A Victorian Lady's Guide to Life

In this delightful and engagingly eccentric treasury of life lessons, redoubtable Victorian Elspeth Marr (1871–1947) reflects on the fundamental topics of life as well as the nuts and bolts of everyday living. Part journal, part commonplace book, among many gems you will find enlightenment and advice on everything from Dreams to Garlic; Patriotism to Wrinkles. Written throughout her life but only discovered after her death, by her great-great nephew, Christopher Rush, Elspeth’s (known as Aunt Epp) journal was never intended for publication but her style of writing and the subject matter she covers nonetheless reaches a universal audience. Not afraid to put forth views on the big topics—religion, evolution, and ethical issues—she also tackles the nuts and bolts of living—food, sex and health. Vital, refreshingly frank and always amusing, this guide provides a wealth of sound advice.

Christopher Rush is an award-winning Scottish writer and, for 30 years, a teacher of Literature in Edinburgh. He is Elspeth Marr's great-great-nephew. His books include Hellfire and Herring and A Twelvemonth and a Day.