1761 Unfortunate Mother's Advice To Her Absent Daughters Signed 1st Edition Book
1761 UNFORTUNATE MOTHER'S ADVICE TO HER ABSENT DAUGHTERS. 1761; Signed Lady Sarah Pennington; First Edition ; London, S. Bristow; Full Leather; Lacks Half Title, 96 Pages; w5.1"xh8.1"; EXTREMELY RARE. Great For any Fan of the Famous Classic or Collector. Great Gift Idea; Very Rare First Edition, let alone to find one actually Signed!! A Lovely full leather cover design with gold borders, ornate gold floral binding with maroon sideways label, gold gilding to cover edges, and a Great Work signed on last page S. After being estranged from her husband, Lady Pennington wrote this book instructing women on religion, prayer, dress, needlework, the theatre, marriage, dancing, and other "feminine" pursuits. Originally published in 1761, Lady Sarah's letter deals with the issues of women's education and the moral conflicts that many women may face.
Interestingly enough, although Lady Sarah was a writer herself, she did not approve of fictitious novels which she considered unrealistic. She was distrustful of texts leading women to poor judgment and encouraging them to make fatal mistakes in conduct. Her text differs from these in that it instructs and gives advice as to how to navigate the realities of life.
Offering advice on all aspects of a young woman's life, Lady Sarah highlights the importance of daily prayer and makes suggestions on how a young lady should dress. Most notably, the letter itemizes the considerations involved in choosing a spouse.
While she encourages women to have more say in their choice of marriage partner, she is nevertheless doubtful that a husband can also be a woman's friend. Lady Sarah comments in her letter that she had never been in a room alone with husband until after the marriage ceremony. She writes that a good marriage is rare: So great is the hazard, so disproportioned the chances, that I could almost wish the dangerous die was never to be thrown for any of you. " Lady Sarah also discusses the need for a certain "cheerful compliance when it comes to men and their disagreeable habits. Through this letter, Lady Sarah explains how women submit to an uncomplaining form of self-discipline in dealing with their husbands.