It is important in all sorts of ways: it was written by an independent
woman; it was composed with an uninstructed servant-class in mind; it
exemplifies the battle between English and French influences in the
kitchen; it contains some important recipes (not least, the first in
English for curry). This facsimile is provided with a biographical
introduction, an extensive glossary of cookery terms, and two essays on
the sources of Hannah Glasse's recipes. Glasse was reprinted countless
times through the 18th century and her book was quickly republished in
America. The life story of the author herself is also of great interest:
she was a relatively uneducated, illegitimate daughter of a Northumbrian
gentleman, who left home early for a not-very-successful suitor, who set
herself up in business in the fashion industry with great aplomb (even
if bankruptcy was the final episode) and who wrote and sold her books
with an eye to a useful income.