Housekeeping in Old Virginia

e example of devotion and self-sacrifice.

Tearing the glittering arms of King George from their sideboards, and
casting them, with their costly plate and jewels, as offerings into
the lap of the Continental Congress, they introduced in their homes
that new style of living in which, discarding all the showy
extravagance of the old, and retaining only its inexpensive graces,
they succeeded in perfecting that system which, surviving to this day,
has ever been noted for its beautiful and elegant simplicity.

This system, which combines the thrifty frugality of New England with
the less rigid style of Carolina, has been justly pronounced, by the
throngs of admirers who have gathered from all quarters of the Union
around the generous boards of her illustrious sons, as the very
perfection of domestic art.

It is the object of the compiler of this book, for she does not claim
the title of author, to bring within the reach of every American
housekeeper who may desire it, the domestic principles and practices
of these famous Virginia homes. In doing this she has not sought to
pursue the plan adopted by so many authors of such books--to depend
upon her own _authorship_ for her rule. She confesses that in this
matter her labors have been largely editorial.

Through a long life it has been her good fortune to be a frequent
visitor, and often the intimate guest and kinswoman, at many of these
homes; and she has sought, by the opportunities thus afforded, and
guided by her own extensive experience as a housekeeper, to gather and
select from these numerous sources those things which seemed to her
best and most useful to the practical housewife, and which, carefully
observed, would bring the art within reach of all who have the
ambition to acquire it.

It will be seen that she is indebted to near 250 contributors to her
book. Among these will be found _many names famous_ _through the
land_. Associated with them will be discovered others of less national
celebrity, but who have acquired among their neighbors an equally
merited distinction for the beautiful order and delightful cuisine of
their homes.

The labors of the writer have been greatly lightened by the kindness
of these contributors. And she desires in this public way to renew her
thanks for the aid which they have given her, but even more for the
goodness which prompts them, at cost of their sensitiveness, to allow
her to append their names to the recipes which they furnish.

The book, after great care in its preparation, is now offered to the
public with much confidence. All that is here presented has been so
thoroughly tested, and approved by so many of the best housekeepers in
Virginia, that she feels it must meet with a cordial and very general
reception at the hands of all accomplished housewives throughout the
land, and will supply a long-felt and real need.

If she shall thus succeed in disseminating a knowledge of the practice
of the _most admirable system of domestic art known in our country_;
if she shall succeed in lightening the labors of the housewife by
placing in her reach a guide which will be found _always trusty and
reliable_; if she shall thus make her tasks lighter and home-life
sweeter; if she shall succeed in contributing something to the health
of American children by instructing their mothers in the art of
preparing light and wholesome and palatable food; _if she, above all,
shall succeed in making American homes more attractive to American
husbands, and spare_ _them a resort to hotels and saloons for those
simple luxuries which their wives know not how to provide_; if she
shall thus add to the comfort, to the health and happy contentment of
these, she will have proved in some measure a public benefactor, and
will feel amply repaid for all the labor her work has cost.

     MARION CABELL TYREE.
     LYNCHBURG, VA., January, 1877.




LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.

     MRS. ROBERT ALEXANDER                    Fredericksburg, Va.
     MRS. JOHN J. AMBLER                               Lynchburg.
     MRS. JUDGE ANDERSON                               Lexington.
     MRS. CHARLOTTE ARMSTRONG                           Richmond.
     MISS NANNIE AVERETT                              Amherst Co.
     "MOZIS ADDUMS."                                    Richmond.
     MRS. R. T. H. ADAMS                               Lynchburg.
     MRS. JOHN T. ANDERSON                              Virginia.
     MRS. JOHN THOMPSON BROWN                          Nelson Co.
     MRS. BENJAMIN J. BARBOUR                          Orange Co.
     MRS. JUDGE BARTON                            Fredericksburg.
     MISS MARY BELLA BEALE                              Richmond.
     MRS. ORVILLE BELL                                   Liberty.
     MRS. C. S. BLISS                                  Lynchburg.
     MRS. S. BRADY                             Wheeling, West Va.
     MRS. EMMA BRECKENRIDGE                            Fincastle.
     MRS.