Have you ever wanted to know how to address the Eldest son of an Earl? Or how to whitewash your ceiling? Or mend a wicker chair?

Then I have the book for you.

I am currently obsessed with News Chronicles Housewife’s Handy Book. Printed in 1930 it declares itself a ‘firm, reliable friend in every doubt and difficulty’ that the modern housewife might endure.

Considering myself a modern housewife, an afternoon with a Handy Book is a joy, though possibly not in the way it was intended.

In seven years, this book will be 100 years old so some of the ‘friendly, useful help…the Handy is waiting eagerly to give,’ is fascinating.

It’s full of everything a modern woman might need.

There are sections on Embroidery, Knitting, and Dressmaking as well as Simple Woodwork, or how to lag your pipes for winter. There is a section on simple cooking, though the 1936 Book of Economical Cookery, which I will show you next time, is much better for that.

The Handy book has instructions for all of To-day’s Modern Dance.

‘the man or woman who cannot dance is regarded almost as a social outcast; there are few occasions in the round of ordinary social life where dancing is not required.’

So, if you need guidance on a Fox Trot or a Tango, if your Maxina is lacking or your Schottische a little flat, then this is the book for you.

I’m sure you will agree that ‘it may be argued that in a way, anyone who goes into a ballroom unequipped to dance, even reasonably well, is guilty of a breach of social etiquette.’ So, with the holiday season looming I suggest you get in some practice.

As well as the section on Remedies for Egg Troubles – that’s chickens, not lady parts, my favourite section is The Housewife’s Letter-writer filled with proforma for every occasion and over the next few months I’ll sharing some of the Handy Books sage advice.

I fear we may not actually make it to any of the letters this time as we must first address the act of writing.

‘When you sit down to write a letter you do so because you have something you want to convey to another person, some word of love and affection, some news from the old home, some cheery greeting or heartfelt sympathy.

Before you start to write, however, there are some aspects of correspondence that may not so far have struck you. To begin with, letters do actually give you a glimpse into the minds of their writers. You can read character in the trouble taken to form a pleasant phrase, kindness in some happy thought, and pride and self-respect in clear, legible writing and the way the epistle is set out.

You would scarcely think of walking down the street in a shabby, down-at-heel pair of shoes because they would advertise slovenliness. Why, therefore use tawdry notepaper and envelopes which belittle you in a social sense and give the recipients of your correspondence cause to think you must have a very poor opinion of them to make such rubbish do?’

One feels the editor may have struggled with texting and thoughts of an emoji may have induced a stroke.

The Handy Book shares the correct way to address various Dukes, Viscounts and Earls as well as the correct salutations,- Sir or Madam for a Baronet and his wife.  My Lord Marquis for the eldest son of an Earl. (I knew you were wondering.)

There are letters for accepting or refusing dinner parties, informal dinners, picnics and children’s parties. Clearly, a quick nod to the mums at the school gate is unacceptable. Indeed, there are at least four variations of acceptance alone.

There are sections on Sundry Social Letters – excuse letters for the kids not getting to school.

Correspondence Regarding Servants – both hiring and firing.

Home Correspondence including letters to the butcher, the baker, and  the candlestick maker ( though it does not specify the quality of paper to be used???)

But the best, most fabulous, most utterly bonkers section goes to The Letters of Love Courtship and Marriage.

Over the coming months, we shall be sharing assorted letters of proposal of marriage including both acceptance and refusal. There are letters for Asking a Man’s Intensions and letters to Cease Attentions, both from a girl and if that didn’t work, from her father. There are letters for after a tiff and if that didn’t help, letters on how to break off engagement.

I’m exhausted thinking of all the correspondence I’ve missed and all that I must see to.

I fear I require several hours on the Internet searching for the quality of stationery that truly expresses both who I am and my deep respect to you.

Chip paper?

Rude!

I believe the correct ending for this missive is,

‘And now I have to honour to subscribe myself, Your most humble and obedient Servant…’

But I’ll just say, Ta! Ra! For now

In these difficult times this blog is always free to read but, if you feel able to buy me a coffee it would be greatly appreciated – thank you x