Soyer's Culinary Campaign: Being Historical Reminiscences of the Late War.: With The Plain Art of Cookery for Military and Civil Institutions — John Shaqi
Soyer's Culinary Campaign: Being Historical Reminiscences of the Late War.: With The Plain Art of Cookery for Military and Civil InstitutionsSoyer, Alexis
History
Soyer's Culinary Campaign: Being Historical Reminiscences of the Late War.: With The Plain Art of Cookery for Military and Civil Institutions
Soyer, Alexis
Cooking for military personnel; Crimean War, 1853-1856
“With the greatest of pleasure.”
As Dr. Mayne had not arrived when I called, I went and fetched a
passport for myself, and one for my secretary. Upon my return, the
doctor had examined the model, and seemed much pleased, saying--“It
will answer very well.” I left the address of the manufacturers with
him, and then retired. They were immediately adopted both at Smyrna, and
later at Rankioi.
A gentleman present, who seemed to have taken a great deal of interest
in our descriptive conversation, followed me to the door, and, in a low
voice, asked if I had taken out a patent.
“No, I have not; but I shall put my name and label upon them.”
“Well, if you were to take out a patent, you would make a fortune.”
“You may be right; but upon such an occasion I should fancy myself
wrong. I will therefore give it, _pro bono publico_. I am well aware
that by making it more complete I could take out either registration or
patent, but I would not do that for the world; as it would be
immediately reported that I expected to be repaid for my services by the
profits of the patent of the stove, and upon these grounds I decline any
such proceeding.”
As it was then about three o’clock, I went, by appointment, to Sir
Benjamin Hawes’ office to bid that gentleman adieu, and to receive his
final orders, showing him at the same time the model, which he seemed to
appreciate thoroughly. He gave me the best advice, and promised me his
powerful support throughout my culinary campaign. In return, I engaged
to communicate all my movements, and retired.
At noon, next day, I again called at Stafford House, “not by
appointment.” On being informed of my visit, the Duchess at once
favoured me with an audience. “I am come,” said I, “to announce my
departure. I wish, ere I leave to-morrow, to thank your Grace, and to
show you the model of my new stove which I mean to introduce into the
hospital kitchens.”
“Ah!” exclaimed her Grace, “I must go and fetch the Duke. He will be
highly pleased with it, and he wished very much to see you before your
departure.”
The Duke soon entered the great hall, with a large party, to whom I
explained the principle, as I had before done to the Duke of Cambridge.
I also stated that the day previous I had had the honour of showing it
to Lord Panmure, and Mr. Brunel, the celebrated engineer, all of whom
were much pleased with its efficacy, simplicity, and economy; more
especially Mr. Brunel, who so highly appreciated the principle of its
construction, that he at once adopted it, and applied it to the hospital
kitchens at Smyrna and Rankioi, which he was there about to fit up.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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