"Miss Porter, the daughter of a Church of England clergyman, was born in 1752 with brains but not looks or wealth. Although she would have liked to marry, her various hopes ended in disappointment. She therefore had to earn her living as a governess, working principally in teaching the daughters and grand-daughters of the second Earl of Ilchester." Bw illustrations, 372pp inc index.

DIARIES SOCIAL HISTORY LETTERS GOVERNESS