A great deal of Victorian etiquette is aimed at "the ladies." However, lest we assume that ladies were being singled out here, it's important to remember that most of the articles on this site are drawn from women's magazines, so it's only natural that the magazines' etiquette advice would be aimed at women! But it's also clear that much of this advice involves how to be pleasing and amiable toward others; the concept of woman as the servant to all is alive and well in many of these articles!

The Art of Pleasing, by Jenny June (Demorest, 1873)

Friendships, by Jenny June (Demorest, 1873)

Habits, by Jenny June (Demorest, 1873)

Talks with Women: Manners, by Jenny June (Demorest, 1873)

A lovely piece on the value of manners (vs. simply "etiquette").

• See Women's Issues: Talks with Women for more columns by Jenny June.

The Foundation of All Good Breeding, by S.F.A. Caulfeild (Girl's Own Paper, 1881)

"Remember that one golden rule of your life should be to regard nothing as a trifle; and still further, to do nothing that is not worth your best efforts to perform well; and to begin early to deny yourself and your own convenience in favour of others, even in the smallest matters, that such conduct may grow with your growth, as the habit of your lives."

Etiquette for Ladies (Collier's Cyclopedia, 1882)

The Habits of Polite Society, by S.F.A. Caulfeild (Girl's Own Paper, 1882)

Among other topics, this article covers the etiquette of mourning and mourning attire.

Common Errors in Daily Life: Errors in Taste, by James Mason (Girl's Own Paper, 1884)

"It is a great deal better to see with our own eyes than with those of others, and in all subjects of taste to be faithful to our own convictions." At the same time, "An error in taste is an offence against the beautiful."

Common Errors in Daily Life: Errors in Fact, by James Mason (Girl's Own Paper, 1884)

"In many cases, no doubt, errors in fact originate in random statements which get accepted because people will not take the trouble of inquiring for themselves. Belief, you know, is a great deal easier than investigation."

Common Errors in Daily Life: Errors in Thought, by James Mason (Girl's Own Paper, 1884)

"The world is ruled by thought, and our highest duty is to think well."

Common Errors in Daily Life: Errors in Observation, by James Mason (Girl's Own Paper, 1884)

"It is the cultivation of the powers of observation that makes the greater part of the difference between people of the world -- using that phrase in its best sense -- and bookworms."

Don't (Girl's Own Paper, 1884)

Some American advice on do's and don'ts for ladies...

The Perfect Lady (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1884)

A multi-part article on the etiquette of ladylike behavior.

Etiquette in Walking, Riding, and Driving, by Sophia F.A. Caulfeild (Girl's Own Paper, 1884)

"Until within less than half a century ago, no young unmarried gentlewoman could walk through the streets and parks, or go on a little shopping expedition, unattended by a footman." Small wonder that new rules of etiquette are needed for this sort of modern excursion!

Talks with the Young Ladies of Clifford, by Mrs. M.C. Hungerford (Demorest, 1884)

A discussion of etiquette.

Good Breeding as Shown in Visiting the Poor, by S.F.A. Caulfeild (Girl's Own Paper, 1885)

This article makes an interesting distinction between upper-class poor (e.g., untitled gentry) and working-class poor. Being aware of these differences is important in determining just how to call upon a person without giving offense!

"Honour Thy Father and Thy Mother," by S.F.A. Caulfeild (Girl's Own Paper, 1885)

In this series, the author looks at some of the questions sent to the magazine's editors -- and wonders why young ladies are asking strangers the questions they would have once asked their mothers!

Unpopular Girls, by a Middle-Aged Woman (Girl's Own Paper, 1886)

If one does not wish to be one, one should never dismiss as mere trifles the "little things."

Business Habits in Ordinary Life, by the Hon. Victoria Grosvenor (Girl's Own Paper, 1888)

Tips on good behavior, letter-writing, etc.

A Cultured Woman (Ingalls' Home Magazine, 1888)

Deportment: Some Considerations on the Subject (Girl's Own Paper, 1891)

An artist shares his notions about proper (and improper) posture in a lady.

The Well-bred Girl in Society, by Mrs. Burton Harrison (Ladies' Home Journal, 1892)

The start of a series, discussing "the young girl and dancing."

The Rules of Society, by Lady William Lennox (Girl's Own Paper, 1899)

For those who "feel a little uncertain" about those small things in life that might seem unimportant, but that mean so much...