"Isobel" of Home Notes

This book is a manual, and not a history of the life of Edwardian housewives. Nonetheless, it provides a glimpse into the times. The standards for keeping a good home were amazingly high, with tips on everything from how to wash ribbons and clean straw hats to perfuming notepaper. Most cleaning products were home-made and contained chemicals purchased from the chemist. Cocaine and raw eggs were frequent remedies for a range of ailments. An interesting, quick read.