Since the monastic era in the West, this organisation by hours has
become so ubiquitous that it has come almost to seem uncaused, a fact of
nature. Now, Kevin Jackson restores its strangeness and richness.
From the structure of the working day to the imposition of curfews, from
the scheduling of public events to the content of etiquette, in a manner
no less remarkable for being rarely remarked, the hours give a meaning
to our days. Here then are the hours, from dawn to Eliot's 'uncertain
hour before dawn' by way of elevenses and the lunch hour, the hours for
siesta and for tiffin, vespers and the witching hour.