GENERAL HINTS

It is very desirable that all cooked food should be taken hot. When cold food is taken it reduces the temperature of the stomach ; and both the nerves and vessels of the stomach are taxed, in order to bring the temperature of the food thus taken up to that of the human body. So in taking hot soup, tea, coffee, or cocoa we pre- vent this tax upon the internal organs. When people have been overexerted or had a long fast it is better for them to have a little hot soup or a cup of cocoa, and wait for half an hour before they take their dinner ; by that time they are rested, the hot soup or cocoa has refreshed and invigorated the stomach as no wine or spirit could have done.

Before beginning to cook be careful to see that you have a clear fire in a clean grate, and that your pots and pans are thoroughly clean. To clean pots, first clean the inside out well with pot-range, then wash them both inside and out with hot water and some washing soda ; then take a cloth, with a little soap rubbed on it, dip it in fine ashes, with this rub the inside of the pot till it is quite clean, then wash it with warm water and dry. Do the lid in the same way.

Fish, if at all plentiful, is always cheaper on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and can be had at the time the shops close at less than half price, if they have any over. For those who study economy this is worth remembering, as they can thus provide a good, cheap dinner for the next day.

Pieces of dry cheese, which the grocers are glad to get rid of very cheap, do excellently for cooking and grating.

Soap parings in the same way can be got very much cheaper, and are quite as good for boiling down for washing purposes.