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How to Be a Lady: A Book for Girls, Containing Useful Hints on the Formation of Character
New
236 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1850
11 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
Harvey Newcomb
127 books2 followersFrom wikipedia:
Harvey Newcomb (September 2, 1803 – August 30, 1863) was an American clergyman and writer.
He was born in Thetford, Vermont. He removed to western New York in 1818, engaged in teaching for eight years, and from 1826 till 1831 edited several journals, of which the last was the Christian Herald.
For the ten following years he was engaged in writing and preparing books for the American Sunday School Union. He was licensed to preach in 1840, took charge of a Congregational church in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, and subsequently held other pastorates.
He was an editor of the Boston Traveller in 1849, and in 1850-1 assistant editor of the New York Observer, also preaching in the Park Street mission church of Brooklyn, New York, and in 1859 he became pastor of a church in Hancock, Pennsylvania. He contributed regularly to the Boston Recorder and to the Youth's Companion, and also to religious journals. He wrote 178 volumes, of which fourteen are on church history, the others being chiefly books for children, including Young Lady's Guide (New York, 1839); How to be a Man (Boston, 1846); How to be a Lady (1846); and Cyclopedia of Missions (1854; 4th ed., 1856). He also was the author of Manners and Customs of the North American Indians (2 vols., Pittsburgh, 1835).
He died in Brooklyn.
Harvey Newcomb (September 2, 1803 – August 30, 1863) was an American clergyman and writer.
He was born in Thetford, Vermont. He removed to western New York in 1818, engaged in teaching for eight years, and from 1826 till 1831 edited several journals, of which the last was the Christian Herald.
For the ten following years he was engaged in writing and preparing books for the American Sunday School Union. He was licensed to preach in 1840, took charge of a Congregational church in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, and subsequently held other pastorates.
He was an editor of the Boston Traveller in 1849, and in 1850-1 assistant editor of the New York Observer, also preaching in the Park Street mission church of Brooklyn, New York, and in 1859 he became pastor of a church in Hancock, Pennsylvania. He contributed regularly to the Boston Recorder and to the Youth's Companion, and also to religious journals. He wrote 178 volumes, of which fourteen are on church history, the others being chiefly books for children, including Young Lady's Guide (New York, 1839); How to be a Man (Boston, 1846); How to be a Lady (1846); and Cyclopedia of Missions (1854; 4th ed., 1856). He also was the author of Manners and Customs of the North American Indians (2 vols., Pittsburgh, 1835).
He died in Brooklyn.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 29, 2011
This book teaches young girls/women how to be a Lady through the Ultimate guidebook - The Holy Bible. I love it because I'm not being judged by the world's standard - but by God's.
January 2, 2010
EXCELLENT BOOK! In order to attain the full benefits this book has to offer, I think it needs to be read by a young girl by the age of 15 or so. I think truly exibiting lady-like qualities is a lost art in this modern age, and to embody these characteristics will set a young woman far apart and far ahead of her peers.
August 11, 2014
4 stars
"Every woman can be a lady, who conducts herself in a lady-like manner. And the true idea of a lady is, a strict propriety of conduct in all occasions. One may, therefore, be a lady as well in the kitchen as in the parlor."
How to be a Lady is an exhaustive and very helpful guide on proper behaviour, etiquette and formation of character for young Victorian girls. Harvey Newcomb has a particularly strict approach on the subject of education, basing it on the Holy Bible and the Christian teachings.
While some of the advice is very dated and no longer adequate for our time, most of the knowledge in this book can be easily adapted to the 21st century, both the etiquette part (behaviour at the table, at school, treatment of brothers and sisters...) and the formation of character part (the importance of being able to say no, finishing what is begun, doing one thing at a time...), regardless of whether you are a Christian or not.
I do not think the entire book is adequate for young girls now, as some advice is dated and the idea of a punishing God is no longer part of our Christian views. As such, I would recommend this book to young adult girls (finishing high-school or starting college) and to anyone who wants to incorporate a touch of Victorian gentility to their everyday life.
"Every woman can be a lady, who conducts herself in a lady-like manner. And the true idea of a lady is, a strict propriety of conduct in all occasions. One may, therefore, be a lady as well in the kitchen as in the parlor."
How to be a Lady is an exhaustive and very helpful guide on proper behaviour, etiquette and formation of character for young Victorian girls. Harvey Newcomb has a particularly strict approach on the subject of education, basing it on the Holy Bible and the Christian teachings.
While some of the advice is very dated and no longer adequate for our time, most of the knowledge in this book can be easily adapted to the 21st century, both the etiquette part (behaviour at the table, at school, treatment of brothers and sisters...) and the formation of character part (the importance of being able to say no, finishing what is begun, doing one thing at a time...), regardless of whether you are a Christian or not.
I do not think the entire book is adequate for young girls now, as some advice is dated and the idea of a punishing God is no longer part of our Christian views. As such, I would recommend this book to young adult girls (finishing high-school or starting college) and to anyone who wants to incorporate a touch of Victorian gentility to their everyday life.
May 15, 2024
Being well bred
January 1, 2010
This was a very interesting read.
I enjoyed the wonderful wisdom of this great Christian man, although there were some things that I did not agree with.
One of those things was that Sunday (or any "Sabbath" day) was a day for REST and rest PERIOD. No excessive preparation of meals, etc., no excessive self-enjoyment, etc. etc. Instead, we are to spend the day in meditation and reading of the Word.
Although this can make one feel "holier," I do not believe it is at all necessary for one -- even a lady -- to refrain from certain activities merely because it is not centered around worshiping the Lord.
Overall, a great read. There are subjects such as health/hygiene, reading, writing (letter-writing, too), meal preparation, etc.
I enjoyed the wonderful wisdom of this great Christian man, although there were some things that I did not agree with.
One of those things was that Sunday (or any "Sabbath" day) was a day for REST and rest PERIOD. No excessive preparation of meals, etc., no excessive self-enjoyment, etc. etc. Instead, we are to spend the day in meditation and reading of the Word.
Although this can make one feel "holier," I do not believe it is at all necessary for one -- even a lady -- to refrain from certain activities merely because it is not centered around worshiping the Lord.
Overall, a great read. There are subjects such as health/hygiene, reading, writing (letter-writing, too), meal preparation, etc.
December 9, 2020
I have a special interest in antique literarure regarding etiquette/decorum, and character formation and this is a favorite so far. Such texts paint a vivid picture of what society was like at the time, and this one was published in 1850. Apparently, the author wrote a version for adolescent boys as well. I thought this was full of wonderful wisdom, and I think it’s sad that it would be dismissed as too restrictive and Victorian. While it definitely contained legalism, I felt even those points are worth careful consideration. I’d love to see our society get back to these values being prized as good and right. We will keep this is our library and read it again. I got a lot from it as an adult woman.
January 8, 2014
Fascinating book with interesting concepts and exquisite use of language. Although I don't agree with everything the book says, its foundational beliefs are sound and it manages to portray many things in a way that is both thought provoking and beneficial for life. Overall a very good book!
December 31, 2022
A book much pre-occupied with teaching 'Christian values', chosen at random from https://archive.org/ . Interesting read, but needlessly gruesome in its descriptions of Sabbath-breakers being 'punished'. Most of its content is not gender-specific, as acknowledged by the author in the introduction.
August 1, 2016
Very few good points, most of it is outdated and would be considered sexist
July 13, 2018
At first one might think that a book published in 1850 teaching the ways of a lady might not be relevant for today, but is not the Holy Bible as pertinent to today as it was hundreds of years ago?
As in the Bible, the author of How To Be A Lady speaks in the way of his time, but the truths in the scriptures and in How To Be A Lady remain applicable to this day.
There were so many valuable nuggets of truth and memorable lines that I would mention if they weren't so numerous. Two are:
As in the Bible, the author of How To Be A Lady speaks in the way of his time, but the truths in the scriptures and in How To Be A Lady remain applicable to this day.
There were so many valuable nuggets of truth and memorable lines that I would mention if they weren't so numerous. Two are:
"....never engage in any thing of importance without first seeking direction of God; and never do any thing on which you would be unwilling to ask His blessing."
Chapter IX: Private Prayer, p. 63
and"...God...has placed us in the condition where we are. He knows what is best for us, and what will best serve the end for which He made us; and of all other situations, He has chosen for us the one that we now occupy.
Who could choose so well as He?"
Chapter XXIX: On Being Contented, p. 218
I would recommend this book to those daughters of the King seeking to grow their character, in all readiness and humbleness, according to the plan of their Heavenly Father.
September 7, 2020
It is amazing
June 27, 2024
This book is an absolute gem! I just finished reading it aloud over the course of several weeks to my 4 year old daughter. Sure, much of the vocabulary is above her head, but it's been a great springboard to begin talking about these concepts with her. Many of the chapters were also convicting to me where I lack character. The chapter on sabbath keeping is pure gold, and my husband even enjoyed it when I read that chapter aloud to him. This is a book I hope to revisit multiple times over the years of raising my daughter.
**ETA 4 years later: I just finished reading this book with my now-8 year old as part of her character development studies in our homeschool. We loved it.
**ETA 4 years later: I just finished reading this book with my now-8 year old as part of her character development studies in our homeschool. We loved it.
July 13, 2013
Can be difficult to read, but overall enjoyable.
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December 18, 2014Given by a friend. Old book with a message that still rings true.
May 27, 2016
This book is wonderful.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews