Presumably Ladies: A Collection of 19th-Century American Women's Etiquette Literature

Learn about 19th-century American women's conduct with five complete works: How to Get Married, Although a Woman; Or, The Art of Pleasing Men by Irene Hartt (1892); The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness by Florence Hartley (1860); True Politeness: A Hand-Book of Etiquette for Ladies by an American Lady (1847); The Ladies' Guide to True Politeness and Perfect Manners; Or, Miss Leslie's Behaviour Book by Eliza Leslie (1834); and The Ladies' Vase; Or, Polite Manual for Young Ladies by an American Lady (1843). These comprehensive guides to etiquette and manners not only reveal the everyday behaviors of women in the 19th century but give us a unique lens through which to view contemporary society. This is etiquette by women, for women, on all things proper and vulgar-from table manners to what to say at parties.