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

good cooking and the use of palatable food; and M. Soyer returned thanks with propriety and feeling, acknowledging the aid and support he had received from generals, officers, and privates in the introduction of his improvements. Among the guests were General Wyndham, Chief of the Staff; General Lord Rokeby, General Lord W. Paulet, Colonel Lord Alexander Russell, Lord Sefton, Sir Henry Barnard, General Garrett, General Craufurd, Colonel Blane, Colonel Hardinge, Colonel P. Fielding, Colonel Drummond, Colonel Ponsonby, Major Dallas, Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Smith, and about thirty other officers. About this time twelve months the long rangers, of which we wisely held our tongues for fear the Russians would find out how unpleasant they were, and redouble their attentions, might have interrupted the proceedings very abruptly. CHAPTER XXXV. LAST DAYS OF BRITISH OCCUPATION OF THE CRIMEA. A final trial--Distribution of the Order of the Bath--Letter from Lord Gough--Farewell to the battle-field--Bonfires--Grand _coup-d’œil_--Lord W. Paulet’s farewell party--Parting visits--Depredations--Morning parade catechism--Stuart’s canteen--The Theatre Royal of the Fourth Division--The scenes shifted--Soyer’s new invention--Pilgrimage through a deserted camp--Sanatorium Hospital--Six cemeteries--Trip to Odessa--Return to Balaklava--A pleasant surprise--The yacht _Sylphide_--Letter from W. H. Russell--Departures--The Nightingale Monument--The last day--General Codrington’s letter--The keys of Balaklava given up to the Russians--The place retaken--A parting invitation--Good-by to the Crimea. The following day I begged Sir William Codrington to fix a day for my final trial, when I intended to place twelve stoves in the 56th Regiment, then quartered at the back of the vineyard facing head-quarters, and thus cook for the whole regiment. This would afford Sir W. Codrington an opportunity of judging of their efficacy, and enable him to give his opinion upon the subject. Lord Gough had arrived to distribute the Order of the Bath; and, as his lordship was to remain a couple of days longer in the Crimea, I was anxious that he should be present at the inspection. The following Sunday was fixed for the purpose, and the inspection was to take place after divine service. Accordingly, Lord Gough, Sir W. Codrington, General Wyndham, General Barnard, General Garrett, Colonel de Bathe, Colonel Blane, Colonel Walker, Captain Ponsonby,