How bright were those new tins and brasses, arranged with
ostentatious glitter on the walls and dresser ! How comfort-
able that suspended warming-pan ! How red and clean those
bricks, extending to the right and left, leaving space for a
family in the corners. A settle, too, that glory of New-Eng-
land kitchens, was there, now banished for the inhospitable chair,
which accommodates one instead of three ! I had often pre-
sided in a parlor, but never before was mistress of a kitchen !

A council had been called previous to my marriage of the
number of " help" which we should require, and it was decided
that a female cook, and a little girl to " wait and tend," would
answer our purpose, and be sufficiently genteel.
I was introduced, on that memorable evening, to Nancy, the
cook. She was the picture of cleanliness. She had on, what ia
called in New England, a " calico short loose gown," and at the
south " a chintz wrapper," with a check apron, a little starched.
A NEW ENGLAND BRIDE AND HOUSEKEEFEK. 325

tied round her waist. Both cook and kitchen were in perfect
keeping.
