Soyer's Culinary Campaign

Plans discussed-Miss Nightingale's anxiety for a change of system-A visitorial pilgrimage-Miss Nightingale's dietary kitchen-Bad char

er who informed me that a house in Cambridge-street was being prepared for my rec

; my friend is in a great hu

r next day, a

l. Where can I find yo

office; my name i

hank

o see. Upon being introduced to Mr. Bracebridge, I recognised him as an old acquaintance of my friend, the late Baronet Sir George Chetwynd, of Greedon H

s," said I, "to Mademoiselle t

he replied: "she will have g

About three hundred and forty men and twenty officers were there at the time, as I was told; the latter complained very much about their cooking, the inferiority of which was unavoidable, as there was only a very small kitchen, badly built, which smoked all day, and was without ventilation. It was there that the Duke of Cambridge and staff remained during his indisposition; but I must observe that the Duke had a first-rate culinary artist, who went

it to Dr. O'Flaherty. Upon being introduced to that gentleman, I recognised him as one of my visitors in Dublin, at the same time as Brigadier-General Lord W. Paulet. I promised to have the kitchen altered as soon as it could possibly be done, and started for the Barrack Hospital to visit Miss Nightingale. As Signor Roco had settled his business, he left me and returned to Pera; consequently, I entered the grea

nte-room, a S?ur de Charité, whom I addressed, informed me that somebody was with that lady. She added, "I am aware that Miss Nightingale wishes to see you, so I will let her know that you are here." I hoped to

this was our heroine, "Madam," said I, "allow me to present my humble

onsieur Soye

ame, M

I hear you had a

ecially from Marse

rd, Monsi

letters for you; among the latter,

rked: "I believe her Grace is right; you will no doubt b

ishment; and I must beg, above all things, that you who have already done so much for the si

ould advise you to see Lord William Paulet, Dr.

seeing Lord William yesterday, as well as Dr. Cumming.

pal part of your business you will ha

ark, which I shall no

rveyor's department, is Mr. Tucker. You w

the cooking. I shall submit every sample of diets, with a statement of the quantity and kind of ingredients of which they are

ght," said Mi

chens now in use, inspect the stores, and procure a statement of the daily rations

send for somebody who will

pany, as I should be most happy to attend

s Doctor Macgregor, the under-superintendent, who will

terday at Lord W

ur Soyer wishes you to accompany him rou

d better be introduced to Mr. Milton and to Mr. Tucke

was composed was in use. Miss Nightingale had a civilian cook as well as an assistant. Everything appeared in as good order as could be expected, considering what there was to be done. I noticed the very bad quality of the charcoal, which smoked terribly, and was nothing but dust. Of course, this interfered materially with the expedit

urse w

it may appear, should be repor

hich, as regards time, would deceive the best of cooks, and is quite sufficient to upset the best of culinary arrangements. However, I will take n

cook, is always complaining of the charcoal, which, as you see, is so full of du

eavour to remedy

u had better tell Monsieur Soyer to

e able to give him the necessary inf

was boiling too fast. In consequence of the bad quality of the charcoal, a wall of bricks had been raised round each stove, and thus wood and charcoal were used ad libitum, burning the rice-pudding, and over-doing everything. In fact

a mere trifle, compared with the way the viands were spoilt in the other places. The beef-tea, chicken-broth, &c., were nicely done, although they all wanted seasoning. At my first visit to the various diet kitchens, I tasted the soups made for the patients, which I found quite free from the slightest suspicion of seasoning, and consequently tasteless. I then asked to have a couple of basins filled

gor, "this is by the docto

while in course of preparation. It is very true they ought not to be too highly seasoned; but it is the province of the cook, as I before said, to season for the patient, and not the patient for the cook. Instead of giving so much salt in the ward, I wo

octor; "nor do I approve of the quantit

al to salt than others, and, only a few minutes ago, I saw a pa

ey do that, Mo

favour me with the

ng. "I can assure you he is a great cook, and manages his own kitchen. He comes down here two or t

iculty in understanding each other. I will

called it. Upon entering it, I found, to my surprise, a superb kitchen, built, I believe, by the Turks, and fitted up with twenty copper boilers, set in white ma

rved to Miss Nightingale. "I was not aw

yer; but see how badly

is can be

pper is, as I have before remarked, the worst metal which could possibly be employed for hospital uses. I took notes of all, and having inquired of the men how they cooked the patients' dinners, I told them to go on as usual; and that I would be with

, do you say,

xactly

go directly. I shall, however, be s

interested in any improvement or amelioration whic

e last, partitioned off in the centre. "This one," s

so," observed

. However, I shall try and manage somehow. This kitchen is cleaner than the other, and the head man a

ould say so," Miss N

will go on just as if I had not arrived. I shall come to-morrow at seven o'clock, and watch their proceedings,

ared to leave us. I promised to call upon her the followi

Paulet at eleven, and one with Dr. Cumming at half-past-therefore I

lan; and probably his lo

see Mr. Tucker, whom I found to be an old London friend of mine, of ten years' standing. "You are

are the gentleman from whom I shall

y rest assured that Mr. Milton and myself will assist you to the utmost of our

to see how they manage the cooking. Perhaps you will be kind enough to allow

all right, you m

ome business with Signor Roco Vido, and to ascertain whether Lady Stratford had fixed the day for our visit to the