7 JULY 1832, Page 20

THE FRUGAL HOUSEWIFE.

THIs is a most extraordinary piece of nastiness, perpetrated by a . lady in America, and adopted by Mr. THomAs TEGG, a very respect- able person in Cheapside,—for what reason, we cannot understand ; for sure we are that any decent man would rather give up house- keeping altogether, than entertain his family on such principles. On an enlightened plan, filth is never employed by way of saving : apig,stye is far better conducted than Mrs. CHILD'S Frugal House- wife's family.

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"Every member of a family should be employed either in earning or saving."

Excellent Yankee economy! We are in a miserable state ; the French are in a worse; too many of' us only think of getting through life in the pleasantest way imaginable.

" For this reason, cheap as stockings are, it is good economy to knit theta"!! " In this point of view patchwork is good economy. A few shillings may thus be saved by using scraps of gowns, curtains, &c." oison. What is left should be thrown away : i

CC t is dangerous to have it abo t tl house."

B t nett at all dangerous to have it in the street or on the dung ii11.1 " It is bad economy to buy eggs by the dozen as you want them. They will keep almost any length of time in lime-water."

The nasty creature!

" Do not have carpets swept any oftener than is absolutely necessary."

. Where does this WODIan live? Which part of the States has she been raised in?

" Buy your woollen yarn in quantities from some one in the country whom you can trust. The thread shops make profits upon it, of course."

7es, and if you have boug t more than you want, throw it into th fire : the shop-people sp nd their time in getting such an assortment as you want, andNill let you have it always good and ffesh, and mothless, and just when you want it. 3ut be sure not tb let anybody except yourselves get a penny.

"When a white Navarino bonnet becomes soiled, rip it in pieces."

. that is a Tgavarino bonnet, Mr. TEncr? Do you receive Ilie Neiv York fashions?

. " It is poor economy to buy vinegar by the gallon. Buy a barrel of vinegar when you begin housekeeping. [Oh what a preparation for married bliss !] As you use it, fill the barrel with old cider, sour beer, or wine settlings, &c. left in pitchers, decanters, or tumblers."

This is the nastiest woman that ever soiled her fingers with ink. Ink, no doubt, she makes in this manner—

When your shoes are particularly dirty, steep them in any beer that may he left at dinner; mix with this some soot from the chimney ; bottle it and kee2 it for use.

, This may be taken as true Yankee-Tegg Economy.

-Now, what do you think the Frugal Housewife should do before she goes to bed? Do you give it up ?—for it is impossible to foresee the places into which Mrs. CHILD'S economical fingers may poke. Here is an answer to the riddle.

"In winter, always set the handle of your lump as high as possible before you go to bed. When there is reason to apprehend extreme cold, do not forget to throw a rug or horse-blanket over your pump."

" A rind of pork bound upon a wound occasioned by a needle, pin, or nail, prevents the lockjaw."

The fair lady with a rind of pork bound round her fingers—how soft she must be to shake hands with !

"If you happen to cut yourself slightly while cooking, bind on some fine salt : molasses is likewise good.,

Should you carve at dinner, after the accident, take care to wrap a red pocket handkerchief about the treacle-bag.

" Calf's head should be cleaned with very great care ; particularly the lights."

This is the Frugal Housewife's Anatomy. .

" Potatoes should be boiled in a separate vessel."

This is downright extravagance. On washing-days, potatoes may always be boiled in the copper : at other times, there is always .dirty linen enough in the kitchen to make an economical boiling.

"If your husband brings home company when you are unprepared, rennet pudding may be made at five minutes notice; provided you keep a piece of calf's rennet ready prepared soaking in a bottle of wine. One glass of this wine to a quart of milk, will make a sort of cold custard : sweetened with white sugar, and spiced with nutmeg, it is very good. [Is it?] It should be eaten im- mediately, [or not at all ?] as in a few hours it begins to curdle." [Eaten or not ?]

Is this the Yankee notion of hospitality—calf's stomach and milk ? We at least will take care never to go home with Mr.. CHILD unexpectedly.

"Beer is a good family drink. A handful of hops to a pailful of water, andr a half pint of molasses, make good hop beer."

The Lord preserve us from the land of plenty t No horse we ever kept should have been admitted to the family treacle-spout,; unless for a drench on occasion.

" Potato cheese is much sought after in Europe."

Indeed, Mrs. CHILD, in what part? In no district that we know, unless it be in Cunnemara, where we never travelled.

The Americans are really far-severer upon themselves than Mrs. TROLLOPE can pretend to be. As for us, we have resolved to. postpone the SPECTATOR'S visit for a year or two to the United States, entirely owing to the fearful representations herein con- tained of their horrid maxims of cookery. We had been fore- warned by Mr. MURRAY'S Backwoodsman, but we had no idea thc. thing was so atrociously bad. However, the sword cuts both ways : it seems that in Cheapside Mr. TEGG'S housekeeper knows so little of true economy and the important science of cookery, as to permit her master to republish Mrs. CHILD'S nasty nonsense in. this old land, where all the arts of life are carried to their utmost pitch of economical perfection.