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COOKE 136 COOKERY a commander in the navy, commanded a second expedition to the Pacific and Southern oceans. In 1776 he again set out on an expedition to ascertain the possibility of a N. W. passage. On this voyage he explored the W. coast of CAPTAIN JAMES COOK North America, and discovered the Sand* wich Islands, on one of which, Hawaii, he was killed by the natives, Feb. 14, 1779. COOKE, GBACE MACGOWAN, an American writer, born in Grand Rap- ids, O., in 1863. She was educated pri- vately. In 1877 she married William Cooke. She was the first president of the Tennessee Woman's Press Club. Her writings include "Mistress Joy" (1902) ; "Hulda" (1904); "The Power and the Glory" (1910) ; and "The Joy Bringer" (1912), and several books for children. She was a frequent contributor to mag- azines. COOKE, JAY, an American financier; born in Sandusky, 0., Aug. 10, 1821. He entered mercantile life at 15. Hav- ing leprned banking he founded in 1858 the house of Jay Cooke & Co., which fi- nanced the Civil War Bond issues of the United States to the extent of $2,000,- 000,000. The house failed in 1873, caus- ing widespread financial panic. In 1894 he re-established his fortune, investing in Western land and securities. He died Feb. 16, 1905. COOKE, JOHN ESTEN, an American novelist; born in Winchester, Va., Nov. 3, 1830. He was an extensive contribi^ tor of stories, sketches, and verses to various periodicals, and has written many books, in which are included: "The Virginia Comedians" (1854), "Hilt to Hilt" (1869), "Life of Gen. Robert E. Lee" (1871), "Virginia, a History of the People" (1883), "The Youth of Jeffer- son," "Surry of Eagle's Nest," "Wear- ing the Grey," "Pretty Mrs. Gaston," "Virginia Bohemians," etc. He died near Boyce, Va., Sept. 27, 1886. COOKE, MRS. ROSE (TERRY), an American poet and story writer ; born in West Hartford, Conn., Feb. 17, 1827. Her complete poems were published in 1888: "The Gentian" and "The Two Villages" are good representatives. Her best short stories treat of New England rural life. The novel "Steadfast" ap- peared in 1889. Her finest work appeared originally in the "Atlantic Monthly" and other periodicals. She died in Pittsfield, Mass., July 18, 1892. COOKERY, the art and practice o£ preparing food mainly by means of heat. The various processes of roasting, toast- ing, broiling, boiling, stewing, brewing, baking, grilling, braising, and frying, chemically or mechanically alter the con- stituent elements of organic matter and make them more easily digestible. Thus vigorous boiling serves to loosen the fibers of cellulose which constitutes the largest constituent of vegetable food. The art of cookery was carried to con- siderable perfection among the Egpti- ans, Persians, and Athenians. Extrava- gance and luxury at table were notable features of Roman life under the em- pire. Among moderns the Italians were the first to reach a high degree of art in this department. Their cooking, like that of the ancient Romans, is distin- guished by a free use of oil. Italian cookery seems to have ■■'jin transplanted by the princesses of the House of Medici to France, and was carried there to per- haps the highest degree of perfection; even yet the skill and resource which the French cook shows in dealing often with very slight materials is a highly creditable feature in the domestic econo- my of the nation. British cookery has been mostly confined to simple, strong, and substantial dishes. Attempts have been made in many places to diffuse a knowledge of cookery more widely among the lower classes. Cooking classes have been organized in the public schools and regular cooking schools have met with