sons are very warm, or immediately after
taking violent exercise, as in some cases they have produced illnesses
which have ended fatally.

[Do ladies know to whom they are indebted for the introduction of ices,
which all the fair sex are passionately fond of?--To Catherine de'
Medici. Will not this fact cover a multitude of sins committed by the
instigator of St. Bartholomew ?]

RECIPES.

CHAPTER XXXI.

TO MAKE SYRUP FOR COMPOTES, &c.

1512. INGREDIENTS.--To every lb. of sugar allow 1-1/2 pint of water.

_Mode_.--Boil the sugar and water together for 1/4 hour, carefully
removing the scum as it rises: the syrup is then ready for the fruit.
The articles boiled in this syrup will not keep for any length of time,
it being suitable only for dishes intended to be eaten immediately. A
larger proportion of sugar must be added for a syrup intended to keep.

_Time_.--1/4 hour.

TO CLARIFY SUGAR OR SYRUP.

1513. INGREDIENTS.--To every lb. of sugar allow 1/2 pint of water and
1/2 the white of an egg.

_Mode_.--Put the sugar, water, and the white of the egg, which should,
be well beaten, into a preserving-pan or lined saucepan; and do not put
it on the fire till the sugar is dissolved. Then place it on the fire,
and when it boils, throw in a teacupful of cold water, and do not stir
the sugar after this is added. Bring it to the boiling-point again, and
then place the pan by the side of the fire, for the preparation to
settle. Remove all the scum, and the sugar will be ready for use. The
scum should be placed on a sieve, so that what syrup runs from it may be
boiled up again: this must also be well skimmed.

_Time_.--20 minutes for the sugar to dissolve; 5 minutes to boil.

_Note_.--The above two recipes are those used in the preparation of
dishes usually made at home. There are many degrees of boiling sugar,
which process requires great care, attention, and experience. Caramel
sugar, which makes an elegant cover for sweetmeats, is difficult to
prepare, and is best left to an experienced confectioner. We give the
recipe, for those of our readers who care to attempt the operation.

TO BOIL SUGAR TO CARAMEL.

1514. INGREDIENTS.--To every lb. of lump sugar allow 1 gill of spring
water.

_Mode_.--Boil the sugar and water together very quickly over a clear
fire, skimming it very carefully as soon as it boils. Keep it boiling
until the sugar snaps when a little of it is dropped in a pan of cold
water. If i