Review: 'The Essential Handbook of Victorian Etiquette' by Professor Thomas E Hill

The Essential Handbook of Victorian Etiquette by Professor Thomas E Hill, Illustrated by Charles Dana Gibson, 1994, Bluewood Books, $8.95, softbound, 127 pages. Category/Genre: reference. Cover: well done. Where we got it: bought it. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million. 

Ideal for enthusiasts and researchers of the Victorian era, this handy little book gives advice on etiquette from introductions to traveling, to love letters and the wife's and husband's duties in marriage. 

For example, a man may leave his brolly and cane in the hall when calling, but must not leave his hat and gloves. When hosting a get-together, the man will sit at the side of the table in the center, ready to serve the guests; his wife will sit opposite him and preside over tea, sauces, etc. There are even examples given of love letters. 

If you like this one, try: Manners and Morals of Victorian America, by Wayne Erbsen; and The Essential Handbook of Victorian Entertaining, by Autumn Stephens.