A few months ago I was fortunate enough to purchase a copy of Mariana Starke’s (1762-1838) Information and Directions for Travellers on the Continent. The edition I now proudly own is the 6th edition of her work published in 1828. Mariana was born in Epsom and was the eldest daughter of Richard Starke who had […]
A couple of weeks ago I visited Bradgate Park. For those of you who don’t know, this is a wonderful 850 acre public park in Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire. For hundreds of years it was held in private hands, but in 1928 it was purchased by businessman and philanthropist, Charles Bennion, who gave it to the […]
On my recent trip to Bath I spotted something that set my pulse racing. No not George Clooney, but a delightfully tiny silver box. I recognised what it was immediately – a silver vinaigrette box. Now, if you read Regency novels you will probably know what these items were used for. In days gone by, […]
I’m returning to one of my favourite books today, Buchan’s Domestic Medicine. At the back of my 1809 copy is a British Family Herbal, containing details of all the items thought necessary for both domestic use and for private medical practice. I’ve made a selection of some that will be familiar to you and some […]
