The Housekeeper's Instructor; or Universal Family Cook

London: J. Stratford, 1805. Thirteenth Edition. Leather. Very Good. 8vo. 448 pp + 16 pp index. Rebacked in brown leather over original brown calf boards, new endpapers and new gilt titling to spine. Corners bumped, text block edges soiled and stained, especially at upper fore corner, only slightly affecting interior. Frontispiece with older mending, edges heavily chipped. Scattered foxing and staining throughout, but all text remains readable and all plates are present. Laid in at front are 2 manuscript recipes, one apparently 19th c. and the other 20th c., along with a small newsclipping. 11 copper plates showing carving and setting instructions with 2 fold-out plates showing full table settings. Fold-out plates heavily worn with some mended tears.


Full Title: Being a Full and Clear Display of the Art of Cookery in All Its Branches. Containing Proper Directions for Dressing All Kinds of Butcher's Meat, Poultry, Game, Fish, &c. The Method of Preparing All the Varieties of Soups, Hashes, ,and Made Dishes. The Whole Art of Confectionery, Pickling, Preserving, &c. The Making and Keeping in Perfection British Wines; and Proper Rules for Brewing Malt Liquor for Large of Small Families. To Which is Added, The Complete Art of Carving, Illustrated With Engravings, Explaining by Proper References, the Manner in Which Young Practitioners May Acquit Themselves at Table with Elegance and Ease. Also, Bills of Fare for Every Month in the Year. The Manner of Decorating a Table, Displayed by Copper Plates. Directions for Marketing. Observations on Culinary Poisons, and The Management of the Kitchen and Fruit Garden.