Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management published
Having originally been serialised in 24 monthly parts in ‘The Englishwoman’s Domestic Magazine, published by Samuel Orchart Beeton, beginning in 1859. Isabella Beeton’s installments were collected together as here ‘Book of Household Management’ and first published on 1 October 1861.
Although the majority of the book discusses various styles of cooking, including French, German/Austrian, Italian, Spanish, Jewish, Australian, South African, Indian and American/Canada as well as English, along with recipes. There are also guidelines for table decoration and serviettes. Also chapters on the doctor, nurse, nursery homoeopathic medicine and even legal memoranda.
Wages for male and female servants at that time were also listed.
Perhaps something that the modern lifestyle does not allow is:
“Order and Punctuality are so important to the comfort and happiness of the household that every mistress should fix stated hours for meals etc., which ought to be observed by every member of the family.
The specimen card of order of the household will guide the mistress in drawing up a set of rules adapted to the special requirements of her own home.”
It is also interesting to read what equipment is required for a very small kitchen:
3 Tinned Iron Saucepans; 1 Tinned Iron Saucepan with Steamer; 1 Tinned Oval Boiling Pot (3 gallons); 2 Enamelled Steel Saucepans; 1 Iron Kettle; 1 Tin Kettle; 1 Iron Frying Pan; 1 Baking Pan; 1 Yorkshire Pudding Tin; 2 Cake Tins; 1 Mould; 12 Patty Pans; 3 Cutters; 1 Fish Kettle; 1 Tin Colander; 3 Iron Spoons;1 Root Knife; 1 Flour Dredge; 1 Pepper Box; 2 Cooks’ Knives; 1 Hanging Wire Gridiron; 1 Fish Slice; 1 Egg Slice; 1 Set Skewers; 1 Vegetable Scoop; 1 Baking Sheet; 1 Cooks’ Fork; 1 Fry Basket; 1 Gravy Strainer; 1 Hair Sieve; 1 Wire Sieve; 1 Funnel; 1 Corkscrew; 1 Spice Box; 1 Tin Opener; 1 Tea, Coffee & Sugar Canister; 1 Japanned Flour Bin; 1 Potato Masher; 2 Enamelled Pie Dishes; 3 Enamelled Pudding Basins; 1 Enamelled Jug (3 Pint); 1 Enamelled Preserving Pan; 1 Patent Steamer Cooker (4 vessels); 1 Pestle & Mortar; 1 Lemon Squeezer; 1 Bread Grater; 1 Coffee Pot; 1 Gallon Pail; 1 Galvanized Oval Washing-up Pan; 1 Spring Balance Family Scales (20lb); 1 Knife Machine (“Servants Friend”); 1 Mincing Machine; 1 Coffee Mill; 1 Set Stove Brushes; 1 Set Boot Brushes; 1 Hair Broom & Handle; 1 Bass or Yard Broom & Handle; 2 Scrubbing Brushes.
Excuse me I think I need to pop to the shops – not sure where I’m going to put it all though!!
This article was first written in PastSearch Newsletter – Issue 70, October 2018