These are honest-to-goodness things Victorian American women were taught to do if they wanted to be desirable to a man.
1. Helplessness = beauty
“There is beauty in the helplessness of woman. The clinging trust which searches for extraneous support is graceful and touching.”1
2. Don't forget to brush your teeth!
"Notice her teeth, neck, hair and nails. Her clothes must be clean and neat, especially collars and cuffs, and the like."1
3. Practice cooking.
"If she's a cheerful helpful about the house, good to her mother, and can get up an appetizing square meal out of 'scraps', she's a jewel worth winning."1
4. Never argue with your mother.
"If she's a cheerful helpful about the house, good to her mother, and can get up an appetizing square meal out of 'scraps', she's a jewel worth winning."1
5. Don't forget, the boring girls are the most attractive girls.
"Don't be fascinated with a dashing creature...choose rather one of those retiring, modest, sensible girls, who have learnt to deny themselves."1
6. Make sure you have a wide array of good qualities.
"It is not enough that a young lady should sing and play and dance as well; she should be able likewise to sew and cook well. She should know how to darn a stocking as well as how to paint a panel."1
7. Never sleep in.
"Her body is enfeebled, and her eyes are heavy; her mind is stupefied, her devotions neglected, or hastily performed."1
8. Be wary of the horse-laugh.
"Immoderate laughter is exceedingly unbecoming in a lady; she may affect the dimple or the smile, but should carefully avoid any approximation to a horselaugh."1
So, if you traveled back in time, would you be marriageable? Let me know here, on my Facebook page or on Twitter @DeeanneGist!
International bestselling author, Deeanne Gist IWantHerBook.com
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1 ”Manners and Morals of Victorian America” by Wayne Erbsen