The following work has been written, not only with the view of furnishing a complete Cookery Book, but also for the purpose of in structing, in a simple manner, inexperienced mistresses and servants, in the elementary principles of the culinary science; not losing sight of endeavouring to inculcate the relative duties of the employer and the employed. Almost the only cookery book in our language, in which reasons are given for the doctrine laid down, is "The Cook's Oracle," by the late Dr. Kitchiner. The Doctor's work, though exceedingly valuable, is a book fitted more for the improvement of the initiated, than for the instruction of those who possess no knowledge of the subject. There are many other books of cookery to which exceptions might be taken, but we have no wish to enhance our own work by depreciating the labours of others. "We have done our best to produce a book, which all who can read may understand, and by which all may be instructed. Dr. Kitchiner says, in his "Rudiments," and says truly, "I have taken much more pains than any of my predecessors to teach the young cook how to perform, in the best manner, the common business of her profession." In our "rudiments" we have endeavoured to teach that which a woman should know before she can be called a "young cook," as well as that which a young cook has to learn.

To conclude; ours is a book intended for the use of persons who keep servants, and those who keep none. If we give expensive receipts, we also show, that good, substantial dishes, and the most delicate, may be prepared at as little, or even less, expense than the ordinary, or common preparations of food. In our receipts, in particular, we have written, necessarily written, many things which have been written before, but we feel assured that, taken as a whole, our work will not be found devoid of originality.

For the art of baking, and all the little knick-knacks of fancy bread, such as biscuits, sweet cakes, etc, and for confectionary, we refer our readers to two little works, by the Editor of "The Cook," called "The Baker," and "The Confectioner,"* which form part of the series

* " The Baker" and "The Confectioner" will shortly be published by Lea & Blanchard, at 25 cents, in one volume.