Secrets of Charm

A couple of years back, in a kind of antique-junk shop, I found a book entitled "Secrets of Charm", by John Robert Powers and Mary Sue Miller (who had written a personal dedication in the book). It was published in 1954.

The printed dedication reads:

To POWERS SCHOOL, New York,
where the secrets of charm originate,
as attested by its charming graduates in every field of endeavour.

It's a delightful cornucopia of antiquated advice, some of which is deeply dated, but a little of which still holds true, and quite often innocently offensive.

I'll be transcribing some excerpts over the next little while. For today, here is the opening paragraph of the chapter titled "Charming of Grace":

There is no one more attractive in a man's eye than a graceful woman. Like a streamlined car, she satisfies the masculine criterion of smooth performance combined with smooth looks. With her every action beautiful to see, she wins the constant glance. No woman should ever settle for less than a graceful, poised carriage.

"Like a streamlined car..." Ooookay. I'm no E-type Jag, but I'll survive this crushing knowledge.