THE LADY'S COUNTRY COMPANION; OR, HOW TO ENJOY A COUNTRY LIFE RATIONALLY. BY MRS. LOUDON, AUTHOR OF "GARDENING FOR LADIES." ETC. WITH An Engraving on Steel, and Illustrations on Wood. PREFACE. In the present edition of the "Lady's Country Companion," a reduction has been made in the price, to render the work still more generally useful than it has hitherto been; but in all other respects it is essentially the same. The principal object of this work is to save young housekeepers the pain and trouble of buying their own experience; and though it is particularly addressed to those residing in the country, I have had the satisfaction of finding that it has been in many cases almost equally useful to those living in towns. It may, however, be interesting to my readers to know that it was originally written for the benefit of a young friend, who was precisely in the position I have represented Annie to be in, and who, knowing I had resided in the country in my youth, asked my advice. Of course, in preparing the work for publication, many things were added or |