94 THE BOOK OF FRUIT BOTTLING 
But I must not linger, or I should like to introduce 
some further quotations out of another old Herbal in my 
possession, and which gives some quite practical sugges- 
tions purporting to be ‘ proved by experience.” This 
book is called the ‘‘ Useful Family Herbal,” and is 
intended for the ‘‘use of families and all who are 
desirous of relieving the distressed sick.” It is of a 
later date than the works hitherto cited, being apparently 
early eighteenth century. However, some of the cures 
prescribed in its pages would rather surprise, not to say 
alarm, most patients at the present time. 
I think, however, I shall better employ the remaining 
space at my disposal by the description and recipes for a 
few of the popular dishes favoured by our forefathers, 
and of which I have been able to procure illustrations 
from a contemporary authority. I shall, therefore, leave 
the wide topic of ancient preserving and the various 
examples of scent and powder-making to descant upon 
when another occasion arises. It is difficult to know 
where to start when one turns to the multifarious recipes 
of the worthy housewife for her kitchen department. 
A selection from the pie and pasty recipes must suffice. 
The covers or lids of these ornamental dishes must have 
entailed an amount of patience and artistic taste in design 
which may seem somewhat misdirected, but at least lends 
itself to pictorial effect, and must have given an imposing 
appearance to the dinner table and sideboard of the period. 
Much ingenuity must have been expended, and a deft 
hand required in turning these really dainty dishes out, 
if they were indeed as perfect in form and symmetry as 
the examples shown in a work called the ‘“‘ Whole Duty 
of a Woman, or an Infallible Guide to the Fair Sex.” 
This book purports to give directions ‘‘ how to obtain 
all useful and fashionable accomplishments suitable to 
the sex,” which, it must be observed, are, in fact, ‘‘ good 
housewifery, particularly rules and receipts in every 
