Scenes of Commerce by Land and Sea or Where Does it Come From?Answered by the Rev. Isaac Taylor published by Grant & Griffith London 1845 4th edition. A commercial geography which sets out to explain the origin and history of many of the items that made up the essentials of the Victorian household. On a room-by-room basis starting in the kitchen and pantry the source of such vital provisions as tea and coffee, bread, rice, bacon and potatoes is explored. Then the book widens its scope to explain the origins of beer, paper, clocks, soap, china etc and then the beds and blankets in the bedroom the clothes in the wardrobe the medicines in the sick room and eventually the materials used in the building of the house itself. A fascinating piece of popular science! 396 pages including 66 engravings. 18.5 cm by 11.5 cm in original marbled boards and with original leather spine & corners. Split to head of spine. Some rubbing but generally VG.