1843 The Mothers of England by SS Ellis - Antique Guide Book

In good condition, here is a first edition copy of The Mothers of England - Their Influence and Responsibility. In an attractive dark blue-green leather binding, with marbled sides, edged and endpapers. More details below.

A prominent Victorian conduct manual written by Sarah Stickney Ellis and published in 1843 by the London firm Fisher, Son, & Co. Ellis wrote a phenomenally successful series of advice manuals addressed to the expanding middle-class female readership of nineteenth-century Britain. Focussing on a mother's pivotal role in childrearing and moral education. Ellis positioned mothers as the literal architects of British society. She firmly believed that the early domestic impressions a mother imparted would dictate the moral standing, religious integrity, and future governance of the entire British Empire

Ellis emphasized that a mother's primary responsibility is character formation rather than mere intellectual schooling. She argued that a mother should actively mold a child's habits, integrity, and conscience from infancy. The text consistently asserts that children learn through observation. A mother must embody the patience, piety, and selflessness she expects her children to develop. Ellis explicitly connected the private, domestic actions of mothers to the grander fate of the nation, arguing that "the mothers of England" held the ultimate key to national virtue.

Contents: A Mother's First Thoughts; Authority, Influence and Example; The Use of a Mind; Elements of Character; Generosity and Affection; Individual and Social Happiness; Moral Courage and Worldy-Mindedness; General Duties of a Mother; Hints on Education; On the Training of Boys; On the Training of Girls; On Religious Influence.

Inside the pages are clean and tightly bound, with no inscriptions or markings of previous ownership. Spotting to endpapers. Unillustrated. Opens and closes with lovely marbled endpapers. Also has marbled edges.

In a dark blue-green leather half-binding with matching marbled papered boards. Five raised bands to the spine, with ornate gilt decoration in each compartment - some rubbing here, and a little loss to the leather in one area. Has rubbing to the leather on the corners and spine ends to reveal boards beneath. Rubbing also along the spine joints and to the papered boards. Chipping around outside edges. The gilt decoration remains bright and this is an attractive copy.

*** At time of writing, I also have a copy of Wives of England in the matching binding.***

Your antique copy of The Mothers of England will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and sent well packaged. I am always happy to add a gift card with a message to the parcel.

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H 20 cm x W 13 cm, pp 390, 0.52 kg.

* If you would prefer for your book not to be decoratively wrapped but sent simply in the full protective packaging please add a note to the order.

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