iled up in the middle, so as to make the pie highest in the centre.

The upper crust should be pricked with a fork. The edges should be
nicely crimped with a knife. If stewed fruit is put in warm, it will
make the paste heavy. If your pies are made in the form of shells, the
fruit should always be stewed first, or it will not be sufficiently
done, as the shells (which should be made of puff paste) must not bake
so long as covered pies.

Fruit pies with lids should have loaf sugar grated over them.

MINCE PIES.

When Terence spoke, oraculous and sly,
He'd neither grant the question nor deny,
Pleading for tarts, his thoughts were on _mince pie_.

My poor endeavors view with gracious eye,
To make these lines above a _Christmas pie_.

Two pounds of boiled beef's heart or fresh tongue, or lean fresh beef
chopped, when cold; two pounds of beef suet chopped fine, four pounds of
pippin apples chopped, two pounds of raisins stoned and chopped, two
pounds of currants picked, washed, and dried, two pounds of powdered
sugar, one quart of white wine, one quart of brandy, one wine-glass of
rose-water, two grated nutmegs, half an ounce of cinnamon, powdered, a
quarter of an ounce of mace, powdered, a teaspoonful of salt, two large
oranges, and half a pound of citron cut in slips. Pack it closely into
stone jars, and tie them over with paper. When it is to be used, add a
little more wine.

PLUM PUDDING.

All you who to feasting and mirth are inclined,
Come, here is good news for to pleasure your mind.
Old Christmas is come, for to keep open house:
He scorns to be guilty of starving a mouse.
Then come, boys, and welcome, for diet the chief,--
_Plum pudding_, goose, capon, minced pies, and roast beef.
The cooks shall be busied, by day and by night,
In roasting and _boiling_, for taste and delight.
Provision is making for beer, ale, and wine,
For all that are willing or ready to dine.
Meantime goes the caterer to fetch in _the chief_,--
_Plum pudding_, goose, capon, minced pies, and roast beef.
ANCIENT CHRISTMAS CAROL.

One quarter of a pound of beef suet; take out the strings and skin; chop
it to appear like butter; stone one pound of raisins, one pound of
currants, well washed, dried, and floured, one pound loaf sugar, rolled
and sifted, one pound of flour, eight eggs well beaten; beat all well
together for some time, then add by de