The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-09
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

nary Crink1es." This is a charming book of tested recipes. by the ladies of the Church of the Advent, of this city compiled by Mtylene owen Me David. published by Unit No. 2. of the woman's Guild. and dedicated to Mrs. J. Rivers Carter, president of the guild.
 Now, when it comes to cook books, I pose as an authority, as have gath cred some two score of them since set- ting up home, and men are missing a lot of good eating by leaving them | to be studied and practiced by their wives. I have the high-priced ones down to the paper backs, and, strange to say one that cost me just quar- ter is probably the most used of the collection.
 I have also learned that the wise ones lay in copy of those issued by our own southern woman, for where in all the world has the art of cookery been carried to such fine point. am not now speaking of dishes served { in cafes, restaurants, or hotels: but of the ones to be found on the tables in the home. where there is no chef. -but just simply an old black nanny who knows how to prepare dinner to reach the right spot.
 I remember one Christmas I was in Paris all by myself. It was during my student days, and naturally when the holiday season was approaching I be- gan to get homesick. I got hold of an American magazine and dipped into it and soon was lost in a story of the old south. One of the things featured was 1 the cooking, and when the writer pie tured scene of ante -bellum days with | the noise and stir of making ready for the Christmas dinner and then gave the menu. although l was in the midst of everything that the Parisians could offer in the way of food, I almost wept for a chance to be home to take my place at table.
 Take this tip from me, whenever you get chance to buy a cook book
 
 | munity, don't fail to buy a copy, for | if you do you will side-step a chance ! to get the best dishes which are served all around you, for rest assured that l each woman who contributes a recipe will be sure to give the one which has as knowing how to make at least one l fA-n You can just gamble on it that you | are getting the cream of the four | hundreds pet dishes.
 When l lived in Atlanta I was one l of the Bell House Boys" This will not mean anything save to those who | once resided in the Gate City, but it will recall many pleasant hours to l those who once found home under the roof of this gracious and motherly l housekeeper who made real home for many of the society bachelors of her home town. She was famous cook and after being pestered by the elite of Atlanta, she got out a book of recipes which had a great vogue, for they were the ones tried out by her day after day.
 Awhile back Talladegas Four Hun dred put on the market a cook book which l treasure. Then some years ago the women of this city issued what they called the '.Hillman Cook Book. ? and l have it and in it are a number
 of popular recipes which are daily tested out here in Birmingham I also acquired one prepared by the Method ist women of North Georgia. (And, by the way, there is no sectarianism in cooking for the one before me. the handiwork of Episcopalians, is well suited to Baptists like myself) If the Catholic or Jewish women see fit to get into the game I will add their cook books to my library
 The mere fact that Mitylene owen McDavid had the matter in hand of as- sembling and compiling the book was sufficient assurance that it would not only contain well worth recipes, but ! that there would be some charming It- erary selections in it about culinary affairs. And so some of the introduce tory matter and chapted headings are
 most appropriate, and I compliment her on her choice of the poetic selec-
 tions, for they put a good taste in ones mouth even before dipping into the directions under them. There is an art in the way, a book is put to- gether, and I give high rank to the real compiler.
 For instance, what could be more ap- propriate to open Culinary Crinkles' than Ruskin's definition of the mean ing of cookery: Tt means the knowl- edge of all herbs, and balms ana spices, and of all that is healing and sweet in fields and groves. and savory ! in meals. It means carefulness and in yentiveness and readiness and appli- lance. It means the economy of youl
 great grandmother and the science o1 modern chemists. It means much tast- ; ing and no wasting; it means English : thoroughness and French art and Ara
 bian hospitality; and it means, in fine ) that you are to be perfectly and al. ways ladies-loaf givers."
 z One of the oldest recipes which has } come down to us is that from Ezekiel
 the Jewish prophet, who thousands oi years ago gave these directions about
 bread, meat and dsink, the three great
 essentials.
 Take thou also unto thee wheat anl
 barley and beans and lentils and millet
 and fitches (the plant called 'blacl
 cummin,' with pale blue or white flow CTS, the seeds of which are often uses
 in flavoring bread. on the same prin,
 ciple in which caraway seed are used
 and put them in one vessel and mak, ! the bread thereof And thy mea