Mary Jane Holmes was an American writer living in the last half of the 1800's. She began teaching school at age 13. Her novels centered on domestic life. Other works include: The English Orphans; or, A Home in the New World (1855), 'Lena Rivers (1856), Homestead on the Hillside (1856), Meadow Brook (1857), Dora Deane; or, The East India Uncle (1859), Cousin Maude (1860), Rosamond Maude (1860), and Darkness and Daylight (1864). In this novel about domestic relationships Ethelyn must learn how to be married.