A few weeks back when I was
writing posts about parasols, I decided to have a quick look at some of the
advertising circulars I have from
Ackermann’s Repository and La Belle
Assemblee, to see if there was any mention of parasols from any of the
shops advertising in it. The first one I picked out, at random, was the
Advertisements section from January 1811’s Ackermann’s. As I (carefully)
flipped though its pages, I noticed an advertisement for books...in particular,
“In a neat Pocket Volume,
handsomely printed, and embellished with superb Plates of Ladies’ Dresses,
price 5s.; or on fine Paper, with coloured Plates, 7s 6d.
THE MIRROR OF THE GRACES;
or,
THE
ENGLISH LADIES’ COSTUME
IMPARTING the Art of combining TASTE, FASHION, and
ELEGANCE, with MODESTY, ECONOMY, and JUDGMENT IN DRESS; also the Means of
adapting the various ARTICLES OF FEMALE EMBELLISHMENT to different Ages, Forms,
and Complexions, and preserving Beauty, Health, and Loveliness throughout Life,
without the aid of injurious Cosmetics, or any spurious assistance from the
Toilet.
Founded upon Principles agreeing with the
Feelings of Nature and the Rules of Propriety.
COLLECTED
BY A LADY OF DISTINCTION
who has attentively studied
what is considered truly graceful and elegant amongst the most refined Nations
of Europe."
I will admit that I gave a bit
of a jump...because this little gem can actually be found in reprint form at
your favorite on-line book retailers (or free to view online at https://archive.org/details/mirrorgracesore00distgoog)
It was republished under the name Regency
Etiquette and subtitled The Mirror of Graces (1811)—a rather
misleading title, since it has almost nothing to do with etiquette. It was
undoubtedly popular back in its day—the advertisement noted that there would be a delay in its
release because the bookseller had been forced to go back to press to satisfy
the large number of pre-ordered books, and subsequent (and possibly pirated)
editions were published in New York, Edinburgh, and Boston. I recommend you
have a look—the style can be a little heavy-going (and unintentionally amusing
to modern readers) but it’s a fascinating precursor to today’s fashion and
beauty magazines and self-help books...and a mirror not only of “the graces”,
but also what society’s expectations were of women in that time.
Another book you might have
heard of is also due out in reprint form...By Jove is now available in a print edition, if e-books aren’t your cup of tea. ☕ ☺
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