The
preface is scurrilous beyond belief. Compiled from the gossip of servants,
it is meant to cast ridicule on the housekeeping of the Protector's
establishment. But the second part is a sober collection of by no means
very penurious recipes from Joan's own kitchen books.
Hartman, his steward, made an excellent thing out of Digby's
receipts--though the publishing of _The Closet Opened_ was not his doing,
I think. His _Choice and Experimented Receipts in Physick and Chirurgery_
had already appeared in 1668, which suggested to some other hanger-on of
the Digby household that John Digby's consent might be obtained for
printing Sir Kenelm's culinary as well as his medical note-books. Hartman
followed up this new track with persistence and profit to himself. As a
mild example of the "choice and experimented," I transcribe "An Approved
Remedy for Biting of a Mad Dog": "Take a quart of Ale, and a dram of
Treacle, a handful of Rue, a spoonful of shavings or filings of Tin. Boil
all these together, till half be consumed. Take of this two spoonfuls in
the morning, and at night cold.
Pages:
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61