saw in any _Language_, that ever
contained so many _profitable Experiences, as in this Volume_: in
all which the _Reader_ shall find most of the _Compositions_, and
mixtures easie to be prepared, most pleasing to the Palate, and not
too chargeable to the Purse; since you are at liberty to employ as
much or as little therein as you please.

In this Edition I have enlarged the whole Work; and there is added
two hundred several Figures of all sorts of Pies, Tarts, Custards,
Cheesecakes, &c. more than was in the former: You will find them in
Tables directed to the _Folio_ they have relation to; there being
such variety of Forms, the Artists may use which of them they
please.

It is impossible for any _Author_ to please all People, no more than
the best Cook can fancy their Palats whose Mouths are always out of
taste. As for those who make it their business to hide their Candle
under a Bushel, to do only good to themselves, and not to others,
such as will curse me for revealing the Secrets of this Art, I value
the discharge of my own Conscience, in doing Good, above all their
malice; protesting to the whole world, that I have not _concealed
any material Secret_ of above my _fifty and five years Experience_;
my Father _being a Cook_ under whom in my Child-hood I was bred up
in this Art.

To conclude, the diligent Peruser of this _Volume_ gains that in a
small time (as to the _Theory_) which an _Apprenticeship_ with some
_Masters_ could never have taught them. I have no more to do, but to
desire of God a blessing upon these my Endeavours; and remain.

_Yours in the most ingenious
ways of Friendship_,
ROBERT MAY.

Sholeby in Leicestershire,
_Sept. 30. 1664_.

_A short Narrative of some Passages of the Authors Life._

For the better knowledge of the worth of this Book, though it be not
usual, the _Author_ being living, it will not be amiss to acquaint
the _Reader_ with a breif account of some passages of his Life, as
also the eminent Persons (renowned for their House-keeping) whom he
hath served through the whole series of his Life; for as the growth
of Children argue the strength of the Parents, so doth the judgment
and abilities of the Artist conduce to the making and goodness of
the Work: now that such great knowledge in this commendable Art was
not gained but by long experience, practise, and converse with the
most able men in their times, the _Reader_ in this breif Narrative
may be i