Lab
Library
Journal
Shop
Sign in
to keep
Share image
1
309
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness
·
Florence Hartley
231
"I
would,
on
many
grounds,
caution
the
young
against
hasty
engagements.
It
seems
extraordinary
that
the
welfare
of
a
life
should
often
be
determined
upon
the
acquaintance
of
a
few
weeks.
The
principles,
it
is
true,
may
be
ascertained
from
the
knowledge
of
others,
the
manners
may
please,
the
means
and
expectations
may
all
be
clearly
understood.
But
the
temper--that
word
of
unspeakable
import--the
daily
habits,
the
power
of
constancy--these
are
not
to
be
known
without
a
long
and
severe
examination
of
the
motives,
and
a
daily
observation
of
the
conduct,
of
others.
Very
little
suffices
to
mar
the
happiness
of
married
life,
if
that
little
proceed
in
the
character
of
a
man,
from
a
rooted
selfishness.
"It
is
true,
in
regard
to
this
defect,
that
much
may
be
done
by
a
wife
to
meliorate
a
vice
of
character
which
is,
in
some,
only
the
result
of
never
having
had
their
feelings
developed.
But
if
there
exist
not
this
excuse--if,
in
spite
of
ties,
which
are
dearer
to
an
affectionate
mind
than
existence;
you
find
a
man
preferring
his
own
comfort
to
that
of
those
whom
he
professes
to
love--if
you
find
him
imperious
to
his
servants,
dictatorial
to
sisters,
on
cool
terms
with
brothers,
there
is
little
hope
that
the
mental
disease
will
ever
be
rooted
out,
so
as
to
leave
a
healthy
character
of
mind.
Examine
well
into
this
point;
for
a
hasty
temper
may
be
remedied,
and
even
endured--but
the
deep,
slow,
sullen
course
of
a
selfish
nature
wears
away
hope,
imparts
a
cankering
care,
and,
with
it,
often
disgust.
No
defect
is
so
little
to
be
resisted
as
selfishness.
It
creeps
into
every
detail;
it
infects
the
minutest
affairs
of
life
as
well
as
the
greatest
concerns.
It
depresses
the
humble
sufferer
from
its
baneful
effects;
it
irritates
the
passions
of
the
unamiable.
Study
well
the
character
in
trifles;
nor
venture
to
risk
your
bark
on
the
sea
of
matrimony,
unless
you
know
well
how
far
this
man,
whom
you
might
prefer,
is
free
from
this
deadly
infection.
View
him,
if
possible,
in
his
home,
before
you
pledge
your
faith
with
his--or,
if
that
be
not
practicable,
reflect
upon
the
general
course
of
his
actions,
of
his
sentiments,
and
endeavor
dispassionately
to
judge
them,
as
best
you
may."
Marker
Marker
Fine marker
White-out
Fine white-out
Circle
Paint
Unmarker
Hand
Scalpel
Dice
Sieve
Purify
Undo
Redo
Start over
