* * * * *

_To the Gentlewomen who have the Charge of the Sweet-Meats, and such
like Repasts._


_Gentlewomen_,

Perhaps you do already know what belongs to serving in fine Cream
Cheeses, Jellies, Leaches or Sweet-meats, or to set forth Banquets as
well as I do; but (pardon me) I speak not to any knowing Person, but to
the Ignorant, because they may not remain so; besides really there are
new Modes come up now adays for eating and drinking, as well as for
Clothes, and the most knowing of you all may perhaps find somewhat here
which you have not already seen; and for the Ignorant, I am sure they
may ground themselves very well from hence in many accomplishments, and
truly I have taken this pains to impart these things for the general
good of my Country, as well as my own, and have done it with the more
willingness, since I find so many Gentlewomen forced to serve, whose
Parents and Friends have been impoverished by the late Calamities,
_viz._ the late Wars, Plague, and Fire, and to see what mean Places
they are forced to be in, because they want Accomplishments for better.

I am blamed by many for divulging these Secrets, and again commended by
others for my Love and Charity in so doing; but however I am better
satisfied with imparting them, than to let them die with me; and if I do
not live to have the Comfort of your Thanks, yet I hope it will cause
you to speak well of me when I am dead: The Books which before this I
have caused to be put in Print, found so good an acceptance, as that I