The Girl's Own Paper, Vol. VIII, No. 364, December 18, 1886

"The Girl's Own Paper, Vol. VIII, No. 364, December 18, 1886" by Various is a historical periodical aimed at women, offering a glimpse into late 19th-century domestic life. It opens with a focus on the practicality and benefits of using tinned meats in home cooking, showing how they can make cooking easier, especially for busy women or those in rural areas where fresh food is harder to get. The text describes a situation where unexpected guests arrive, and a delicious dinner is quickly made using tinned foods, proving how useful they are. Readers get tips on how to make these tinned dishes taste even better and look appealing, demonstrating how women can be good hosts and cooks, even when they don't have much time to prepare. This issue combines useful cooking advice with a look at family and friendship during the Victorian era.