4, [iii[-xxxiii, [1], 288 pp. Illustrated with 4 copper-engraved plates of carving instructions, and with copper-engraved frontis. & title page. Period three-quarter calf & marbled boards, leather spine label. Fourth Edition.
While little is known of Mary Hollan's biography, nutrition was one of her clear passions. Of the importance of breakfast, Holland writes, "…the practice is not uncommon to eat a light breakfast, and a heavy supper: but the latter of these is hurtful, often producing apoplexy, and always indigestion and nightmare. Where this is not practiced, there will generally be found a disposition to make a more hearty breakfast."
About coffee, Holland writes, "It is allowed that coffee promotes digestion, and exhilarates the animal spirits; besides which, various other qualities are ascribed to it, such as dispelling flatulency, removing dizziness of the head, attenuating viscid humours, increasing the circulation of the blood, and consequently, perspiration; but if drank too strong, it affects the nerves, occasions watchfulness and tremour of the hands; though in some phlegmatic constitutions, it is apt to produce sleep."