1st Edition
Flirtation and Courtship in Nineteenth-Century British Culture
This three-volume set brings together a rich collection of primary source materials on flirtation and courtship in the nineteenth-century. Introductory essays and extensive editorial apparatus offer historical and cultural contexts of the materials included
Throughout the long nineteenth-century, a woman’s life was commonly thought to fall into three discrete developmental stages; personal formation and a gendered education; a young woman’s entrance onto the marriage market; and finally her emergence at the apogee of normative femininity as wife and mother. In all three stages of development, there was an unspoken awareness of the duplicity at the heart of this carefully cultivated femininity. What women were taught, no matter their age, was that if you desired anything in life, it behooved you to perform indifference. This meant that for women, the art of flirtation and feigning indifference were viewed as essential survival skills that could guarantee success in life.
These three volumes document the many ways in which nineteenth-century women were educated in this seemingly universal wisdom, but just as frequently managed to manipulate, subvert, and navigate their way through such proscribed norms to achieve their own desires. Presenting a wide range of documents from novels, memoirs, literary journals, newspapers, plays, poetry, songs, parlour games, and legal documents, this collection will illuminate a far more diverse set of options available to women in their quest for happiness, and a new understanding of the operations of courtship and flirtation, the "central" concerns of a nineteenth-century woman’s life.
The volumes will be of interest to scholars of history, literature, gender and cultural studies, with an interest in the nineteenth-century.
Volume 1: Learning to Become a Woman
General Introduction
Volume 1 Introduction
Editorial Notes
1. The Mother’s Gift: Or a Present for all little Children Who Are Good (London: Carnan and Newbery, 1769), pp. iii, 36-51.
2. James Fordyce, The Character and Conduct of the Female Sex, and the Advantages to be Derived by Young Men from the Society of Virtuous Women (London: T. Cadell, 1776), pp. 10-17.
3. Sarah Howard, Thoughts on Female Education, with Advice to Young Ladies (London: J. Matthews, 1783), pp. 64-80
4. John Moir, Female Tuition: or, An Address to Mothers, on the Education of Daughters (1787) (London: Printed for the Author, 1800), pp. 135-67, 220-36.
5. ‘The Miseries of Improper Education’, The Lady’s Magazine, or Entertaining Companion for the Fair Sex, 20 (February 1789), pp. 83-86.
6. Mary Wollstonecraft, ‘Advertisement’, in Christian Gotthilf Salzmann, Elements of Morality, for the Use of Children; with an Introductory Address to Parents (1790), trans. Mary Wollstonecraft (London: J. Crowder, 1792), pp. i-iv.
7. ‘The Vision’, The Lady’s Magazine, or Entertaining Companion for the Fair Sex, 23 (1792), pp. 257-59.
8. The Complete Art of Writing Love Letters; or, the Lover’s Best Instructor . . . (1795) (London: W. Franklin, 1800), pp. iii-viii, 6-13, 19-20, 173-77.
9. Priscilla Wakefield, Juvenile Anecdotes, Founded on Facts: Collected for the Amusement of Children (1795-98) (London: Harvey and Darton, 1825), pp. iii-iv, 59-62, 132-55, 244-250.
10. Joseph Robertson, An Essay on the Education of Young Ladies: Addressed to a Person of Distinction (London: T. Cadell, Jr., and W. Davies, 1798), pp.1-9, 42-49.
11. Priscilla Wakefield’s Reflections on the Present Condition of the Female Sex; with Suggestions for its Improvement (London: J. Johnson and Darton and Harvey, 1798), pp. 140-95.
12. Maria Edgeworth and R. L. Edgeworth, Essays on Practical Education (1798), 2 vols. (London: J. Johnson, 1811), vol. 2, pp. 170-215.
13. Amelia Opie, ‘The Black Velvet Pelisse’, in Simple Tales, 4 vols. (London: Longman, Hurst, Rees and Orme, 1806), vol. 1, pp. 1-40.
14. Sydney Smith, ‘Review of Advice to Young Ladies on the Improvement of the Mind, by Thomas Broadhurst’ (1810), in The Works of the Rev. Sydney Smith, (London: Longman, Brown, Green, Roberts, 1840), vol. 1, pp. 200 - 220.
15. The Female Instructor; or, Young Woman's Companion: Being a Guide to All the Accomplishments which Adorn the Female Character . . .(1811) (Liverpool: Nuttall, Fisher, and Dixon, 1815), pp. iii-iv, 18-23, 28-29.
16. Mary Brunton, Discipline: A Novel (1814) (Edinburgh: Manners and Miller, 1815), pp. v-ix, 3-25.
17. Sarah Green, Gretna Green Marriages: or the Nieces (London: A.K. Newman and Co., 1823), vol.1, pp. 1-45.
18. Woman: As She Is, And As She Should Be, 2 vols. (London: James Cochrane, 1835), pp. iii-xi, xiii-xix, 47-74.
19. The Mother the Best Governess. A Practical System for the Education of Young Ladies (London: John W. Parker, 1839), pp. vii-xi, 13-21.
20. Alexander Walker, Woman: Physiologically Considered as to Mind, Morals, Marriage, Matrimonial Slavery, Infidelity and Divorce (1839) (London: A. H. Baily, 1840), pp. i - xiv, 26-48.
21. [Eugene Becklard], Physiological Mysteries and Revelations in Love Courtship and Marriage (1843) (New York: Holland & Glover, 1844), pp. iv-x, 47-63.
22. T. E. G., The Etiquette of Love, Courtship, and Marriage (London: Simpkin, Marshall,1847), pp. 13-15, 26-29.
23. T. S. Arthur, ‘Conduct Towards Men’, Advice to Young Ladies on Their Duties and Conduct in Life (1849) (London: J.S. Hodson, 1855), pp. 16-26.
24. Edward Woods Love, Courtship and Marriage (Leeds: Alice Mann, 1855).
25. Modern Pastime or, In-Door Amusements . . . (London: Frederick Warne, 1871), pp. 145-46, 152, 154.
26. Hymen’s Advice to the Ladies: A New Invented and Entertaining Game of Courtship and Matrimony, c.1790.
27. The New Game of Human Life: John Wallis (d. 1818) and Elizabeth Newberry, London, England, 1790.
28. The Mansion of Happiness. London: Printed for Laurie and Whittle, 1800.
29. Bowles's New Invented and Entertaining Game of Courtship and Matrimony ; to Be Played Not Only with Dice, as the Goose and Snake, but Also with Cards, or an Index ; with Quotations and Motto's from Celebrated Songs. London: Printed for Bowles & Carver, 1795.
Index
Volume 2: Female Power and the Rules of Courtship
General Introduction
Volume 2 Introduction
Editorial Notes
1. Wetenhall Wilkes, A Letter of Genteel and Moral Advice to a Young Lady . . . (1740) (London: C. Hitch, 1746), pp. 156-64.
2. The Lady’s Magazine; or Entertaining Companion . . ., 6 (January 1775) (London: G. Robinson, 1775), pp. 30-32, 189-92, 363-64, 294-96.
3. Vicesimus Knox, ‘On the Neccesity asnd Method of Encouraging in the Community the Prevalence of Virtuous Love’, in Essays Moral and Literary (London: Charles Dilly, 1785), vol. 1, pp. 150-55.
4. Catherine MacCaulay Graham, Letters on Education. With Observations on Religious and Metaphysical Subjects (Dublin: Chamberlaine and Rice, 1790), pp. 112-17, 135-39.
5. Gentleman and Lady’s Companion: Containing the Newest Cotillions and Country Dances; to which is added, instances of Ill Manners to be carefully avoided by Youth of both sexes. (Norwhich: J. Trumbull, 1798), pp. 3-4, 22-24.
6. The Female Instructor: Or a Young Woman’s Companion Being a Guide to all the Accomplishments Which Adorn the Female Character (1811) (Liverpool, Nuttall, Fisher, and Dixon 1815), pp. 181-87.
7. ‘Courtship and Marriage’, in The London Magazine, 4 (January to April, 1826), (London, Hunt and Clark, 1826), pp. 37-44.
8. ‘Courtship’, in How to Woo; How to Win; and How to Get Married . . . (1838), Glasgow: W.R. M’Phun, 1856), pp. 31-37.
9. Arthur Freeling, The Young Bride's Book: Being Hints for Regulating the Conduct of Married Women (London: H. Washbourne, 1839), pp. 26-48.
10. Alexander Walker, Woman Physiologically Considered as to mind, morals, marriage, matrimonial slavery, infidelity and divorce (London: A. H. Bailey, 1840), pp. 98-108.
11. Charlotte Bury, The Manoeuvring Mother (1842) (London: G. Routledge, 1858), pp. 1-83.
12. Eugene Becklard, Physiological Mysteries and Revelations in Love, Courtship and Marriage (New York: Holland & Glover, 1844), pp. 65-90.
13. T.E.G. The Etiquette of Love, Courtship, and Marriage (London, Simpkin Marshall and Co., 1847), pp. 30-72.
14. Albert Smith, The Natural History of the Flirt (London: D. Bogue, 1848), 7-107.
15. T. S. Arthur, Advice to Young Ladies on Their Duties and Conduct in Life (1849) (London: J. S. Hodson, 1855), pp. 126-40.
16. The Etiquette of Love Courtship and Marriage. To Which is Added the Etiquette of Politeness (1850) (Halifax: Milner and Sowerby, 1859), pp. 28-44.
17. The New Guide to Matrimony; or, the Whole Art of Courtship . . . (Newcastle-on-Tyne: Bowman, c. 1850), pp. 2-4.
18. Etiquette of Courtship and Matrimony: With a Complete Guide to the forms of a Wedding (London: David Bogue, 1852), pp. 20-46.
19. A Manual of the Etiquette of Love, Courtship and Marriage, by a Lady (London: Thomas Allman, 1853), pp. 3-29, 43-50.
20. H.W.H., How to Choose a Wife'(London: Partridge, Oakey and Co., 1855), pp. iii-x, 40-44.
21. H.W.H., How to Choose a Husband (London: Partridge and Co., 1856), pp. iii-xvii, 18-21.
22. Charlotte Bury, The Lady of Fashion (London: Hurst and Blackett, 1856), vol. 1, pp. 33-65.
23. George Watson, Etiquette For All, or Rules of Conduct . . . (Glasgow: George Watson, 1861), pp. 23-63
24. J.B.S., Anatomy of Flirtation: Being a Pathognomical Diagnosis of That Delectable Pastime (Manchester : J.Heywood, 1886), pp. 3-15.
Index
Volume 3: Marriage and Conduct Unbecoming
General Introduction
Volume 3 Introduction
Editorial Notes
1. Wetenhall Wilkes, A letter of genteel and moral advice to a young lady . . . (1746) (London: L. Hawes, C. Clarke, and R. Collins, 1766), pp. 165-74.
2. ‘Debates in the Commons on the Clandestine Marriage Bill’ (1753), in William Cobbett (ed), Parliamentary History of Great Britain, 15 (London: Hansard, 1813), pp. 1-84.
3. Lady Pennington, An Unfortunate Mother’s Advice to her Absent Daughters, in a Letter to Miss Pennington (1761) (London: J. Walter, 1784), pp. 1-14, 111-17.
4. [Mrs. Grey], ‘The Matron’, The Lady's Magazine; Or Entertaining Companion for the Fair Sex, 10 (1779), pp. vol 10, 1779, pp. 17-19, 149-51, 585-87, 635-37, 686-88.
5. Arnaud Berquin, ‘The School for Step-Mothers’ and ‘The Affectionate Mother’ (1783), in The Children's Friend (London: J. Stockdale, 1788), vol. 4, pp. 67-83, 188-208.
6. William Hayley, A Philosophical, Historical, and Moral Essay on Old Maids, by a Friend to the Sisterhood (1785) (London: T. Cadell, 1793), pp. 1-18, 54-83.
7. ‘The Cruel Stepmother or the Unhappy Son’ (c.1785), The Ballads and Songs of Yorkshire (London: Bell and Daldy (1816), pp. 131-38.
8. The Trial of Divorce, at the Instance of Peter Williamson Printer in Edinburgh, Against Jean Wilson, Daughter of John Wilson, Bookseller in Edinburgh, His Spouse (Edinburgh: 1789), pp. iii-xxiv.
9. The Complete Art of Writing Love Letters; or, the Lover's Best Instructor (1795), (London: W. Franklin, 1800), pp. 22-26, 37-39, 91-95.
10. The Woman of Colour: A Tale . . . (London: Black, Parry & Co., 1808), pp.
11. The Female Instructor; Or, Young Woman's Companion (London: Nuttall, Fisher, and Dixon, 1811), pp. 188-99.
12. Ann Martin Taylor, ‘The Step-Mother’, in Practical Hints to Young Females, on the Duties of a Wife, a Mother, and a Mistress of a Family (London: Taylor & Hessey and J. Conder, 1815), pp. 121-29.
13. Hannah Maria Jones, Gretna Green; Or, The Elopement of Miss D--- with a Gallant Son of Mars, (London: John Tallis, 1821), pp. 3-16.
14. ‘The Cuckold’s Chronicle’ and ‘On the New Marriage Act,’ The Rambler’s Magazine; or Fashionable Emporium . . . vol. 1 (London: Benbow 1822), pp. 5-8, 59-64, 357-59.
15. Mrs. William Parkes, Domestic Duties; or, Instructions to Young Married Ladies, on the Management of Their Households . . ., (London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green, 1825), pp. 22-40.
16. Arthur Freeling, The Young Bride's Book; Being Hints for Regulating the Conduct of Married Women With a Few Medical Axioms (London: Henry Washbourn, 1839), pp. 51-66, 117-20.
17. Charlotte Bury, The Maneuvring Mother (1842) (London: G. Routledge, 1858), pp. 163-209.
18. Peter Orlando Hutchinson, Chronicles of Gretna Green (London: Richard Bentley, 1844), vol. 2, pp. 45-87.
19. Poor Scotch Old Maids, And How to Avoid Becoming One . . . (Edinburgh: Johnstone and Hunter, 1851), pp. 3-41.
20. James Hogg, ‘Provision for Aged Females’, in Hogg’s Instructor, vol. 7 (Edinburgh: James Hogg, 1851), pp. 310-12.
21. Eliza Cook, ‘Poor Genteel Women’ (January 10, 1852), Eliza Cook’s Journal, 6 (London: Charles Cook, 1851-52), pp. 173-75.
22. The Etiquette of Courtship and Matrimony: with a Complete Guide to the Forms of a Wedding (London: David Bogue, 1852), pp. 48-61, 86-95.
23. Caroline Norton, A Letter to the Queen on Lord Chancellor Cranworth's Marriage and Divorce Bill (London: Longman, 1855), pp. 3-31.
24. ‘The Economies and Duties of the Marriage State’, How to Woo; How to Win; and How to Get Married . . . (Glasgow: W. R. M’Phun, 1856), pp. 44-55.
Index
Biography
Ghislaine McDayter is Professor in the Department of English, Bucknell Univesity, USA
John Hunter is Professor of Comparative Humanities, Bucknell University, USA
