Gilded Age Golden Rules

Drinking and cigar smoking are bad habits; they impair the health and pocket, and lead to a waste of time. Above pictured is an absinthe glass and an absinthe spoon in the shape of the Eiffel Tower —Absinthe was a popular French alcoholic beverage from the 1840’s through the 1890’s, though it was eventually banned for many years in several countries, including the United States. According to the Oxford Artisan Distillery, “Modern Absinthe as we know it, resembles the version of the spirit favoured around the time of the French revolution (1789-1799) and tracked to a home in the village of Couvet, Switzerland. There is some confusion as to whether it was first distilled in its contemporary form by the sisters of the Henroid family or by the French doctor Pierre Ordinaire. The popularity of the potent elixir was championed by doctors belonging to the French army in the 1840s to help prevent fevers and malaria. Throughout its rise in popularity, Absinthe had been believed to alleviate menstrual pain, anaemia, and even bad breath. It became so widely consumed during this period that 5pm became known as ‘the green hour’, better recognised today as ‘happy hour’ which has, of course, changed form slightly.“

1. Never, under any circumstances, assume a responsibility that you can avoid consistently with your duty to yourself and others.

2. Base all your actions upon a principle of right; preserve your integrity of character, and in doing this never reckon on the cost.

3. Remember that self-interest is more likely to warp your judgment than all other circumstances combined; therefore, look well to your duty, when your interest is concerned.

4. Never make money at the expense of your reputation.

5. Be neither lavish nor stingy. Of the two, avoid the latter. A mean man is universally despised, but public favor is a stepping stone to preferment therefore, generous feelings should be cultivated.

6. Say but little; think much, and do more.

7. Let your expenses be such as to leave a balance in your pocket. Ready money is a friend in need.

8. Avoid borrowing and lending.

9. Wine drinking and cigar smoking are bad habits; they impair the health and pocket, and lead to a waste of time.

10. Never relate your misfortune, and never grieve over what you cannot prevent.

11. Cultivate promptness in deciding upon matters that come before you; there are few objects more disagreeable and vexatious than an undecided, vacillating man. Consider thoughtfully, but decide promptly.

12. Never break a business engagement of any kind, if it is possible to meet it. Let nothing cause you to become careless of business etiquette, integrity and promptitude.

13. Let truth and an unwavering faith in God underlie all your motives and actions.— Placer Argus, December 1879

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