  FROM THE MILITARY AUTHORITIES, ADDRESSED TO M. SOYER DURING HIS STAY IN TURKEY AND THE CRIMEA. Head-Quarters, Scutari, August 3rd, 1855. Dear Monsieur Soyer,—As you are about to leave the hospitals at Scutari for Balaklava, I think, in justice to your unremitting attention and zeal in your endeavours to improve the culinary department, it is incumbent on me, as the military commanding officer of the troops in the Bosphorus and Dardanelles, to express to you how much the sick and wounded of this army, as well as those who have their interest at heart, are indebted to you for the improvement you have made in the cooking of these establishments. Your alterations of the kitchens and stoves must add much to the economy of fuel, which is of the greatest consequence here; and your successful attempts, combined with simplicity of making such palatable beverages and soups out of so small a portion of ingredients, is highly advantageous. Wishing you a pleasant voyage, and hoping to find the cooking in camp as much improved as the cooking here, I am, yours ever faithfully, I am sure General Simpson will afford you every assistance in carrying out your wishes. Head-Quarters, Scutari, 20th Nov., 1855. My dear Monsieur Soyer,—I regret exceedingly to learn that you have been ill, and hope you are recovered by this time. When do you leave for the Crimea? I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you before you depart. The British army owes you much, and is grateful for all you have done. Thanks to your exertions, we have at least ameliorated our military system of cookery, and we thank you sincerely for it. Accept my best wishes, and believe me, yours truly, H. K. Storks, Head-Quarters, Scutari, March 22nd, 1856. My dear Monsieur Soyer,—I cannot allow you to leave Scutari without expressing my perfect satisfaction with all you have done to ameliorate the culinary system for our soldiers. The kitchens you have established at Scutari answer admirably, and I am satisfied that we are as much redevable, if not more so, to the cooks for the good health we now enjoy, as to the doctors. Pray receive, my dear Monsieur Soyer, the assurance of my sentiments of kind regard. Yours truly, To Monsieur Alexis Soyer. Soyer’s Villarette, May 15th, 1856. After doubting many of your enthusiastic views as to cooking, I acknowledge that I am fairly beaten. Every one to his trade. Yours very truly, Camp, First Division, May 25th, 1856. Monsieur Soyer,—I accept, with many thanks, the portable cooking-stove you have been kind enough to present me; and I perceive it will henceforth be the means of my eating after a civilized fashion, so long as I have a coat-pocket to carry it in. I beg your acceptance of an inkstand, made with a Russian grapeshot. It bears upon its surface the proof of having been projected during the siege, and will, therefore, serve you as a lasting reminiscence of your sojourn in the camp. I also hope it will cause you to bear in mind the assurance of the value I attach to all the exertions and arrangements you have made to ameliorate the position of our brave soldiers, by teaching them to utilize their rations, and improve the cooking of their food—formerly so often spoiled or wasted. Pray accept the assurance of my highest consideration. Rokeby. Head-Quarters, Scutari, May, 1856. Dear Monsieur Soyer,—Many thanks for your obliging letter of the 29th April. I thank you for the trouble you have taken with Marshal Pelissier, and am much flattered by the cordial acknowledgment of his Excellency. Should you have occasion to see him again, pray tell him so. I sincerely compliment you upon the success of your stoves. The British army owes you much; and I assure you we are highly Our system of military cookery much required reform, and in introducing a new one you have rendered us immense service. Pray accept, my dear Monsieur Soyer, the assurance of my esteem and highest consideration. H. K. Storks, Light Division Camp, Sebastopol, June 7th, 1856. General Lord William Paulet, commanding Light Division, having inspected the camp cooking-stoves issued by Monsieur Soyer for trial to the ten regiments composing his division, has much pleasure in stating that they answer in every respect. They consume not a quarter so much fuel; they boil the meat more regularly, and the vegetables, and therefore make better soup; they never smoke, which is invariably the case with all barrack cook-houses. You can use them either out of doors or inside, and would prove useful in all standing camps or barracks; and may be issued to the troops according to the number required occupying a barrack, and the remainder being kept in store, they being so portable. Lord William would like to see them in all quarters occupied by troops where the cook-houses are not good, and the saving of fuel would pay the expense. Scutari Barracks Hospital, April 9th, 1855. It gives me great pleasure to testify, after visiting Monsieur Soyer’s kitchen in the above establishment, and comparing the quality and economy of the many excellent preparations made for the use of the sick, that those prepared from his formulÆ are very superior to those previously supplied. I consider, if the suggestions of Monsieur Soyer be acted on, that he will have conferred a great boon on the sick and convalescent soldier, and for such improvement will deserve the thanks of every person having feeling for the British soldier, and who desires to ameliorate his condition. Hugh Birt, F.R.C.S.E., Hyder Pasha Hospitals, Scutari, May 1st, 1855. This is to certify that Monsieur Soyer has, in his visits to the above hospitals, rendered a very important service, by clearly demonstrating that the dietary for the sick may, by his improved method of cooking, be greatly enhanced in value by making it, out of the usual H. G. W. Macellery, Balaklava, June 15th, 1855. My dear Sir,—In reply to your letter of the 7th instant, there will be no difficulty whatever in giving to the troops occasionally salt beef and pork on the same day, should they wish it. Trusting soon to have the pleasure of seeing you in the Crimea, I remain, yours very truly, A. Soyer, Esq., June 16th, 1855. My dear Sir,—I am much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken in my behalf, and feel confident that any arrangement entered into by you will be as excellent as the other results I have witnessed, of that ability and energy by which our poor fellows have so much benefited. I will deliver your message to Colonel Daniell. Believe me, my dear Sir, yours very truly, 3rd September, 1855. My dear Sir,—I was not well the day of your former feast, which unfortunately deprived me of the pleasure of tasting your good things; and to-day I am compelled to go down to Balaklava to see after stores for the troops embarking for Kertch. But I know all will do well under your able direction, and hereafter I shall have the satisfaction of witnessing the beneficial results of your labours in the camp kitchens. Sincerely yours, Purveyor-in-Chief’s Office, Scutari, My dear Sir,—I have much pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of your letter. If I have done anything to help you, it is because I have seen it to be my duty to the public, and because your admirable arrangements have all the object of making the sick I can, perhaps, more than any one appreciate the good you have done. Why, then, should I not heart and soul help you in an object, the attainment of which induced you to leave England?—viz., the good of the soldier. Go on, and success to you. I will endeavour to help you as much as I can at Balaklava, as I have felt it my duty and pleasure to do here. I am, my dear Sir, yours truly, Monsieur Alexis Soyer, Guards’ Camp, First Division, Sebastopol, I hereby acknowledge the receipt of five of Monsieur A. Soyer’s field-kitchens or camp stoves, which are now in active use by the cooks of the Coldstream Guards. And I hereby further acknowledge the receipt of a sixth camp-stove from Monsieur Soyer, for the use of the hospital of the said regiment. I cannot speak too highly in praise of these camp-kitchens for the great comfort and convenience they afford, the great economy and diminution of fuel, whether placed in the open air or under cover, and enabling the cooks to soak their salt meat properly; also to make puddings of rice and other things; and in cases of emergency, any quantity of rice-water, barley-water, or lemonade can be made, as well as soup, beef-tea, &c. If split peas were issued as rations by the Commissariat once or twice a week, when salt pork and beef are given, it would be a great addition to the soldier’s comfort, as well as a most wholesome and nutritious food, and very strongly recommended by Monsieur Soyer. Speaking for the Brigade of Guards, which I have the honour at this time to command, I have to thank Monsieur Soyer for all his kindness, and the very great boon he has given us by granting us the use of his stoves, which are the models for the rest of the army in the Crimea. Gordon Drummond, Colonel, Monsieur A. Soyer, Balaklava, 9th Dec., 1855. Dear Monsieur Soyer,—I am favoured with your letter of 29th ult., and am glad to hear so favourable a report of the compressed vegetables which have recently arrived out. I sent to Constantinople some time ago for a supply of haricot We shall all have great pleasure in seeing you here again, and availing ourselves of your valuable suggestions and services. The winter has fairly set in, after two months of beautiful weather. Cold, damp, and discomfort prevail to a certain extent, and we move about in a sea of mud; but, as a set-off, we have abundance of supplies of all kinds, including fuel—the men are well clothed, and the erection of the huts is well advanced, notwithstanding their late arrival and the difficulty in transporting them to the front. I remain, dear Monsieur Soyer, Monsieur Soyer, &c., P. S.—I have written for a six months’ supply of Chorlet’s compressed vegetables as a reserve, and to guard against unforeseen contingencies. We have fresh vegetables, potatoes, and onions, more regularly; but cannot always expect this will continue. The quantity sent for will be about 10,000,000 of rations.—G. M. Camp, May 11th, 1856. Sir,—One of your cooking-stoves was tried by me yesterday and to-day. It answers to perfection; I never tasted better soup than was this day made by a soldier out of the regular rations. The quantity of fuel saved by this stove is enormous. I trust that your information is correct—viz., that Government have made arrangements to supply the army with these cooking-stoves. I have the honour to be, Sir, Monsieur Alexis Soyer. Camp, Sevastopol, May 21st, 1856. My dear Monsieur Soyer,—I can have no hesitation in saying that your stove is the best I have seen, and the men of my regiment are very much pleased with it. I think you told me that ovens could be fitted to them also; if so, they will be a boon conferred on the British soldier, which he will, I am sure, highly appreciate. Yours very faithfully, Camp, near Sebastopol, May 23rd, 1856. Sir,—I have the honour to report that the result of the experimental cooking by Monsieur Soyer’s stove and boiler has been most satisfactory. The small quantity of fuel required is a great advantage, a small stick carried by each man of a company would afford sufficient fuel to cook a meal. I have the honour to be, Sir, The Major of Brigade. Camp, Sebastopol, May 25th, 1856. Sir,—I have to acknowledge your letter of this morning, and have much pleasure in stating that during the short period we had the opportunity of using your field-stove, nothing could be more satisfactory, both in its superiority as a means of cooking a large quantity of rations in a short time, and also from the small quantity of fuel used in doing so. I must also give it as my opinion, that it is admirably suited for operations in the field, but requires to have the outer casing protected in some way; probably an open netting of iron wire would do so, with a couple of loops, so that two stoves could be attached and carried by one mule or horse. I remain, Sir, Alexis Soyer, Esq., Camp, Sebastopol, 26th May, 1856. Sir,—I beg leave to state that I approve most highly of your field-stoves. Each company in my regiment has had good opportunities of fully testing their qualities; and both in the cooking of fresh and salt meat have been found to answer the purpose for which they were intended, remarkably well. I have the honor to be, Sir, Monsieur A. Soyer. Fourth Division, Camp, Sebastopol, 26th May, 1856. Monsieur Soyer,—In reply to your letter of the 21st of this month, relative to the field-stoves, I beg to state that the stove has It affords every facility for cooking, and saves a considerable quantity of fuel; and two of the stoves to one company on the march would be far preferable to the camp-kettles now in use. I have the honour to be, Monsieur Soyer, Camp, Sevastopol, 27th May, 1856. Sir,—I have the honour to state, for the information of the Major-General commanding the Fourth Division, that Monsieur Soyer’s cooking-stove has been tried in the 57th Regiment, and I am of opinion that it is well adapted for the purpose intended; there is a very considerable saving of fuel, and little difficulty in cooking; and two stoves per company would be far preferable to the camp-kettles now in use. I have the honour to be, Sir, Lieut.-Col. Smith, A.A.G., Camp before Sebastopol, 26th May, 1856. Sir,—With reference to No. 3 of this day’s order, I have the honour to state that during the short period we had the opportunity of using Monsieur Soyer’s field-stove, nothing could be more satisfactory, both in its superiority as a means of cooking a large quantity of rations in a short time, and also from the small quantity of fuel used in doing so. I must also give it as my opinion that it is admirably suited for operations in the field, but requires to have the outer casing protected in some way; probably an open netting of iron wire would do so, with a couple of loops, so that two stoves could then be attached and carried by one mule or horse. I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient servant, Ramsay Stuart, Lieut.-Col., The Assistant-Adjutant-General, Camp, Sebastopol, 26th May, 1856. Sir,—In compliance with Division Order No. 3 of this day’s date, I beg leave to state that I approve most highly of the Soyer field-stoves. Each company in my regiment has had good opportunities of fully testing their qualities; and both in the cooking of fresh and salt I have the honour to be, Sir, The Brigade-Major, Camp, Fourth Division, 27th May, 1856. Sir,—In compliance with divisional orders of yesterday’s date, directing officers commanding corps to report on Monsieur Soyer’s stove, I have the honour to state I consider Monsieur Soyer’s stove cooks the men’s rations infinitely better than the ordinary way. The saving of fuel, also, to Government is a very important consideration; and moreover I am informed by Monsieur Soyer that the men’s rations can easily be baked by his stove, which I consider very desirable, so as to enable the men to have a change in the way of cooking their dinner. I have the honour to be, Sir, The Assistant-Adjutant-General, Fourth Division. Camp, Sebastopol, 27th May, 1856. Sir,—Having had one of your field-stoves in use for some weeks, for the men of the 23d Fusiliers, and all the companies having taken their turn of cooking with it, I am happy to be able to bear testimony to the great improvement you have effected in the soldiers’ cooking. Your field-stoves are clean, easy to use, and very economical of fuel; they cook the soldiers’ food extremely well, and the men like them very much, each company having been anxious to retain the stove as long as possible. The great saving of fuel, also, renders these stoves particularly valuable in a camp like this. I am, Sir, Monsieur Alexis Soyer, Light Division Camp, May 27th, 1856. Sir,—I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter respecting the field-stove, and have no hesitation in giving my testimony as to its great efficiency, both as to economy of fuel and the simple Your most obedient servant, Monsieur Soyer, Camp of the Light Division before Sebastopol, My dear Sir,—I am happy to inform you that your new stove has been used, with great success, in the 77th Regiment. It dresses the men’s dinners remarkably well, and a great saving of fuel is effected by using it—about a stone of coals a day. I consider it admirably adapted for cooking in the field, and it is very portable. I am, my dear Sir, Monsieur Soyer, &c. &c. Camp before Sevastopol, 28th May, 1856. Sir,—Having tried your stove, I consider it the best possible cooking apparatus for the army, whether in barracks or standing camp. I have the honour to be, Sir, Monsieur A. Soyer, Camp, Fourth Division. Camp, Sevastopol, 28th May 1856. Monsieur Soyer,—The cooking-stove sent to my regiment on trial was in use one week, and I am glad to be able to tell you was highly approved of. The soup was richer and superior in flavour, and the meat better boiled. It has the great advantage of cleanliness, also being capable of service in the open air, needing only a shed to keep the weather off those employed. Yours very obediently, Monsieur A. Soyer. Crimea, 31st May, 1856. I hereby certify that Soyer’s field-kitchen for fifty men has recently been tried in the battalion under my command, in cooking soldiers’ rations, and that it appears perfectly to answer all purposes. It possesses many advantages—viz., the small quantity of fuel required, its lightness and portability, and requiring, when in use, the attendance of only one man. It is in every respect preferable to the cooking coppers generally used in barracks. R. W. Huey, Lieut.-Col., Camp, Kamara, 1st June, 1856. I have much pleasure in bearing my testimony to the great advantage of Monsieur Soyer’s field-stove over the usual method of cooking practised by an army, from the economy in fuel, the little attention it requires when the fire is once lighted, and its construction enabling the soldier to cook in the open air in all weathers. The slow process of boiling, also, which is easily regulated by the men after a day’s instruction, produces a more nutritious soup, and renders the meat more tender than when cooked in the ordinary way. Altogether, I consider the improvement one of great utility. John Douglas, Lieut.-Col., To Monsieur Alexis Soyer. Crimea, June 2nd, 1856. Sir,—I have much pleasure in bearing testimony in favour of your stove, which is highly approved by my men; and from its cleanliness, and economy in fuel, I think it must supersede the old method of cooking. I remain, Sir, Monsieur Soyer, &c. &c. Camp, Kamara, 2nd June, 1856. Sir,—In answer to yours of the 21st May last, I am of opinion that your “field-stove,” if taken into general use in the army, would be a great improvement over the old system of cooking with camp-kettles. It requires but little attendance, a great deal less fuel, without the least regard to situation, and may be used with perfect freedom in any description of weather. I have the honour to be, Sir, Monsieur Alexis Soyer, Light Division Camp, 4th June, 1856. Sir,—I have much pleasure in being able to bear testimony to the efficacy of your field-stoves. Their extreme simplicity and their consuming so little fuel, render them particularly applicable to the use of soldiers. The men of the regiment under my command all approve of them. I have the honour to be, Sir, Monsieur Alexis Soyer, Camp, Sebastopol, 7th June, 1856. I have witnessed the working of Monsieur Soyer’s patent portable kitchen for troops, and consider it most excellent—the process simple, saving of fuel great, and always insuring a good meal to the soldier, in camp or barrack, it will be a great boon, should it be generally adopted. Thomas Kelly, Lieut.-Col., Camp before Sebastopol, Fourth Division, Major-General Garrett approves highly of the cooking-stoves introduced by Monsieur Soyer, which have been made trial of by all the regiments of the Fourth Division, and have given great satisfaction to the men, and have been approved by commanding officers. In a standing camp, or in quarters, they are admirable; they can be put up in an instant anywhere, either in or out of doors, and they never smoke. If attention is paid to the proportions of meat, water, and the necessary ingredients, when cooking commences, the most careless soldier can scarcely fail in making a good mess. There is also a great saving of fuel; and as only a certain amount of fire can be kept going, a steady and even process of cooking is insured, by which, without any great skill on the part of the soldier, a good dinner is in due course produced. A. Garrett, Major-General, Light Division Camp, Crimea, 14th June, 1856. My dear Sir,—It gives me great pleasure to send you my opinion of your camp-stove—the 90th Light Infantry under my command having had one on trial for some weeks, during which time I watched it very closely. If generally used in the army, I consider it will be as great a boon to soldiers as it must be a saving to the public. Its portability for camp purposes, where one mule can carry two stoves to cook everything for one hundred men, and You were good enough to superintend personally at my cook-houses—until that time, the soldiers threw away, or used for other purposes than intended, the fat of the pork ration; with your plain instructions, they afterwards spread it on their bread as butter, and no wonder they were exceedingly fond of it, for it was pure and sweet, and far superior to the rank bad butter they purchased in the canteens, &c., in the Crimea. It will not be wasted again. I am happy to have this opportunity to acknowledge a great service rendered, and I wish that your camp-stoves may meet with the success they deserve, that they may be generally used in the army, not only in camp, but in quarters, hospitals, &c. I am, dear Sir, very faithfully yours, Monsieur Alexis Soyer, Camp, Sebastopol, 14th June, 1856. My dear Sir,—I have just received your letter. In reply, I have now to state, from what I have seen of your stoves, that they are most admirably adapted for the purpose intended. They economize fuel, which is a great thing; and they will be a great “boon” to the soldier, in every respect. I am, yours very truly, To Monsieur Soyer, &c. Head-Quarters, Sebastopol, 19th June, 1856. Sir,—In acknowledging your letter of the 15th instant, I have to observe that one of your camp-stoves has been in constant use in the 56th Regiment for the last two months, and from inquiries from the men themselves, and my own observation, I am decidedly of opinion that they possess very considerable advantages over any other means of cooking at present in use in the British army, and I would strongly advocate their being furnished to all barracks, not only on account of their superiority in rendering the soldiers’ ration much All these advantages were clearly demonstrated on the occasion of Lord Gough’s visit to the camp of the 56th, when, with ten of the stoves in operation, you superintended so successfully the cooking of five hundred men’s rations. I remain, your very obedient servant, Monsieur Soyer, &c. &c. Camp, Kadikoi, June 26th, 1856. Dear Monsieur Soyer,—The kitchen which you were kind enough to leave in our camp has been working admirably; the men are quite delighted with it, because it saves them so much trouble and cooks their rations so far superior to the old way: the saving in fuel must be immense. I trust, when we get back to England, every regiment may be served with them. Believe me, very truly yours, Scutari, August 11th, 1856. My dear Sir,—The department to which I belong having been broken up consequent on the return of the English army from the East, I hope you will allow me, before I leave this country, to express to you the obligation I feel for your invaluable services in the hospitals here and at Kululee. To the important information and improvements which from the first you brought to bear upon the culinary department at each hospital, have the sick been indebted for much of the comforts they enjoyed when in hospital; nothing does tend to console a patient, or to restore him, so much as the nicety of the food which is given him: on the other hand, the badly-cooked food which is so often found in hospitals where the cooks have not been trained, retard no doubt the convalescence of the sick, the patient rather turning from his meal than desiring it. It was not so, however, with the hospitals here from the time you commenced your improvements in the kitchens. I could not, for myself, have desired anything better than the meals which, through your management, were furnished daily to the patients. I think the general management of the kitchen has been admirable, and, considering the vast numbers which had to be cooked for, in every way successful. I believe your system introduced into the general hospitals of the army generally, would be attended with incalculable advantage in every way, to the sick as well as the convalescents, and, I have no doubt, with much economy. You are aware how much pleasure it gave me to see the working of your excellent field-kitchens at the First Division, when I visited the Crimea in September last on duty. So much was I struck with Wishing you a happy return to England, where you left your family and friends with the patriotic and humane object of rendering your gratuitous services to the army in the East at a time when so much suffering was endured by the soldiers both in hospital and in the field, and with my thanks for your valuable assistance to my department, Believe me to be, yours very sincerely, To Monsieur Soyer. Malta, September 8th, 1856. Sir,—In reply to your letter requesting me to give you my opinion on the subject of your military cooking stove, I now beg to give you the opinion I have formed of them. I will first mention that the stove was used by each of the companies of the 47th Regiment in succession. The non-commissioned officers and soldiers all spoke most favourably of it. The portable cooking stove has, in my mind, many important advantages to recommend it—one very important one being that it can cook in any situation whatsoever, and in any weather, and with the smallest possible consumption of fuel of any kind which may be available—a very great consideration in localities where fuel is scarce or difficult of access. I imagine those stoves would have answered admirably for cooking in the trenches before Sebastopol, taking little room, consuming little fuel, and showing but little smoke, and cooking the food as securely and perfectly in bad weather as in fine. For field hospitals they would answer admirably, especially as carrying their own fuel on a march. The cooking for the sick could commence instantly on the halt taking place. I think here at Malta they would be very useful in many of the encampments; in fact, anywhere that troops are suddenly placed they (the cooking stoves) would be found of great use. Even they could answer very well in the event of troops having on any emergency to embark in vessels inadequately provided with cooking apparatus. Fully convinced of their merits, I wish the invention all the military success and encouragement it deserves. I have the honour to be your very obedient servant, To Monsieur Alexis Soyer. P.S. There is one observation I cannot help adding, which is that, however desirable it is to give the army improved utensils for cooking, little progress will be made in military cookery and teaching the soldiers to turn such rations or other articles of food to account in the most advantageous and ready manner, unless it is some one person’s particular business to teach cooking. We ought to have a non-commissioned officer for the special duty, and who would be responsible for imparting instruction in that most essential craft; recollecting a most important maxime de guerre:—“C’est la soupe qui fait le soldat.” 13, Kensington Park Terrace North, July, 1857. Dear Sir,—I understand that you are about to publish some observations respecting your valuable labours in the culinary department in the military hospitals of Scutari and the Crimea. If you permit me, I shall be happy to add a few remarks, such as occurred to me during the period I was engaged by the Government as one of the physicians in the Barrack Hospital. One of the first duties in the treatment of the sick was to ascertain the quality of the food adapted to invalids labouring under every form of fever, of acute and chronic diarrhoea, and especially dysentery. It is in vain to attempt to cure these diseases by medicines only; a carefully regulated diet was of the first consequence; and I was early disappointed and embarrassed by the wretched state of the kitchens and diet intended for the sick. I was in the habit of frequenting the kitchen which belonged to the division of the hospital in which I was doing duty, and observing the mode of cooking, and soon found that the soldier-cooks were quite ignorant of their art. I have constantly examined and tasted the mutton and fowls, the soups, the vegetables, and the puddings, and I do not hesitate to affirm that they were as unpalatable and unsavoury and as objectionable as they could be. The practice of cooking the fowls was to put them into nets—a dozen or more in one net; several nets were placed in large coppers; and then to boil them as rapidly as possible, with fierce heat. I have many times examined their quality after this process of rapid boiling, and always found them extremely tough and uneatable, and generally the sick soldier could not masticate them, especially as so many of the sick were suffering from spongy gums and decayed teeth, the effects of scurvy. The mutton, generally bad in quality, was always very badly cooked, and the broths or soups very destitute of flavour. No one, sir, can know so well as a physician the great value of palatable and easily digestible food—it is of more consequence than the whole contents of the apothecary’s shop. I do not desire to flatter you, nor unnecessarily to disparage the former miserable system of cooking. Your presence in that essential department of the healing art inspired us with new hopes. In a few days we discovered the superiority of your successful efforts to unite the agreeable and nutritive qualities of food. Under your instructions, I am, dear Sir, your obedient servant, To Monsieur Soyer. Copy of Letter addressed by the Author to the Right Honourable the Lord Panmure, K.T., &c. &c. &c., relating to the completion of his Mission, in the shape of a Journal. My Lord,—I beg to close this little journal by stating the reason of my long absence since the treaty of peace. It was with the intention of writing a work which will, I hope, perpetuate the ameliorations I have been enabled (through the confidence reposed in me by your lordship) to introduce in the diets for the hospitals, as well as the cooking for the army. And this can be effected in a very short time, without increasing the expense to the nation, but will, on the contrary, be likely to tend to economy, it being well recognised by the faculty that change of food is as essential to the soldier in health as change of diet is to the invalid. This work will also, with little trouble, have the effect of making cooks of the soldiers, and teach them at the same time to make the most of their rations either in camp or in barracks. With the most profound respect, I have the honour to remain, Your Lordship’s obedient servant, |
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