Love + Sex

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Sex tips, from the year 1894

Getty Images

Getty Images

Imagine a time when sex was seen as "at best revolting and at worst rather painful." According to The Sun (and well, anyone who's ever taken rudimentary history lessons), the Victorians, not exactly known for their raunchy bedroom antics, perceived a woman's um, "wifely duties" as something to abhor. Sex Tips for Husbands and Wives was penned by Ruth Smythers, a vicar's wife, in 1894. Some amazing gems:

  • The wise bride will permit a maximum of two brief sexual experiences weekly — and as time goes by she should make every effort to reduce this frequency.
  • A selfish and sensual husband can easily take advantage of his wife. One cardinal rule of marriage should never be forgotten: Give little, give seldom and above all give grudgingly. Otherwise what could have been a proper marriage could become an orgy of sexual lust.
  • A wise wife will make it her goal never to allow her husband to see her unclothed body, and never allow him to display his unclothed body to her.
  • Once in bed, the wife should turn off all the lights and make no sound to guide her husband in her direction, lest he take this as a sign of encouragement.
  • When he finds her, she should lie as still as possible. Bodily motion could be interpreted as sexual excitement by the optimistic husband. Sex, when it cannot be prevented, should be practised only in total darkness.
  • Clever wives are ever on the alert for new and better methods of denying and discouraging the amorous overtures of the husband. Arguments, nagging, scolding and bickering prove very effective if used in the late evening about an hour before the husband would normally commence his seduction.
  • By their tenth anniversary many wives have managed to complete their child-bearing and have achieved the ultimate goal of terminating all sexual contacts with the husband.

Compare that to the lessons offered by Holly Hollenbeck, author of the 2008 book, Sex Lives of Wives:

  • Exude tremendous enthusiasm for sex and have it as often as possible. Try never to say no and do not start thinking or talking about other chores or problems during it.
  • Create variety — make love as a “lady” then next time, play it nasty as a “tramp”. Alternate the pace — sometimes fast and frantic, sometimes slow and romantic, using different sound effects, including sexy compliments breathlessly uttered, pleasurable moans and sighs and nasty encouragements.
  • Be assertive about what you want, taking care that any ideas do not come across as criticism. Try incorporating what you would like him to do by working the suggestions into the details of a story. Describe how hot such action would make you or your character in the story feel.
  • Tune in to what he loves and share it with him — if he likes watching sexy movies, suggest watching one together. Visit a bookshop and choose some erotic stories you can read to each other, surf the web with him and share “chats”.
  • Venture outside the bedroom and seek unusual locations for sex. Have a mental fixation on the sensation — focus only on his and your pleasure.
  • Know what turns you on — your desire will heighten his. Good things for women to try include having an ear sucked, a foot rub, leaning on a vibrating washing machine during the spin cycle and feeling the spray of a pulsating showerhead.

Damn, looks like you really have come a long way baby.
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From the Community…

Comments 141-150 of 170
  • addict's Avatar
    Posted by addict Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:32pm PST

    i reallythank d almighty jah dat i did not come during d victorian era. i wonda what i wld hv done. i just cant imagine those ancient women's dry lives; i guess i'll probably also never know dat i'm missing something.

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  • sesquiculus's Avatar
    Posted by sesquiculus Wed Nov 19, 2008 6:10am PST

    Entirely unbiblical. In 1-Corinthians, chapter 5, Paul tells us "It is better to marry than to burn" (with sexual desire). He also states that husbands and wives should give themselves freely to each other. The only exception is mutually-agreed periods of abstaining from sex for prayer and comtemplation. But this is to be followed by resumption of sexual activity.

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  • Ricky Bobby's Avatar
    Posted by Ricky Bobby Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:03am PST

    I think my ex-wife wrote the 1800s version of the "rulebook."

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  • Johnson's Avatar
    Posted by Johnson Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:18am PST

    I think my wife read the book too. In fact, I am seriously looking for an alternative.

    Report Abuse
  • Nick K's Avatar
    Posted by Nick K Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:23pm PST

    This is an awful article. The Smythers publication is a hoax. Way to go, journalist! Next time, do your research.

    Report Abuse
  • Ton's Avatar
    Posted by Ton Sun Nov 30, 2008 12:25pm PST

    I'm inclined to believe that more women enjoyed sex then that we are led to believe. They just didn't admit it.

    Report Abuse
  • John's Avatar
    Posted by John Sun Dec 21, 2008 6:27pm PST

    If only women from that era knew what women know today...become obese and he will leave you alone, no excuses needed.

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