THE PRACTICAL HOUSEWIFE.
HIGHLY INTERESTING WORK FOR HOUSEWIVES.
_Numerous Illustrations, crown 8vo, cloth, 2s. 6d._
THE HOUSEWIFE’S REASON WHY
DOMESTIC SCIENCE.
The Author of “The Reason Why Series” has made very wide researches, in
order to bring within the pages of this Volume, in the most simple but
expressive language, all those illustrations of scientific principles
which bear upon the Housewife’s duties; so that she may not only know
that she should do a thing, but WHY she should do it; and knowing WHY,
perform it all the more willingly.
EXAMPLE.
Why is the mixture of alum with bread injurious?
Why are baked apples useful to dyspeptic persons?
Why should bedsteads not be placed against walls?
Why do chimneys smoke?
Why does salt improve digestion?
Why does biliousness frequently attack people at forty years of age?
Why are complexions influenced by the colours of dress?
Why should not infants be placed on their backs in their cradles or beds?
Why is roasted meat more digestible than boiled?
This Volume answers 1500 similar Questions.
[Illustration: “To understand the Economy of Household Affairs is not
only essential to a woman’s proper and pleasant performance of the
duties of a Wife and a Mother, but is indispensable to the comfort,
respectability, and welfare of all Families, whatever be their
circumstances.”—_Dr. Kitchiner._]
THE
PRACTICAL HOUSEWIFE
A COMPLETE
ENCYCLOPÆDIA OF DOMESTIC ECONOMY
AND
FAMILY MEDICAL GUIDE
BY
THE ORIGINAL EDITOR OF THE “FAMILY FRIEND,”
THE “HOUSEWIFE’S REASON WHY,” ETC.
NEW EDITION, REVISED AND GREATLY ENLARGED.
LONDON: HOULSTON & WRIGHT.
PHILADELPHIA: J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO.
_Author’s Edition._
THE REASON WHY SERIES
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THIS BOOK, THE RESULT OF HUNDREDS OF VALUED CONTRIBUTIONS, ACCUMULATED
AND APPROVED DURING THE LAST TEN YEARS, IS DEDICATED TO EVERY HOUSEWIFE,
BY THE ORIGINAL EDITOR OF THE “FAMILY FRIEND,” IN THE BELIEF THAT IT WILL
LESSEN THE CARES OF DOMESTIC MANAGEMENT, AID THE PRACTICE OF HOUSEHOLD
ECONOMY, AND PROVE A HELP IN MANY EMERGENCIES, WHICH MAY AFFECT THE
COMFORT OF HOME.
LONDON, _October, 1860_.
PREFACE.
Every Englishman’s house is his Castle; the Husband has to do battle with
the struggles and competition of life; to provide for the wants of his
little fortress; and to keep those formidable enemies Debt, Discontent,
and Poverty, from the door. And many and arduous are the battles which he
has to brave; frequently testing to their utmost the powers of heart and
mind.
At the right hand of the Master of the citadel stands the Housewife,
his help-meet, companion, and comforter. Upon her devolves the duty of
keeping away the more subtile enemies that attack the dwellers of the
citadel within: Disease, Uncleanliness, and Waste, are among the silent
but stubborn foes which, unless they are fairly resisted at their first
approach, destroy the foundation, shatter the walls, and reduce to ruin,
both in a moral and a material sense, the Domestic stronghold which it is
Man’s mission to erect and defend, and Woman’s mission to preserve in all
its happiness and integrity.
The “PRACTICAL HOUSEWIFE,” which we now present to the public in a
greatly enlarged and much improved form, is a Hand-book to guide the
Wife in the discharge of those duties upon which the well-being of Home
depends; and without the proper fulfilment of which the most earnest
efforts of the best Husband will ever fail to secure their reward. In
proof that we do not over-estimate the importance of Woman’s influence in
the household, remember the words of Solomon: “Every wise woman buildeth
her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.”
In the following pages will be found some excellent Thoughts and Maxims
upon Housekeeping; Advice upon the Domestic Treatment of the Sick; the
Management of Children, &c.; a series of very instructive papers upon
Domestic Manipulation, together with Directions for Cookery and the
Choice of Food, in accordance with the Seasons of the Year; also ample
Directions upon Carving, and the Arrangement of Tables, &c., with a large
number of tried and approved Receipts in almost every description of
Domestic Preparation.
The married lady who carefully studies these pages, cannot fail to become
a “Practical Housewife,” one of those wise women who “buildeth her
house,” increaseth happiness in all around her, and is followed, when she
is called heavenward, by the throbbing heart-love of all who felt her
blessed influence.
It is obvious that the subject of NEEDLEWORK, intricate as are its
operations, and voluminous as its written descriptions must be, could
not be included in the present volume. The subject has been elaborately
treated and profusely illustrated in the “TREASURES IN NEEDLEWORK,”
containing several hundreds of designs by Mrs. WARREN, Mrs. PULLAN, and
other eminent artists.
Commending our Volume to the Housewives of Great Britain, in the fullest
confidence that every page will bear the closest examination, and be
found unusually instructive, we pray for the increase of those Domestic
Virtues which are the proud characteristic of the British Nation.
LONDON, _October, 1860_.
INDEX.
Ablution, importance of, 22
Ague, 72
Air, importance of fresh, 22
Ale, devilled, 227
Aleberry, 225
Ale, mulled, 226
Ale posset, 228
Almond soap, 276
American biscuits, 297
Ants, expelling, 188
Antwerp cream, 301
Aperient electuary, 130
Aperient for children, 130
Aperient, infant’s, 127
Aperient pills, 126
Aperients, spring, 126
Aperient, tonic, 126
Apoplexy, 74
Appleade, 223
Apple fool, 265
Apple jelly, 270
Apricot beverage, 223
Apricot pudding, 275
April, food and cookery for, 262
Arrack, mock, 226
Arrow-root, 144
Artichokes, boiled, 287
Artichoke bottom ragout, 299
Artichokes fricasseed, 269
Asparagus, boiled, 264
Asparagus soup, 266
Asses’ milk, imitative, 145
Asthma, 49
Asthma, relief of, 127
Athol brose, 226
August, food and cookery for, 280
Baked milk, 145
Baking, 238
Bandages, 112
Bandoline, 140
Bang, 226
Barbel, to fry, 249
Barley gruel, 144
Barley milk, 145
Barley water, 223
Barley water, to make, 245
Bath buns, 256
Batter pudding, 271, 283
Beads, to clean, 214
Beans, French, à la Crême, 274
Beans, kidney, boiled, 274
Bear’s grease, 141
Bedding, &c., choice of, 8
Beef steaks, Staffordshire, 288
Bed-rooms, management of, 14
Beds, to detect dampness in, 188
Beef broth, 254
Beef collops, 259
Beef hams, 287
Beef, pressed, 278
Beef, spiced, 270
Beef stock, 253
Beef tea, 147
Bees, to avoid injury from, 135
Beverages, summer, 221
Beverages, winter, 221
Biliousness, 54
Bishop, 226
Blackberry jam, 306
Black caps, 292
Black draught, 127
Blacking for dress boots and shoes, 188
Blacking to preserve leather, 188
Blanching, 239
Bleeding at the nose, 134
Blisters, 113
Boiling, 172, 235
Books, to remove stains from, 213
Boring, 239
Bottles, to clean, 143
Bottles, to make air-tight, 189
Bowel complaints, 57
Brain fever, 64
Braising, 239
Brass ornaments, to clean, 211
Brass, to clean, 212
Brawns, mock, 266
Bread-and-butter pudding, 297
Bread pudding, 251
Breath, remedy for shortness of the, 128
Brentford rolls, 275
Brill, fried, 285, 298
Broiling, 237
Bronchitis, 50
Bronchitis, acute, 51
Bronchitis, chronic, 51
Broth for invalids, 146
Broth of calf’s feet, 147
Broth of chickens, 147
Browning for soups, 254
Bruises and sprains, remedy for, 133
Bruises, cure for, 132
Brushes, to clean, 142
Bugs, to destroy, 189
Bullace tart, 293
Burns, lime liniment for, 133
Burns, to heal, 134
Butcher’s meat, economy in the use of, 245
Cabinet pudding, 271
Cake, good common, 283
Cakes: see under various names, as Shrewsbury, Banbury, currant,
&c., 261
Calf’s feet and milk, 145
Calf’s head, 276, 294
Calf’s head cheese, 269
Calf’s head, fricasseed, 264
Calf’s head pie, 300
Calf’s heart, baked, 292
Candles, hints about, 190
Candles, to improve, 190
Candlesticks, to clean, 213
Capillaire, mock, 224
Carbuncles, 115
Cardinal, 226
Cardoons à la fromage, 296
Cardoons, fried, 292
Carp, fried, 295
Carp, stewed, 254, 268
Carrot soup, 254
Carrots, boiled, 282
Carrots, Flemish way, 287
Carving, 320
Casks, to sweeten, 215
Caudle, 144, 226
Caudle, brown, 226
Caudle, rice, 227
Caudle, cold, 227
Caudle, flour, 227
Caudle, flummery, 227
Caudle, oatmeal, 227
Caudle, tea, 227
Caudle, white, 227
Cauliflowers, boiled, 269
Celery, fried, 296
Celery with cream, 261
Cement for iron utensils, 189
Cement, manufacture and use of, 159
Cements, waterproof, 161
Chairs, restoring, 194
Chapped hands, cerate for, 137
Cherry drink, 224
Chervil, boiled, 274
Cheshire puffs, 275
Chicken fricassee, 286
Chicken-pox, 48
Chicken, roasted, 278
Chilblains, 107
Chilblains, household cure for, 130
Children, cookery for, 303
Children, management of, 22
Chimneys on fire, means of extinguishing, 191
Chimneys, cure for smoky, 191
China, &c., choice of, 8
China, to mend broken, 190
China, to pack, 192
Chintz, to wash, 203
Choking, 109
Cholera, 62
Cholera and bowel complaints, prescription for, 127
Chopping, 165
Christmas cake, 301
Cleaning, 148, 180
Cleanliness, importance of, 14
Cloth, scouring balls to take grease from, 207
Clothes, management of wet, 208
Clothes-brushes, to clean, 142
Clothes, to brush, 209
Clothing, hints respecting, 22
Coats, to renovate, 207
Coat, to pack properly, 208
Cock-a-leekie soup, 294
Cockles, pickled, 285
Cockroaches, expelling, 188
Cod sounds, boiled, 299
Cod sounds ragout, 299
Cod, to cure, 295
Colds and coughs, 127
Coloured prints, &c., to prevent from running, 202
Colours of dresses, preserving, 203
Combs, to clean, 142
Consumption, 46
Consumption, watercresses recommended, 128
Cookery for the months, 248
Cookery, rudiments of, 232
Cool tankard, 224
Copper saucepans, danger from, 239
Corking, 148
Corns, cure for, 130
Corns, cure for soft, 131
Cough, 48
Cough mixture, 128
Cough, recipe for a, 127
Court-plaster, 140
Crab soup, 258
Crabs, dressed, 267
Crackers, bon-bon, 301
Crambambull, 226
Cramp, cure for, 134
Cranberry drink, 224
Crape, to remove stains from, 207
Cream, cold, 139
Cream, housewife’s, 279
Croup, 44
Cucumbers, stewed, 274
Cumberland pudding, 275
Curds and whey, 224
Curling fluid, 138
Currant water, 225
Curried beef, 256
Curries, various, 237
Curry, 250
Custard pudding, 283
Cutlery, choice of, 8
Cutting glass, 152
Dace, to fry, 249
Dace, to marinade, 249
Damascus biscuits, 279
Damson or plum cheese, 257
Deafness from deficient wax, 130
Deafness, remedy for, 130
Decanters, to clean, 210
Decanting, 153
December, food and cookery for, 297
Delirium, 66
Delirium tremens, 67
Derbyshire bread, 279
Derby short cakes, 288
Devonshire junket, 295
Diarrhœa, 61
Diarrhœa in infants, 129
Dinners, 14
Disinfecting, 180
Disinfecting liquid, 136
Disinfecting sewage, 135
Distilling, 185
Dividing, 163
Divine drink, 225
Dory, boiled, 290
Dory cutlets, 268
Dory, fried, 296
Doubing, 239
Dresses, to preserve the colours of print, 200
Drying, 148
Ducklings, roasted, 263
Ducks, roasted, 255
Ducks, Nottingham fashion, 295
Durham pie, 300
Dye for woods and veneers, 195
Dyes, various, 191
Dysentery, 61
Dyspepsia, 60
Ear-ache, remedy for, 131
Early rising recommended, 14
Ears, affections of the, 80
Eau de Cologne, 141
Eau sucre, 225
Economy, importance of, 3
Eel pie, 262
Eel soup, 258
Eels, broiled, 281
Eels, collared, 295
Eels, spitchcock, 263
Eels, to pot, 281
Egg-flip, 272
Egg wine, 228
Eggs for invalids, 147
Elder-flower ointment, 140
Elder wine, mulled, 228
Embroidery, to clean, 200
Endive, stewed, 282
Epilepsy, 75
Erysipelas, 37
Excoriation, 116
Expenditure and income, 8
Eye, affections of the, 79
Eyes, inflammation of the, 128
Eye-wash, 138
Eyes, wash for weak, 138
Face, affections of the, 78
Fainting, 77
Feathers, to make muffs and tippets of, 204
February, food and cookery for, 253
Feet, care of the, 91
Feet, cold, means of preventing at bed-time, 130
Feet, cure for blistered, 129
Female clothing, to render uninflammable, 219
Fermenting, 185
Fever, 63
Fever, brain, 64
Fever draught, 130
Filtering, 155
Fireproof and waterproof cement, 218
Firmity, 265
Fish-jelly, savoury, 263
Fish, potted, 266
Fish, salt, 249
Fish, selection of, 17
Fish stock, 276
Flannel, to shrink new, 192
Flannels, to wash, 209
Flap, 225
Flatulence, 59
Flies, to destroy, 135
Floors, hints on scrubbing, 196
Flounders, as water souchy, 285
Flummery, 252
Food for the months, 248
Forks, cleaning, 182
Fowl, curried, 273
Fowl, dressed cold, 268
Fowls, forced, 299
Fowls, roast, 259
French pastry, 256
Fricadel, 260
Fricassee of beef, 250
Fruit stains, to remove from the fingers, 213
Fruits for children, 306
Frying, 237
Fumigation, 135
Furniture, taste in the selection of, 3
Furniture, wax for polishing, 195
Furs, to clean, 204
Furs, to preserve, 204
Galling, to prevent, 129
Gargles, 89
German puffs, 275
German silver, to clean, 211
Giblet soup, 258
Ginger beer, 221
Ginger beer, Indian, 225
Ginger beer powders, 221
Gingerbread, 256
Gingerbread nuts, 301
Gingerbread snaps, 301
Gingerbread, spiced, 283
Ginger cakes, 257
Ginger lemonade, 222
Glass, cutting, 152
Glass, grinding, 152
Glass, to mend broken, 190
Glass, to pack, 192
Glass, writing on, 152
Glazing, 239
Glazing for hams, tongues, &c., 260
Gloves, to clean kid, 205
Glue, common, 161
Glue, liquid, 161
Glue, mouth, 160
Glue that will resist moisture, 189
Goitre, 117
Gold lace, to clean, 199
Goose, green, roasted, 263
Goose, roasted, 255
Gooseberry fool, 270
Gooseberry fool, with the wood in it, 270
Gout, 96
Gravy, rich, 298
Grease spots, means of removing, 194
Grinding, 163
Grinding glass, 152
Grouse, potted, 286
Grouse, roasted, 282
Gruel, 143
Gudgeon, fried, 295
Guinea-fowl, roasted, 299
Haddock, to boil, 249
Hair dyes, 136
Hair, preservation of the, 84
Hair, superfluous, 137
Hair, to promote the growth of, 137
Hair wash, 137
Hake, baked, 299
Hake cutlets, 249
Hake pie, 293
Ham, boiled, 282, 292
Ham for Christmas, 300
Hamburg beef, 300
Hampshire cheese snaps, 265
Hands, care of the, 89
Hands, to whiten the, 138
Hare collops, 286
Hare-lip, 118
Hare pie, 255
Hare, roasted, 286
Hare soup, 249
Harness, polish for, 188
Hats, to take care of beaver, 207
Heart, disease of the, 91
Heart, ox, roasted, 278
Heartburn, 129
Heat, economy of, 175
Herb pie, 278
Herrings, fried, 290
Herrings, smoked, 290
Hessian soup, 284
Hiccups, cure for, 128
Hippocras, 222
Hoarseness, 128
Hooping-cough, 30
Hooping-cough, mixture for, 128
House, taking a, 3
Household receipts, 126
Housekeepers, suggestions to, 242
Housekeeping, thoughts and maxims on, 1
Hydrophobia, 71, 134
Hypochondriasis, 69
Hysteria, draught for, 130
Idiocy, 68
Imperial, 222
Incombustible varnish for wood, 216
Income and expenditure, 8
Indigestion, prescription for, 129
Inflammation, 118
Influenza, 53
Ink stains, to remove from books, &c., 213
Inks, indelible, 193
Inks, sympathetic, 193
Inks, various, 192
Insanity, 70
Insects, bites of, 132
Insects, expelling, 188
Invalids, food for, 20, 143
Iron-moulds, to remove, 213
Iron-moulds in linen, to remove, 200
Iron-work, cleaning, 181
Isinglass, 145
Italian paste, 262
Italian turnip, 267
Itch, 37
Ivory, to restore, 214
January, food and cookery for, 248
Japanese cement, 189
Japanned goods, cleaning, 182
Jaundice, 55
Jelly, bread, 145
Jelly, Gloucester, 145
Jelly, rice, 145
Jelly, tapioca, 146
Jelly, strengthening, 146
Jingle, 146
June, food and cookery for, 271
Julienne soup, 272
July, food and cookery for, 276
Kale, 265
Kettles, to clean, 212
Kidney pudding, 292
King cup, 223
Kitchen utensils, selection of, 3
Knives, cleaning, 182
Knots, 166
Lace, to wash, 200
Lace veils, to clean, 199
Lacquer-work, to clean, 212
Lait sucre, 223
Lamb’s brain cakes, 251
Landlord and tenant, 3
Language, precautions respecting, in the presence of children, 22
Larding, 239
Larks, roasted, 250
Leather cases, to clean, 214
Leeches, management of, 109
Leek soup, 294
Lemonade, 222
Leveret, roasted, 282
Light, importance of, 14
Lime and egg cement, 161
Linen, to remove stains of wine or fruit, from table, 203
Linen, uses for old, 8
Linen, &c., choice of, 8
Linen, to restore scorched, 202
Linen, to restore stained, 200
Linen, to whiten after turning yellow, 202
Ling, boiled, 299
Lip salve, 140
Lips, affections of the, 81
Liver pudding, 251
Liver, roasted, 260
Lobster balls, 272
Lobster cutlets, 258
Lobster, potted, 277
Lobster salad, 266
Lobster sauce, 295
Locality, choice of, 3
Lodgings, relative advantage of furnished and unfurnished, 3
Looking-glasses, to clean, 210
Lumbago, 105
Macassar oil, 138
Maccaroni, 266, 294
Mackerel, broiled, 277
Mackerel, marinaded, 277
Madness, 68
Mahogany, artificial, 195
Mahogany, to improve, 194
Mahogany, to take ink from, 195
Malcolm puddings, 252
Mania, 69
Manipulation, domestic, 148
Marathon biscuits, 288
Marble, to clean, 214
March, food and cookery for, 257
Marketing, hints upon, 14
Marrow-bones, beef, 264
Marrow pudding, 265
Marrow, vegetable, 274
May, food and cookery for, 266
Measles, 41
Meats, selection of, 17
Medical guide, 30
Medical receipts, 126
Melancholy, 68
Metals, to remove stains from, 213
Mildew in linen, to remove, 200
Mildew, to remove from clothes, 208
Mincemeat, 252
Mincemeat, à la Soyer, 302
Mince pies, 252
Mirrors, to clean, 210
Mistresses and servants, 8
Mistress’s example, importance of, 18
Mock turtle, 284
Moths, perfume against, 142
Moths, to prevent, 208
Mourning, to remove stains from, 207
Mousseline-de-laine, to wash, 202
Mushrooms, 278
Mushrooms, à la Maintenon, 287
Mushrooms, grilled, 287
Musquetaire, 272
Mussels, pickled, 285
Mutton, breast, grilled, 274
Mutton ham, 251
Mutton, hashed, 296
Mutton steaks, à la Maintenon, 264
Nails, to whiten the, 138
Napkins, folding, 310
Naples cheese, 283
Nectar, 225
Nettle rash, 45
Neuralgia, 103
Newcastle pudding, 279
Nightcap, Oxford, 228
Norfolk biscuits, 261
Northumberland pudding, 288
Nose, affections of the, 85
Nose, to stop bleeding of the, 134
Nourmahal cake, 279
November, food and cookery for, 293
Nurseries, management of, 14
Nurses, and hints upon nursing, 26
Oak, imitation colour, 192
Oat-cakes, unfermented, 254
Oatmeal gingerbread, 252
Oatmeal pudding, 252
October, food and cookery for, 289
Oil-cloths, hints about, 196
Ointment, sedative, 129
Onion ragout, 291
Onions, roasted, 274
Orangeade, 222
Order, importance of, 14
Ox cheek, stewed, 281, 283
Oxford hash, 260
Ox tail, 290
Oyster sausages, 285
Oysters, fried, 258
Oysters, scalloped, 285, 295
Oysters, stewed, 255
Packages, 166
Pains after exertion, prevention of, 134
Paint, cleaning, 181
Paint, to remove from dresses, 202
Paint, to remove the smell of, 215
Palpitation of the heart, 92
Palpitation of the heart, draught for, 129
Panada, to make, 145
Pancakes, 283
Paper-hangings, to clean, 214
Parcels, 166
Parsnips, to boil, 261
Parties, dinner, 14
Parties, evening, 14
Partridge pie, 286
Paste, adhesive, 160
Paste, permanent, 160
Pastry, directions for making, 244
Pea soup, 248
Pea soup, green, 266
Peas, boiled, 264
Peas, stewed green, 278
Pen wiper, excellent, 219
Pens, to preserve steel, from corrosion, 218
Perch, as water souchy, 250
Perfume for linen, 141
Perfume of flowers, to extract, 141
Perfume against moths, 142
Pheasant, roasted, 291
Pies, see under various names, as mince, rump steak, &c.
Pigeon, broiled, 250
Pigeon compôte, 259
Pigeon in savoury jelly, 268
Pigeon soup, 254
Pike, baked, 281
Pike, stewed, 258
Plaice, fried, 299
Plate, care of, 8
Plate, cleaning, 181
Plate, to remove black spots from, 211
Plovers, roasted, 278
Plum cheese, 257
Plum pudding, 302
Point lace, to clean, 200
Poisons, 120
Poisoning, 135
Pomade, Victoria, 141
Pomatum of rosemary, 140
Poor man’s drink, 228
Pope, 228
Porcelain, to clean, 210
Pork pie, Cheshire, 288
Pork, Portuguese way, 251
Pork, spare-rib, 251
Porridge, plum, 298
Porridge, Scotch, 245
Posset, treacle, 230
Posset, lemon, 229
Posset, royal, 229
Posset, pope’s, 229
Posset, jelly, 228
Posset, cold, 228
Posset, snow, 230
Posset, orange, 229
Potato fritters, 261
Potato salad, 269
Potted meat, Strasburg, 260
Prawn jelly, 263
Prawns, curried, 255
Prawns, potted, 277
Prawns, to boil, 273
Pudding, à la Soyer, 293
Pudding, plain, 271
Puddings, see under various names, as plum, marrow, &c.
Punch, à la Romaine, 231
Punch, Scotch, 230
Punch, regent’s, 230
Punch, common, 230
Punch, cold, 230
Punch, West Indian fashion, 229
Punch tea, 231
Punch, milk, 230
Punctuality, importance of, 14
Purl, hot, 228
Putty, to soften old, 218
Potatoes, several ways of cooking them, 243
Pot-pourri, 141
Poultices, 111
Powdering, 163
Quinine, draught for dyspepsia, 129
Rabbit, fricasseed, 255
Rabbits, mumbled, 278
Rabbits, stewed, 250
Ramakins, 261
Raspberry vinegar, 223
Ratafia pudding, 293
Receipts, medical and household, 126
Renovating balls, 197
Rheumatic fever, 98
Rheumatism, 97
Rheumatism, prescription for, 129
Rhubarb fool, 270
Ribbons, to take creases out of, 198
Rice and apples for children, 306
Rice glue, 189
Rice milk, 145
Rice, plain, 262
Ring-worm, 105
Roasting, 236
Rust, precautions against, 218
Rust, to take from iron or steel, 212
Sack posset, 229
Sago, 144
Sago milk, 144
Salads, hints upon, 269
Salmon, collared, 263
Salmon, pickled, 277
Salmon, potted, 273
Salmon-trout pie, 290
Sanders, 264
Sandwiches, Victoria, 270
Sauté, or gravy soup, 272
Sausages, Bologna, 259
Sausages, Oxford, 274
Saucepans, to clean, 212
Sauces, see under the different heads, as oysters, lobsters,
shrimps, &c.
Scalds, lime liniment for, 133
Scarlet fever, 33
Scorbutic eruptions, 130
Scotch leek, 281
Scrofula, 47
Sea cookery, 271
Sea pie, 271
Seidlitz powders, 222
Senna and manna, to make palatable, 307
September, food and cookery for, 284
Servants, and mistresses, 8
Servants’ duties, routine of, 18
Servants, management of, 8
Sewage, to disinfect, 135
Shell-fish, selection of, 17
Sherry cobbler, 224
Shoes, French polish for, 188
Short-bread, 256
Shrewsbury cakes, 261
Shrimps, to boil, 273
Sick, care of the, 16
Side, remedy for pain in the, 132
Silk lace, to wash, 198
Silks, various ways of dyeing, 197
Silks, various ways of cleaning, 197
Silks, various ways of renovating, 197
Silver, to clean, 212
Simnel, to make a, 257
Sippets, 146
Sirloin of beef, 250
Skate, boiled, 263
Skate, fried, 273
Skin, remedy for chapped, 130
Skin, to prevent discoloration of, after blows, 133
Skin, to remove black stains from the, 215
Small-pox, 39
Smelling-bottles, to loosen the stoppers of, 142
Snipe ragout, 259
Snipe, roast, 259
Snuffers, to clean, 213
Soda cake, 270
Soda powders, 222
Soup à la Chartre, 280
Soup à la sap, 254
Soup, baked, 298
Soup, common, 248
Soup for the poor, 298
Soups, Flemish, 289
Soups, see under various names, as hare, giblet, &c.
Spanish pea, 262
Spasms, remedy for, 132
Spinach, 272
Spinach, boiled, 265
Spinach, stewed, 265
Spinach stewed with eggs, 299
Sponges, to clean, 143
Sprains, 106
Spruce beer powders, 222
Spruce beer, white, 225
Stain mixture, 202
Stains, means of removing, 194
Steel goods, to clean, 211
Stew for invalids, 147
Stew, first-watch, 271
Stewing, 172, 238
Stings, remedy for, 136
Stockings, to clean silk, 198
Stoppering, &c., 148
Straining, 155
Suet milk, 145
Summer beverages, 221
Sweetbreads, larded, 275
Syllabub, 265
Syllabub, Somersetshire, 297
Syllabub, Devonshire, 279
Syllabub, London, 279
Syrup pie, 278
Tables, laying out and arranging for breakfasts, luncheons,
dinners, teas, suppers, &c., 309
Tamarind drink, 225
Tapioca, 144
Tea cakes, 256
Tea-trays, to clean, 214
Teeth, to fill decayed, 138
Teeth, to remove tartar from the, 139
Teeth, preservation of the, 82
Teething, 32
Teething mixture, 129
Temperance in meats and drinks, 14
Tenant and landlord, 3
Tench, as water souchy, 250
Tench, fried, 263
Tench, stewed, 295, 299
Throat, affections of the, 86
Throat, remedy for sore, 131
Thrush, 36
Tic-douloureux, 100
Tic-douloureux, remedy for, 131
Tin covers, to clean, 211
Toasting well, 240
Toddy, buttered, 231
Toffee, for hooping-cough, 128
Toilette receipts, 136
Tomato, 290
Tomatoes, stuffed, 292
Tooth-ache, cure for, 131
Tooth-powders, 139
Trafalgar cakes, 293
Treacle beer, 223
Tripe, stewed, 275
Tripe, soused, 288
Tripe, stuffed and roasted, 288
Trotters, sheep’s, 145
Trout, boiled, 268
Trout, pickled, 277
Trussing, 320
Turbot, pickled, 299
Turbot, boiled, 282
Turkey, Dutch way, 273
Turkey patties, 250
Turnip pie, 296
Turnips, boiled and mashed, 274
Tying down, 148
Typhus fever, to prevent infection from, 135
Ulcers, ointment for, 133
Varnishes, various, 216
Varnish, for baskets and straw hats, 216
Varnish, incombustible, 216
Varnish, for plaster figures, 216
Varnish, for harness, 216
Veal broth, 258
Veal cake, 264
Veal cutlets à la Maintenon, 279
Veal, larded, 296
Veal olives, 260
Veal sausages, 251
Veal stock, 253
Veal tea, 147
Vegetable marrow, 274
Vegetable pudding, 261
Vegetables, observations on cooking, 260
Vegetables, selection of, 17
Velvet, to iron, 207
Velvet, to raise the pile of, 207
Velvet, to restore, 207
Venison, 251
Venison, fried, 292
Ventilation, 14
Vermicelli, 262
Warmth, in relation to health, 22
Warts, cure for, 132
Wasp, to cure the sting of a, 135
Water, a corrective for bad, 217
Water, hints respecting, 172
Waterproof boots, 217
Waterproof cements, 161
Waterproof cloth, 217
Waterproofing cloth, Chinese method, 218
Whey, lemon, 231
Whey, vinegar, 231
Whey, mustard, 231
Whisky toddy, 231
Whitebait, fried, 273
White-ears, roasted, 282
Whiting, boiled, 268
Whiting, fried, 268
Wine whey, 231
Wine, mulled, 231
Winter beverages, 221
Wood, to colour black, 195
Woodcocks ragout, 296
Woodcock, roasted, 291
Wounds, ointment for, 134
Zinc ointment, 130
THE PRACTICAL HOUSEWIFE.
THOUGHTS AND MAXIMS ON HOUSEKEEPING.
CHAPTER I.
Importance of the Subject—Deficiencies in Practical
Training—The Happiness of Home mainly depends upon the
Housewife.
The superintendence of a house, and the management, forethought, economy,
and good sterling sense requisite properly to achieve this, demand as
much study and perseverance as the acquisition of music, painting, or any
other accomplishment. The latter are taught most sedulously; young girls
are educated to delight our eyes and ears, and to shine in society: would
it not be well if they were also educated to sustain a woman’s home, and
often homely, duties?
In no country is domestic comfort so prized as in England. It is in
our happy land that the word Home is best felt and enjoyed; from the
wealthy merchant to the peasant, home is the centre around which all
else revolves; yet, strange to say, in all ranks there are thousands of
girls brought up utterly in ignorance of home duties. They are taught
a trade, or are educated for governesses, until that branch of female
employment is so crowded with competitors, that upper servants obtain a
better salary and are treated with more respect; or they are crammed with
brilliant accomplishments and skilled in ornamental work, but of domestic
duties they know little or nothing. Why is this? Surely elegance and
utility are not incompatible.
It is not alone the wife or mother who should be skilled in household
knowledge. Every girl who has emerged from childhood, and who is
approaching towards womanhood, is liable to be called upon to assume the
reins of domestic government; the mother may be ill, bed-ridden, or die:
why should the father, who has perhaps one or two daughters of sixteen
years old or thereabouts, be obliged to seek elsewhere for a housekeeper?
We trust that our readers will not for a moment imagine that we have
any objection to accomplishments, that we would have a woman be merely
an upper servant in the house it is her province to guide, that we
consider the kitchen her only sphere, or that we undervalue intellectual
acquirements, and elegant occupations. Far from it; but we would have
our model housewife familiar with all the routine of domestic duties,
well acquainted with the minutiæ of household economy, and perfectly
competent to direct, or if need be, teach her servants—ay, even in cases
of necessity, to do things herself.
Every now and then we hear of a great stir being made about the “rights
of women,” and claims made for their having an equal amount of power,
and an equally active part in the business of life with men. It is by no
means our intention to enter into the merits or demerits of that subject,
but what we have to say is this, that if women were, from the highest
to the lowest, more systematically educated to wield properly the great
amount of power they _do_ possess, and if they were habituated actively
and energetically to enter into that portion of the business of life
which is their own peculiar sphere, this world would be a much happier
and better one.
There is a medium, however, in all things. A woman who worries all within
her reach by her ultra-housewifery, who damps one down with soap and
water, poisons one with furniture polish, takes away one’s appetite by
the trouble there is about cooking the simplest thing, and fidgets one by
over-done preciseness and cleanliness, is almost as much to be avoided as
a downright sluggard, or the veriest simpleton.
Neither would we have domestic economy and home duties vaunted, or made
the constant theme of conversation; they are the private employments of
woman; she must study other things in order to entertain her relatives
and friends. Those who talk most of their duties are generally those
who perform them most imperfectly. When a man returns to his home,
or enters his sitting-room, fatigued and perhaps disappointed by the
business of the day, he does not want to be annoyed by the details of
domestic accidents, the misdemeanours of servants, and the cheating of
tradespeople. He has had _his_ worries during the day, too, and with that
pride, or reserve, or want of confidence which is peculiar to most men,
he keeps them to himself.
Many a girl can make good pastry, or dress up jellies, and such like, for
an evening party, and being much complimented for her labours by those
who relish the produce, forthwith fancies herself a capital housewife,
while in all probability, she scarcely knows how vegetables are cooked,
is profoundly ignorant of the prices of the commonest articles of daily
consumption, and could not tell of what material a house-cloth should be
made.
And how few there are who could, in case of need, make a cup of good
gruel, or a glass of white-wine whey, or even a little broth or barley
water. We do not say that they could not manage to produce something
resembling these things, but the capricious appetite of the invalid
rejects the tasteless messes.
Some persons affirm that they have no capacity for this matter, no
taste for that. To such we would reply, If the things alluded to are
necessary parts of duty, cultivate a taste, persevere in endeavouring to
improve a capacity for them. This world is a beautiful one, in spite of
what grumblers say, and thousands would find it a much happier one if
they studied their duties more, and sought their pleasure or indulged
their fancies less. To all of us it is intended to be a place of trial
and probation, and every human being in it exercises a greater or less
influence upon the character, the happiness, and the destinies of many
others, and is accountable for opportunities wasted, and blessings
neglected or transformed; and women especially so.
From the peeress to the peasant, a highly principled, sensible woman,
is, or may be, a blessing to numbers; and not so much by great deeds
or extraordinary exertions, but simply by a quiet, straightforward
performance of those duties which God has given her to do.
Thus far we have gone with our exordium; but in subsequent papers
we shall proceed seriatim through the various duties and business
appertaining to a house, endeavouring to map out a clear chart of what
these are, to point to the sudden rocks, and show as simply and tersely
as possible how these may be avoided, and the vessel floated always in
tolerably peaceful waters.
As it is the province of man to promote the necessaries and comforts
of home, so it is the province of woman wisely to dispense them; and
upon the due performance of her onerous duties rests the social joy
and peace of the home, while nothing but muddle, misery, and ruin can
follow neglect of them. For her guidance we have at much labour brought
before her information upon subjects that fall within the true scope of
housekeeping, and multifarious as those subjects are, it is our belief
that in consulting the Index she will find a reference to most of those
subjects upon which she may require information.