Th late Lord Chesterfield (1694-1773) wrote instructional books. The Principles of Politeness, and of Knowing the World , originally published in 1794, is an adaptation of letters written to instruct his son in the ways of the world. The book contained "every instruction necessary to complete the gentleman and man of fashion, to teach him a knowledge of life, and make him well received in all companies." John Trusler's adaption of Lord Chesterfield's writings had been published repeatedly and in many forms, including ...
Read More
Th late Lord Chesterfield (1694-1773) wrote instructional books. The Principles of Politeness, and of Knowing the World , originally published in 1794, is an adaptation of letters written to instruct his son in the ways of the world. The book contained "every instruction necessary to complete the gentleman and man of fashion, to teach him a knowledge of life, and make him well received in all companies." John Trusler's adaption of Lord Chesterfield's writings had been published repeatedly and in many forms, including school readers, newspapers, and etiquette books of the day. It soon became the most popular manual on manners. One quote from the book spoke of the importance of dance to proper deportment: " Next to good-breeding, " said Chesterfield, " is genteel manners and carriage, " and the best method to acquire these is through a knowledge of dance. " Now to acquire a graceful air, you must attend to your dancing; no one can either sit, stand or walk well, unless he dances well. And in learning to dance, be particularly attentive to the motion of your arms for a stiffness in the wrist will make any man look awkward. If a man walks well, presents himself well in company, wears his hat well, moves his head properly, and his arms gracefully, it is almost all that is necessary. " The late Lord Chesterfield having been universally allowed to be one of the best bred men of the age, and most intimately acquainted with the principles and manners of mankind, the Editor of the following pages humbly apprehends he could not do the rising generation a greater service, than by collecting those valuable precepts which are contained in his celebrated letters to his son, digesting them under distinct heads, and thereby forming a system of the most useful instruction. To that end, he has diligently selected every observation and remark that can possibly improve or inform the mind, within the rules of morality: and where there seemed a deficiency in any part of the system, from the occasional chasms in Lord Chesterfield's correspondence, he has endeavoured to supply it. Much might have been said on the subject of indelicacy, but as instructions on that head, to persons possessed of a liberal education, must have been unnecessary, they are here purposely omitted. Some may be apt to think, that many things in this work are too frivolous to be mentioned; but when it is remembered they are calculated for the multitude, it is presumed they will be received as respectable admonitions. In short, it has been the Editor's study to make Lord Chesterfield useful to every class of youth; to lay that instruction before them, which they with difficulty must have found amidst a heap of other matter; in a word, to give the very essence of his letters, and at a tenth part of the price those letters sell for.
Read Less
