Conversation at Home 1

In this video I analyzed a little of this poem by Edgar Guest:

MY CREED

To live as gently as I can;
To be, no matter where, a man;
To take what comes of good or ill
And cling to faith and honor still;
To do my best, and let that stand
The record of my brain and hand;
And then, should failure come to me,
Still work and hope for victory.

To have no secret place wherein
I stoop unseen to shame or sin;
To be the same when I'm alone
As when my every deed is known;
To live undaunted, unafraid
Of any step that I have made;
To be without pretense or sham
Exactly what men think I am.

To leave some simple mark behind
To keep my having lived in mind;
If enmity to aught I show,
To be an honest, generous foe,
To play my little part, nor whine
That greater honors are not mine.
This, I believe, is all I need
For my philosophy and creed.

I am enjoying the use of the pedestal tea cups. 

I showed you the cover of the June 1991 Victoria magazine:

I shared a few pages of  The Anne of Green Gables Treasury

which is an activity book that in my opinion would serve as an

excellent learning book for young ladies.

What I wore at home today:

Please enjoy your home while you listen. Weigh everything in light of your own observations and thoughts.

Sources for the subject of conversations in open spaces:

The vitamins listed in this speech were from Philippians 4:5-7, a type of activism at home:

R - Rejoice, Requests, Refinement

T - Thankfulness

P - Prayer

The main theme today was conversation at home and a few things that make it more pleasant for everyone in the shared spaces of the house.

The following is a source that I referred to when discussing the problem of shutting people out of conversations, and when it is necessary to go to a private place.

 1. Biblical Sources

Romans 12:10 – “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.”

Philippians 2:4 – “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

Proverbs 15:1 – “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”

Hebrews 13:2 – “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

Each of these verses addresses manners, hospitality, kindness, and how we are to treat one another in daily living and shared spaces.

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2. Victorian Etiquette Sources

These historical sources document manners and social customs of the Victorian period:

A. Mrs. Beeton’s Book of Household Management (1861)

A widely used guide to Victorian home life, manners, and domestic order.

Relevant section: Chapter on "Etiquette with Guests and in Social Gatherings."

Summary: Private discussions were to be held in private rooms (like studies, gardens, or drawing rooms with closed doors). Shared spaces were assumed to be public.

Available online at:

Project Gutenberg - Mrs. Beeton’s Book

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B. The Habits of Good Society (1859)

A formal guide on etiquette, including how to conduct oneself in public and private conversation.

Quote from Chapter on Conversation:

> “A person entering a drawing-room during conversation is to be greeted, not excluded. Privacy, if desired, should be sought elsewhere.”

Available at:

Internet Archive - The Habits of Good Society

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3. Modern Etiquette Sources

A. Emily Post Institute – Modern Etiquette Authority

Emily Post’s descendants continue to publish etiquette standards for the modern home.

Relevant Articles:

“Privacy and Shared Spaces”

“Manners in the Home: When to Excuse Yourself for Privacy”

Key Principle:

> “When privacy is needed, it's proper to excuse oneself to a private space. It's never polite to ask someone to leave a room in their own home unless absolutely necessary — and never rudely.”

Website:

https://emilypost.com

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B. Debrett’s (UK Etiquette Authority)

Longstanding British etiquette guide, highly respected for both historical and modern manners.

Quote:

> “It is inconsiderate to conduct private conversations in shared spaces if others are likely to walk through. Proper conduct requires discretion and the use of private rooms.”

Website:

https://www.debretts.com