Life Lessons from the Past

In the archives, Western History and Genealogy holds a variety of books covering a wide range of topics. While doing research for a previous blog about old time party recipes, I stumbled upon several books with advice for living a respectable life. Many of the books focus on the etiquette and manners of their time, but many also contain advice that can still be considered relevant today. 

Here are several pieces of advice I came across that I believe are still useful today:

If you go to the theatre to be entertained, bear in mind that perhaps others go for the same purpose, and that they come to be entertained--not by you. - The Book of Good Manners

Men, don't talk down to women as. . .she is more often either hurt or angered at your evident condescension, or, on the other hand, she credits you with just the amount of knowledge that you have evinced in your conversation with her." - Social Life, or, The Manners and Customs of Polite Society

Powder and paint are so obvious to the eye, that their use, or rather abuse, by some otherwise sensible women, is a continual wonder. - Social Life, or, The Manners and Customs of Polite Society

For washing windows, looking glasses, etc., a little ammonia in the water saves much labor, aside from giving a polish better than anything else.- Daniels & Fisher's Family Cook book and Cyclopedia of Practical Recipes 

The breath: nothing makes one so disagreeable to others as a bad breath. It is caused by bad teeth, diseased stomach, or disease of the nostrils. Neatness and care of the health will prevent and cure it. - Daniels & Fisher's Family Cook book and Cyclopedia of Practical Recipes

But remember that pure water, fresh air, and sunlit homes kept free from dampness, will secure you from many heavy bills of the doctors and give you health and vigor, which no money can procure. - Daniels & Fisher's Family Cook book and Cyclopedia of Practical Recipes

Here is some of the funniest advice that I would not recommend following:

For bathing: flannel is appropriate, and a heavy quantity of mohair also makes a successful dress, as it resists water and has not clinging qualities" - Social Life, or, The Manners and Customs of Polite Society

To keep off mosquitos: Rub exposed parts with kerosene - Daniels & Fisher's Family Cook book and Cyclopedia of Practical Recipes

Bites of dog: The only safe remedy in case of a bite from a dog suspected of madness, is to burn out the wound thoroughly with red-hot iron...- Daniels & Fisher's Family Cook book and Cyclopedia of Practical Recipes

To restore from stroke of lightning: shower with cold water for two hours; if the patient does not show signs of life, put salt in the water, and continue to shower an hour longer. - Daniels & Fisher's Family Cook book and Cyclopedia of Practical Recipes

The worst advice I found was aimed at young women: 

It need not occupy half the time to see that the house has been properly swept, dusted, and put in order, to prepare puddings and make dishes, that many young ladies spend in reading novels which enervate both mind and body and unfit them for every-day life. Women do not, as a general rule, get pale faces doing housework. - Daniels & Fisher's Family Cook book and Cyclopedia of Practical Recipes

I'd rather be reading in a dusty room.

To read some of the advice for yourself, come into the Western History and Genealogy Department at the Denver Public Library to take a look at one of the books I consulted.

• Daniels & Fisher's Family Cook book and Cyclopedia of Practical Recipes
• Social Life, or, The Manners and Customs of Polite Society
• The Book of Good Manners