I want to lodge a formal complaint against all cookery books.

They are not the least use in the world, until you know how to cook! and then you can do without them.

Somebody ought to write a cookery book which would tell an unhappy beginner whether the water in which she proposes to put her potatoes is to be hot or cold; how long such water is to boil; how she is to know whether the potatoes are done enough; how to dry them after they have boiled, and similar things, which make all the difference in the world.
To speak like Mr.Brooke for a moment.

"Rice now: I have dabbled in that a good deal myself, and found it wouldn't do at all." Of course in time, and after many failures, I did learn to boil a potato which would not disgrace me, and to bake bread, besides in time attaining to puddings and cakes, of which I don't mind confessing I was modestly proud.

It used to be a study, I am told, to watch my face when a cake had turned out as it ought.