Thomas Virgo notebook on gardening, cookery, remedies…

manuscript notes in notebook

A notebook kept by Thomas Virgo, a gardener, in which he records a wide range of observations on the best care for specific plants he uses but also advice on thatching, the making of ice and ponds, catching wasps, building fires and other areas that hint at how he earned a living. He records many recipes for a wide range of aliments — several remedies for gout, rheumatism, and hoarseness and at least one for coughs, piles, pleurisy, and dropsy. Also included are notes on topics as varied as the Anabaptists, the age of the moon, virginity, supplies for drawing, an occasional verse, and some brief Biblical glosses. He occasionally records purchases that he has made and advice on re-using old clothes (getting gloves from old britches). Additional, unrelated, entries were made by a later owner in the early- to mid-19th century, on pages left blank by Virgo. These later entries include mentions of the death dates of several people including Lady Heathcote; Arthur Thistlewood and his companions sentencing to the Tower or a house of correction; details of weather on specific days.

 

  • Author: Virgo, Thomas.
  • Title: Thomas Virgo notebook on gardening, cookery, remedies, and miscellaneous memoranda : manuscript.
  • Production: Twickenham, circa 1750-1758.

Catalog Record

LWL Mss Vol. 260

Acquired November 2020

The accomplish’d female instructor

printed text

  • Title: The accomplish’d female instructor, or, A very useful companion for ladies, gentlewomen, and others : In two parts. Part I. Treating of generous breeding and behaviour; choice of company, friendship; the art of speaking well [etc.]…Part II. Treating of making curious confectionaries, or sweet-meats, jellies, syrups, cordial-waters…to know good provisions, dye curious colours, whiten ivory…physical and chyrurgical receipts…and a great number of other useful and profitable things.
  • Published: London : J. Knapton, 1704.

Catalog Record

659 704Ac

Acquired November 2020

The whole duty of a woman

title page

  • Title: The whole duty of a woman, or, A guide to the female sex, from the age of sixteen to sixty, &c. : being directions, how women of all qualities and conditions, ought to behave themselves in the various circumstances of this life, for their obtaining not only present but future happiness … : also choice receipts in physick and chirurgery with the whole art of cookery, preserving, candying, beautifying, &c. / written by a Lady.
  • Edition: The third edition.
  • Published: London : Printed for F. Guillim, against the Great James Tavern in Bishopgate-Street, 1701.

Catalog Record 

63 701 W628

Acquired October 2019

 

The school of arts, or Fountain of knowledge

title page

  • Title: The school of arts, or Fountain of knowledge : containing several hundred truly valuable and useful receipts, selected from the works and communications of the most eminent British artists. Particularly adapted for the use, emolument, and pleasure of the public in general and the encouragement of arts, manufactures, and science.
  • Publication: London : Printed and sold by Dean and Munday, 35, Threadneedle Street, [between 1810 and 1832]

Catalog Record 

71 810Sc

Acquired October 2019

 

The complete house-keeper, and professed cook

  • Author: Smith, Mary, of Newcastle.
  • TitleThe complete house-keeper, and professed cook : calculated for the greater ease and assistance of ladies, house-keepers, cooks, &c. &c. : containing upwards of seven hundred practical and approved receipts … / by Mary Smith …
  • PublishedNewcastle : Printed by T. Slack, for the author, 1772.

Catalog Record 

655 772Sm

Acquired March 2018