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

the other, saying, “How are you, Monsieur Soyer? it is a long time since we had the pleasure of meeting.” “True,” I replied; “not since I had the pleasure of seeing your Grace, then Lord Lincoln, at the Reform Club.” “You are right, Monsieur Soyer; you have an excellent memory.” Though my present occupation was one of the humblest in the category of my art,--viz., making puddings for the soldiers, still the kind condescension of his Grace, and the complimentary remarks he made upon my services, caused me to feel more proud of my humble occupation than I did when I was dressing the great Ibrahim Pacha fête at the Reform Club, in the year 1846, or preparing my hundred-guinea dish at the York banquet, in the year 1850. The Duke of Newcastle was not the first nobleman of his high rank who had honoured me with that degree of favour; but the others had a certain interest in so doing. For instance, while at the Reform Club, a number of epicures used to pay me visits, shake me heartily by the hand, and most cordially inquire about my health. These had, I always considered, a twofold object in view: first, to induce me to give them the best of dinners; secondly, to ascertain whether I was feverish or in good health. In the former case they would postpone their dinner-party for a few days, or else try to persuade me to follow the plan of the celebrated Marquis de Coucy, one of the greatest French epicures of the nineteenth century, who never engaged a cook without having a written agreement, giving him power to compel him to take medicine a couple of days before he gave any of his grand dinners, which never exceeded twelve in the Paris season. Extra pay was allowed for this pleasant concession on the part of the _chef de cuisine_, who no doubt turned the funds to _tisane_--most probably, _tisane de champagne_. In the present case, his Grace had no such object in view, as I had nothing to offer him but soldiers’ hospital