One meal that doesn't seem to have changed significantly since Victorian days is breakfast. Eggs were the central feature then as now, accompanied by various baked goods, porridges and other side dishes. Of course, today we're less likely to include deviled drumsticks or asparagus salad, and the "American" breakfast of beefsteak or stewed clams is, thankfully, a thing of the past (though not, perhaps, unobtainable!).

Breakfast Dishes, by A.G. Payne (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1876)

Wedding Breakfasts, by A.G. Payne (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1876)

American Breakfasts, by Catherine Owen (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1880)

From beefsteak to stewed clams, American breakfasts astonished international visitors... and here are some recipes!

Breakfast Dishes, by Phillis Browne (Girl's Own Paper, 1882)

Eggs in a mould, and buttered eggs - and also pickled herring, deviled drumsticks with anchovy sauce, watercress, asparagus salad, bloaters, and other delicacies of the breakfast table...

The Art of Cooking an Omelette, by A.G. Payne (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1883)

Teacakes and Rolls for Breakfast and Tea, by Phillis Browne (Girl's Own Paper, 1883)

Something for Breakfast, by Lizzie Heritage (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1887)

Eggs and How to Cook Them, by Phillis Browne (Girl's Own Paper, 1885)

In addition to recipes, there's the handy bit of knowledge that bad eggs will float in a brine mixture, and really bad eggs will float even in plain water!

Omelettes, and How to Make Them, by Phillis Browne (Girl's Own Paper, 1886)

Breakfast and Tea, by Laura Willis Lathrop (Ingalls' Home Magazine, 1888)

On the importance of having something hot and nourishing for the all-important first and last meals of the day (along with tips on how to black a stove).

How to Set the Table for 35 Cents a Day for Each Person: Breakfast (Demorest, 1888)

Beverages and Breakfast Breads, by Laura Willis Lathrop (Ingalls' Home Magazine, 1889)

A Breakfast Menu for the Month of September (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1892)

A prize-winning paper that gives a month of menus, which include such breakfast items as pigeon pie, pork pie, mutton cutlets, and brawn.

For Breakfast or for Tea, by Anna Alexander Cameron (Ladies' Home Journal, 1892)

Muffins, Johnny Cakes, biscuits and more.

Omelette Night, by Deborah Platter (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1893)

On the Making of Porridges by Dora de Blaquière (Girl's Own Paper, 1895)

Porridge recipes from around the world, including hasty-pudding, polenta, peas-porridge, muesli and more.

All About Oatmeal by Dora de Blaquière (Girl's Own Paper, 1889)

Italian Methods of Cooking Eggs (Girl's Own Paper, 1895)

Monochrome Meals, by Marie P. Green (Girl's Own Paper, 1900)

Preparing a Yellow Breakfast and a Green Luncheon.

Omelets and Their Making by Dora de Blaquière (Girl's Own Paper, 1900)

Some Continental Recipes for Eggs (Girl's Own Paper, 1902)

Delicious French and German egg concoctions.

• See also Breads