The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness A Complete Hand Book for the Use of the Lady in Polite Society

"The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness" by Florence Hartley is a guide to appropriate social behavior for women in the 1800s. It teaches the standards of proper behavior in different social situations and offers advice meant to enable women to move through society gracefully and respectfully, by understanding what’s expected of them. The book starts by explaining that real politeness comes from being kind and thoughtful of other people. It talks about how important it is to think about how others feel, to be nice, and to show that you are a good person inside; focusing on treating others how you wish to be treated. The book argues that etiquette is a key element in all types of social communication.