Searchlights on Health: Light on Dark Corners: A Complete Sexual Science and a Guide to Purity and Physical Manhood, Advice To Maiden, Wife, And Mother, Love, Courtship, And MarriageJefferis, B. G. (Benjamin Grant)
Science
Searchlights on Health: Light on Dark Corners: A Complete Sexual Science and a Guide to Purity and Physical Manhood, Advice To Maiden, Wife, And Mother, Love, Courtship, And Marriage
Jefferis, B. G. (Benjamin Grant)
Marriage; Medicine, Popular; Sexual ethics
2. A pleasing demeanor is often the scales by which the pagan weighs the
Christian. It is not virtue, but virtue inspires it. There are
circumstances in which it takes a great and strong soul to pass under the
little yoke of courtesy, but it is a passport to a greater soul standard.
3. Matthew Arnold says, "Conduct is three-fourths of character," and
Christian benignity draws the line for conduct. A high sense of rectitude,
a lowly soul, with a pure and kind {50} heart are elements of nobility
which will work out in the life of a human being at home--everywhere.
"Private refinement makes public gentility."
4. If you would conciliate the favor of men, rule your resentment. Remember
that if you permit revenge or malice to occupy your soul, you are ruined.
5. Cultivate a happy temper; banish the blues; a cheerful saguine spirit
begets cheer and hope.
6. Be trustworthy and be trustful.
7. Do not place a light estimate upon the arts of good reading and good
expression; they will yield perpetual interest.
8. Study to keep versed in world events as well as in local occurrences,
but abhor gossip, and above all scandal.
9. Banish a self-conscience spirit--the source of much awkwardness--with a
constant aim to make others happy. Remember that it is incumbent upon
gentlemen and ladies alike to be neat in habits.
10. The following is said to be a correct posture for walking. Head
erect--not too rigid--chin in, shoulders back. Permit no unnecessary motion
about the thighs. Do not lean over to one side in walking, standing or
sitting; the practice is not only ungraceful, but it is deforming and
therefore unhealthful.
11. Beware of affectation and of Beau Brummel airs.
12. If the hands are allowed to swing in walking, the arc should be
limited, and the lady will manage them much more gracefully, if they almost
touch the clothing.
13. A lady should not stand with her hands behind her. We could almost say,
forget the hands except to keep them clean, including the nails, cordial
and helpful. One hand may rest easily in the other. Study repose of
attitude here as well as in the rest of the body.
14. Gestures are for emphasis in public speaking; do not point elsewhere,
as a rule.
15. Greet your acquaintances as you meet them with a slight bow and smile,
as you speak.
16. Look the person to whom you speak in the eye. Never under any
circumstances wink at another or communicate by furtive looks.
17. Should you chance to be the rejected suitor of a lady, bear in mind
your own self-respect, as well as the inexorable laws {51} of society, and
bow politely when you meet her. Reflect that you do not stand before all
woman-kind as you do at her bar. Do not resent the bitterness of
flirtation. No lady or gentleman will flirt. Remember ever that painful
prediscovery is better than later disappointment. Let such experience spur
you to higher exertion.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account