Cook and Housekeeper's Complete & Universal Dictionary, The

Bungay: L. & R. Childs, 1822. The Domestic Practices and Priorities of the Early 19th Century

EATON, Mary. The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete & Universal Dictionary. Including a System of Modern Cookery in all Its various Branches, adapted to the use of Private Families, Also a variety of Original & Valuable information, Relative to Baking, Brewing, Carving, Cleaning, Collaring, Curing, Economy of Bees, of a Dairy, Economy of Poultry, Family Medicine, Gardening, Home-made Wines, Pickling, Potting, Preserving, Rules of Health and every other subject connected with Domestic Economy... Bungay [Suffolk, UK]: L. & R. Childs, 1822.

First edition. Octavo (8 1/4 x 5 1/8 inches; 209 x 130 mm.). v-xxxvi, (including frontispiece & title-page), 495, [1, blank] pp. Engraved frontispiece portrait of Mrs. Eaton (included in pagination, and four engraved plates. Title-page stained, the four plates foxed. Bound without the half-title and additional title [dated 1823].

Full contemporary sheep, rebacked with the original spine laid down. Spine ruled in gilt, red morocco label lettered in gilt. Bookplate of J.E. Wilson on front paste-down.

The plates show various livestock; a Patent Brewing Machine; and two plates depicting "Carving".

Mary Eaton's work serves as a valuable historical document, providing insights into the domestic practices and priorities of the early 19th century. It was likely a practical guide for households, offering advice on a broad range of topics that would contribute to the efficient and effective running of a home during that period.


Bitting pp. 139-140; Oxford pp. 152-153.