Fire-places and Kitchen^ Utensils. 331 



rest during the remainder of the time that the process 

 of cooking was continued. The soup was found to be 

 of a very inferior quality, but on the other hand the 

 meat was uncommonly juicy and savoury. 



These minute investigations may perhaps be tire- 

 some to some readers ; but those who feel the im- 

 portance of the subject, and perceive the infinite 

 advantages to the human species that might be de- 

 rived from a more intimate knowledge of the science 

 of preparing food, will be disposed to engage with 

 cheerfulness in these truly interesting and entertain- 

 ing researches ; and such readers, and such only, will 

 perceive that it has not been without design that, in 

 chapters devoted to the explanation of subjects the 

 most humble, I have frequently introduced abstruse 

 philosophical researches and the results of profound 

 meditation. 



I am not unacquainted with the manners of the age. 

 I have lived much in the world, and have studied man- 

 kind attentively, and am fully aware of all the difficul- 

 ties I have to encounter in the pursuit of the great object 

 to which I have devoted myself. I am even sensible, 

 fully sensible, of the dangers to which I expose myself. 

 In this selfish and suspicious age, it is hardly possible 

 that justice should be done to the purity of my motives; 

 and in the present state of society, when so few who 

 have leisure can bring themselves to take the trouble 

 to read any thing except it be for mere amusement, 

 I can hardly expect to engage attention. I may write, 

 but what will writing avail if nobody will read. My 

 bookseller, indeed, will not be ruined as long as it shall 

 continue to be fashionable to have fine libraries. But 

 my object will not be attained unless my writings are 



