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The Glory of Woman: Prescriptive Literature, 1810 - 1819
- The American Lady's Preceptor: a compilation of observations, essays and poetical effusions… Baltimore: Published by Edward J. Coale, 1810.
“A compilation of observations, essays and poetical effusions, designed to direct the female mind in the course of pleasing and instructive reading.”
- Burton, John. Lectures on Female Education and Manners. Baltimore: Published by Samuel Jefferis, 1811.
Burton discusses beauty, manners, feminine accomplishments, and the responsibilities of wives, mothers, and daughters: “It is [your parents’] duty to support your honour. It is yours to follow their advice…”.
- Ewell, Thomas. Letters to Ladies, Detailing Important Information, Concerning Themselves and Infants. Philadelphia: Printed for the author, 1817.
This book addresses women’s and children’s health, featuring an instructive section on “the services [women] should direct, superintend, or perform for each other at births, to supersede the necessity of men midwives.”
- The Female Instructor or, Young Woman’s Companion. Liverpool: Nuttall, Fisher, and Dixon, [1815].
This “guide to all the accomplishments which adorn the female character” includes recipes, poetry, biographical sketches, and instruction in grammar, prayer, marriage, motherhood, and housekeeping.
- Grant, Anne MacVicar. Sketches of Intellectual Education: and hints on domestic economy, addressed to mothers. Baltimore: E.J. Cole, 1813.
"Ease of body, and tranquility of mind, with a considerable degree of freedom and indulgence, are favourable to every attainment of which the wisest and tenderest parents can wish their children possessed."
- Hughes, Mrs. (Mary). The Orphan Girl: a moral tale founded on facts. London: William Darton, 1819.
“‘You see…how much it is in the power of a poor helpless orphan to gain the esteem and respect of all around her. Let this also be a lesson, to convince you that vice scarcely ever, even in this world, goes unpunished, and that virtue is almost equally certain of meeting its reward.’”
- Smith, Mrs. The Female Economist, or, A Plain System of Cookery. London: Printed for Mathews and Leigh, 1810.
This cookery book “[furnishes] the young housekeeper with a considerable number of receipts…; [points] out the best method of preparing those things which are frequently wanted in a family; and [enables] her to render them agreeable to the palate, consistently with the rules of economy and frugality.”
- Taylor, Mrs. (Ann Martin). Correspondence Between a Mother and her Daughter at School. New York: W. B. Gilley, 1818.
In a series of fictional letters, a mother advises her 15-year-old daughter on subjects such as friendship, piety, gratitude, and dress.
- Taylor, Mrs. (Ann Martin). Practical Hints to Young Females, on the Duties of a Wife, a Mother, and a Mistress of a Family. London: Taylor, 1815.
"Happy the female whose education has united with natural talent to form so important a character as that of the mistress of a family; and unhappy she, who, possessing neither of these advantages, has the temerity to undertake a task to which she is altogether incompetent."
