a
pastime, I did not think it would be of service to my fellow-creatures,
for our suffering soldiers, the sick, wounded, and needy, who have so
nobly fought our country's cause, to maintain the flag of our great
Republic, and to prove among Nations that a Free Republic is not a myth.
With these few words I dedicate this book to the SANITARY FAIR to be
held in Philadelphia, June, 1864.

March, 1864.

Through tomes of fable and of dream
I sought an eligible theme;
But none I found, or found them shared
Already by some happier bard,
Till settling on the current year
I found the far-sought treasure near.
A theme for poetry, you see--
A theme t' ennoble even me,
In memorable forty-three.

Oh, Dick! you may talk of your writing and reading,
Your logic and Greek, but there is nothing like feeding.
MOORE.

Upon singing and cookery, Bobby, of course,
Standing up for the latter Fine Art in full force.
MOORE.

Are these the _choice dishes_ the Doctor has sent us?
Heaven sends us good meats, but the Devil sends cooks.
That my life, like the German, may be
"Du lit a la table, de la table au lit."--MOORE.

TO THE READER.

Though cooks are often men of pregnant wit,
Through niceness of their subject few have writ.
'Tis a sage question, if the art of cooks
Is lodg'd by nature or attain'd by books?
That man will never frame a noble treat,
Whose whole dependence lies in some _receipt_.
Then by pure nature everything is spoil'd,--
She knows no more than stew'd, bak'd, roast, and boil'd.
When art and nature join, the effect will be,
Some nice _ragout_, or _charming fricasee_.
What earth and waters breed, or air inspires,
Man for his palate fits by torturing fires.
But, though my edge be not too nicely set,
Yet I another's appetite may whet;
May teach him when to buy, when season's pass'd,
What's stale, what choice, what plentiful, what waste,
And lead him through the various maze of taste.
The fundamental principle of all
Is what ingenious cooks the _relish_ call;
For when the market sends in loads of food,
They all are tasteless till _that_ makes them good.
Besides, 'tis no ignoble piece of care,
To know for whom it is you would prepare.
You'd please a friend, or reconcile a brother,
A testy father,