A glance at the label " Cobbett's English Housekeeper," led
us to take up a thick duodecimo volume expecting to find something in the style of Cottage Economy, and by the same author, but adapted to the use of comfortable families in town, instead of farmers and labourers in the country. Happening at the first dip to plump in among the "Soups and Broths," the introductory praise of French soups caused us to look at the titlepage; and there we perceived the mistake into which the label had led us, and a ill lead others. The English Housekeeper is the work of ANNE CORBETT, a daughter of the !Impious writer ; and she was induced to compile it by meeting with a much-esteemed French volume of a similar kind, called Maison de Campagne, by Madame ADANSON. ANNE CORBETT has evidently taken great pains with her task ; and she has succeeded in producing a sensible, complete, and practically useful manual of domestic economy, containbig many excellent hints for young housewives. As a cookery book , it is not so original or so profoundly gastronomic as KITCHINER'S, nor so comprehensive and recherche as MEG Dons: it is more after the manner of Mrs. RUNDLE, and the other worthies of the elder time. It has, however, merits of its own. Mistress ANNE " has a prudent mind." She fairly advises her reader what she had better buy, in preference to making at home. Her recipes appear more economical than many we have met with; for some books, and those of great name too, appear as if written to justify tavern charges and confectioner's bills. Nor is cookery all that the duodecimo contains : it treats of every matter appertaining to household affairs, (excepting the poultry-yard and the laundry,) including the management of the dairy, the cellar, and the garden, as well as the larder, the store-room, and the kitchen.
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