The Gentlewoman’s Companion: A Guide to the Female Sex

The Companion is a conduct- as well as cookery-book (the recipes are mainly derived from her earlier works). It also contains an autobiography of the author. In truth it is a rank, but captivating, miscellany, including recipes, medical prescriptions, advice to servants and governesses, hints on upbringing, cosmetics and education, rules of social comportment and conduct, instructions and model letters for correspondence (mainly for young ladies), and ‘Pleasant Discourses and Witty Dialogues’ between gentlemen and ladies. Great bedtime reading. The editor puts it all in long perspective.