

198 On the Construction of Kitchen 



Of the Distribution of the various Parts of the 

 Machinery of a Kitchen. 



Though the internal construction of the fire-places, 

 and the means employed for confining and directing the 

 heat generated in the combustion of the fuel (subjects 

 which have been thoroughly investigated in my sixth 

 Essay), are matters of the first concern in the fitting up 

 of a kitchen, yet these are not all that require attention. 

 The distribution of the various parts of the machinery is 

 a matter of considerable importance, for a good arrange- 

 ment of the different instruments and utensils of the 

 boilers, ovens, roasters, etc. will tend very much to 

 facilitate the business of cooking, and consequently to 

 put the cook in good 'humour \ which is certainly a mat- 

 ter of serious importance. 



Cooks in general are averse to all new inventions, and 

 this is not surprising, and ought by no means to be 

 imputed to them as a fault. Accustomed to work with 

 their own tools, they naturally feel awkward and embar- 

 rassed when others are put into their hands; and to this 

 we may add that there is always a degree of humiliation 

 felt by those who, after having been accustomed to 

 consider themselves, and to be considered by others, as 

 masters of their profession, are required to learn any 

 thing new, or to do any thing in any other manner than 

 that in which they have always been accustomed to do 

 it, and in the performance of which they have always 

 acquired praise. It will not, however, be difficult to 

 convince those of the profession who are possessed of 

 a good understanding, and are above low and vulgar 

 prejudices, that the alterations proposed will most cer- 



