The San Francisco call., 1909-01-17
@RoBin GrOon"

By Armistssd @. Gordon. sythor Of The Ivory
Gate" etc. Published By ine Nesie com
pany, New York Price S1-25.
Robert Aroon," described by the au-
thor as "a comedy OF manners" is q
pleasant surprise and a great relief
after the problem novels, the detective
stories, the adventure tales which are
such a strain on the credulities and all
the rest OF the stun described as "holi-
day rush" 1t is a dainty little bit OF
writing and a pretty and sweet clean
love story.
The time Is IN the days way back IN
seventeen seventy something, Just be-
fore the revolution, and the pictures OF
colonial life OF Virginia and North Car
olina are most alluring. One sighs for
the good old days OF open handed hos
pitality, when guests stayed indefinitely
at the beautiful country places. and
where no one seemed to have any other
aim IN life than 10 make pleasure for
his friends.
Judith Montfort is q beautiful and
fascinating heroine, but much more CO.
cuettish than the young ladies Of to-
day. Then Il was rather the fashion
TO be cspricious and have many con-
quests. Nearly every man in the book
was IN love with Judith at one time or
another, but only the most masterful
one OF all could win her and no girl can
read OF him and not wish for a lover
just like him.
The picture of Captain John Paul.
supposedly John Paul Jones. is quite In
accord with what we know OF this
famous hero, who figures IN almost
every romantic history OF those times.
Housewives all know the reputation
Of Virginia homes and viii be interested
IN the following conversation between
two famous epicures;
It IS needless TO tell you, madam,
that the value Of ham depends
on its curing; though the hog
il 4I1I nv hos hogs " When G0 the wind IS m1g from
the north. Make a strong pepper
tea just before sailing Put
about a spoontul OF saltpeter 70
every gallon OF the pepper mixture,
pouring the tea on the salt. Pack
the meat for about four days. Then
rub with salt and Jamaica molasses,
dashed with Demarara rum Pack
again for two weeks. At the end
OF the fortnight wash in warm
water and anoint with ashes OF
hickory Smoke with green hick-
ory; and Kill the nigger, ma'am,
that lets the smokehouse fire go
out
The method Of his hostess was diff
ferent:
Soak the ham for two days and
nights. Let II simmer IN very hot
water half an hour for each pound.
At the end OF half the time pour
OF the water and Ill again with
boiling water. Put IN half a cupful
OF vinegar and some cloves and
cinnamon and allspice. Let 1t soak
TIL the time Is ended. Then
you let the ham cool in the water,
colonel. and take of the skin. Put
on enough mustard, and cover with
an eggs yellow. Sprinkle with
bread crumbs, slash with a sharp
knife and put in a pint OF sherry
Bake for half an hour, basting
every five minutes.
"Fine!' exclaimed Colonel Sell
den, clapping his hands. And
never forget TO bury the ham in
clean earth for q few days before
hand If It be old"
That BIT OF local color may be as
valuable as IL is interesting. for the
author is accurately informed on ali
matters Of history and family and man
ners so why not on cookery?
The book is well worth the time spent
IN reading IL. It is bright and gay and
amusing.