London Hot-Cross Buns

Three cups of milk, one cup of yeast, or one cake of compressed yeast dissolved in a cup of tepid water, and flour enough to make a thick batter; set this as a sponge over night. In the morning add half a cup of melted butter, one cup of sugar, half a nutmeg grated, one saltspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of soda, and flour enough to roll out like biscuit. Knead well and set to rise for five hours. 

Roll the dough half an inch thick; cut in round cakes and lay in rows in a buttered baking-pan, and let the cakes stand half an hour, or until light; then put them in the oven, having first made a deep cross on each with a knife. 

Bake a light brown and brush over with white of egg beaten stiff with powdered sugar.