* * * * * ESSENCE OF GINGER, (No. 411). The fragrant _aroma_ of Ginger is so extremely volatile, that it evaporates almost as soon as it is pounded--the fine Lemon peel _goût_ flies off presently. If Ginger is taken to produce an immediate effect--to warm the Stomach--dispel Flatulence, &c., or as an addition to Aperient Medicine--the following is the best preparation of it:-- Steep three ounces of _fresh grated_ Ginger, and one ounce of fresh Lemon Peel, (cut thin) in a quart of Brandy--or Proof Spirit, for ten days, shaking it up each day. N.B. TINCTURE OF ALLSPICE, which is sometimes called _Essence of Bishop_, for making _Mulled Wine_, _&c._ extempore, is prepared in the same manner. * * * * * GRUEL, (No. 252). 1st. Ask those who are to eat it, if they like it _THICK_ or _thin_; if the latter, mix well together by degrees, in a pint basin, _one_ tablespoonful of Oatmeal with three of cold water;--if the former, _two_ spoonsful. Have ready, in a Stewpan, a pint of boiling water or milk--pour this by degrees to the Oatmeal you have mixed--return it into the Stewpan--set it on the fire--and let it boil for five minutes--stirring it all the time to prevent the Oatmeal from burning at the bottom of the Stewpan--skim--and strain it through a Hair Sieve. 2d. To convert this into CAUDLE--add a little Ale--Wine--or Brandy--with Sugar--and _if the Bowels are disordered_, a little Nutmeg or Ginger grated. Gruel may be made with Broth[112] (No. 490,) or (No. 252,) or (No. 564,) instead of Water--(to make _Crowdie_, see No. 205*,)--and may be flavoured with _Sweet Herbs_--_Soup Roots_ and _Savoury Spices_--by boiling them for a few minutes in the water you are going to make the Gruel with--or ZEST (No. 255)--Pea Powder (No. 458)--or dried Mint--Mushroom Catsup (No. 439)--or a few grains of Curry Powder (No. 455)--or Savoury Ragout Powder (No. 457)--or Cayenne (No. 404)--or Celery Seed bruised--or Soup Herb Powder (No. 459)--or an Onion minced very fine and bruised in with the Oatmeal--or a little Eschalot Wine (No. 402)--or Essence of Celery (No. 409)--or (No. 413)--(No. 417)--or (No. 420), &c. PLAIN GRUEL, such as is directed in the first part of this Recipe, is one of the best Breakfasts and Suppers that we can recommend to the rational Epicure;--is the most comforting soother of an irritable Stomach that we know--and particularly acceptable to it _after a hard day's work of Intemperate Feasting_--when the addition of half an ounce of Butter, and a teaspoonful of Epsom Salt will give it an aperient quality, which will assist the principal Viscera to get rid of their burden. "_Water Gruel_" (says Tryon in his Obs. on Health, 16mo. 1688, p. 42,) is "the KING _of Spoon Meats_," and "the QUEEN _of Soups_," and gratifies nature beyond all others.