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

invitation. CHAPTER III. OFF TO THE WAR. Reception at the War Office--Full powers granted--The Duke of Cambridge--His _chef de cuisine_, Comte--Model of a portable camp or field stove--Visit to Lord Shaftesbury--Dr. Andrews--An encouraging porter--Phonetic experiments--Mr. Stafford’s kind reception--Model of the stove inspected by the Duke of Cambridge and by Lord Panmure--Interview with Mr. Brunel--Dr. Mayne--Question of patent--Sir Benjamin Hawes’ office--Stafford House again--Letters of introduction--Honourable Mrs. Herbert--A recreant secretary--Quite at a non-plus--A friend in need--Farewell at London Bridge--Pavilion Hotel, Folkestone. At nine o’clock next morning I was at the War Office by appointment. Lord Panmure arrived at half-past, and by the kindness of Mr. Ramsay, who had mentioned my arrival, I was immediately introduced and most cordially received. After a few words on my part, as I had not had the pleasure of seeing Lord Panmure since I left the Reform Club, he inquired what I proposed doing in respect to the cooking department of Scutari Hospital. Stating briefly that which I had previously explained in detail to the Duke of Argyle when at Stafford House, and with which Lord Panmure seemed to be perfectly acquainted, he said to me,-- “You must, after you have done there, go to the Crimea, and cheer up those brave fellows in the camp;--see what you can do! Your joyful countenance will do them good, Soyer; try to teach them to make the best of their rations!” I then observed that, first of all, I must try and succeed in the hospitals; secondly, that, if the troops in the Crimea had the same small tin camp-kettle I had seen in the camp at Chobham, it would be impossible for me to improve the style of cooking, as they were much too small, and burnt too much fuel, more especially in the open air. “Well,” said Lord Panmure, “can you substitute anything more applicable for the camp, and which can be easily carried with the regiments while on march?” “I will set my head to work and try, and if any plan which I consider practicable strikes me, I will have a model of it made,