Mrs Beeton's Household Book: An Entertaining Glimpse of Upstairs & Downstairs Life in the Victorian Home

Providing a social history of household life in Mrs. Beeton's time, this guide offers advice to the mistress of the house who needed to be a combination of Dr. Spock, Delia Smith, Martha Stewart, Florence Nightingale, an army general, and an accountant. Covering every aspect of running a Victorian household, Mrs. Beeton provided recipes as well as advice on managing servants, childcare, etiquette, looking after invalids, and even dealing with the tax man. But it is the glimpse into life in Victorian times which is the most fascinating part of her original book and which is reproduced here together with informative commentary from Kay Fairfax and many of the original illustrations. Whether you are looking for her advice on how to make the home the center of entertainment and family life (the Victorian housewife's main mission in life), or seeking instruction on how to promote the growth of hair, apply leeches, or make book polish; what to wear for breakfast; or what Mrs. Beeton's views are on the rearing and management of children and the care of invalids; you will find it in this highly readable book.