The Glory of Woman: Prescriptive Literature, 1820 - 1829

Advice to Governesses. London: J. Hatchard, 1827. E #19474

Examines the duty of a governess to "[study] the individual characters of her pupils, and [give] her time, heart, and mind to eradicate all that is evil, and to train them to all that is worthy of admiration and respect." ED

Bowen, Abel. The Young Lady's Book; a manual of elegant recreations, exercises, and pursuits. London: Vizetelly, Branston, and Co., 1829. LSC 396 Y78

A medley of moral advice and academic instruction calculated to "render a young lady wise and good, [and] to prepare her mind for the duties and trials of life...". E, ED, F, PA, R

Budden, Maria Elizabeth. Right and Wrong: exhibited in the history of Rosa and Agnes. London: J. Harris and Son, 1822. E 12mo #6016

A children's novel in which vice and virtue are exemplified by twin sisters: "Looking at [Rosa and Agnes] will be like looking at ourselves in a glass: we shall not only see what is wrong, but how to put it right, and, as their history is very entertaining, it will amuse us as well as improve us." CH, N, R

Ewell, Thomas. American Family Physician. Georgetown, D.C.: J. Thomas, 1824. C-9 E94AF

This medical guide features a section on women's health, covering pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, infertility, and the "hysterical gits." Other topics include dental care, children's health, and venereal disease. H

Garnett, James. Lectures on Female Education. Richmond: T.W. White, 1825. E 12mo #2123

Advice for girls on topics such as "the moral and religious obligations to improve your time as much as practicable; the best means of improvement; temper and deportment; foibles, faults and vices; manners, accomplishments, fashions and conversation; [and] associates, friends and connexions." E, ED, R

Kenrick, William. The Whole Duty of Woman. New York: W. Borradaile, 1821. E 12mo #3371

Brief essays on marriage, education, religion, and reputation: "Sport not with thy good name, nor run it heedlessly into danger; for the consciousness of thine own innocence, will not protect thee from reproach." E, ED, M, R

Kitchiner, William. The Housekeeper's Oracle, or, Art of Domestic Management. London: Printed for Whittaker, Treacher, and co., 1829. LSC 640 K62H

"To understand the Economy of Household Affairs is essential to a woman's proper and pleasant performance of the duties of a Wife and a Mother." C, D, SR

The Ladies' Garland [serial]. Harper's Ferry, W.Va.: John S. Gallaher, 1825. C-Per L155G, v.2 no.9) Library has: v.1 (1824) - v.4 (1828).

"Never touch a sore place in any one's character; for be assured, whoever you are, that you have a sore place in your own, and a young woman is a flower that may be blasted in a moment." This weekly serial features fiction, biography, and news items reprinted from various sources. E, F, N, PA, R

The Ladies' Magazine [serial]. Boston: Putnam & Hunt, 1828. E-5A A512LD, July 1828 Library has: 1 (1828) - 2 (1829).

This magazine contains poetry, fiction, and advice on female conduct, declaring that women "have a power to wield over the other sex, for the use or abuse of which they must be solemnly chargeable at that tribunal whence there lies no appeal." E, N, PA

Little Nancy, or, The Punishment of Greediness: a moral tale. Philadelphia: Published by Morgan & Yeager, 1824. E Pam 12mo #12113

A poem about a young girl who eats too much at a party and becomes ill: "My young readers beware, / And avoid with great care, / Such excesses as this you've just read; / For be sure you will find / It your interest to mind / What your friends and relations have said." CH, E, R

Parkes, William, Mrs. Domestic Duties; or, instructions to young married ladies, on the management of their households... New York: Printed by J. & J. Harper, 1828. LSC 640 P245D

This manual instructs young wives on "social relations, household concerns, regulation of time, [and] moral and religious duties." C, D, E, H, M, R, SR

Subject Guide

Throughout this bibliography, these subject letter codes are used to identify works relating to a particular topic. The guide is displayed at the bottom of each page.

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