  Our January Number.—We have no hesitation in saying that this is, so far, the handsomest number we have ever published, in all respects: reading matter, pictorial illustrations, paper, and typography. We again are obliged to give new type, and in our choice of that we think we have been very successful. It is large and clear, and will not be so trying to the eyes as our former small type. It was manufactured for us by Messrs. Collins & M'Leester, and is in every way worthy their established reputation. We have said that this is our best number so far; but we do not mean to say that it is the best number we intend to publish, we make no such promise. Time will show; but if any magazine intends to come in competition with us, they must work harder than we do to please a public that has ever been generous to us. Our January number is a type of the year, with the exception of the engraved title-page, which we always give in the first number. We do not commence with a large number of pages and plates to catch subscribers, and then dwindle down to a shadow. This thing is beginning to be understood by the public and the press. Hear what the "Auburn Gazette" says on the subject:— "Godey's Lady's Book.—The last number is, of course, better than the ladies bargained for, for the veteran Godey not only does not do things miserly, but always gives more than he promises. This is perhaps the great reason of his success and popularity. We have seen January numbers of magazines that were really magnificent, but by December their attractions have 'grown small by degrees and beautifully less.' Godey's practice is the reverse of this. Excelsior! is his motto, and nobly does he work up to it. Without saying more, we simply suggest that now is the time to form clubs for the next year." If we fall off in any respect from what we have stated above, we beg to be reminded of it. Our Title-page for 1854.—This is really one of the most beautiful engravings we have ever published: "Time in search of Cupid." Here we have history, painting, sculpture, music, love, flowers, a little buncomb in the shape of the American Flag, and the portrait of a very worthy person, who has been the ladies' humble servant for twenty-four years. Designed for the "Book" by Gilbert, of London. The Pleiades.—This engraving was designed expressly for the "Lady's Book" by Wm. Croome, Esq.: it recommends itself. May we say a word here about original designs? We believe that we are the only publisher that has ever gone to the expense of having original designs made for engraving. We have had more than one hundred original designs made for our own use by such artists as Gilbert, of London, Darley, Rothermel, Croome, Schussele, Waitt, and others. Our Fashion Plate.—We challenge any one to produce anything that can be compared to it this side of Louis Napoleon's dominions. To the Ladies.—As the season has now arrived, will our lady subscribers please bear in mind the appeal we made to them in our November number, 1853? We must again remind our subscribers that they need not wait for collecting agents to call, but please remit us at once for last year, and, at the same time, include the subscription for 1854. General Agency for Periodicals.—Many persons wishing to subscribe for different publications do not like the trouble of writing several letters. This may be obviated by sending the money to the subscriber, who will attend to all orders punctually, whether for publications monthly or weekly in this city or elsewhere. Any information asked for by any of our subscribers we will cheerfully give, if it is in our power. We will attend to purchasing any goods that may be desired, and will forward them at the lowest market price. Brodie, of 51 Canal St., New York, again shines in this number. His store is besieged with customers, and he deserves his success. Our New Department.—Drawing Lessons.—We recommend the simple method here practised to parents. It is the simplest method of teaching drawing we have ever seen. A lady writes us: "I find your patterns with diagrams how to cut dresses invaluable to me. I have used every one, and have not failed in any one instance in getting a most becoming garment." It is well suggested by a lady subscriber that the interest of the "Lady's Book" does not cease with the receipt of the numbers. She says that it is worth more to her when bound as a book of reference for receipts and other matters than any CyclopÆdia. We wish it to be distinctly understood that our fashions are always in advance, so that ladies in distant places can have their dresses made by our descriptions, and wear them at the same time that they are worn in Philadelphia and New York. "That's Enough."—So say we. If every one would only do as the editor of the "Raleigh Age" has done, hand the "Lady's Book" to his wife—ah, bother! there it is again, we are always forgetting that some of our friends are not so blessed;—well, if they will only hand the "Book" to some female friend, they will all most likely say, as the good wife of "The Age" says, "It is capital," and then the gentleman can add what the editor, in this case, has done, "That's enough." A young Miss, at a party, was observed once, when it was growing late in the evening, to be getting quite uneasy; they had gone through a great many plays of different kinds, but none of them seemed to suit her: at last, finding it impossible to conceal her uneasiness any longer, she stepped up to the mistress of the house with "Please, ma'am, when does the kissing commence?" We find from our exchanges that, in our own case, it is about to commence with us now. Well, after waiting twenty-four years, rather longer than the young lady had to wait, we can only say "Barcus is willing." Henry Clay kissed his way from Now it strikes us that this editor, in question, never says kisses for us, but is for keeping them all to himself, something like the saying of the boys, "Heads I win, tails you lose." We are content anyhow. "Ah, she thinks that I forget her."—The ballad published in our December number was presented to us by Messrs. Andrews & Co., the popular music sellers of Spring Garden St., and is copyrighted, which we neglected to insert under the title. Music from Andrews's Celebrated Depot, 66 Spring Garden St.—"Gems of the Ball-room," as taught by Mr. and Mrs. Durang, among which will be found "Pop goes the Weasel," the rage now in London, La Willicka; the gems consist of six pieces. We have also received T. C. Andrews's collection of new and fashionable Polkas, Waltzes, Schottisches, &c. "The Return to Philadelphia," a waltz, composed and dedicated to Mr. Andrews by Louis S. D. Rees; "Morning and Evening," two new and beautiful Polkas, composed by Mrs. Burtis. We shall be happy to furnish our subscribers with any music from this establishment. Peter Richings, Esq., and his Daughter.—We have been presented with an engraving of the above, perfectly lifelike, reflecting great credit on the artists, Messrs. Wagner & McGuigan. We understand that the success of Mr. R. and daughter has been very great, and we beg leave to recommend them to our friends of the press wherever they may go. They will find in Mr. Richings the perfect gentleman, a man whom we have known for the last twenty years, and never heard a word uttered to his disparagement. Lithography.—We fancy now that no improvement can be made in printing in colors upon the beautiful specimen lately presented to us by Wm. D. Chillas, Bulletin Buildings, South Third St. In the centre is the best head of Washington we have ever seen, not a mass of yellow and red, but beautifully colored. On his right is a full-length portrait of Liberty, and on his left, Fortitude. A beautiful representation of the Crystal Palace is at the bottom of the picture, a city is seen at the top, in front of which is a splendid full figure of the Genius of Liberty. We give but a faint description of the plate; it must be seen to be appreciated. The colors are beautifully contrasted, and the whole affair we pronounce decidedly the most splendid specimen of printing in colors we have ever seen. We see an article going the rounds of the papers that an old lady has had her third new set of teeth. We see nothing remarkable in this except the expense. Our dentists here charge some $200 for a new set of teeth. Doctor, he has Done It.—A physician in this city tells the following story—not without some regret on his part for the advice given:— "A hard-working woman had a drunken husband, who, when partly sober, would get the blues and endeavor to destroy himself by taking laudanum. Twice did the wife ascertain that he had swallowed the destructive drug, and twice did the doctor restore him. Upon the second restoration, the doctor addressed him as follows: "'You good-for-nothing scoundrel, you don't want to kill yourself, you merely want to annoy your wife and me. If you want to kill yourself, why don't you cut your throat and put an end to the matter?' Well, away went the doctor, and thought no more of his patient until, some two weeks after, he was awakened from a sound nap by the tinkling of his night-bell. He put his head out of the window and inquired 'What's the matter?' 'Doctor, he has done it,' was the reply. 'Done what?' 'John has taken your advice.' 'What advice?' 'Why you told him to cut his throat, and he has done it, and he is uncommon dead this time.'" Imagine the doctor's feelings. He has since ceased giving such cutting advice. We presume most of our readers have seen or heard of the beautiful song of "The Mistletoe Bough." The following parody we consider one of the best we ever saw:— A cockney poet writes as follows:— 'Twas ever thus from childhood's hour, That chilling fate has on me fell; There always comes a soaking shower When I hain't got no umberell! We have given elsewhere in this number the Philosophy of Shopping. We now give an article of an entirely different nature:— Directions to Ladies for Shopping.—Shopping is the amusement of spending money at shops. It is to a lady what sporting is to a gentleman; somewhat productive, and very chargeable. Sport, however, involves the payment of one's own shot; shopping may be managed by getting it paid for. Ride all the way till you come to the shopping-ground in a coach if you can, in an omnibus if you must, lest you should be tired when you get there. If you One of Them Gone.—No doubt spurred on by our articles on the subject. We wish the happy couple much joy. In Middleton, Logan Co., Ky., on Thursday evening, October 6th, by the Rev. James B. Evans, Oscar C. Rhea, editor of the "Russelville Herald," to Miss Judith Grubbs, daughter of Col. Thos. Grubbs. Covers for Binding.—We have a beautiful cover suitable for binding twelve numbers of the "Lady's Book." Price twenty-five cents. The Trials of a Needle-woman.—We are unable to commence this very interesting story until February, when a double portion of it will be given. Orders for music, jewellery, patterns for dresses, children's wardrobes, dresses, dry-goods, etc., will be promptly attended to. Godey's Gallery of Splendid Engravings.—We have received the first number of this truly attractive and valuable publication, which has been gotten up with unequalled care and taste by L. A. Godey, Esq., the enterprising publisher of the "Lady's Book." It embraces a large number of choice pictures by the first masters, and forms a real treasury of beauty and art. The subjects are well chosen, and no lover of the beautiful should be without the work.—Daily Evening Argus. The Book of the Toilet.—There goes by our window this instant, as our pen indites our thoughts, a new omnibus, gay as a rainbow, with the pleasant name of "Louis A. Godey" painted on its delicate panels, and we now have the name of the far-famed publisher of the "Lady's Book," Louis A. Godey, on the title-page of one of the most dainty little volumes imaginable. Just the thing for a reticule or a vest pocket, and containing a hundred charming recipes for the fair, which no one would ever have thought of but such a capital lady's man as the gallant and courteous author of "The Book for the Toilet."—Phila. Sat. Courier. Christ Healing the Sick.—This splendid plate, containing fifty-two figures, the most expensive and beautiful one ever given in a periodical, and the only time West's celebrated painting has been engraved, we have printed on fine paper, of a size suitable for framing, and will furnish a copy on receipt of fifty cents. Friend Pioneer.—We do not object to the term old, we like it, especially when you accompany it with such pleasant compliments. Look at our picture in this number, and then say what you think of us. A man never feels old when he sees himself reproduced in the youngsters around him. The Boston Stage, by W. W. Clapp, Jr.—We neglected to state, in our last, that this very entertaining book can be purchased at W. P. Hazard's, Chestnut St. above Seventh. A. R. Wriggs, the very able editor of the "Independent Winchester," Tenn., while in this city, paid a visit to the printing-office of Messrs. Collins, the gentlemen who print the "Lady's Book," and thus he discourses:— "I next visited the large printing concern of Mr. Collins. I had but a faint idea before of the extent of the printing business. Fourteen large steam presses are kept constantly running, besides six hand-presses. I was politely shown through the rooms of this immense concern by the foreman of the establishment, who took an interest in explaining to me such things as I did not understand. Mr. Collins, the owner of this establishment, was, but a few years ago, a poor journeyman printer. By indomitable industry and perseverance he has arisen to his present position. He is now in the vigor of life, and bids fair to enjoy a long and useful one. I spent an hour in the private office of Mr. C., and when I left I felt that I had been benefited by his conversation. He keeps a large card hanging conspicuously over his desk, requesting loafers to call as seldom as possible, and make their visits as short as convenient. Business men, as well as loafers, should make a note of this." Rapp's Gold Pens.—We have received orders for more than one hundred of these pens. We repeat the terms, and also our hearty assurance that they are the best gold pens we have ever used. Price of pens, condor size, with a holder, $6; in a silver case, $7; swan-quill size, with double extension silver cases, $4; goose-quill size, suitable for ladies, with holders, as above, $3. Subscribers will please remit direct to us, and we will act as your agents in procuring and paying for other publications. Arthur's Home Magazine.—We predict for this magazine a popularity never exceeded in this country. It is the best and cheapest published this side of the Atlantic.—Herald, Springfield, N. Y. Mr. Arthur has succeeded in getting up, in our opinion, one of the best and cheapest magazines of the day. We wish the talented editor and author success in his new enterprise!—Cincinnati Daily Atlas. Arthur's Home Gazette.—The "Church Review and Ecclesiastical Register," published at New Haven, Con., says: "Arthur's Home Gazette is the very best of the literary weekly newspapers. Its moral tone is admirable." We have a year's subscription ready for the author of the following, if we can ever find out who it is:— "The ladies are accused of extravagance in their dress and ornaments every day in the week, by some brainless upstart, while the other sex is quite as liable to censure. Talk of female extravagance! why, a fashionable cravat in these days sells for five dollars, while the fall styles of velvet vests range from ten to twenty-five. And in the matter of vest buttons, single sets sell for a hundred dollars and upwards. The jewellers have styles at prices ranging from ten to twenty dollars a button, or from sixty to one hundred and twenty dollars a set, and the price of a fashionable shirt at the Boston clothing stores is twelve dollars. Female extravagance, indeed!" There seems to be some contention among the New York editors upon the subject of copying articles from magazines. We can only say: You cannot take up an English periodical without finding in it an article from "Godey," under the general head of an "American Tale." The following notice was lately posted on a store in the upper part of North Fourth Street: "Dis Stor is to rent Enquir in te Stor." We find in looking over the English papers some queer advertisements:— A tailor advertises gentlemen's clothing, and ends by saying: "A fit guaranteed." That is just what we, in this country, would not like. "M. D. G. acknowledges the receipt of one pound sterling from a friend." "Messrs. W. have received the sum of one pound sterling from A. B. In remitting the balance, Messrs. W. should feel obliged by having A. B.'s name and address." "John, come. Do come, John." "Betsey will have to wait. The old cook still hangs on." A friend once gave us the following as an exemplification of patience: "To go to a country tavern, order a chicken for dinner; then, seating yourself at the window, you presently see the cook in full chase after the poor biddy. Then comes the reflection that that chicken first (like Mrs. Glass's receipt for cooking a fish, 'First catch your fish') has to be caught, next scalded to get the feathers off, then cleaned, and then cooked; and then, if you have any appetite left, you may eat it." Thrift.—A man wished a landlord to reduce his board, because he had had two teeth extracted and could not eat so much. The "American Union," published in Boston, is an elegant literary and national newspaper, with a circulation of nearly 40,000 copies. It employs the most popular American writers, and inserts no advertisements. All the stories are completed in a single number, and are American in their character. It is, in fact, a paper for the American people. A specimen will be sent to any person desiring it. The terms are $2 a year; 1 copy two years $3; 4 copies one year $6; 12 copies one year $15; and 20 copies one year $20. R. B. Fitts & Co., Publishers, Boston, Mass. The Queen giving a Lesson to Ladies on their Bonnets.—The "Dublin Evening Mail" has the following hit on bonnets: "We may mention, for the information of our fair readers, that the queen wore a pink bonnet (on her visit to the Exhibition) which her majesty wore on her head, be it remarked, and whose shape we wish we could induce the milliners of the present day to adopt, instead of those absurd things which hang half way down the backs of young ladies, giving a brazen expression to the fairest and most delicate features, and an appearance of being high-shouldered to even graceful figures." One would naturally suppose that where there is an article that is pleasant and every way agreeable, and costs but little, a great deal of it would be used. "Civility" costs nothing, and yet how little of it is in use! We are reminded of this by the following anecdote: When old Zachariah Fox, the great merchant, of Liverpool, was asked by what means he contrived to realize so large a fortune as he possessed, his reply was— "Friend, by one article alone, and in which thou mayest deal too, if thou pleasest—it is civility." "Those who have lost an infant are never, as it were, without an infant child. The other children grow up to manhood and womanhood, and suffer all the changes of mortality; but this one alone is rendered an immortal child, for death has arrested it with its kindly harshness, and blessed it into an eternal image of youth and innocence." The "State of Matrimony" is one of the United States. It is bounded by a ring on one side and a cradle on the other. The climate is sultry till you pass the tropics of housekeeping, when squally weather sets in with such power as to keep all hands as cool as cucumbers. For the principal roads leading to this interesting state, consult the first pair of blue eyes you run against. The modest maiden, the prudent wife, or the careful matron, are much more serviceable in life than petticoated philosophers, blustering heroines, or virago queens. She who makes her husband happy, and reclaims him from vice, is a much greater character than ladies described in romance, whose whole occupation is to murder mankind with shafts from their quiver or their eyes.—Goldsmith. The Inventor of Ink.—The Chinese think that the inventor of ink was one of the greatest men that ever lived; that he enjoys a blessed immortality, and is charged with keeping an account of the manner in which all ink is used here below, and for every abuse of it he records a black mark against the offender. The words of the widow of Helvetius to Napoleon are worth remembering: "You cannot conceive how much happiness can be found in three acres of land." Some idea may be formed of the importance of perfumery as an article of commerce, when it is stated that one of the large perfumers of Grasse, in France, employs annually 80,000 lbs. of orange blossoms, 60,000 lbs. of cassia flowers, 54,000 lbs. of rose-leaves, 32,000 lbs. of jessamine blossoms, 35,000 lbs. of violet flowers, 20,000 lbs. of tube roses, 16,000 lbs. of lilac flowers, besides rosemary, mint, lavender, thyme, lemon, orange, and other odorous plants in like proportions. To drive Rats from a House.—Let one of the juveniles commence a course of lessons on the French horn. Mrs. Partington wishes to know if Old Bull plays upon one of his own horns. Punch inquires, "Did you ever see an actor who did not pronounce garden, 'giardin,' and kind, 'kyind?'" We once heard a now very celebrated actor say, "He jests at shyars (scars) who never felt a wound." PHILADELPHIA AGENCY. "S. J. R."—Sent pattern of cloak on 11th, by mail. "W. F. S."—Sent your Condor Pen on 11th, by mail. "Miss A. M."—Sent your bonnet on the 8th, by Adams's Express. "Mrs. P. H. G."—The curtains from Carryl's you will have received before this notice reaches you. Only one change was necessary, which is an improvement. "G. L. M."—The Talma and chemisettes were forwarded by Kinsly's Express on the 8th. "Mrs. I. A. C."—Wrote about side-saddle on 31st. "M. I. D."—Sent your cloak by Adams's Express on the 19th. "J. P. I."—Your goods were sent from New York. "New Lexington."—We acknowledge the receipt of a very pretty drawing from an unknown correspondent at this place. He will please accept our thanks. "J. H.," Dover, N. H.—We do not know the article. Perhaps a physician or apothecary can give you the information. You do not mention in what number you saw the receipt. "W. S. P.," Cal.—Sent the wardrobe complete by Adams on the 4th, addressed to San Francisco. Wrote you at Benecia, and inclosed receipt; also sent duplicate letter to San Francisco. "L. A. B."—Send the size of your neck, and we will send you the latest patterns for collars from Griffith's. "W. J. S."—Write under your proper name, and send a stamp to pay return postage. "A. H."—We recommend the old establishment opposite State House. "Mrs. O."—Sent you the artificial flowers on the 8th, both for bonnet and hair. "H. E. B."—All embroideries are washed at the manufactories before they are offered for sale. Their method of washing is their own secret. It will do no harm to wash them. We cannot ascertain any other method of cleaning them. We will put your question to our subscribers; perhaps some of them may favor us with a reply. Here it is:— "Mr. Godey: After embroidering your beautiful patterns, we do not like the idea of their being washed before use, as it gives them the appearance of having been worn. The muslin embroidery we purchase is certainly cleaned without washing; and could not Godey from his 'Arm-Chair' tell us how it is done, and greatly oblige one of his subscribers?" H. E. B. "J. S."—Price of pattern for cloak $1. "L. M. O."—Have sent you the patterns of the wall paper by Adams. G. will come on and put them up, simply charging his travelling expenses and loss of time. "E. K. O."—Pattern and material will cost $3. "Subscriber," Watertown, Miss.—Can send you patterns for boy's aprons for one dollar. Very handsome ones. "M. L. H."—Sent you two pairs of gaiter boots on the 18th, by Kinsly's Express.
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ENIGMAS.
Iron-Moulds in Paper.—When paper is disfigured with iron-moulds, it may be restored by applying to the stained part a solution of sulphate of potash, and afterwards a weak solution of oxalic acid. The sulphate attracts from the iron part of its oxygen, and renders it soluble in the diluted acids. This is applicable to other substances; but care must be taken to place the oxalic acid in a safe place, and to mark the bottom containing it "poison."
Knives and Forks.—Handles of ebony should be cleaned with a soft cloth dipped in a little sweet oil; and after resting awhile with the oil on them, let them be well wiped with a clean towel. Ivory or bone handles ought to be washed with a soaped flannel and lukewarm water, and then wiped with a dry towel. To preserve or restore their whiteness, soak them occasionally in alum-water that has been boiled and then grown cold. Let them lie for an hour in a vessel of this alum-water. Then take them out, and brush them well with a small brush (a tooth-brush will do), and afterwards take a clean linen towel, dip it in cold water, squeeze it out; and, while wet, wrap it round the handles, leaving them in it to dry gradually—as, if dried too fast out of the alum-water, they will be injured. If properly managed, this process will make them very white.
Expelling Insects generally.—All insects dislike pennyroyal; the odor of it destroys some and drives away others. At seasons when fresh green bunches of pennyroyal are not to be obtained, get oil of pennyroyal, pour some into a saucer, and steep in it small bits of wadding or raw cotton; lay them about in corners; closet-shelves, bureau-drawers, boxes, and all places where you have seen cockroaches or ants, or wherever they are likely to be found. If the insects do not speedily disappear, renew the cotton and pennyroyal. It is also well to place some of them about the bedsteads, between the sacking and the mattress. Bunches of pennyroyal are excellent for brushing off that very annoying little insect, the seed tick.
How To Preserve Eggs.—Take a half inch board of any convenient length and breadth, and pierce it as full of holes (each 1½ inches in diameter) as you can. A board two feet and six inches in length, and one foot wide, has five dozen in it, say twelve rows of five each. Then take four strips
Put your eggs in this board as they come from the poultry house, the small ends down, and they will keep good for six months, if you take the following precautions: Take care that the eggs do not get wet, either in the nest or afterwards. Keep them in a cool room in summer, and out of the reach of frost in winter. If two boards be kept, one can be filling while the other is emptying.
To Cure Corns.—The cause of corns, and likewise the torture they occasion, is simply friction; and to lessen the friction, you have only to use your toe as you do in like circumstances a coach-wheel—lubricate it with some oily substance. The best and cleanest thing to use is a little sweet oil, rubbed on the affected part (after the corn is carefully pared) with the tip of the finger, which should be done on getting up in the morning, and just before stepping into bed at night. In a few days the pain will diminish, and in a few days more it will cease, when the nightly application may be discontinued.
For Cure of Ringworm.—Take of subcarbonate of soda one drachm, which dissolve in half a pint of vinegar. Wash the head every morning with soft soap, and apply the lotion night and morning. One teaspoonful of sulphur and treacle should also be given occasionally night and morning.
CUSTARDS, CREAMS, JELLIES, AND BLANC MANGE.
[First article.]
Custard is always eaten cold, and either poured over fruit tarts, or served up separately in custard-cups, in each of which a macaroon steeped in wine, and laid at the bottom, will be found a good addition. The flavoring may likewise be altered according to taste, by using a different kind of essence, the name of which it then acquires; as of lemon, orange, marashino, vanilla, &c. It is almost needless to say that cream or a portion of it will make it richer than mere milk. It should be recollected that in custard, when made as cream, and eaten as usually called "raw," the whites of the eggs are never all used; but they may be devoted to many other purposes. The French mode of making it is, to measure the number of cups which are to be filled, and use nearly that quantity of milk or cream, simmering it upon the fire until beginning to boil, then adding about half an ounce of powdered sugar to each cup, with lemon-peel, bay-leaves, or almond-powder; then take the yolk of an egg to each small cup, beat them up with the milk, fill the cups, place in a vase of boiling water until the custards become firm.
Custard Cream.—Boil half a pint of new milk with a piece of lemon-peel, not very large, a stick of cinnamon, and eight lumps of white sugar. Should cream be employed instead of milk, there will be no occasion to strain it. Beat the yolks, say of four eggs; strain the milk through coarse muslin, or a hair-sieve; then mix the eggs and milk very gradually together, and simmer it gently on the fire, stirring it until it thickens, but removing it the moment it begins to boil, or it will curdle. A cheap and excellent sort is made by boiling three pints of new milk with a bit of lemon-peel, a bit of cinnamon, two or three bay-leaves, and sweetening it. Meanwhile, rub down smooth a large spoonful of rice-flour into a cup of cold milk, and mix with it four yolks of eggs well beaten. Take a basin of the boiling milk, mix it with the cold, and pour that to the boiling, stirring it one way till it begins to thicken, and is just going to boil up; then pour it into a pan and stir it some time.
For rich Custard.—Boil a pint of milk with lemon-peel and cinnamon; mix a pint of cream and the yolks of eight eggs, well beaten; when the milk tastes of the seasoning, strain it and sweeten it enough for the whole; pour it into the cream, stirring it well; then give the custard a simmer till of a proper thickness. Do not let it boil; stir the whole time one way. Or:—Boil a pint of cream with some mace, cinnamon, and a little lemon-peel; strain it, and when cold add to it the yolks of four and the whites of two eggs, a little orange-flower water, and sugar to your taste. A little nutmeg and two spoonfuls of sweet wine may be added, if approved. Mix well, and bake in cups.
Rice Custards.—Sweeten a pint of milk with loaf-sugar, boil it with a stick of cinnamon, stir in sifted ground rice till quite thick. Take it off the fire; add the whites of three eggs well beaten; stir it again over the fire for two or three minutes, then put it into cups that have lain in cold water; do not wipe them. When cold, turn them out, and put them into the dish in which they are to be served; pour round them a custard made of the yolks of the eggs and a little more than half a pint of milk. Put on the top a little red currant jelly, or raspberry jam. A pretty supper dish.
Orange Custard.—Boil very tender the rind of half a Seville orange; beat it in a mortar to a paste; put to it a spoonful of the best brandy, the juice of a Seville orange, four ounces of lump-sugar, and the yolks of four eggs. Beat all together for ten minutes, and pour in by degrees a pint of boiling cream. Keep beating until the mixture is cold; then put into custard-cups, and set them in a soup-dish of boiling water; let them stand until thick, then put preserved orange-peel in slices, upon the custard. Serve either hot or cold. Or:—Take the juice of twelve oranges, strain it, and sweeten it well with pounded loaf-sugar, stir it over a slow fire till the sugar is dissolved, taking off the scum as it rises; when nearly cold, add the yolks of twelve eggs well beaten, and a pint of cream; stir it again over the fire till it thickens. Serve it in a glass dish or in custard-cups.
Lemon Custard may be made in the same manner, or as follows: Strain three wineglassfuls of lemon-juice through a sieve; beat nine eggs, yolks and whites, strain them also, and add them to the lemon-juice, with one-quarter pound of powdered loaf-sugar, a glass of white wine, and half a wineglass of water, with a little grated lemon-peel. Mix all together, and put the ingredients into a sauce-pan on the fire, stirring it until it becomes thick and of a proper consistence.
Almond Custard.—Boil in a pint of milk, or cream, two or three bitter almonds, a stick of cinnamon, and a piece of lemon-peel pared thin, with eight or ten lumps of sugar; let it simmer to extract the flavor, then strain it and stir it till cold. Beat the yolks of six eggs, mix it with the milk, and stir the whole over a slow fire until of a proper thickness, adding one ounce of sweet almonds, beaten fine in rose-water.
Plain Custard.—To one quart of cream or new milk, add a stick of cinnamon, four bay leaves and some mace; boil them altogether a few minutes; then beat well twelve eggs, sweeten them, and when the milk is cold, stir in the eggs, and bake or boil it till of a proper consistency, and perfectly smooth. The spice can be omitted, and four or five bitter almonds used in its place.
