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The Legacy of Civility
Historical Etiquette Texts
The following sampler of etiquette manuals, conduct guides, and social‑behavior texts are linked to freely accessible digital archives. While their guidance reflects the time in which they were written, each text enriches our understanding of courtesy, civility, and social life and invites us to consider their relevance today.
18th–19th Century
Charles Durang, born in Philadelphia, was an actor, dancer, writer, and theatre historian. In his dancing guide, he provides detailed instruction along with illustration. Persuading readers to appreciate dance, he writes, "Dancing deserves the attention of the enlightened, as a necessary accomplishment; it is a natural exercise, tending to promote the exhilaration of the mind, and the dissemination of good feeling and rational enjoyment among all classes of our society."
Charles Durang
[185-?]
Author James Willis Westlake reminds readers of the historical and biographical value of letters, as well as their power to be utterly revealing in their intimacy. The practice of writing he deems essential and states, "It is certainly a noble thing to have great thoughts, but without the power of expressing them the finest sentiments are unavailable." The manual provides guidance on ink, presentation, paper selection, composition, and more.
James Willis Westlake
1876
Young's vast array of topics include home dental care, the harmony of color pairing in dress, and the etiquette of card playing. On the topic of the education of men and women, he notes a distinction for women in America, "In this country more than any other, women should, to some extent, cultivate a spirit of independence. They should acquire a knowledge of how business is transacted, of the relation between capital and labor, and of the value of labor, skilled and unskilled." Similarly for men, in a later chapter on business, he notes politeness as a requirement for success in business.
John H. Young
1879
Thomas E. Hill
Hill describes the goal of his book, "To enable the writer, sitting easily and gracefully at the desk, to express thought plainly, rapidly, elegantly and correctly." A huge hit amongst readers, the manual went through more than 20 editions and sold an estimated 400,000 copies. Hill provides guidance on a wide range of topics including neighborly conduct, being a good landlord, the language of flowers, and the etiquette of shopping.
1888
Written anonymously and to this day, the author's true name is still unknown. A Woman of Fashion advises discernment for the unmarried 19th century woman, asserting "do not try to change your style for every critic, and do not worry over one’s finding fault with your effusiveness, and another’s with your reticence. Be your best self; and cultivate that best, without regard to the opinions of those whose opinions are not worth having."
A Woman of Fashion
1898
Cora C. Klein
1899
A popular social guide published in Chicago. The author writes, "Gentility is neither in birth, manner, nor fashion, but in the mind. A high sense of honor, a determination never to take a mean advantage of another, and an adherence to truth, delicacy, and politeness towards those with whom one may have dealings..." Klein advises on topics such as telephone habits, foods to serve guests, mourning traditions, child-rearing, book-borrowing, and perfume-wearing.
20th Century
Contemporary
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