The Long Nineteenth Century

Generally, the XIX century is considered to the one of the most turbulent and uneasy ones in modern history. It was marked not only with major political events such as Napoleonic wars or wars between Russia and Turkey, but also with crucial economic developments related to industrialization. Cultural and scientific progress made a remarkable difference to the way of life of individual people as well as of the whole states and continents.

However, with the aid of an authoritative tome, Manners and Rules of Good Society, we shall endeavour to highlight some especially trying words and to clarify the best way of pronouncing them.

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Social Success: A Victorian Guide To Proper Pronunciation

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It can be terribly embarrassing to mispronounce things, particularly names. And some people take genuine offence if the pronunciation of their name or castle should falter on another person’s lips. If you are in any doubt as to the correct pronunciation, when in the midst of a conversation, it might just be best to talk around that particular word and carry on as best you can.

However, with the aid of an authoritative tome, Manners and Rules of Good Society, we shall endeavour to highlight some especially trying words and to clarify the best way of pronouncing them.

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Social Success: A Gentleman’s Guide To Fortune

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Money is one of those often fraught and unfortunate matters which it sometimes seems impossible to escape. After all, how many times has it pitched up its tent in the centre of this concern or that quarrel? It is perhaps a rather beastly subject with which to grapple. Some might wish we could do away with it entirely.

However, unless that ever actually happens, it is a gentleman’s duty to understand and manage his financial affairs. And so, Behind The Past will do battle with the foe as it currently stands, and hope that, in so doing, some helpful advice might be imparted to any interested parties of gentlemen.

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Life And Style: Hints On Matters Of Victorian Dress (Gentlemen’s Edition)

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As we have already considered this matter for ladies, it seems only fair that we now turn our attention to the gentlemen. After all, dress is not a primarily female concern and it would be silly to pretend that no man has ever been perturbed by the sense that he has not quite ‘got it right’ on one occasion or another. So, in order to set any gentlemen readers on the path to a future both sensible and stylish, Behind The Past has sought guidance from our dear American friends, as to what they ought (and ought not) to be wearing.

However, the fundamental point to be stressed here, as it was previously stressed for ladies, is that the true mark of a gentleman in his good conduct. Circumstances, whatever they may be, may cause him to dress poorly. However, he will never behave poorly.

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Social Success: Five Pieces Of Victorian Etiquette (Part Four)

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In this fourth part in our collection of advice for the aspiring Victorian lady or gentleman, we shall turn our attention to behaviour whilst ‘out and about’. And, we shall take our guidance from our dear American cousins.

Correct behaviour in the daily undertakings of life is as important as correct behaviour at the grandest ball or dinner. Good manners are not things that should only be brought out for special occasions. Indeed, they should be woven into the very fabric of our beings.

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Life And Style: Hints On Matters Of Victorian Dress (Ladies’ Edition)

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It is always possible to tell if someone is a lady, regardless of what they are wearing. A lady is unfailingly polite and considerate. Manners and morals are the mark of a true lady, not her dress, and certainly not her dedication to fashion.

Nevertheless, a lady will always endeavour to be appropriately attired. By dressing correctly, she shows her respect for others and the situation at hand. She would not go to a wedding in her riding clothes, and she would not go to go shopping in a ball gown.

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Social Success: Five Pieces Of Regency Etiquette (Part Five)

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In this most recent five-point guide to proper etiquette, we take the display of accomplishments as our theme.

It has often been remarked that young ladies are now more accomplished than ever before. We are taught to dance and sing and play and paint and embroider and the list goes on… But all of these are worthless, if a young lady does not display them in a manner which is to her benefit. Thus, the next time you are called upon to ‘exhibit’, as they say, here are some words of advice that it might be worth bearing in mind:

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Social Success: The Regency Ladies’ Guide To Managing The Social Expectations Of Gentlemen

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The title of this piece, while hoping to be vaguely amusing, is not in any way intended to disparage men. Men and women are equally possessed of the ability to embody many amiable qualities and laudable virtues. Indeed, if all of us were as amiable and virtuous as we perhaps ought to be, then no word regarding the ‘management’ of another would ever need to pass our lips. But, it is apparent that we seem, as a species, to be sadly disposed towards error and fault. Therefore, we must by necessity equip ourselves with a plan to enforce our own scrupulous conduct, and for a back-up plan to respond to the oversights of others.

Embarking such a topic, for all humanity and for all possible social situations in its entirety, would result in a rather hefty tome. It would be beyond the scope of the humble advice put together here. Thus the scope of management guidance has been reduced, and it is from this reduction that the title has arisen. Our guidance aims to help the young lady as she embarks upon the exciting voyage of entering Society. It is intended to help her conduct herself with scrupulous propriety, as she makes the acquaintance of nice gentlemen.

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Review: Lucy Worsley – Mozart’s London Odyssey

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It seemed a rather long time since the poor Review section of this blog had had any new content, and it was perilously at risk of feeling overlooked and neglected. Then, quite by chance, a new documentary from the spirited Lucy Worsley appeared on BBC4.

Mozart’s London Odyssey follows a neat and circular narrative, beginning with Worsley describing how an eight year old Wolfgang Mozart was scrutinised by a scientist in London in 1765. The reason was that people could not – and did not – believe that his skill and talent were possible.

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Social Success: Five Pieces of Victorian Household Management (Part Two)

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One of the central tasks carried out by the mistress of an establishment is the management of its social calendar. This is no small task, and not one to be undertaken lightly. It entails many duties, from paying calls to securing invitations.

A particularly perilous task is to be found in the hosting of a dinner.

Yet Behind The Past is here to unburden you of all of your cares and worries. With our handy guides, dealt out in manageable portions, all aspects of the running of your Victorian household will soon fall easily into place. Today, we shall deal with the initial management of your guests at a dinner party, i.e. from before they arrive to just before the food is served, and we shall do this in five simple steps.

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Social Success: How To Spend Your Regency Evening After A Dinner Party

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Perhaps it might make more sense to begin by advising you how to spend your evening at home, rather than abroad. But parties are infinitely more fun, as a general rule, and so we shall begin this way. We shall get around to cosy, homely evenings in due course.

So, imagine the scene. You have been invited to The Big House (or maybe The Bigger House, or simply Another Really Big House) for dinner. Perhaps you will be staying there for some time, as part of a house party. You know how to get yourself through the meal, but all that socialising afterwards… How do you behave? What should you do? And more importantly, what shouldn’t you do?

Once again, Behind The Past is here to guide you and allay your fears.

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