I had all the most approved cook books, and spent half my time preserving, pickling, and experimenting in new dishes.

I felt the same ambition to excel in all departments of the culinary art that I did at school in the different branches of learning.

My love of order and cleanliness was carried throughout, from parlor to kitchen, from the front door to the back.

I gave a man an extra shilling to pile the logs of firewood with their smooth ends outward, though I did not have them scoured white, as did our Dutch grandmothers.

I tried, too, to give an artistic touch to everything--the dress of my children and servants included.