Nowadays, women in Britain read magazines such as Cosmopolitan for fashion and dietary tips, such as how to lose weight, the Atkins diet and other remedies for the perfect body.
But in 17th Century England, "The Ladies Magazine", published in London in 1694, was the one which women read for all the latest health advice. Amongst its helpful tips to lose weight was to use goose greese and turpentine, and it gives a fascinating insight into the British mindset during the joint reign of King William III and Queen Mary II....
Want to lose weight? Use goose grease and turpentine says 17th century guide
By GORDON RAYNER
16th August 2007
Daily Mail
A 17th century English lady was advised to use goose fat to shape up
"The Ladies Dictionary; Being a General Entertainment for the Fair-Sex" was 'the Cosmopolitan of its day'
In 2007, women who yearn for the perfect body might opt for the Atkins diet, aerobics or a discreet nip 'n' tuck.
But 300 years ago, the remedies were rather more imaginative, as a rare 17th century manual 'for the fair sex' reveals.
Weight problems could be cured by applying a poultice made from chicken and goose fat mixed with turpentine, 'virgins wax' and other long-forgotten ingredients, or by lying in a bath of claret infused with herbs, it claims.
But the readers are warned not to overdo it - as no man likes a woman who is 'lean and scragged'.
The Ladies' Dictionary: being a General Entertainment for the Fair Sex, also gives diet and make-up tips and even dispenses advice on adultery and how far to go on a first date.
Described as 'the Cosmopolitan of its day' by the auction house which is selling it, the book gives a fascinating and at times hilarious insight into the British mindset during the reign of William III and Mary II.
Under the heading: 'Is it proper for a Woman to yield at the first address, though to a man she love?' the book advises: 'There is no such want of Man yet that thanks to our French and Irish enemies, that you Ladies should be in such great haste to yield at the First Appearance of a Foe.
'Besides, you will get better Conditions if the Enemy does not know how weak you are within. Forgive, Ladies, all the Warlike Gibberish...'
Published in 1694, and written by an author identified only as HN, the book, part of the collection of late book dealer Tony Hattersley, gives extensive advice on how to banish flabby or sagging flesh.
'Bodies sometimes fall away in one part, and not in another,' it observes. 'If so, to bring your Body to even terms: take an ounce and a half of Oyl of Foxes, Oyl of Lillies, and Capons Grease and Goose Grease, each two ounces: Pine, Rosin, Greek Pitch and Turpentine, of each two ounces.'
Then, it says, the concoction should be boiled in an earthenware pot, to which should be added an ounce of boiling Oyl of Elder, and a quantity of 'Virgins-Wax, as much as will stiffen the Mass.'
The bizarre brew should then be put in a cloth and cooled before being applied 'to the place that Languishes, or does not equally Thrive', and allowed to set into a plaster.
An equally elaborate remedy is recommended under the heading: 'Breasts hanging down or large; how to make them Plump and Round.'
For the overweight, the book recommends bathing in claret wine infused with 'wormwood, calamint, chamomile, sage and squinath'. The Oxford English Dictionary has no entry for squinath, but lists squinanth as a kind of rush, whose flowers were used for medicinal purposes.
But the book cautions its readers against over-dieting, saying of skinny women: 'Bodies that are very Lean and Scragged, we must own, cannot be very Comely: It is a contrary Extream to Corpulency and the Parties Face always seems to carry Lent in it.'
And the advice on make-up is simple: don't wear it. 'A painted face is enough to destroy the Reputation of her that uses it.'
The Ladies Dictionary is expected to fetch about £2,000 at the Bonhams sale in September of the £300,000 collection.
Bonhams book specialist Matthew Haley said: 'It's an extraordinary book, offering advice to women of all classes on a wide range of subjects. You could call it the Cosmopolitan of its day.'
The collection also includes a 1661 book titled The Academy of Complements (correct) by John Gough, which gives Restoration men some tips on suitable chat-up lines.
A woman, he says, might be flattered to be told that: 'Her breasts are a pair of Maiden-unconquered Worlds,' or that 'Her breasts are twins where Lillies grow.'
*************
THE LADIES' DICTIONARY ON:
PROSTITUTION
'It causes a man to spend flesh for silver, till he becomes so lank and lean that his legs are scarce able to support their late portly master... his eyes so hollow... and his cheeks, denting in as if he were still sucking at a bottle.' Of prostitutes, it says: 'She opens her shop-windows when all other trades (are) about to shut them.'
ADULTERY
'Adultery and uncleanliness; the dangerous consequences that attend it, and the dishonour it puts on the fair Sex, and Revenge it stirs them up to; And raging lusts have occasion'd a World of Miseries to fall upon Men and Woman, ending generally in Blood and Disgrace, therefore to caution either Sex carefully to avoid that snare we have thought fit to say something of it in this Book, as not perhaps foreign from the Subject'.
EXERCISE
'Chase your Body as much as you can, that the blood may be stirred in the Veins and the Skin sit more Loose.'
DIET
'Avoid any thing that is very Salt, Sharp, Bitter or too Hot, but let your Food be Sweet and nourishing.' Recommended foods include 'New Eggs, Veal, Mutton, Capon etc' but there is no mention of fruit or veg.
READING
'It is not necessary to read many Books, but to read the best. The forbidding of idle Books makes young people more curious to read them.'
dailymail.co.uk
But in 17th Century England, "The Ladies Magazine", published in London in 1694, was the one which women read for all the latest health advice. Amongst its helpful tips to lose weight was to use goose greese and turpentine, and it gives a fascinating insight into the British mindset during the joint reign of King William III and Queen Mary II....
Want to lose weight? Use goose grease and turpentine says 17th century guide
By GORDON RAYNER
16th August 2007
Daily Mail
A 17th century English lady was advised to use goose fat to shape up
"The Ladies Dictionary; Being a General Entertainment for the Fair-Sex" was 'the Cosmopolitan of its day'
In 2007, women who yearn for the perfect body might opt for the Atkins diet, aerobics or a discreet nip 'n' tuck.
But 300 years ago, the remedies were rather more imaginative, as a rare 17th century manual 'for the fair sex' reveals.
Weight problems could be cured by applying a poultice made from chicken and goose fat mixed with turpentine, 'virgins wax' and other long-forgotten ingredients, or by lying in a bath of claret infused with herbs, it claims.
But the readers are warned not to overdo it - as no man likes a woman who is 'lean and scragged'.
The Ladies' Dictionary: being a General Entertainment for the Fair Sex, also gives diet and make-up tips and even dispenses advice on adultery and how far to go on a first date.
Described as 'the Cosmopolitan of its day' by the auction house which is selling it, the book gives a fascinating and at times hilarious insight into the British mindset during the reign of William III and Mary II.
Under the heading: 'Is it proper for a Woman to yield at the first address, though to a man she love?' the book advises: 'There is no such want of Man yet that thanks to our French and Irish enemies, that you Ladies should be in such great haste to yield at the First Appearance of a Foe.
'Besides, you will get better Conditions if the Enemy does not know how weak you are within. Forgive, Ladies, all the Warlike Gibberish...'
Published in 1694, and written by an author identified only as HN, the book, part of the collection of late book dealer Tony Hattersley, gives extensive advice on how to banish flabby or sagging flesh.
'Bodies sometimes fall away in one part, and not in another,' it observes. 'If so, to bring your Body to even terms: take an ounce and a half of Oyl of Foxes, Oyl of Lillies, and Capons Grease and Goose Grease, each two ounces: Pine, Rosin, Greek Pitch and Turpentine, of each two ounces.'
Then, it says, the concoction should be boiled in an earthenware pot, to which should be added an ounce of boiling Oyl of Elder, and a quantity of 'Virgins-Wax, as much as will stiffen the Mass.'
The bizarre brew should then be put in a cloth and cooled before being applied 'to the place that Languishes, or does not equally Thrive', and allowed to set into a plaster.
An equally elaborate remedy is recommended under the heading: 'Breasts hanging down or large; how to make them Plump and Round.'
For the overweight, the book recommends bathing in claret wine infused with 'wormwood, calamint, chamomile, sage and squinath'. The Oxford English Dictionary has no entry for squinath, but lists squinanth as a kind of rush, whose flowers were used for medicinal purposes.
But the book cautions its readers against over-dieting, saying of skinny women: 'Bodies that are very Lean and Scragged, we must own, cannot be very Comely: It is a contrary Extream to Corpulency and the Parties Face always seems to carry Lent in it.'
And the advice on make-up is simple: don't wear it. 'A painted face is enough to destroy the Reputation of her that uses it.'
The Ladies Dictionary is expected to fetch about £2,000 at the Bonhams sale in September of the £300,000 collection.
Bonhams book specialist Matthew Haley said: 'It's an extraordinary book, offering advice to women of all classes on a wide range of subjects. You could call it the Cosmopolitan of its day.'
The collection also includes a 1661 book titled The Academy of Complements (correct) by John Gough, which gives Restoration men some tips on suitable chat-up lines.
A woman, he says, might be flattered to be told that: 'Her breasts are a pair of Maiden-unconquered Worlds,' or that 'Her breasts are twins where Lillies grow.'
*************
THE LADIES' DICTIONARY ON:
PROSTITUTION
'It causes a man to spend flesh for silver, till he becomes so lank and lean that his legs are scarce able to support their late portly master... his eyes so hollow... and his cheeks, denting in as if he were still sucking at a bottle.' Of prostitutes, it says: 'She opens her shop-windows when all other trades (are) about to shut them.'
ADULTERY
'Adultery and uncleanliness; the dangerous consequences that attend it, and the dishonour it puts on the fair Sex, and Revenge it stirs them up to; And raging lusts have occasion'd a World of Miseries to fall upon Men and Woman, ending generally in Blood and Disgrace, therefore to caution either Sex carefully to avoid that snare we have thought fit to say something of it in this Book, as not perhaps foreign from the Subject'.
EXERCISE
'Chase your Body as much as you can, that the blood may be stirred in the Veins and the Skin sit more Loose.'
DIET
'Avoid any thing that is very Salt, Sharp, Bitter or too Hot, but let your Food be Sweet and nourishing.' Recommended foods include 'New Eggs, Veal, Mutton, Capon etc' but there is no mention of fruit or veg.
READING
'It is not necessary to read many Books, but to read the best. The forbidding of idle Books makes young people more curious to read them.'
dailymail.co.uk
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