470 CHREOTECHNICS. 



In ancient times, the labors of Housekeeping extended to the 

 spinning, weaving, and fashioning of most articles of clothing : or 

 rather these labors were performed in private dwellings. The art of 

 Cookery, was somewhat cultivated by the Greeks ; but still more so 

 by the Romans ; whose luxury is perhaps in no case more conspicu- 

 ous than in the extravagance of their entertainments. Dishes of 

 singing birds, peacock's brains, goldfishes' livers, and pearls dissolved 

 in vinegar, are examples of their insatiate epicurism, in an age when 

 Rome was sinking to decay. Under Tiberius, there were teachers, 

 and schools of cookery in Rome ; and the inventor of a new dish 

 was sometimes munificently rewarded. Their dishes, like the 

 modern Italian, were characterized by the free use of oil, from their 

 native olives ; while the French cookery is distinguished by its light 

 soups, and meats variously disguised ; and the English dishes are 

 noted for substantiality, .as in their national roast beef and plum- 

 pudding. 



Our further remarks on Domiculture will be embraced in the topics 

 of Housekeeping; Cookery; and Butlery, or the preparation and 

 selection of table liquors. 



1. The study of Housekeeping, naturally commences with the 

 selection and arrangement of furniture ; and the engagement of ser- 

 vants, where servants are required. Good taste requires that the 

 furniture of the same suite of rooms, or at least, of the same room, 

 should harmonize, or correspond throughout. Thus, if the sofa be 

 of mahogany, the chairs, tables, and sideboards should be of the 

 same material ; though the black walnut furniture is by some pre- 

 ferred to that of mahogany. A correspondence, even of the frames 

 of mirrors and pictures, whether gilt or otherwise, presents an agree- 

 able effect. In general, there should be one predominant color ; 

 especially of the carpets, and curtains, or hangings ; with which the 

 rest of the furniture should harmonize. A plain and neat style of 

 furniture we think far preferable to the more gaudy and ostentatious. 



Next in order, comes the procuring of supplies of fuel, provisions, 

 and other stores ; which vary in different places, and require the aid 

 of local experience, in regard to the selection and quantity. The 

 warming of rooms, where anthracite is used, by means of cellar 

 stoves, and air chambers around them, with flues for conducting the 

 warm air into the different rooms, is a method which we think is 

 gradually gaining ground in public favor ; and it prevents much dust 

 from being dispersed from the fire grates, and injuring the furniture. 

 Rooms with white walls, are more easily lighted than those with 

 dark: and the effect of lights placed against walls, is much increased 

 by introducing mirrors behind them. The labors of housecleaning, 

 which require to be at least semiannually repeated, we leave to be 

 directed by the housekeepers, whose province it is to superintend 

 them. The same remark may be applied to laundry work, or the 

 washing and ironing of clothes ; and to various other household 

 arrangements. 



2. The labors of Cookery, comprise the preparation of animal 

 food, farinaceous food, confectionary, and beverages. Of the rela- 

 tive healthiness of different kinds of food, we have already briefly 



