The gentlewomans companion; or, A guide to the female sex containing directions of behaviour, in all places, companies, relations, and conditions, from their childhood down to old age: viz. As, children to parents. Scholars to governours. Single to servants. Virgins to suitors. Married to husbands. Huswifes to the house Mistresses to servants. Mothers to children. Widows to the world Prudent to all. With letters and discourses upon all occasions. Whereunto is added, a guide for cook-maids, dairy-maids, chamber-maids, and all others that go to service. The whole being an exact rule for the female sex in general. By Hannah Woolley.

A Letter from a Gentlewoman at a Boarding-School in Hackney to her quondam School-fellow in London.

Indeared Friend,

I Have laid aside the exercise of my Needle, that I may employ my hand some little time in the management of my Pen, that herein I may assure you, that the strong inclinations I have to manifest my self your friend upon all accounts, will not permit me to let slip any opportunity where∣in I may evidence this truth. I am troubled that you are not always as ready to honour me with your commands, as I am zealous and forward to obey them. That cordial respect I bear you, hath so strongly link'd me to you, that into whatso∣ever condition fortune shall throw me, I shall still retain the memory of your affection, and must not live when I cease to love you, whom a∣bove mine own welfare I esteem, and therefore must subscribe my self, dearest friend,

Your most affectionate, &c. M. G.

The Answer to it.

Most Obliging Friend,

I Am ravisht with content, to see how your cu∣rious art, and delicateness thereof, can so hap∣pily translate your hand and fancy from one flow∣er to another, the one as the draught of your Needle, the other of your Pen; were I to be judg, I knew not to which to give the greatest praise or encomium, The Flourishes of the Pen, or the Flow∣ers of the Needle; the one might make Arachne's Maids of Honour (I mean those delicate finger'd Nunns) to blush, to be out-done; and from the other, a Secretary to a Queen may gather elo∣quence and fancy. You need not make the least question of my love, or the integrity thereof; for although I want the art of Rhethorick to represent it, yet my deeds and services shall be the elaborate Elocutors which shall express my self to be,

Your most cordially affectionate Servant. S. L.

From the above-nam'd M. G. to the said S. L. acknowledging her and her School-fellows sor∣row for her absence, giving an account of the ac∣customed care of her Governess.

Dear Friend,

WE remain in the state and condition you left us, there being no access as yet of any more numbers, but only of our griefs for your absence, which increase, as our desires do increase, or our daily discourses of you. We un∣derstood not our happiness till your departure from us, being now made sensible of the good we enjoyed, by being deprived thereof. Our Governess is as active and watchful as ever, down with the Sun and up with the Lark, and then doth her Messenger summon us to desert our beds; if she perceives any unwilling, she subtilly tempers the unpleasantness of her early impor∣tunity; she perswades them thereunto, by alledg∣ing, what benefit thereby will accrew to their healths; nor is her accustomed care to be discom∣mended, since therein she aims not only at the benefit of our Bodies, but the eternal welfare of our Souls, in the performance of our duties to God and our Parents. She continues her for∣mer jealousie, not suffering a Letter to come in∣to the house without her knowledg thereof; and herein her prudence is highly to be commended, for by her strict examination of these Paper∣messengers, she shuts the doors against a great many which might be the Bawds that might

betray the Obedience of some, and the Chastity of others. Neither are there any Answers re∣turned to any Letters but what she is privy to; by which means, there is nothing we write we need be ashamed of, were it legibly written on our Foreheads as well as Papers. I question not but you have heard your old Bed-fellow Mrs. F. G. hath lately entertained a new one, being married to a Gentleman, as deserving in excel∣lency of parts as nobility of birth; I long to hear of the like in you, whose good fortunes shall always be attended with the greatest acclama∣tions of joy which can proceed from

Your most affectionate Friend, M. G.

The Answer.

Indearedly Beloved,

YOU honour me much with the testimony of your affection; and do glad my heart by giving me to understand, that your Governess continueth her vigilancy and accustomed care; if she reap the praise thereof, the profit will be yours, and yet she will be a gainer too, for this will be the means to increase the number of her Scho∣lars. Mrs. F. G's. marriage is no news to me, wishing her all happiness in her choice, and that her fortune may be answerable to her incompa∣rable virtues; but for your good wishes to me, in the like nature, (though I am thankful to you

for them, yet) I should not be displeased, if you did forbear to utter them; for if good Husbands are Miacles, why should I afflict my self with the vain expectation of them, since Miracles are ceased? I can best content my self with my pre∣sent condition, having thereby a greater liberty to express my self to be

Your passionate and most obliged Friend and Servant, S. L.

To a Kinswoman discoursing about Fashions.

Beloved Cousin,

I Thank you for your Papers, and the trouble of that spruce inventory you sent me, which I desired more out of curiosity than any intention of conformity thereunto; for indeed the vanity was sufficient to satiate an ordinary appetite; and besides, mine is no way greedy of such idle kick∣shaws. I find fault with most of these Modes, not for their levity only but brevity also, espe∣cially such as are far-fetcht for a fortnights wear∣ing, and leaves not a good Huswife a relique worth the keeping. I have learned in a great manner, That the fashion of the world passeth away, and therefore I cannot think it but a piece of great imprudence, to spend so much industry up∣on a frail and perishing object; yet I am not a∣gainst such natural or native decencies, which may difference persons, and bring not an unpro∣fitable

expence upon their finery; no more than I discommend a sumptuous Feast, when I censure one that is ridiculous; for I know not what se∣cret power of blandishment there is in an hand∣some ornament, even to court beauty it self, and therefore it must be more advantagious to those, whose small imperfections it conceals. But of all incongruities, deformity and the fashion, I take to be the ugliest; you know how indifferently I am concern'd in these cases, and therefore will easily pardon this humour of

Your most humble Servant.

A Letter from one Lady to another, condemn∣ing Artificial-beauty.

Madam,

YOU are so absolute in the endowments of your mind and perfections of body, that I cannot but honour you; having formerly ex∣perienced your love to me particularly, and the greatness of your Wit to all; I hope you will excuse this rudeness if I desire your opinion con∣cerning borrowed beauty from art; and whe∣ther it may be lawfully used by such as profess Religion and a good Conscience? I must con∣fess, my own judgment is much unsetled; nevertheless, I have been informed by many learned and godly men, that it is a great sin, and undoubtedly inconsistent with a Christian, and a good Conscience. I do find that washing and painting is condemned in holy Writ, as the

practice of loose, licentious, and lascivious Wo∣men; who with the deforming of their Souls, and polluting their Consciences, do use the Art for embellishing their Countenances. The New Testament affirms we cannot make one hair of our head white or black; and if we have neither the liberty, nor are to assume the power to alter the complexion of our hairs, then much less the com∣plexion of our Cheeks and Faces. It argueth, be∣sides, ingratitude to the Almighty, when we are not content with what He hath made; and the highest presumption in thinking or daring to mend it. St. Paul and St. Peter prescribed how Women should be clad, that is with mo∣desty, shamefastness and sobriety, and not with gorgeous apparel, or with braided Hair, Gold or Pearls; and if these things were forbidden, how much more is washing or painting the Face; which is suitable (some think) to none but leight spirits, such who are not yet redeemed from the vanity of their conversation? So that this Arti∣ficial beauty may appear to be divinely forbidden as an enemy to Truth, which needeth none but its own native complexion; and is so far from being beholding to Art for any addition to en∣liven her colour, or to put a blush upon it, that she converteth even Deformities and Decays into Advantages and Perfections. Besides, that this adding of colour and complexion proceeds from Pride, is without controversie; and should it not reflect on wantonness, yet it doth on arro∣gance; to borrow, and then challenge that beauty to be ours, which is not but by an adventitious wealth. Moreover this self-conceit is an enemy to humi∣lity

and grace, and would by degrees over-top all virtue. And now grant it were neither scan∣dalously sinful, nor absolutely unlawful, yet the offence it giveth to the true and strict Professors of Piety is a sufficient argument, that it ought not to be practised. Although many things may be permitted in themselves, yet they become evil and are to be forborn, when others are offended at them. Neither is this all; for the very name of a painted face is enough to destroy the reputation of her that useth it, and exposeth her to all man∣ner of reproaches. We are taught to follow things of a good report, that we may not only be good, but that in all things we may preserve the re∣putation of a good name. If the light of Scrip∣tures were not so clear and full against all Ar∣tificial beauty, yet the light of Nature doth seem to discover an uncomeliness therein. There is none but may conclude, if God threatens to pu∣nish strange apparel, he will not spare to punish strange faces.

Madam, pardon the tediousness of my Letter, which I have extended almost to the length of a Treatise; I was the more large, because I would be the more fully satisfied in your answer, which in a labouring-expectation I attend; if your Ladiship will deign me this favour, you will infi∣nitely oblige her, who is

Madam,

Your most humble and affectionate Servant.

The Answer of an ingenious Lady.

Madam,

YOU have been pleas'd to impose a great task upon me, which I am resolved to dis∣charge, not so much to shew any wit or know∣ledg in my self, as your power over me, by my obedience to your commands; what I shall say on this subject in the defence thereof, I shall be obliged thereunto by the rules of Reason, and not the liberty of practice. I cannot deny but that several reverend and learned persons are of a judgment opposite to mine, which have pre∣vailed on the credulity of many young Ladies, and did at first upon my own, until I began to examine the grounds of their opinions, and to value more the weight of their reasons than the gravity and numbers of their persons. I do not find that these persons can produce out of Scrip∣ture any reasons of force which expresly forbid the using any Art in the imbellishing the Coun∣nance: The opinions of men are not of any pow∣er to charge the Soul with sin in things of out∣ward use and custom; neither in this particular are the Divines themselves all of one mind; for I know many excellent persons, who wisely sor∣bear to condemn the use of these things as sin, that are innocently helpful to the beauties of modest women; for indeed they are as far from sin, or not from sin, as the minds of those that use them are disposed either to a modest decency, or to pride and vanity. Now where it is objected, that Jezabel was devoured by Dogs, because she

painted her eyes; if your Ladiship be pleased to look again on the History, you shall find that the painting of her face or eyes was thirteen or four∣teen years before the Prophet Elisha presaged her ruin; and it was no more a cause of her dreadful death than the dressing her head, or her looking out at the Window, which was at one and the same time, and one of them as innocent as the other. If all 'that Jezable did is to be avoided as a sin, we may not call a solemn Assembly, or keep a Fast, because she did so, as appeareth by the same History: We may not embrace or kiss a friend because Joab did so when he killed Abner; and Judas, when he betray'd his Master. And as for Herodias dancing, which was the cause of John Baptists death, you shall find in the Gos∣pel that she danced alone, which is allowed by our austerest Divines, and by the precise Ma∣trons in the education of their Children. She danced not with Herod, but before him; and it was not the decent motion of her feet, but the disorderly motions of her heart, and the pervers∣ness of her spirit to the Doctrine of St. John, that was the cause of his murther. And as for those places in the Prophets, from whence scru∣pulous and censorious persons do infer that the painting of the face is a sin; we may truly an∣swer, it is not therefore unlawful because we find it there sometimes condemned as unreasonable; or because vain and loose Women do practise it, therefore the modest must altogether disclaim it. Believe me, Madam, in the whole Scripture there is not any Moral command to be found that doth expresly forbid this artificial adorning

the face. We may read that Queen Esther made use of sweet perfumes, of gorgeous habillements, and beautiful colours; nay whatsoever was then in fashion, the more to attract the eyes and af∣fections of the King unto her; and this was in her so far from a sin, that it had been almost a sin in her not to have done it. We find that Rebeccab almost in the infancy of the world, re∣ceived ornaments for her hands, her neck and ears; and certainly she thought it no disparage∣ment to her modesty or her piety to wear them. Neither is it any new invention for Ladies to use Artificial helps for the advancement of their beauties; it is as general as ancient, and there is no Nation but doth practise it without any reproach of vanity or pride. And although in this Nation a commendable discretion is used in powdering, curling, and gumming the hair, and quickning the complexion, yet in forreign parts it is every where frequently done, and as sreely owned. It is strange methinks that supplies should be allowed of for bodily defects and deformi∣ties; the Shoo-maker is imployed and com∣mended for making the body higher; and the Taylor for making it straighter; and must we account it a sin or scandal to advance the beauty of the face? Much more might be alledged to prove the truth hereof, but I have been already too tedious, and have punished your expectati∣on with the length of my Letter, which not∣withstanding the innocence of the subject, is a sin or fault in her, who is

Madam,

Your most devoted Servant, &c.

A Lady to her Daughter, perswading her from wearing Spots and Black-patches in her face.

Daughter,

THE indulgent care of a loving Mother makes me keep my eye continually on you; it hath been my great comfort hitherto in that you have seem'd a profest enemy against the vices of this present age; but now it is no small grief to me that I hear you are too much addicted to its fashions; and that lately you have been seen with those deformities which are commonly called Black-patches. A fashion till of late never pra∣cticed by any, nor your half-Moons used in the Turkish Seraglio; no nor ever read of in all the Histories of the vanities of Women. It appear∣eth strange to me, that young Gentlewomen should lose their reason with their modesty, and think that they add to their beauty by substract∣ing from it. I must deal plainly with you, I am afraid that the black Oath of God-damn-me in the mouth of a Ranter, and the Black-patch in the face of a Gentlewoman, are near of kin one to another. I shall therefore assume the freedom of power which is due unto me, and command you to wear them no more till I am better satisfi∣ed in their decency or lawfulness; thus not doubt∣ing of your obedience, I commit you with my blessing to the blessed Protection of the God of all blessings, and rest

Your tenderly loving and careful Mother, M. N.

The Answer of a dutiful Daughter.

Madam,

IT is as well Religion as Duty in me, To render you all observances, which I shall make my de∣light as well as employment. My greatest blessing is the continuance of your love, which obligeth me to encrease my thankfulness as well as my obedience. I perceive some censorious tongue hath been too busie with my face, and hath en∣deavoured to throw dirt on it, because it hath been lately spotted in the fashion; a fashion that hath as much innocence to plead for its excuse, as cu∣stom for its authority. Venus the Goddess of beauty was born with a Motticella, or natural beauty-spot, as if Nature had set forth a pat∣tern for Art to imitate. You may see every day some little clouds over the face of the Sun, yet he is not ashamed of his attraction; nay, some of late with an Optick-glass have discovered some maculae or spots in the very face of the Sun, yet they are not attributed as his deformities. The Moon when she is at Full and shining in her grea∣test lustre, hath in her face some remarkable spots, and herein is placed her chiefest glory; as being in every thing inconstant but in this. When I put on my Mask, which is no more nor better than one great patch, you do commend me for it; and will you be displeased with me for wearing a few black patches? which if they are cut into Stars, do represent unto me whether I would go; or if into little worms, whether I must go; the one of them testifying in me the sense of my un∣worthiness

to increase my humility, and the other the height of my meditations to advance my af∣fections. It is the unhappiness of the most harm∣less things, to be subject to the greatest miscon∣struction; and on the same subject from whence others draw their suspitions of curiosity to accuse our pride, we derive the greatest arguments of discipline and instruction to defend our innocence; neither is the ignorance of antiquity in relation to them, any argument of weight to con∣demn their novelty; for the Black-bags on the head are not much older than the Black-spots on the face, and much less may be said for them, only they have had the good luck in the City not to meet with contradiction, although in the Country they are much cavil'd at, unless worn by Gentlewomen of eminent note and quality. Nevertheless, according to the obligation of my duty, to give you in all things satisfaction, I am determined to wear them no more; not that I find any such vanity in them, but that by the fruits of my obedience, you may perceive what an absolute power your commands have over her, who is

Madam,

Your most humble and most obedient Daughter, S. N.

Love protested, with its Repulse.

Madam,

IT hath pleased Heaven you should have the sole command of my affections, with which I am joyfully, content and stand disposed to obey you in every thing, when you shall be pleased to count me worthy of your service. Enjoying you I must account my self the happiest man in the world; but being deprived of you I shall not only live, but die miserably; either then re∣ward him who adores you, or chastise him who idolizeth you. Yet must I confess all my good to proceed from you, and that all the evil I can endure must come from your disdain; however hoping that you will commiserate my languishing condition, I shall greedily subscribe my self,

Intirely Yours, &c.

The Answer.

SIR,

IF it hath pleas'd Heaven you should love me, you cannot blame me though you suffer by it; should I except the tenders of affection from all such amorous pretenders, I might be married to a whole Troop, and make my self a legal Prostitute. My inclinations lean not your way; wherefore give me leave to tell you, That you would do better to bestow your affections on some Lady who hath more need of a Servant

than I have. And if you think your affection ought not to go unrewarded, receive the perswa∣sion which I give you, never to trouble me more, lest you run a worse hazzard by persevering in your intentions. Be advised by her who is

Your faithful Monitor and humble Servant, &c.

I shall swell this Volume into too great a bulk, should I give you patterns of Letters for all oc∣casions; let what I have here set down suffice, re∣ferring you for your better information and in∣struction to the incomparable Letters of Monsieur Voiture, translated into English; Mr. Howel, and Mr. Lovedays ingenious Letters, with a many more; every Booksellers-shop affording great plenty. And now to conclude, pray accept of these in∣genious Dialogues, which will tend as well to your further instruction, as recreation.