Lillian Eichler Watson (1901–1975)

Sort of odd how the book is formatted

intro
wedding
death
how to invite people to a baby shower
sending cards
etc

It seems as if it were shuffled in the wrong order. Usually wedding and death come at the end after you learned other parts of socializing.

With that said this is a good resource to see just how insane the past was with the calling cards. As mentioned in the book leaving 3 was common. There is also when and how to leave it.

I did find this woman's unintentional war on color a bit funny. Everything she prescribes is either black, white or somehow muted.

The main reason I gave it a 4 star rating was due to the parenting section at the end. Really good advice.… (más)

It's a lovely book, although this copy is marred, since someone (gently) removed the frontispiece, entitled "On Her Wedding Day" (the other three are still there). There are many things in the book, governing everything from weddings to parents and children. I don't own the second volume (sadly).

From the introduction:
"...There are certain manners which are learned in good society, of that force that, if a person have them, he or she must be considered, and is everywhere welcome, though without beauty, or wealth, or genius." (Taken from Emerson's Essays)

This book is still a useful resource, even in today's society. It gives a window into our recent past, with recognition paid to the formative aspects of World War I on a young person's character.

(Amazon is currently offering Volumes 1 and 2 free for the Kindle. At least now I have a volume 2.)… (más)

2/12/10

This book is definitely, and perhaps unfortunately, a "blast from the past."

Before E mail, etc., people actually used paper and pen to write to their friends, to issue invitations, to make reservations, and so on. The ability to write a clear, concise and intelligible letter was considered to be necessary for all business people.

The ability to write interesting, non-"I" oriented, grammatically correct, spelled with knowledge greater than a six year old, correctly formed letters was a requisite for anyone who was a competent man or woman, nevermind lady or gentleman.

Written invitations to parties and celebrations were the form.

These days have, of course, passed away. While the efficiencies of E mail and Facebook, etc., and very handy, something has been lost. A sense of permanence and a sense of style.

All in all, it was a gentler time although not necessarily a more efficient one.

… (más)