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

(by permission of Lord A. Russell) was delighting a crowded audience numbering upwards of five hundred soldiers, when, at the end of the first piece, to the astonishment of all, and myself in particular, a distinguished artist and “non-_commissioned_” poet came forward, who, though not in the style of Victor Hugo or Moore, but rather in the poet_less_ “_or you-go-not style_,” poured forth the following song, to the amusement of the audience, who at its conclusion encored it most lustily. The “_poetry_” (?) ran as follows:-- SOYER’S NEW INVENTION. A trifling thing, gentlemen, I am going to mention; Oh tell me, pray, have you seen this great and new invention, To cook in camp I believe it is their intention; For Soyer’s patent, I confess, it is a perfect creation. Steam! Steam! For in it you can burn coal, wood, or patent fuel, Put in your meat, and then you’ll find it will soon be doing; And when lighted, away it goes, and everything in motion; For Soyer’s patent, I confess, it is a perfect creation. Steam! Steam! They gather round for to see the wonderful man who made it, And stand in amaze and have a gaze, and then begin to inspect it. All the cocked hats, I believe, say it’s a stunning notion; For Soyer’s patent, I confess, it is a perfect creation. Steam! Steam! It’s greatly approved of, I believe, by all the nation, And they are about to contract for this great new invention. I sincerely hope that there’s no harm in anything I mention; For Soyer’s patent, I confess, it is a perfect creation. Steam! Steam! _Composed by_ A. THOS. PRICE, _Lance Corporal 20th Regiment_. My presence being discovered, the whole of the troops rose _en masse_, and favoured me with three cheers, when, mounting a bench, I addressed them as follows:-- “My worthy friends and brave fellows, allow me to express to you my most profound gratitude for the honour you have conferred upon me thus unexpectedly. My humble services have often been approved of by your superior officers, but believe me, nothing can