Soyer's Culinary Campaign: Being Historical Reminiscences of the Late War.: With The Plain Art of Cookery for Military and Civil Institutions

Miss Nightingale and himself were going to the Crimea, and proposed that we should all start together. I, of course, was much pleased at the news, as I knew that Miss Nightingale would be of great assistance to me in the hospitals in the Crimea. I then promised Mr. Bracebridge to be ready on the day fixed for our departure. Mr. Bracebridge said, “Miss Nightingale is engaged at present. Do you wish to see her?” “No; I am going to Mr. Milton, to speak about the stoves I mentioned the other day, and to inquire when the new purveyor-in-chief is coming.” “Oh, I can tell you that--he will be here to-morrow without fail.” “That will do nicely. We shall just have time to become acquainted, and settle everything before my departure to the seat of war.” I found Mr. Milton preparing for his departure. “Well, Monsieur Soyer, have you any message for London?” said he, with a jovial face and a smile. “It is with great regret that I have just heard of your intended departure, and the arrival of a new purveyor-in-chief.” “I assure you that I have had quite enough of Scutari and its bother, and much prefer the London fog to the bright sun of the East and its accessory annoyances. The fact is, I was only here _pro tem._, till some one could be permanently appointed, but I did not expect to be recalled so early. Yesterday I received my _feuille de route_, as you call it in French, from the War Office. I hope to have the pleasure of introducing you to Mr. Robertson, my successor, to-morrow, and the day after I shall probably be off.” “I shall start a few days after you, but not exactly in the same direction.” “Where are you going, Monsieur Soyer?” “Why, are you not aware that Miss Nightingale, Mr. Bracebridge, and myself are going on Saturday next to the Crimea?” “Oh, that’s right! Some one was saying you would not go to the camp.” “What could make them say so? Not fear on my part--for of that I