American Cookery

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AMERICAN COOKERY,
OR THE
ART OF DRESSING
VIANDS, FISH, POULTRY, AND VEGETABLES,
AND THE
BEST MODES OF MAKING
PASTES, PUFFS, PIES, TARTS, PUDDINGS,
CUSTARDS AND PRESERVES,
AND ALL KINDS OF
C A K E S,
FROM THE IMPERIAL
PLUMB TO PLAIN CAKE.
ADAPTED TO THE COUNTRY,
AND ALL GRADES OF LIFE.
BY AMELIA SIMMONS,
AN AMERICAN ORPHAN.

Published according to Act of Congress.
HARTFORD:
Printed for SIMEON BUTLER,
NORTHHAMPTON.
1798.

PREFACE.

AS this treatise is calculated for the improvement of the rising generation of
Females in America, the Lady of fashion and fortune will not be displeased, if
many hints are suggested for the more general and universal knowledge of those
females in this country, who by the loss of their parents, or other unfortunate
circumstances, are reduced to the necessity of going into families in the line
of domestics, or taking refuge with their friends or relations, and doing those
things which are really essential to the perfecting them as good wives, and
useful members of society. The orphan, tho' left to the care of virtuous
guardians, will find it essentially necessary to have an opinion and
determination of her own. The world, and the fashion thereof, is so variable,
that old people cannot accomodate themselves to the various changes and fashions
which daily occur; they will adhere to the fashion to their day and will not
surrender their attachments to the good old way--while the young and the gay,
bend and conform readily to the taste of the times, and fancy of the hour. By
having an opinion and determination, I would not be understood to mean an
obstinate perseverance in trifles, which borders on obstinacy--by no means, but
only an adherence to those rules and maxims which have stood the test of ages,
and will forever establish the female character, a virtuous character--altho'
they conform to the ruling taste of the age in cookery, dress, language,
manners.

It must ever remain a check upon the poor solitary orphan, that while those
females who have parents, or brothers, or riches, to defend their indiscretions,
that the orphan must depend solely upon character. How immensely important,
therefore, that every action, every word, every thought, be regulated by the
strictest purity, and that every movement meet the approbation of the good and
wife.

The candor of the American Ladies is solicitously intreated by the Authoress, as
she is circumscribed in her knowledge, this being original work in this country.
Should any future editions appear, she hopes to render it more valuable.

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