The new female instructor; or, Young woman's guide to domestic happiness : containing general rules for the regulation of female conduct, and the formation of moral habits; together with the elements of science, as geography, astronomy, natural history, botany, &c. ... being an epitome of all the acquirements necessary to form the female character, in every class of life.

Date:
1837
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The new female instructor; or, Young woman's guide to domestic happiness : containing general rules for the regulation of female conduct, and the formation of moral habits; together with the elements of science, as geography, astronomy, natural history, botany, &c. ... being an epitome of all the acquirements necessary to form the female character, in every class of life. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    be thought too proud than too familiar. The advantages of being reserved are too many to be here enumerated : 1 shall only say, that it is a guard to a good woman, and a disguise to an ill one. It is of so much use to both, that such as refuse to practise it as a virtue, would do well to use it as an artifice. A lady’s civility, which is always to be preserved, must not be carried to a compliance, which may betray her into irreco- verable difficulties. The word complaisance has led your sex into greater errors, than all other things put together. It carries them by degrees, into a certain thing called a good kind of wo- man, which is an easy, idle creature, that does neither good nor harm but by chance, and has no choice but that of the company she keeps. She thinks it a rudeness to refuse, when civilly requested, either her service, in person, or her friendly assistance to those who wish for a party, or want a confidant. There is nothing very criminal indeed in this character; but it is far from being a respectable one. There is another not less ridiculous, which is that of the good-humoured woman, who, as good-humour is an obliging quality, thinks she must always be laughing; hence she wears upon her face an insipid, unmeaning simper, smiling upon all alike. Rather than be silent in company, which she considers as dulness, she will chatter without end ; and if applauded for any thing she says, she is so encouraged, that like a ballad- singer, when commended, she will strain her voice, talk louder and faster, till no one is heard but herself. She idly conceives that mirth should have no intermission, and therefore she carries it about with her, though it be to a funeral. Nay, let her hear what she will, or see what she will, she is never offended, that being inconsistent with her character. Thus does she expose herself to the derision of her acquaintance, who would not fail to shew it openly, but out of charity to her. It is highly absurd in a lady to suppose that she cannot be good company unless she shews herself at all times infinitely pleased. In a handsome woman, this kind of attraction is un- necessary, and in one who, is not so, ridiculous. Not that I want to throw every spark of nature out of your composition and make you entirely artificial; no, T would have you cheer- ful and pleasing, but, at the same time, easy and unaffected. Fools are always painted laughing, sufficient, I should imagine, to deter a wise person from it; much more from laughing loud, which is disgustful in men, but abominable in women. This boisterous kind of mirth is as contrary to good- humour and good-manners, as it is to modesty and virtue. If at any time an improper conversation should be started in your presence, seem not to hear it; or withdraw, h