Selections from Eliza Leslie
By: Eliza Leslie ; edited and with an introduction by Etta M. Madden
Contributors: Madden, Etta M., 1962-
Series: Legacies of nineteenth-century American women writers; Legacies of nineteenth-century American women writers
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Lincoln
Language: eng
Number of pages: 319
ISBN-13: 9780803232952
Subjects: Etiquette for women; Handicraft; American Cooking
Work titles: Selections
Description: "Best known for her culinary and domestic guides and the award-winning short story "Mrs. Washington Potts," Eliza Leslie deserves a much more prominent place in contemporary literary discussions of the nineteenth century. Her writing, known for its overtly moralistic and didactic tones--though often presented with wit and humor--also provides contemporary readers with a nuanced perspective for understanding the diversity among American women in Leslie's time. Leslie's writing serves as a commentary on gender ideals and consumerism; presents complicated constructions of racial, national, and class-based identities; and critiques literary genres such as the Gothic romance and the love letter. These criticisms are exposed through the juxtaposition of her fiction and nonfiction instructive texts, which range from lessons on literary conduct to needlework; from recipes for American and French culinary dishes to travel sketches; from songs to educational games. Demonstrating the complexity of choices available to women at the time, this volume enables readers to see how Leslie's rhetoric and audience awareness facilitated her ability to appeal to a broad swath of the nineteenth-century reading public."--Publisher's website.
Notes: Short stories and miscellaneous essays.

Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Fiction: The travelling tin-man; Mrs. Washington Potts; The settlers; Eliza Farnham, or The love letters; Mr. and Mrs. Woodbridge : a story of domestic life; Nothing morally wrong; title: Nonfiction: Seventy-five receipts for pastry, cakes, and sweetmeats : an excerpt: Black cake, or Plum cake; Spunge cake; Almond cake; French almond cake; Maccaroons; title: Domestic French Cookery : An excerpt; Preface; Miscellaneous receipts; title: American girl's book, or Occupation for play hours : excerpts from Part III, "Amusing work : Pincushions; A strawberry; A basket pincushion; A bunch of hearts; title: The Elephant; title: The ladies' guide to true politeness and perfect manners, or Miss Leslie's behavior book : an excerpt; title: Letters; title: Conduct to literary women; title: Notes; title: Chronology of Eliza Leslie's published works.