June 30, 2011
My great grandfather gave my mother his book collection before he died. He had so many books from the late 1800's and early 1900's. I went through his books and decided to read a few, I read two books full of poetry from John Keats, Edgar Allan Poe, and William Shakespeare. One book that really stood out to me, was a book called "Polite Society at Home and Abroad- A Complete Compendium of Information upon all Topics Classified under the Head of Etiquette."
Yes..Etiquette! The whole books teaches how to use your manners when at the dinner table, a formal party, at the marketplace, even writing letters! It teaches wives how to treat their husbands, husbands to treat their wives, and children to treat adults. That chapter was particularly funny, it basically told children to keep their mouths shut unless permitted to speak!
One of my favorite paragraphs:
A lady can travel anywhere, without an escort, and hear no disrespectful language, or sneers, and she can feel assured that, should an emergency arise, she would be accorded the amplest protection.
Boyyyy have times changed! Ladies now hear disrespectful language no matter where they are!
The next book i'm reading is my great grandfather's favorite, Canal Town :)
