Don'ts for Wives [Facsimile] [Hardcover]

'Anyone who has trouble deciphering their field sketches would learn something from the importance of observation stressed in this book.'
--The Orchid Review (September 2009)

`Tips for a happy marriage published nearly a century ago look set
to be a hit this year. The guidebooks are seen now as amusing and wise -
and relevant in 2007.'

`[Don'ts for Husbands and Don't's for Wives] could become this
year's most unlikely bestseller... The books were published in 1913 and
remained in print for 20 years. [The author's] wit and wisdom are set to
find a new audience when the guides are reprinted by A&C Black as part of
the publisher's bicentenary celebrations. The guides evoke a world where
domestic servants were taken for granted and men viewed women as
second-class citizens, to be patronised or set to work on domestic tasks.
Wives receive sisterly instructions designed to make them the best possible
partners for the flawed, often ridiculous men they have married.'

`Words of wisdom for a happy marriage from nearly a century ago...
The advice comes from a set of guidebooks on marriage written on the eve
of the First World War which are predicted to shoot to the top of the
bestseller list. The somewhat old-fashioned `Don'ts for Husbands and Wives'
penned by Blanche Ebbutt in 1913 were first published at a time when women
stayed at home while their husbands went out to work. Times have changed
since then, but the advice could be considered as relevant today as ever.'

Don'ts for Husbands and Don'ts for Wives are facsimile editions of the original books published by A&C Black in 1913. Each pocket-sized book contains hundreds of snippets of entertaining advice for a happy marriage, which rings true almost 100 years after it was written. The reissued titles are ideal Christmas stocking fillers, and gifts for weddings, engagements and anniversaries. Advice appears under the following chapters: 1. Personalities 2. How to Avoid Discord 3. Habits 4. Financial Matters 5. Evenings at Home 6. Jealousy 7. Recreation 8. Food 9. Dress 10. Entertaining 11. Household Management 12. Children 'Among the bon mots there is much wisdom. They would make great stocking fillers, or wedding anniversary gifts!' Good Book Guide (October 2007)

Blanche Ebbutt wrote Don'ts for Husbands and Don'ts for Wives in 1913.

Some examples from Don'ts for Husbands and Don'ts for
Wives:

DON'TS FOR HUSBANDS

Don't increase the necessary work of the house by leaving all your things
lying about in different places. If you are not tidy by nature, at least be
thoughtful for others.

Don't keep all your jokes for your men friends. Let your wife share them.

Don't hesitate to mention the fact when you think that your wife looks
exceptionally nice. Your thinking so can give her no pleasure unless you
tell your thought.

Don't "talk down" to your wife. She has as much intelligence as your
colleague at the office; she lacks only opportunity. Talk to her
(explaining when necessary) of anything you would talk of to a man, and you
will be surprised to find how she expands.

Don't sneer at your wife's cookery, or bridge-playing, or singing, or, in
fact at anything that she does. If you do, you may raise an animosity you
cannot easily allay.

Don't sharpen pencils all over the house, it does not improve either the
carpets or the servants' tempers to find pencil-sharpenings all over the
floors.

Don't try to regulate every detail of your wife's life. Even a wife is an
individual, and must be allowed some scope.

Don't try to `drive' your wife. You will find it much easier to `lead'
her.

Don't say that your wife wastes time in reading, even if she only reads
fiction.

Don't scoff if your wife wants to drive the car.

DON'TS FOR WIVES

Don't be discontented and think your husband not "manly" because he happens
to be short and thin, and not very strong. Manliness is not a purely
physical quality.

Don't omit to pay your husband an occasional compliment. If he looks nice
as he comes in dressed for the opera, tell him so. If he has been
successful with his chickens, or his garden, or his photography, compliment
him on his results.

Don't say "I told you so" to your husband, however much you feel tempted
to. It does no good, and he will be grateful to you for not saying it.

Don't let him have to search the house for you after his day's work. Listen
for his latch-key and meet him on the threshold.

Don't try to excite your husband's jealousy by flirting with other men. You
may succeed better than you want to. It is like playing with tigers and
edged tools and volcanoes all in one.

Don't let your husband wear a violet tie with grass-green socks. If he is
unhappily devoid of the colour sense, he must be forcibly restrained.

Don't forget if he is `nervy' to watch if the tea habit is getting too
strong in him.

Don't be afraid of cold meat. A few cookery lessons, or even a good
cookery-book, with the use of a little intelligence, will make you mistress
of delicious ways of serving up `left overs'.