Hints To The English Bride On Indian Housekeeping Mem, Chota Other,Travel/Topography

Madras, published by Higginbotham and Co, 1904. First edition. 12mo. [6], 29pp, [1]. Original printed front wrapper bound in at the start of the book. A rare handbook of "do’s and don’ts" for women arriving as new ‘Memsahibs’ in Raj-era British India. As the author states in the preface: ‘This little book I sincerely hope will be a help to many young inexperienced English girls starting housekeeping in India’. Written in slightly condescending and prescriptive tones, the book covers various aspects of the organisation a household in British India in which the practical tasks and chores are carried out by a body of native Indian servants. The first chapter deals with ‘The Daily Routine’ and the importance of establishing one in part, to avoid the worst deprivations of station life and the weather and in part, to make clear to the servants what is expected of them at different times of the day. For example, the author advises rising at 6am and going for a ride or playing golf, tennis or badminton before taking breakfast between 8.30 and 11am, seeing the cook after breakfast to discuss the evening’s menu, seeing the butler and then undressing for a rest in the mid-afternoon before tiffin at 4 o’clock. The second chapter is on keeping household accounts and the third is on the store room, how to keep it stocked, stop the contents spoiling and keep an eye on the use of the goods kept within. There is a strong emphasis on the innate untrustworthiness of Indian servants and how it is important to check all expenditure, weigh one’s supplies regularly and generally rule with what might be described as an ‘iron rod’. Chapter 4 details the duties and pay of the various household servants, again with an emphasis on the implication that they will automatically take liberties if allowed to. The fifth chapter gives various general ‘useful hints’ including how to clean and polish various items to be found in the British Indian household eg ‘shooting boots’, ‘kid gloves’ etc and a few basic emergency medical tips eg for scorpion bites etc. This is followed by a table of wages and of weights and measures. The final blank page has a contemporary newspaper cutting from The Daily Mail pasted to it that discusses some of the problems outlined in this book. Overall, a fascinating insight into the routines and mindset of Memsahibs at the zenith of the British Raj era. This is a rare publication with Worldcat locating only a single copy in an institutional library (British Library) anywhere in the world. A handwritten inscription on the title page refers to the publisher Keegan Paul and Co in London, so possibly this copy was submitted to them for publication in Britain but rejected? Bound in modern quarter cloth with paper sides. Title page a little marked and with a very small burn hole at its centre as well as the ink inscription mentioned above, at its foot. Final two leaves a little soiled and marked. Otherwise, a clean copy of a rare work with the text block sound and the binding in very good condition. NB The price of this item is negotiable dependent on your chosen payment method. Further photographs available on request. Please feel welcome to make contact if you have any questions about this item or to discuss payment options. Size: 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall