Lest they should be suspected of not being true believers in Political
Economy, the Commissioners thus conclude their first report: "Your
Lordships are aware that the relief that we are now administering is not
only of a temporary character, but necessarily of a nature contrary to
all sound principles of policy."
The determination of the authorities to supply, as far as possible, the
starving people with cooked food, especially soup, made the question of
preparing it for millions one of vast importance. To produce the
greatest quantity of cooked food in a palatable form, at the minimum of
cost, and with the maximum of nutrition, might save the country half a
million of money, and many thousands of lives besides. With this object
the Government fixed upon Monsieur Soyer of the Reform Club, and
appointed him Head Cook to the people of Ireland. His elevation to this
unique office was announced with considerable flourish. "We learn," says
one of the London journals, "that the Government have resolved forthwith
to despatch M. Soyer, the _chef de cuisine_ of the Reform Club, to
Ireland, with ample instructions to provide his soups for the starving
millions of Irish people.
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