The qualities of a Lady

A lady should be quiet in her manners, natural and unassuming in her language, careful to wound no one’s feelings, but giving generously and freely from the treasures of her pure mind to her friends. Scorning no one openly, she should feel gentle pity for the unfortunate, the inferior and the ignorant, at the same time carrying herself with an innocence and single heartedness which disarms ill nature, and wins respect and love from all.

Etiquette of dress for the proper lady.

The most appropriate morning dress for a lady upon first rising is a small muslin cap, to hide the hair papers, and a loose robe.

Once breakfast is finished the dress should always be adapted to the occasion. Nothing is more proper for the morning than a loosely made dress, high in the neck, with sleeves fastened as the wrist with a band, and belt. For walking dress, the skirt should be allowed only just to touch the ground.

If a lady has a special day for the reception of calls, her dress must be of silk, or other goods suitable to the season, or to her position, but must be of quiet colors and plainly worn. Lace collars and cuffs should be worn with this dress, and a certain amount of jewelry is also admissible.

The material for a dress for a drive through the public streets of a city cannot be too rich. Silks, velvets and laces, are all appropriate, with rich jewelry and costly furs in cold weather.

The full dinner dress for guests admits of great splendor. It may be of any thick texture of silk or velvet for winter or light rich goods for summer, and should be long and sweeping. The fan should be perfect in its way, and the gloves should be quite fresh. Diamonds are used in broaches, pendants, earrings and bracelets. All the light neutral tints, and black, dark blue, purple, dark green, garnet, brown and fawn are suited for dinner wear.

Costly cashmeres, very rich furs, and diamonds, as well as many other brilliant ornaments, are to be forbidden a young unattached lady.