Host and Guest by A.V. Kirwan - 1864: A Book About Dinners, Wines, and Desserts

This is an inscribed copy of "HOST AND GUEST - A Book About Dinners, Wines, and Desserts" by A.V. Kirwan. 1864 1st edition; Bell and Daldy; London. The book appears to be signed by the author to (potentially) a family member - the inscription appears to read "To Miss Kirwan From The Author." There are vignettes at the beginning and ending of the chapters.

From the author's Preface: "There is no want of Cookery books in the principal languages of Europe, and least of all in the English language, in which, even in our own generation, several hundreds have been compiled and published. This volume, however, is not a cookery book, nor what the French call a dispensaire. It is a household book on the subject of Dinners, Desserts, Wines, Liqueurs, and on foods in general; and is the result of reading, observation, and a great deal of experience in foreign countries."

The contents are as follows: Ancient and Medieval Cookery Compared with the Cookery of the Last Half Century; On Modern Cookery and Cookery Books; On Dinners and Dinner-Giving; On Laying Out a Table; How to Choose Fish, Flesh, Fowl, and Game; On Soups and Broths; How to Clean and Boil Fish; On Fish; The Roast; Boiling; Poultry; Game and Pastry; Cheese and Salads; On Salad; The Dessert; On Ices; Coffee; On Different Liqueurs, Ratafias, and Elixirs, Taken after Coffee; Ale, Beer, Cider, and Perry; On Wines, Ancient and Modern; The Cellar for Wines; Appendix.

Condition:
Light soiling to the covers and spine. Tiny cloth tears at the top and bottom edges of the spine. Bright gilt on the spine. Tight binding with no loose pages. Both covers are firmly attached. Nice interior - the pages are mostly clean with only an occasional light foxing spot and smudge here and there. Author's inscription written in ink on the front end papers. Small bookshop label affixed to rear pastedown. Overall the book is in Very Good- condition.