Vintage Etiquette
You may have heard me mention before my extreme fondness for vintage etiquette books. I probably have a dozen or more of them, but was delighted to discover this afternoon that a great many antique and vintage etiquette books are available online in their completion.
This evening I was reading a delightful one called The Behavior Book by Eliza Leslie from 1853.
Here is a bit about travelling alone as a lady.
"Refrain from making acquaintance with any strangers, unless you are certain of their respectability. If a gentleman of whom you know nothing, endeavours to get into conversation with you, turn away, and make no reply. Avoid saying any thing to women in showy attire, with painted faces, and white kid gloves. Such persons have frequently the assurance to try to be very sociable with respectable ladies who are travelling alone. Keep aloof from them always.
If you have breakfasted early, it will be well to put some gingerbread-nuts or biscuits into your satchel, as you may become very hungry before dinner.
Carry but little money in your pocket--not more than will suffice for the expenses of the day. But for travelling, have another pocket, concealed beneath your upper petticoat, and in that keep the main portion of your cash. Be cautious of taking bank-notes in change--they may be such as you cannot pass. If they are offered to you, refuse them, and insist upon gold or silver.
Travelling in America, ladies frequently meet with little civilities from gentlemen, so delicately offered, that to refuse them would be rude. These incidental acts of politeness should always be acknowledged with thanks; but they should not be construed into a desire of commencing an acquaintance. If a lady obliged to travel alone, wishes to be treated with respect, her own deportment must in all things be quiet, modest and retiring.
See much more HERE.
If I had to remember all of this lady's nit-picky rules, I'd go mad! She is much more picky than most etiquette books I have read, but it's still very enjoyable, especially to read about things like how to properly dress for a stagecoach rather than a steamboat, or what have you.
This evening I was reading a delightful one called The Behavior Book by Eliza Leslie from 1853.
Here is a bit about travelling alone as a lady.
"Refrain from making acquaintance with any strangers, unless you are certain of their respectability. If a gentleman of whom you know nothing, endeavours to get into conversation with you, turn away, and make no reply. Avoid saying any thing to women in showy attire, with painted faces, and white kid gloves. Such persons have frequently the assurance to try to be very sociable with respectable ladies who are travelling alone. Keep aloof from them always.
If you have breakfasted early, it will be well to put some gingerbread-nuts or biscuits into your satchel, as you may become very hungry before dinner.
Carry but little money in your pocket--not more than will suffice for the expenses of the day. But for travelling, have another pocket, concealed beneath your upper petticoat, and in that keep the main portion of your cash. Be cautious of taking bank-notes in change--they may be such as you cannot pass. If they are offered to you, refuse them, and insist upon gold or silver.
Travelling in America, ladies frequently meet with little civilities from gentlemen, so delicately offered, that to refuse them would be rude. These incidental acts of politeness should always be acknowledged with thanks; but they should not be construed into a desire of commencing an acquaintance. If a lady obliged to travel alone, wishes to be treated with respect, her own deportment must in all things be quiet, modest and retiring.
See much more HERE.
If I had to remember all of this lady's nit-picky rules, I'd go mad! She is much more picky than most etiquette books I have read, but it's still very enjoyable, especially to read about things like how to properly dress for a stagecoach rather than a steamboat, or what have you.