HARVARD 46*257 MURRAY AND GIBB, EDINBURGH, PRINTERS TO HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE. T PREFACE. HE history of an English household presents so large a portion of the leading features of our national character, that it can scarcely fail to be interesting to a proportionate class of readers. It takes them through centuries of civilisation and through 'pictures of periods,' which show the progressive means by which has been secured the well-ordered English dwelling. By aid of this retrospect-this glance at the past, linked to the improvements of the present-has been produced the volume of Practical Instructions and Duties, Counsels and Experiences, Hints and Recipes, here submitted to the reader. The book has been named from a character in our domestic history, whose name has become familiar as a household word, indicating the active benevolence of 'one of the best of women;' beloved by her neighbours for her sweet sympathy with the wants of others, and her unceasing anxiety in ministering to them, and thus enjoying the luxury of doing good. Happily, however, every age, as well as that of Queen Anne, has its Lady Bountiful; and benevolence is as rife in the Victorian era, with the advantage of increased means of adding to comforts and enjoyments by the improved state of the social arts; while there is a Lady Bountiful in every parish to administer Practical in its object and details, the main subject is illustrated by anecdotical examples of excellence in the CONTENTS. The Days of Good Queen Anne-The Herb-garden-Stillatory Poetry of Home Life-Duties of the Domestic Character-Journal of Elizabeth Woodville-The English Housewife, by Gervase Markham-An olden Banquet-Mrs. Evelyn of Wotton- PROGRESS OF COOKERY AND HOUSEWIFERY. Cookery in the Reign of Edward III. and Richard II.-Bills of Fare at Great Festivals-Northumberland Household Book- Living in the Reigns of Edward VI., Mary, Elizabeth, and Charles I.-Household of Raglan Castle-Cookery Books, 17th Century-Canons, the Seat of the Duke of Chandos- Cookery in the Reign of Queen Anne-Lord Chesterfield and French Cookery-Art of Cookery, by a Lady-Soyer's One Early Rising Charity-Sound Sleep-Cold in producing Sleep- |