A Guide for the Greedy by a Greedy Woman (Kegan Paul Library of Culinary Arts)

This is surely the most extraordinary book on food and eating ever published in the English language. Elizabeth Robins Pennell, who was a correspondent for the Pall Mall Gazette at the height of its fashionability, was obviously the inspiration of the "Two Fat Ladies." Beginning with an essay on the virtue of gluttony, it traverses past breakfast, sandwiches, dinner, supper, portage, soups, sole, oysters, partridge, salads, and savouries, coming sadly to an all-too-soon stop at cheese and coffee. Oh, but not forgetting a skirmish with the vegetables.