Manuscript Location

Folger Shakespeare Library, Manuscripts

Place of Origin

England

Date of Composition

ca. 1760-ca. 1770

Description

This collection of 18th century English recipes is written on 87 numbered pages and includes an index through page 71 at the end. Except for pages 72-3 and pages 83-7, the book appears to be in a single hand, albeit in shifting moods. Although the book contains a number of recipes that were current from the beginning of the eighteenth century, it also contains others that did not emerge until around 1750, including German Puffs (page 59) and Quins Fish Sauce (page 81). The recipe “To Make a Rich Plum Cake" (page 35) is copied from “To make a Rich Cake” in Hannah Glasse’s The Art of Cookery, made Plain and Easy, published in 1747. The recipe "To Spin a Silver webb for Covering of Sweetmeats" (page 64) is copied, with a few small changes, from Elizabeth Raffald's The Experienced English Housekeeper, published in 1760. 

The recipes comprise a mix of savory and sweet dishes. There are also some wines and other drinks. Interesting (and uncommon) directions for roasting and boiling meats, including beef, are given on pages 40-41.