By Wendy MooreWhile the concept of "creating" a perfect wife and the bumbling ineptitude of the prospective husband are the stuff of comedy, Thomas Day is most young ladies' idea of a perfect monster of a mate. Moore writes the fascinating true story of an 18th century gentleman who sought for himself the perfect spouse. Wealthy and well-connected, Thomas day nevertheless lacked good manners, taste, and outspokenly frowned on those who did. After four marriage proposal rejections, he decides he will have to create his own perfect mate (a la Pygmalion or Eliza Doolittle). He adopts and raises an orphan, educating her well, but subjecting her to crazy tests (like shooting holes in the hem of her skirt or pouring wax on her skin) to prove her hardiness and good sense. Many brilliant minds (Richard Lovell Edgeworth, Erasmus Darwin, Josiah Wedgwood, J. J. Rousseau and Day himself [a well recognized author and abolitionist] for that matter) fill the story, which was a most fascinating window into the lives of the 18th century literati and progressives, and the intriguing story of the orphan Sabrine, who ultimately does not measure up to Day's standards.
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