Glory of Woman: An Introduction to Prescriptive Literature

Addresses female virtue and the duties of motherhood and marriage. For example, wives “are to be extremely tender of [their husband’s reputation], to advance it, by making all that is good in him conspicuous, as public as they can; setting his worth in the [clearest] light, but putting his infirmities in the shade…” Available via Internet Archive.

“A Woman who seeks consolation under Domestick Troubles from the Gaieties of a Court, from Gallantry, Gaming, rambling in Search of odd Adventures, childish, ridiculous and ill-natur’d Amusements…will find these are very insignificant Applications; they hardly skin the Wound, and can never heal it…” Available via Internet Archive.

"Expressing, what habilliments doe best attire her, what ornaments doe best adorne her, what complements doe best accomplish her." Available via Internet Archive.

This wry essay examines the “dignity, antiquity, and excellence” of dumpling and pudding: “…there is nothing valuable in Art or Nature, but what, more or less, has an Allusion to Pudding or Dumpling. Why then should they be held in disesteem?” Another library's copy is available through Internet Archive.

This amazing volume is “a Compleat Directory to the Female-Sex in all Relations, Companies, Conditions and States of Life.” The entries range from biographical sketches of women in history, mythology, and the Bible; to topics like adultery, keeping house, obedience to parents, painting of the face, virgins, and wives. Another copy is available through the LSE Digital Library.

In the essay entitled “Advice to a Daughter,” Halifax offers moral guidance and practical advice on topics like how to handle a husband who “[loves] wine more than is convenient.” The Rubenstein Library also holds the 1717 edition and other works by the same author. Another library's copy available through Internet Archive.