1876, Complete Etiquette for Ladies aimed to instruct English women of all ages and situations on the finer points of proper comportment in Victorian society. Penned by Samuel Orchart Beeton – husband of the renowned cookery writer Isabella – it offers a view of ideal feminine conduct at once strikingly familiar and charmingly antiquated. Resolving such troublesome issues as how to display good sense when shopping, avoid busy-body neighbours and deal with disappointed affections, it also issues stern warnings: a reputation might be lost by such simple improprieties as offering a gentleman an opinion on financial matters, uttering the word ‘stomach’ to anyone other than a physician, or wearing ribbons at the breakfast table.

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