From a Woman’s Note-Book. Studies in Modern Girlhood and Other Sketches,
London: George Allen, 1903. Minor shelf-ware to binding. Top edge gilt. Some foxing to title page, contents, and first few leaves. The stitching of the binding is a little slack but still holds. Front endpaper includes contemporary ink inscription from the author: “To Molly from E.T.C. Dec. 1903. Very good. Blue cloth boards with title stamped in gilt. Octavo. viii, 237 pp., + 8 pp. of advertisements. Item #17841
From a Woman’s Note-Book is a book of essays, all of which were written between 1891 and 1903, as clarified in the author’s note. Cook also explains that the sketches aren’t all autobiographical: “The author put her observations into a personal form, but it need not be inferred that every such characterization is biographical” (v). The book’s contents include “A Modern High-School Girl” about an academically accomplished girl who is disinterested during a grand tour. “Shadows” describes a girl who stresses about being a genius, but then is made content by marrying and having children. In following essays, Cook describes “The Modern Novel” and “Literary Ladies,” at one point comparing the learning styles of Tilly from Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Jane Eyre.
Emily Constance Cook’s best-known publication was Highways and Byways in London, a history of London through its streets and landmarks. We could not locate any further information on the author.
Price: $300.00