How to Be a Lady

About this book

"Preface! I never read a preface, it's so prosy" said a bright-eyed, sprightly little girl; "I want to get at the story." Her object in reading was to be amused. If she had desired to be benefited by what she read, she would have perused the Author's preface, in order to understand why he wrote the book. The "Young Lady's Guide" was intended for a class of female , who have attained some degree of maturity of character, and who are supposed already to have entered upon a religious life. The success of that work has led the Author, for several years, to contemplate the preparation of another, for a younger class of females. Having daughters of his own, and having been many years employed in writing for the young, he hopes to be able to offer some good advice, in the following pages, in an entertaining way, for girls or misses, between the ages of eight and fifteen. His object is, to assist them in forming their characters upon the best model; that they may become well-bred, intelligent, refined, and good; and then they will be ladies, in the highest sense. This book covers substantially the same ground occupied by another work for boys, issued simultaneously with it. Some parts of both are identical; while other parts are entirely different. If it shall be the means of benefiting one immortal mind, the Author will be abundantly rewarded. (Summary from the Preface)