Eighteenth Century Vignettes

"Eighteenth Century Vignettes" by Austin Dobson is a collection of glimpses into the past that shows the 1700s through a series of small stories. The essays are a mix of real facts and a touch of storytelling, bringing to life important people and moments from that time. The start of this book takes you to London in 1708, where you meet Captain Richard Steele and his wife, Mary. Mary waits with growing restlessness for Richard outside an office in Whitehall, giving us a peek into their marriage. Richard is portrayed as likable, though not without his flaws, and the story uses their letters to show both the love and the struggles they share as they navigate life in busy 18th-century London.