Signed by the cook
HUNTER, Dr. A. Culina Famulatrix Medicinae: or Receipts in Modern Cookery with a Medical Commentary, written by Ignotus, and Revised by A. Hunter., M.D F.R.S. L. & E. York. Printed by T.Wilson and R.Spence.For J.Mawman, London., 1807.
Small 8vo., contemporary half red morocco under marbled paper boards; gilt ruling and letering direct to spine; engraving of a roman pan from the cabinet of Mons Boisot serving as frontis; pp. [v], 6-310, [i], 2-22; some light toning to the paper stock in accordance with age; frontispiece offset, not unpleasantly, onto title page and ffep (as is common); binding rather rubbed all over, some showing through to boards, particularly to the edges; compression to the spine ends; very good, otherwise, internally clean.
Fifth edition, inscribed by the author “Hugh Kerr from Dr Hunter”.
Alexander Hunter (1729?–1809) trained as a physician at Edinburgh, pursuing additional anatomical training in Rouen and Paris, before graduating MD in Edinburgh in 1753. He moved in 1763 to York, where he practised successfully in the city and among the county gentry until his death. In 1777 he founded the York Lunatic Asylum. He wrote books on topics other than medicine including agriculture and in 1776 issued a revised, updated illustrated edition of John Evelyn's Sylva which was first published in 1664, but it is for this work - which ran into 5 editions - that he is best known. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of London in 1775, and of that of Edinburgh in 1792. (ODNB).
A highly opinionated book and a marvellous read. Each recipe is followed by ‘Ignotus’s’ or rather ‘Hunter’s’ observations on it, often including the effect on the body. Of Mock Turtle Soup he writes “This is a most diabolical dish, and only fit for the Sunday dinner of a rustic, who is to work the six following days in a ditch bottom. It is the very essence of Pandora’s box. So, - Get thee behind me Satan!”.
The appendix gives 267 pieces of advice on Men and Manners. All pithy and often witty, one declares “Never enter an auction room, for there you will tempted to buy what you do not want”, another “Do not blame a man for hard drinking, if he belongs to a thirsty family”.
Scarce indeed signed.
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