Why is it vulgar to scrape excess butter from one's knife onto the side of the plate? Why should one refrain from speaking loudly? Why should expectoration and the use of the handkerchief be confined to one's room? (Well, maybe that one is self-evident...) Actually, there were often excellent reasons for what might seem to us a quintessentially "Victorian" code of "etiquette." Read on for more on the manners and morals of the Victorian day...

Girls' Own Paper - 1880 (Vol. 1)

The Art of Letter-Writing, by S.F.A. Caulfield

The Art of Penmanship, by S.F.A. Caulfield

Etiquette for Ladies and Girls, by Ardern Holt

How to Read a Story to Advantage

Tip #1: Never skip to the end!

Girls' Own Paper - 1880-1881 (Vol. 2)

The Art of Conversing Agreeably, by S.F.A. Caulfield

The Art of Letter-Writing, by S.F.A. Caulfield

Dinners in Society, by S.F.A. Caulfield

The Foundation of All Good Breeding, by S.F.A. Caulfield

Mourning Attire, by S.F.A. Caulfield

Girls' Own Paper - 1881-1882

The Disadvantages of Higher Education

The enjoyable part of this article is the rebuttal, sent to the editors by a 14-year-old reader!

Etiquette, by Sophia Caulfield

The Injury Inflicted by Bad Writing, by Ruth Lamb

A rather amusing look at some bad writing as viewed by the postman.

The Single Life

No matter how high you rise as a single woman, never forget to be pleasant and charming!

Girls' Own Paper - 1882-1883

Etiquette for "Our Brothers", by S.F.A. Caulfield

How to Address People of Title, by Ardern Holt

Punctuation Viewed in a New Light, by S.F.A. Caulfield

The ever-scintillating Ms. Caulfield makes a good case for the concept that good punctuation (especially in the matter of letters) is good etiquette!

Some Hints on Giving Presents