VICTORIAN WOMAN CUSTOMS MANNERS LIFE
1873
Presented for auction is Outlines of Men, Women and Things, by Mary Clemmer Ames. New York: Hurd and Houghton, 1873, 1873. First Edition. A search of the major internet book selling sites at this time reveals this to be the only first edition available worldwide!!!
"I believe religiously in the thorough physical and intellectual education of girls. But that girl is not educated, who, having mastered every other science, is totally ignorant of the chemical properties of a perfect loaf of bread; and who cannot, upon necessity, make such a loaf with her own hands." (p. 191)
"The parlor may reveal to us the exact standard of a woman's taste; but the unerring interpretation of her disposition is the kitchen. Wealth or circumstance may place the actual labor and duty of your daily life outside of your kitchen. Trained servants may make it unnecessary that you should fulfill its daily tasks with your own hands. But has it ever occurred to you, that, however exempt yourself, some woman's life is lived in your kitchen, and how much you may add to that life by making your kitchen a pleasant place to inhabit? She is no less a woman in all her native susceptibilities and needs because she is poor and does your work. Do you realize how much every life takes on of the hue of its surroundings? And what a minister of good as well as a minister of beauty you may be when you make your kitchen perfect as a kitchen, as you have already made your parlor as a parlor?" (p. 206)
"Woman in politics! Woman has always been in politics. The question is not concerning the fact, but its relations. Shall woman remain forever in government a covert, irresponsible, unacknowledged force; or shall she be trained to high, responsible power -to be honored no less as a woman, wife, mother, and friend, because she represents the laws which concern her, her children, her property, no less than a man?" (p. 227)
On Grand Duke Alexis in New York: " 'He is very handsome and agreeable," said a young woman who danced with him; 'but he has the ugliest hand I ever saw.' And, if she makes as her criterion the thin, nervous American hand her criterion, it is not strange that she calls this giant fist ugly. It is an ugly, honest hand, that looks as if had travelled down the Romanoff line from a day when the Romanoffs were not 'royal.' If the Grand Duke can't dance well, he can walk with a will. Head and shoulders above all the company, he went about with Miss ______ on his arm. The young lady was very graceful and pretty, in blue crape, with a little blue feather and pink aigrette in her hair. As the two went laughing and chatting through the crowd, they were fair to see." (p. 64)
Mary Clemmer Ames was a Victorian author best know for her "Woman's Letter from Washington," which appeared regularly in the New York City "Independent." In her writings we see the thoughts and feelings of Victorian times. Ms. Ames was for woman's suffrage, but not at the expense of not being able to make a good loaf of bread!! This book contains many thoughts on the role of woman, and men. It also covers some of the goings -on in that period which are really very interesting when read from a perspective of 135 years later!!
At 135 years old!! The book is in Very Good condition. The backstrip is rough on the top and bottom and backside where it meets the board. Board tips are rubbed. Inside former owner's name, town and date on front flyleaf (1874).
This is the only first edition of this book we could find for sale on the Web!! If you think you would like this book in your collection - Don't Let It Get Away!!! BID NOW!!
Don't Let It Get Away!!! BID NOW!!
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