The first of several "regular" posts I have planned is called Lillian's Kitchen, named for Lillian Edmunds, who was Joshua L. Chamberlain's secretary. Lillian, who was actually a distant relative of Fanny's, later became Fanny's personal companion. During the last few years of Fanny's life, Lillian took care of her; the pair would even travel to Portland for shopping excursions. During this time, Joshua referred to Lillian as "a blessing to all" (J.L. Chamberlain, quoted in Smith, 302). After Fanny's 1905 death she became Joshua's housekeeper, and, as he grew older, his nurse at the Portland home where he spent the last years of his life. (Source: Pine Grove Cemetery of Brunswick, Maine) She was so loved by the Chamberlain family that "Joshua" (he was actually called Lawrence by family and friends) left her a space in the family cemetery plot, although her sister Elizabeth used it instead.

So in honor of Lillian's long service to the Chamberlain family, the kitchen posts here are named for her. Today we will begin with a recipe from The Cook's Oracle by William Kitchiner, MD, published in New York in 1829. It's very simple to get you started with how old recipes were worded.


FRENCH BEANS

Green beans
Salt

Cut off the stalk end first, and then turn to the point and strip off the strings. If not quite fresh, have a bowl of spring-water, with a little salt dissolved in it, standing before you, and as the beans are cleaned and stringed, throw them in. When all are done, put them on the fire in boiling water, with some salt in it; after they have boiled fifteen or twenty minutes, take one out and taste it; as soon as they are tender take them up; throw them into a colander or sieve to drain.

To send up the beans whole is much the better method when they are thus young, and their delicate flavor and color are much better preserved. When a little more grown, they must be cut across in two after stringing; and for common tables they are split, and divided across; cut them all the same length; but those who are nice never have them at such a growth as to require splitting.

When they are very large they look pretty cut into lozenges.