Recipe book : including formulas for medicines and dyes : manuscript

A single manuscript book containing 70 pages of recipes and culinary instructions and 16 pages of formulas for dyes, medicines, and various cures. The manuscript is divided into two sections, the longer of which runs from front to back and comprises the recipes and culinary instructions. The section containing medicines, etc., runs from back to front. Each section is preceded by a two-page table of contents. The front pastedown is signed by Elizabeth Hardy and dated December 14, 1791. The rear pastedown is inscribed "E. Hardy, 1792" in a large, calligraphic hand, above an engraved card of arithmetic tables ("Sold by P. Sandford, Bookseller & Stationer, Shrewsbury. Price 2d"). Contains approximately 85 recipes, including "mock turtle," "curry the Indian way," "pickled peaches," "catchup of oyster," "milk punch," "Bath cakes," "yellow pickle floating island," and others. Medicinal formulas include "consumtive plaster," "drops for the rheumatism," "cure for dry vomit," a cure "for the ear ache," and others.
Courtesy of Boston Public Library