MONROE - M.M. Johnson, Monroe, has gotten caught up in the excitement of Monroe's 150th birthday.
The Monroe woman remembered an old book she found when she first moved into her home 35 years ago.
Entitled "A Manual of Etiquette or How to Behave," the book was presented to Mary Chadwick on March 22, 1858, by its author, B.W. Pritchard.
Chadwick was a member of one of Monroe's early families and Pritchard was a well-known author who wrote books about etiquette and how to use manners to make a good impression.
The book is filled with interesting items for people who want to get along in "polite society." The book is a snapshot of how people were expected to behave both publicly and privately more than 150 years ago.
Some of the information seems a little quaint by today's standards.
For example, there is information about who should go first on a set of stairs. The common belief is that the woman goes first when ascending or descending stairs, but Pritchard notes that the man runs the risk of stepping on the woman's dress and there's also a possibility he may see a "large foot or an ankle." Neither is acceptable at social gatherings.
There also is a comment about advice - don't give it, the book says.
"Giving advice is another piece of rudeness," Pritchard wrote.
There also are chapters about how to dress and how to take care of hair and beards.
Johnson has kept the book in excellent condition and plans to someday take it to the Green County Historical Society.
The Monroe woman remembered an old book she found when she first moved into her home 35 years ago.
Entitled "A Manual of Etiquette or How to Behave," the book was presented to Mary Chadwick on March 22, 1858, by its author, B.W. Pritchard.
Chadwick was a member of one of Monroe's early families and Pritchard was a well-known author who wrote books about etiquette and how to use manners to make a good impression.
The book is filled with interesting items for people who want to get along in "polite society." The book is a snapshot of how people were expected to behave both publicly and privately more than 150 years ago.
Some of the information seems a little quaint by today's standards.
For example, there is information about who should go first on a set of stairs. The common belief is that the woman goes first when ascending or descending stairs, but Pritchard notes that the man runs the risk of stepping on the woman's dress and there's also a possibility he may see a "large foot or an ankle." Neither is acceptable at social gatherings.
There also is a comment about advice - don't give it, the book says.
"Giving advice is another piece of rudeness," Pritchard wrote.
There also are chapters about how to dress and how to take care of hair and beards.
Johnson has kept the book in excellent condition and plans to someday take it to the Green County Historical Society.