Rules on Being a Lady

"Rules of behavior for Young Ladies, partly extracted from this work and the most celebrated books on Ladies education."

• Avoid everything masculine.

• Be not seen  too often in public.

• Consult only your own relations.

• Don't even hear a double entendre.

• Endeavor to write and speak grammatically.

• Fondness for finery shows bad taste, as neatness and simplicity imply good taste.

• Form no friendship with men.

• Give your hand, when necessary, modestly.

• If you talk in society, talk only about those things which you understand.

• Know that a man of good sense will never marry but the pious, industrious and frugal.

• Let not love begin on your part.

• Make no great intimacies with anybody.

• Never be afraid of blushing.

• Pride yourself in modesty.

• Read no novels, but let your study be History, Geography, Biography and other instructive books.

• Sympathise with the unfortunate

• Trust no female acquaintance, i.e. make no confidant of any one.

• You cannot be too circumspect in matters of love and marriage; and remember that whereas the character of a young lady is considered angelic, any blemish in it would withdraw the respect men have for you.