THE BOOK OF HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT by Mrs Isabella Mary Beeton

 If there was ever a book that needed to be on the best seller list but will not ever be it is THE BOOK OF HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT by Mrs Isabella Mary Beeton. It was first published in 1861, the fact that her marital status is acknowledge date the book.

Here is what the book promises to deliver: “Comprising information for the MISTRESS, HOUSEKEEPER, COOK, KITCHEN MAID, BUTLER, FOOTMAN, COACHMAN, VALET, UPPER AND UNDER HOUSE MAIDS, LADY’S MAID, MAID-OF-ALL WORK, LAUNDRY-MAID, NURSE AND NURSE MAID, MONTHLY, WET, AND SICK NURSES, ETC. ETC.

ALSO, SANITARY, MEDICAL, & LEGAL, MEMORANDA; WITH A HISTORY OF THE ORGIN, PROPERTIES, AND USES OF ALL THINGS CONNECTED WITH HOME LIFE AND COMFORT. BY MRS. ISABELLA BEETON” 

This book is no longer copyright protected, and I doubt if any woman or man would want to use it in their modern lifestyle motivation writings, was published by S. O. Beeton in 24 monthly parts between 1859-1861. Samuel Orchart Beeton was a publisher and husband to Mrs. Isabella. The British author reflects the priorities and protocols of a woman in that time.

As modern mankind moves further away from social etiquette I find myself seeking more of it. I appreciate old books that discuss household management, personal appearance and relationships. 

The wisdom shared back then would benefit many today. In terms of women getting together amongst themselves Mrs. Beeton writes: 

“IN CONVERSATION, TRIFLING OCCURRENCES, such as disappointments, petty annoyances, and other ever-day incidents, should never be mentioned to your friends.” 

In other words: don’t tell your friends your business!

As it relates to the household management, I don’t know anyone who has a “Footman” or a “Monthly Nurse” but we all have people who serve us. Bus drivers, urgent care nurses, fast food restaurant cashiers and so forth, we have expectations of these people and we should treat them with respect. Common courtesy is an ongoing theme for most of the books I read from this period, 1800’s. 

I know not everyone will read this book because they just don’t care but for the few that do there is plenty to learn from it. I have the FREE ebook version of THE BOOK OF HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT but you can purchase a print copy.

                                                                                        Written by Marsh L F Randolph

*This book is part of my personal reading library. The review is my honest unsolicited opinion.

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THINGS MOTHER USED TO MAKE by Lydia Maria Gurney

THINGS MOTHER USED TO MAKE by Lydia Maria Gurney  -A Collection of Old Time Recipes, Some Nearly One Hundred Years Old and…is a compilation of information originally published in “Suburban Life”  and was complied to produce manuals. Originally published in 1914 it is now  public domain and I was able to download it as a FREE ebook via Amazon. 

I am drawn to “vintage” reading material, as well as historical re-enactments, thus I was drawn to this book. It is not that I excel in cooking or  housekeeping that I wanted to read this book but I just want to know how they did it.

The title of this book, THINGS MOTHER USED TO MAKE, may draw happy childhood memories to some and for those who desire to cook from scratch it may create a desire to hunt for those lost recipes. If you are one of these individuals then this book will serve as a motivator. 

THINGS MOTHER USED TO MAKE is not like todays detailed cookbooks, it assumes the reader has some culinary skills and needs just the basics. For example:

BREADS:Coffee Cakes

“When your dough for yeast bread is risen light and fluffy, cut off small pieces and roll as big as your ginger, four inches long. Fold and twist to two inches long and fry in deep fat. Serve hot with coffee.”

I did not find a “yeast bread” recipe but I did find a “White Bread” bread recipe. 

This book is more than just recipes, the  Appendix contains many tips on how to manage a household. In the section HOUSEHOLD HINTS OLD AND NEW FOR HOUSEKEEPERS YOUNG AND OLD, the first tip reads:

“Plan your work, then work your plan.”

When I read this I laughed out loud, really I did! My oldest sister is known for saying this, I thought she came up with that expression herself. 

This information was provided during a time in which women took great pride in maintaining there home with an understanding that we, women, were not born to know how to “Make Starch” or “The Proper Way to Sweep a Room”. 

From a historical perspective and a practical living viewpoint this book is a gym. It is a quick read with amusing antidotes. If the opportunity arises I might buy a print copy.

                                                              Written by Marsha L F Randolph