by those who will want to examine it curiously. Cook then and taste all together, each one for the best, each one in their fine manner: I shall meanwhile lie lurking, to see who among you will best follow my strokes, and there I shall sometimes let myself be found as a guest. FARE WELL.

PREFACE

To the Reader.

Many quarrels in various Families are seen to have their origin, either through the ignorance of women regarding Kitchen-matters, or also their inexperience regarding common provisions, which brings not only discord, but often damage, shame, and discomfort, so that through the insistence (said here among us) of some of these aforementioned Gentlewomen, I have had to bring this little Book forth, as much to lay discord to rest as much as possible as soon as possible, as also to be able to satisfy in some measure all those whom I have never been able to refuse anything in my life.

One was accustomed to hear nothing here but daily Man and Wife quarreling with one another about Cooking, the Dining running from one [place] to another, through the irregularity of the women and the clumsiness of the maidservants. Well, it is true that one will easily answer me that everyone would soon have grasped Kitchen-matters with little trouble, but that cooking costs, and that one hears, yea, must set to work with diligence. You are mistaken: I have pondered this well before now, it is no art to cook with great supplies, with