Category: Gentleman

8 Rules of Business Etiquette for the Gentleman From a Manners Manual of the 1880s

Business. [1.] FORM GOOD HABITS. It is important for the young man learning business, or just getting a start in business, to form correct habits, and especially of forming the habit of being polite to all with whom he has business relations, showing the same courteous treatment to men or women, poorly or plainly dressed,…


The Gentleman’s Guide to Self-Mastery From an 1890s Manual on Cultivating Self-Control, Character

The Kingship of Self-Control MAN has two creators,—his God and himself. His first creator furnishes him the raw material of his life and the laws in conformity with which he can make that life what he will. His second creator,—himself,—has marvelous powers he rarely realizes. It is what a man makes of himself that counts. When a man…


A Gentleman’s Rules for Cultivating Moral Values in the Home—From an 1880s Manual on Manners

Home Culture. The work of home culture should be made a matter of great importance to every one, for upon it depends the happiness of earthly homes, as well as our fitness for the enjoyment of the eternal home in heaven. The sufferings endured here, friend for friend, parents for children, unrequited sacrifices, cares and…


How to Be a Gentleman: A Politeness Handbook From 1875 Explains What ‘True Courtesy’ Really Is All About

TRUE COURTESY. POLITENESS is the art of pleasing. It is to the deportment what the finer touches of the pencil are to the picture, or what harmony is to music. In the formation of character, it is indispensably requisite. “We are all,” says Locke, “a kind of chameleons, that take a tincture from the objects…


Vintage Advice for Gentleman: Etiquette for the Date, Hanging With the Boys, or Just Chillin’ Alone

Here is an excerpt from “The Gentlemen’s Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness” by Cecil B. Hartley, published by Locke & Bubier in 1875.  ETIQUETTE FOR PLACES OF AMUSEMENT. WHEN you wish to invite a lady to accompany you to the theatre, opera, a concert, or any other public place of amusement, send the invitation the day previous to the one selected for taking her, and write…


50 (More) Tips for Cultivating Gentlemanly Manners From an Etiquette Handbook From the 1800s

The following excerpt from “The Gentlemen’s Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness” by Cecil B. Hartley, published by Locke & Bubier in 1875, concludes the chapter, “Hints for Gentlemanly Deportment,” from our previous installment. [FIFTY MORE] HINTS FOR GENTLEMANLY DEPORTMENT [CONTINUED]. Never offer to shake hands with a lady; she will, if she wishes…


50 Tips for Cultivating Gentlemanly Manners and Conduct From an 1800s Handbook on Etiquette

The following is an excerpt from “The Gentlemen’s Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness” by Cecil B. Hartley, published by Locke & Bubier in 1875.  [FIFTY] HINTS FOR GENTLEMANLY DEPORTMENT. ALWAYS avoid any rude or boisterous action, especially when in the presence of ladies. It is not necessary to be stiff, indolent, or sullenly…


How to Make a Party Pleasant: Party Etiquette for the Gentleman From an 1800s Handbook on Manners

The following is an excerpt from “The Gentlemen’s Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness” by Cecil B. Hartley, published by Locke & Bubier in 1875.  PARTIES. Now, there are many different kinds of parties. There are the evening party, the matinée, the reading, dancing, and singing parties, the picnic, the boating, and the riding…


Rules for Church From a Vintage Gentleman’s Guidebook on Manners From the 1800s

The following is an excerpt from “The Gentlemen’s Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness” by Cecil B. Hartley, published by Locke & Bubier in 1875. ETIQUETTE IN CHURCH. It is not, in this book, a question, what you must believe, but how you must act. If your conscience permits you to visit other churches…


‘Manly Exercise’ Etiquette: A Vintage Gentleman’s Manual Instructs on Boxing, Sports, Physical Fitness

The following is an excerpt from “The Gentlemen’s Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness” by Cecil B. Hartley, published by Locke & Bubier in 1875. MANLY EXERCISES. BODILY exercise is one of the most important means provided by nature for the maintenance of health, and in order to prove the advantages of exercise, we…