Flattery.
This is a powerful weapon in the art of making love. Never lived there yet man or woman but what in some way or other could be flattered. The great point is to know in what way to use it. There is a time and a place to use it. A young lady will feel flattered if you get a chance, young man, to tell her mother about the good qualities of her daughter; never fear but the daughter will hear of it, for women cannot keep a secret.
Trying your Lover.
Young ladies very often exercise a good deal of tact in trying a young man’s love. They will act different from what the real feelings of their hearts would be, simply to try a young man’s pluck, if I must so call it. Young men, don’t weary in well doing, you know that “faint heart never won fair lady.” Do not put too much stress upon any little remark a young lady may make, for she often means directly the reverse, especially if she is very young.
How to be a Favorite with the Opposite Sex.
It will be observed that when a young man first finds himself in the company of the fair sex he is seldom free from a degree of bashfulness, which renders him peculiarly awkward, and he scarcely knows what he is doing or saying, and I have known many such to commit errors that were truly laughable.
Gentlemen will, on every suitable occasion, offer civilities to ladies of their acquaintance, especially to those for whom they may have a particular attachment. A gentleman meeting a lady is struck with her appearance, and wishes to become better acquainted. Now, before making any advances, you should find out from some friend whether she is engaged, or if any gentleman is paying particular attention to her—this might save you much future trouble.
Finding she is not thus circumstanced, you call her by name, and say, “Would it be agreeable to you for us to cultivate a more intimate acquaintance?” You need not say it in a tone as serious as if you were going to a funeral; but in a light, easy, peaceful way, as though half in fun. You must not feel disappointed if she tells you such words as, “Well, we will see about it,” or “Some other time we will talk it over.” Something in this style will not be out of place, for she may not be expecting anything of the kind and does not wish to give too prompt an answer. If on any certain occasion you ask a lady for her company, and she should say that she is engaged, do not think anything strange of it, for such may be the case; and you must never let a lady see that you feel disappointed at any time about such matters.
Gentlemen too often make themselves fools about ladies or a certain lady, and the consequence is the ladies have their own fun laughing at them. Never make yourself a fool for any lady, for it [won’t] pay.
It is too often the case that young men amuse themselves by playing with the feelings of young ladies. They visit them often, they walk with them, pay them divers attentions, and after giving them an idea that they are attached to them, they either leave them, or, what is worse, never come to an explanation of their sentiments. This is nothing less than acting the scoundrel; it is truly dastardly—infamous. This has been the cause of many a young and warm-hearted girl pining away by inches, to fill a premature grave.