The Young Housekeeper's Friend Revised and Enlarged

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THE YOUNG HOUSEKEEPER'S FRIEND.

by

MRS. CORNELIUS.

Revised and Enlarged.







Boston:
Brown, Taggard and Chase.
1859.

Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1859, by
M. H. Cornelius,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of
Massachusetts.

Cambridge:
Allen and Farnham, Electrotypers and Printers.




PREFACE.


In preparing this little volume, my aim has been to furnish to young
housekeepers the best aid that a book can give in the departments of
which it treats. No printed guide can perfectly supply the place of
that experience which is gained by early and habitual attention to
domestic concerns. But the directions here given are designed to be so
minute, and of so practical a character, that the observance of them
shall prevent very many of the perplexities which most young people
suffer during their first years of married life.

The receipts, with the exception of about twenty which are copied from
books, are furnished from my own experience, or that of my immediate
friends. An ample variety is given for furnishing the table of any
American family; but especial reference has been had to those who have
neither poverty nor riches; and such directions have been given as will
enable a housekeeper to provide a good and healthful table, or, if
desired, a handsome one, at a moderate expense.

To save repetition, very minute directions are given at the head of
every chapter, by attending to which, the least experienced cook will
learn how to proceed in making each article for which a receipt is
given.

I do not attempt to give directions in regard to the best methods of
taking care of all sorts of furniture, and performing all the various
kinds of household labor, because there are works already published
which furnish copious and judicious instructions on these subjects.

It may be asked, "Why then publish a book of counsels and receipts,
for there surely are many receipt-books?" This is true; but while some
of them are not ample guides on the subjects of which they treat,
others are based upon a plan both expensive and unhealthy, and all of
them that I have seen, leave an inexperienced housekeeper at a loss in
regard to many of the things most necessary to economy and comfort.

I have seen many a young lady, just entered upon the duties of married
life, perplexed and prematurely care-worn, for want of experience, or a
little good instruction, in regard to the simplest domestic processes;
and often have felt, with the sincerest sympathy, an earnest wish to
render her some effectual aid. If I succeed in affording it through
this little book, I shall esteem myself happy; and I have only to ask,
in conclusion, that my numerous young friends, and all the youthful
housekeepers into whose hands it may fall, will receive it as a token
of my friendly interest and best wishes.

  M. H. C.

  ANDOVER.

[Illustration: Decorative flourish]




PREFACE

TO THE REVISED EDITION.


My aim in the revision of this little book has been to make the
arrangement of the receipts and of the index more convenient, the
directions more simple and clear, and the entire collection more
select and reliable. In place of some of the old receipts many choice
new ones are substituted, which, so far as I know, have not been in
print before. All of them have been attested by experience, either my
own, or of friends in whose judgment in such matters I have entire
confidence. The last chapter, written long since in compliance with
frequent requests from young friends, is appended in the hope that it
will increase the usefulness of the book to those for whose benefit it
was originally designed.

I trust it is not improper for me to add, that among the motives which
have led to the present revision, is the favor with which many ladies
have regarded this book in its original form, notwithstanding its
confessed imperfections. It has been my earnest wish for years to make
it more worthy of such estimation; and hoping that it will prove a
better Friend to Young Housekeepers than it has hitherto been, I ask
for the continued patronage of those who have so long and so kindly
overlooked its faults.

  M. H. C.

  MARCH, 1859.




    CONTENTS
                                                       Page
    COUNSELS AND SUGGESTIONS                             8
    Chapter without heading                             12
    OVENS, BREAD, &c.                                   21
    BISCUITS, TEA CAKES, GRIDDLE CAKES, &c.             33
    DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING CAKE.                         41
      FRUIT CAKES.