Dickens's Dictionary of London, 1888

A Victorian guide book which captures the atmosphere of the largest city in the world. 700 detailed entries, printed facsimile from the original 1888 edition, build up a living portrait of Victorian London, from the gentlemen's clubs of St. James's to the slums of the East End. The churches, great railway stations, banks, theatres and sporting facilities are all detailed. Equally revealing and very entertaining are the tips on social behaviour. There is advice on how to cope with milk contaminated with diphtheria and typhoid; hiring servants (a parlour maid's salary was £12 per year); and fogs which were 'much appreciated by the predatory classes'. A mine of information for explorers of London's past.

Compiled by Charles Dickens, son of the Victorian era’s greatest novelist, who paid the same meticulous attention to detail in his guide books as his father did in his novels.

Hardback 272 pages