rags. But what would those sticks fignify to carve a turkey-cock, or achine of beef? therefore our forks are of quite different fhape: the fteel ones are bidental, and the filver generally refembling tridents; which makes me think them to be as ancient as the Saturnian race, where the former is appropriated to Pluto, and the latter to Neptune. It is certain that Pedro Della Valle, that famous Italian Traveller, carried his knife and fork into the Eaft Indies; and he gives a large account how, at the court of an Indian Prince, he was admired for his neatness in that particular, and his care in wiping that and his knife before he returned them to their refpective.repofitories. I could with Dr. Wotton, in the next edition of his "Modern Learning," would fhew us how much we are improved fince Dr. Heylin's time, and tell us the original of ivory knives, with which young heirs are suffered to mangle their own pudding; as likewife of filver and gold knives, brought-in with the deffert for carving of jellies and -orange-butter; and the indispensable neceffity of a filverknife at the fide-board, to mingle fallads with, as is with great learning made out in a Treatife called Acetaria, concerning "Dreffing of Sallads." A noble Work! But 1 tranfgrefs And yet, pardon me, good Doctor, I had almost forgot a thing that I would not have done for the world, it is fo remarkable. I think I may be pofitive, from this verse of Juvenal, where he speaks of the Egyptians, "Porrum et cepe nefas violare, et frangere morfu;" that that it was "facrilege to chop a leek, or bite an onion." Nay, I believe that it amounts to a demonstration, that Pharaoh Necho could have no true lenten porridge, nor any carrier's fauce to his mutton; the true receipt of making which fauce I have from an ancient Mf. remaining at the Bull-inn in Bishopfgate-street, which runs thus: "Take feven fpoonfuls of spring-water; flice two "onions of moderate fize into a large faucer, and put "in as much falt as you can hold at thrice betwixt your fore-finger and thumb, if large, and ferve it up." Probatum eft. HOBSON, Carrier to the University of Cambridge. The effigies of that worthy perfon remains ftill at that inn; and I dare fay, not only Hobfon, but old Birch, and many others of that mufical and delightful profession, would rather have been labourers at the pyramids with that regale, than to have reigned at Memphis, and have been debarred of it. I break-off abruptly. Believe me an admirer of your worth, and a follower of your methods towards the increafe of Learning, and more especially your, &c. I SIR, AM now very feriously employed in a Work that, I hope, may be useful to the Publick, which is a Poem of the Art of Cookery," in imitation of Horace's “Art of Poetry," inscribed to Dr. Lifter, as hoping it may be in time read as a preliminary to his Works. But I have not vanity enough to think it will live fo long. I have in the mean time fent you an imitation of Horace's invitation of Torquatus to fupper, which is the Fifth Epiftle of his First Book. Perhaps you will find fo many faults in this, that vou may fave me the trouble of my other propofal; but, however, take it as it is: If Bellvill can his generous foul confine To a fmall room, few dishes, and fome wine, Thus C } Thus we 'll difperfe all busy thoughts and cares, A vaft excess of wealth for fquandering heirs. No noife, no hurry, when the meat 's fet on, you want is in the Mafter's reach. But I fhall not prefcribe. Confult your ease, Write back your men, and number, as you please: I am, Sir, yours, &c. I HERE fend you what I promised, " A Discourse of Cookery," after the method which Horace has taken in his "Art of Poetry," which I have all along kept in my view; for Horace certainly is an Author to be imitated in the delivery of precepts for any art or fcience. He is indeed fevere upon OUR fort of learning in fome of his Satires; but even there he inftructs, as in the Fourth Satire of the Second Book, ver. 13. "Longa quibus facies ovis erit, illa memento, The firmness of that fhell includes the male." I am much of his opinion, and could only with that the world was thoroughly informed of two other truths concerning eggs. One is, how incomparably better roafted eggs are than boiled; the other, never to eat any butter |