be saved and no great cor
responding loss experienced. The question
came up before the board whether
the session should he shortened with
the present varied course. or that course
made less varied. with the usual session.
and n was decided that the latter plan
was the wiser
WHEN COOKING BEGAN.
IL was in the summer OF 1884 that the
proposltion TO establish a cooking depart
uert in connection with the branches
regularly taught at tho High School was
discussed at length by the school Board
and finally decided i'm the affirmative.
That autumn this branch was duly in
stituted and Il has been very success
fully conducted 70 the close Of the pre-
sent session. During these years Of It's
existence between eighty and ninety girls
have received certificates OF graduation
from this department. and have gone out
~ sunerintend the better preparation of
fathers and brothers daily food, and
eome have even gone so FAR right as TO
arDlv the instruction here so faithfully
given IN home circles, which their own
voung hands have had "a share in the
making.
When Il became generally known that
a teacher for such q department would
be needed there were number Of ap-
pNcauons for the position. Lots were
cast. and the winning die fen at the
side az Mrs. John W. Cringan, lady
already well known as such teacher IN
private classes. She was then. in fact
direct from the Miller Manual School
In Albemarle county. where she had con-
Quoted in an eminently satisfactory man
ner a similar course in that institution.
Like all pioneers, Mrs. Crin5an found
when she undertook the cstahhsh-
ment OF order and a school at the OPEN
Ing OF the session nothing more en-
rouraging to begin with than chaos and
nond girl entirely new-a pleasant sub
Ioct 10 laugh about and calculate chow
mnnvp' but quito different when 1t
ZANE 10 soiled hands and dresses and
burned fingers.
A room fin the High School building
was soon arranged. 4 large wardrobe
was placed I'm one corner for the cook
aprons ana caps and a bin gotten ready
Tor the buckets. pans, kettles, trays
Differs. supplies. &c. &c Then three
tables were brought in. and upon each
was firmly set a gas-stove.
Tho instructor had been provided,
lecture-rOom had been secured and FUR
hlshoI. and now for somebody TO teach.
PUPILS AND TEACHER.
or course, no boys would care 10 learn
20 cook. Il would be sufficient for their
sisters to do that while they did the
rating for the family. This narrowed
The source Of supply In the way of
pupilacc. Some few girls did not fancy
b. because there were no bOys-their
names could be learned-but large
number of these sweet, redeeming Tea
lures Of the human race. when they saw
the gentle kind face OF their teacher
which bore no furrow Of impotence upon
Sos brow. and when they learned that
there would be no pestiferous BOYS IN |
the class a. an. gladly Joined their names |
90 the roll Very auspiciOusly was the |
school opened: very successfully was IL !
conducted through the entire session
AS there had been no school or the !
Kind preceding this. there was no |
course or scheme Of instruction mapped 1
put Mrs Crincan went Immediately 10 !
work establishing from her own fun !
and wide experience sys-
ten a. her own liking. And II has proved !
"A very excellent system. 10 IS blend |
ng Of The theory or chemistry Of cook
ng with the everyday practice Of II. |
N is not theory alone. nor yet practice |
alone. they are wisely combined.
The instruction extends through one ses-
sion o. nine months. and more than thirty |
practical lessons in the art are givCn.
The class meet two days-Thursday and
each week. at lA5 o'clock. and I
-cmaiu in session untA 3A5 O'Clock
Az The bcli rings out the former hours
he pupils begin 20 assemble I'm the lee
gre-rOom. where the teacher had already
preceded them. one IS from day 20 day
lr week 20 week appointed housekecper.
ind az soon az the class has fully as
'emblod and the roll has been called.
he housokooper goes 10 the wardrobe,
nd taking out the aprons ana caps dis
ributes them 20 the class. These are
quickly pinned on. and with pads and
lencils the girls all seat themselves al
be tables. The lecture then begins.
s@-hsus Il Is the flrst Of the session. and