were given to his chef—­all, indeed, with the exception of mentioning the pudding-cloth.  When the eventful time arrived for its appearance, to his dismay several stately cooks appeared, each carrying a tureen of dark-looking fluid.  The omission of the pudding-cloth was fatal.  Cleanliness is another of the cardinal virtues of Cookery.  The very thought of anything else would be repulsive.  By the way, that fine old saying, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness,” does not come from the Scriptures, as many suppose, but from one of John Wesley’s sermons.

Cookery also exacts punctuality—­for have we not Brillat-Savarin’s dictum that of all the qualities necessary for a cook the most indispensable is punctuality?  If any important matter connected with the process of Cookery be not attended to at the exact moment it is required, nothing can afterwards rectify it.  A little delay in attending to this thing, or a little delay in attending to that thing, and whatever is being cooked is irretrievably spoiled.  And, moreover, it is not to be forgotten that cookery is of signal benefit in inculcating the advantages of a wise economy.  With proper Cookery nothing should be allowed to go to waste, nothing should be thrown away, unless it be absolutely useless.  There should be good housewifery; everything, even the veriest scraps, may be turned to the best account.  The stock pot will absorb many nutritious and wholesome odds and ends, which would otherwise be consigned to the dirt-box.  The loss that actually takes place in many kitchens is without the shadow of an excuse; sometimes the best part of a cold joint is deliberately cast aside.

A NATIONAL PLEA ON BEHALF OF AUSTRALIAN SCHOOL COOKERY.

But there is still something else to be urged on behalf of Cookery, and of School Cookery in particular, which places it immeasurably before even the preceding.  I have claimed for Cookery that it develops certain habits which are of the greatest importance in the formation of character; yet, as I have just remarked, there is something more than this, which renders it of priceless value, and of what this consists I shall do my best to explain.

Every one who has the welfare of Australia and of Australians at heart must feel no little concern at that growing indifference to domestic life which is so much the characteristic of our girls.  Once a girl has left school, she seems to think that the household is no longer any place for her; she consequently ceases to take any interest whatever in the many matters which constitute the management of a home:  her one aim is to get into “business,” as it is called.  It appears to be immaterial whether she is to be a dressmaker, or milliner, or saleswoman, or employee in a large establishment, as long as she gets away from home.