We present an excerpt from Elizabeth Lea's work on proper food preparation. It must be said that our resident cook, maid and Amazon Helen does not agree with Mrs. Lea's teachings to young ladies and to respect her wishes we have left out the more objectionable parts. Unfortunately I can not provide exact words by which Helen indicates her opinion of the work, because it is all spoken in Russian. Hubbard claims there is great value in some of the recipes and ways to prepare archaic dishes, and to humor the old watchmaker we will occasionally produce such text as is deemed appropriate for this forum. These quaint lines of prose are provided for your entertainment and information. Even though Hubbard swears by some of the preparation techniques, it is not advised to directly copy procedures unless completely familiar with modern cooking.

In boiling fresh meat, care is necessary to have the water boiling all the time it is in the pot; if the pot is not well scummed, the appearance of the meat will be spoiled. Mutton and beef are preferred, by some, a little rare; but pork and veal should always be well done. A round of beef that is stuffed, will take more than three hours to boil, and if not stuffed, two hours or more, according to the size; slow boiling is the best. A leg of mutton requires from two to three hours boiling, according to the size; a fore-quarter from an hour to an hour and a half; a quarter of lamb, unless, very large, will boil in an hour. Veal and pork will take rather longer to boil than mutton.

All boiled fresh meat should have drawn butter poured over it, after it is dished, and be garnished with parsley. The liquor that fresh meat, or poultry, is boiled in, should be saved, as an addition of vegetables, herbs, and dumplings make a nourishing soup of it. A large turkey will take three hours to boil--a small one half that time; secure the legs to keep them from bursting out; turkeys should be blanched in warm milk and water; stuff them and rub their breasts with butter, flour a cloth and pin them in. A large chicken that is stuffed should boil an hour, and small ones half that time. The water should always boil before you put in your meat or poultry. When meat is frozen, soak it in cold water for several hours, and allow more time in the cooking.

This Work having passed through two editions, and having met with a very favorable reception, the Authoress has been induced to thoroughly revise and re-arrange the whole work. Numerous additions have also been made, particularly under the heads Miscellaneous Receipts and Hints to Young Housekeepers, which she hopes will be found to have enhanced its value. (Source: Gutenberg)