What if you know no gentlewomen?

Posted by Helen on November 07, 1997 at 06:36:10:

In response to Nash's Rules, written by Cassia on November 06, 1997 at 17:32:53

] I ran across an old book called: The English Women:In Life and Letters by M Phillips and W S Tompkins (Oxford University Press 1926) and on page 106 I found Beau Nash, the famous Bath Master of Ceromonies, Rules for A Ball.
]

1. That ladies coming to thae ball appoint a time for their footmaen coming to wait on them home, to prevent disturbances and inconvenience to themselves and others.
2. That no gentlmen give his ticket for the ball to any but a gentlewoman. Unless he has none of his acquaitence.

   In which case, do you invite mere demi-monde?

   ]

3. That gentlemaen crowding before ladies at the balls show ill manners, and that none do so for the future except such as respect nobody but themselves.
4. That elder ladies and children be content with a second bench at teh ball, as being past or not come to perfection.
5. That younger ladies take notice how many eyes observe them.

] Many of Nash's rules still seem to be good ones. Too bad nobody told the younger Bennet girls number 5.

This is fascinating! To say nothing of ageist!

Helen

REPLIES:

• Re: What If... Cassia 16:02:18 11/08/97 (3)
  • Interesting! Caroline 23:43:09 11/08/97 (2)
    • Eloping with the footman Helen 10:45:28 11/12/97 (1)
      • An Exchange Cassia 16:03:04 11/14/97 (0)
• Nash--the ruler ElaineL 14:00:06 11/07/97 (2)
  • A Reference Cassia 15:48:37 11/08/97 (1)
    • Off to the library again, thanks! (NFM) ElaineL 21:26:37 11/08/97 (0)

Posting followups to old messages is disabled; instead go to the main index and post a new message which mentions this one.