BOOKS FOR EMIGRANTS.
"If the emigrant require elementary works on any subject of domestic management—extending the term domestic matters outside as well as inside of the house—it is not too much to say that the name of Cobbett may be considered a guarantee that he will find the subject treated with completeness, and in a style at once simple and attractive. Whilst we say this, the reader must not be alarmed lest we design to thrust all Cobbett's political views down his throat. Like all strong-passioned men he was not unfrequently inconsistent; on subjects of social and politico-economical science especially, he was as often unsound as sound; he frequently threw himself into the stream of popular prejudice, not only closing his mind to the reasonings of others, but scarcely daring to use his own strong powers lest he should be convinced against his previous determination. But on the subjects embraced by the Cottage Economy, and others of a like character, Cobbett was and is a trustworthy instructor, and we hesitate not to say that the emigrant who will follow his instructions will, in a few years, find himself a wiser, a wealthier, a better, and, above all, a happier man, in consequence of having done so. The English Housekeeper is by Miss Cobbett, and bears evident marks of the Cobbett school of domestic management. The same wholesome healthy tone—the same simplicity of taste pervades all its recommendations; and even in the good sound mother-English in which it is written we recognise the pure source whence it sprung. It cannot be expected that we should examine all the receipts and pronounce our opinion on their merits. To confess the truth, we are not competent to the task. The reader, therefore, must be content with the information that this part of the work appears to be very amply stored with the good things of this world, and, what is more to the purpose, a very cursory glance has convinced us that the colonist family might avail themselves of the greater part of this division of the book with advantage and profit. The truly valuable portions of the work are those which relate to domestic management. We have not space to go into particulars, and extracts would scarcely serve any good purpose. As one might expect from a Cobbett, the chapter devoted to the Cellar contains some excellent directions for the making of British wines, many of which will be found applicable to New Zealand and the Australian Colonies, and afford a cheap luxury to colonist's family. Here also we have some useful directions brewing, in addition to the instructions given in the Cottage Economy. Cookery for the Sick, and Cookery for the Poor, are two valuable chapters; and it is an additional recommendation that many of the articles under these heads may easily be made at sea. In conclusion, we earnestly recommend the books to the emigrant's notice. The general instructions may be studied with profit during the voyage, and when fairly settled we have no doubt the colonist's wife would insensibly find the book constantly in her hand."—New Zealand Journal, Jan. 22, 1842.
THE ENGLISH HOUSEKEEPER; OR, MANUAL OF DOMESTIC MANAGEMENT.
"This excellent household book has now reached a third edition. We can recommend it heartily to every young lady who undertakes the management of her domestic affairs, not only for the valuable instructions it contains concerning all that relates to the kitchen and cookery, but for the sensible advice it offers to females in the most important duties of domestic life. This to us most interesting portion of the work is written in the plain, forcible, and convincing style of the author's late father. There is the same wholesome and practical advice put forward in that easy, familiar way which impresses itself indelibly upon the reader's mind. There are some observations upon the mode of educating daughters which should be attentively perused by every mother. There is a truth and beauty, and a spirit of kind womanly feeling in the chapter on servants. It is a noble vindication of the poor, which ought to be written in letters of gold upon the walls of the rich man's chamber. Of the culinary receipts, the directions for managing the pantry, larder, store-room, &c., we can speak in terms of unqualified commendation. The medical and miscellaneous receipts are numerous and valuable."—Sunday Times, January 30, 1842.
"If we had seen the twentieth edition on the title of the 'English Housekeeper,' instead of the third, we should not have been surprised. We passed our humble opinion on the merits of this work upon its first appearance. Now we behold a new and improved edition, enlarged, and with numerous indispensible recipes, rendering it one of the most complete works of the kind that has come under our criticism; everything as regards housekeeping being laid down in a clear, concise style, not only of essential utility to the young housekeeper, but to the already experienced practitioner. Miss Cobbett must have devoted years to the production of the volume, for turn to what page you will, it abounds with striking and useful, as well as practical facts, so admirably arranged, that a very young lady might become, after a few hours' perusal, well qualified to discharge the domestic duties of a wife."—Blackwood's Ladies' Magazine, 1842.
G. PEIRCE, PRINTER, 310, STRAND.