Page:Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management.djvu/16

vi to public notice has twice the number of pages and is four times the size of its modest ancestor.

It may seem strange that a book, originally considered most comprehensive and complete, should have needed such transformation. The world, however, has travelled of late at electric speed, and the far-reaching changes of time have touched household affairs from standpoints apparently far remote.

In cookery, for example, where the growth of our pages is most noticeable, many causes have contributed to change. We have relinquished almost entirely the old British prejudices against things foreign, and adopted, in great measure, those French methods which established a bond of union among good cooks all the world over, long before l'entente cordiale became a recognized newspaper phrase. Increased habits of travel have taught us the favourite dishes of other countries, while improved means of transport have brought to our doors fresh food supplies from all quarters of the earth. Cookery schools and classes have also educated many mistresses to the possibilities of the art, and encouraged them to insist on more variety and delicacy in their daily fare than the plain cook of old was wont to furnish. In short, every tendency of modern life, with greater wealth possibly—greater luxury certainly—is towards a tremendous enlargement of everyday cookery. In the present issue is given all information necessary to meet present–day demands in this respect.

Amongst the principal features of our new issue are—

.—The book has been re-composed throughout from a special fount of new type, of size and clearness to suit modern requirements, and printed on the best English paper, and strongly and artistically bound in half leather.

.—The book has been copiously illustrated in the most useful manner. Hundreds of photographic reproductions of actual dishes, processes, and materials have been included. No expense, however great, has been spared in obtaining the best possible results. The numerous coloured plates have been faithfully reproduced from nature, and printed in fourteen colours in the highest style of lithographic art.

.—All the old cookery recipes have been carefully re-tested and prices and details altered wherever necessary. More than two thousand new recipes are given, contributed by Mr. C. Herman Senn,