As the directions which follow were intended for the conduct of the
families of the authoress’s own daughters, and for the arrangement of
their table, so as to unite a good figure with proper economy, she has
avoided all excessive luxury, such as essence of ham, and that wasteful
expenditure of large quantities of meat for gravy, which so greatly
contributes to keep up the price, and is no less injurious to those who
eat, than to those whose penury bids them abstain. Many receipts are
given for things which, being in daily use, the mode of preparing them
may be supposed too well known to require a place in a cookery book; yet
how rarely do we meet with fine melted butter, good toast and water, or
well made coffee! She makes no apology for minuteness in some articles,
or for leaving others unnamed, because she writes not for professed
cooks. This little work would have been a treasure to herself, when she
first set out in life, and she therefore hopes it may be useful to
others. In that idea it is given to the public, and as she will receive
from it no emolument, so she trusts it will escape without censure.