M'Lady's Book of Household Secrets

During the eighteenth century, ladies of high society kept handwritten notes on recipes, remedies, gardening and household advice in their personal House Books and it became fashionable to exchange their most successful tips with friends and neighbours. Very few of these fragile House Books have survived and this compilation celebrates two: one from Lady Talbot of Lacock Abbey and the other from Lady Louisa Conolly of Castletown House. In this collection you will find their herbal remedies for everything from coughs and colds to rickets, consumption and 'preventing smallpox', along with concoctions to ensure soft hands, improve the skin and 'remove inhibitions'. There are also tips on cleaning and polishing, the best ways in which a garden should be laid out and the roles each servant should be expected to perform. Finally there is also a selection of their favourite recipes, including Cinnamon Spinach, Slipcoat Cheese and Pitchcocked Eels. This charming compilation is full of fascinating information and useful tips and gives an insight into the lives of those living in the grand houses of the eighteenth century.

THE HON. SARAH MACPHERSON was born in Castletown House, Ireland's largest private home, a neo-Palladian mansion on the banks of the River Liffey. She is the author of The Children of Castletown House and M'Lady's Book of Household Secrets, both published by The History Press.