Book description
Eric Horne served as a butler in some of the great English country manors from the 1860s until just after World War I, when many of the families whose heirs died in battle were forced to sell off their homes. Born in Southampton, Horne came from a humble family who…
Why read it?
1 author picked What the Butler Winked At as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
In spite of its title, Eric Horne’s What the Butler Winked At does not contain any really juicy tales about his employers. But what it does do is lift the lid on Horne’s working experiences as a footman, valet and butler during a career spanning 50 years, starting in the 1870s.
Interestingly, Horne wrote his book in 1923 at a time when the great country estates were beginning to break up and he was struggling to find work. Horne was not a professional writer so there are grammar issues; also, some of the anecdotes may not be amusing to…
From Michelle's list on The best books by Victorian servants telling their stories, warts and all.
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