ill be found a very cheap and wholesome soup, and will be
convenient in those cases where baking is more easily performed than
boiling.

BARLEY SOUP.

116. INGREDIENTS.--2 lbs. of shin of beef, 1/4 lb. of pearl barley, a
large bunch of parsley, 4 onions, 6 potatoes, salt and pepper, 4 quarts
of water.

_Mode_.--Put in all the ingredients, and simmer gently for 3 hours.

_Time_.--3 hours. _Average cost_, 2-1/2d. per quart.

_Seasonable_ all the year, but more suitable for winter.

[Illustration: BARLEY.]

BARLEY.--This, in the order of cereal grasses, is, in Britain,
the next plant to wheat in point of value, and exhibits several
species and varieties. From what country it comes originally, is
not known, but it was cultivated in the earliest ages of
antiquity, as the Egyptians were afflicted with the loss of it
in the ear, in the time of Moses. It was a favourite grain with
the Athenians, but it was esteemed as an ignominious food by the
Romans. Notwithstanding this, however, it was much used by them,
as it was in former times by the English, and still is, in the
Border counties, in Cornwall, and also in Wales. In other parts
of England, it is used mostly for malting purposes. It is less
nutritive than wheat; and in 100 parts, has of starch 79, gluten
6, saccharine matter 7, husk 8. It is, however, a lighter and
less stimulating food than wheat, which renders a decoction of
it well adapted for invalids whose digestion is weak.

BREAD SOUP.

(_Economical_.)

117. INGREDIENTS.--1 lb. of bread crusts, 2 oz. butter, 1 quart of
common stock.

_Mode_.--Boil the bread crusts in the stock with the butter; beat the
whole with a spoon, and keep it boiling till the bread and stock are
well mixed. Season with a little salt.

_Time_.--Half an hour. _Average cost_ per quart, 4d.

_Seasonable_ at any time.

_Sufficient_ for 4 persons.

_Note_.--This is a cheap recipe, and will be found useful where extreme
economy is an object.

[Illustration: QUERN, or GRINDING-MILL.]

BREAD.--The origin of bread is involved in the obscurity of
distant ages. The Greeks attributed its invention to Pan; but
before they, themselves, had an existence, it was, no doubt, in
use among the primitive nations of mankind. The Chaldeans and
the Egyptians were acquainted with it, and Sarah, the companion
of Abraham, mixed flour and water together, kneaded