Don't become over excited...

More marital advice, this time for the gentlemen. I think a certain Mr Hornblower might have benefitted from these "Hints for Bridegrooms" published by the Perth Sunday Times in 1904.

"Don’t have a frozen grin on your face. Neither show a stern Napoleonic air, as if you were determined to see the thing through or die.

Try to throw some enthusiasm into your responses. Most men make them in a tone of voice that indicates their belief that they are signing their own death warrant.

Don’t become over excited. Keep your eyes in front of you. Look neither to the left nor the right; otherwise you are as liable to marry the bridesmaid or the best man as not.

Engage a detective as best man, so that he will be able to locate the wedding ring after you have gone through your pockets six times in a vain effort to find it.

Finally, let your sufferings teach you to live a better life."

I now want to re-write the opening pages of Hornblower and the Hotspur to have Hornblower glancing to the right and marrying Mr Bush "by mistake" ;)

This fabulous advice was brought to you by the wonderful Questionable Advice tumblr.

In other news I will be out of circulation for a large chunk of the week owing work commitments. Normal service will be resumed on Friday hopefully.