How to Choose a Spouse, 1879

Adelaide Claxton, Courting (1868)

"Bright red hair and a florid complexion indicate an excitable temperament. Such should marry the jet-black hair and the brunette type. The gray, blue, black or hazel eyes should not marry those of the same color. Where the color is very pronounced, the union should be with those of a decidedly different color. The very corpulent should unite with the thin and spare, and the short, thick-set should choose a different constitution... The quick-motioned, rapid-speaking person should marry the calm and deliberate. The warmly impulsive should unite with the stoical. The very fine-haired, soft and delicate-skinned should not marry those like themselves; and the curly should unite with the straight and smooth hair." 

Thomas E. Hill, Hill's Manual of Social and Business Forms

Hey, baby. I'm a warmly impulsive rapid-speaker, and you are looking SO stoical.

How to Compliment a Lady, 1737

A Group of Figures, c. 1750, Lewis Walpole Library (Yale University)

Amorous compliments endorsed by Wits Cabinet: Or, a Companion for Young Men and Ladies: 

Lady, the Magazine of all rich Treasure is contained in your Perfections.  

Lover, Lady, Those Divine Beams proceeding from your Eyes, are able to thaw the frozen Earth without another Sun.  

Your Voice is such a one, that should the Holy Churchmen use it, it would without the Addition of more Exorcisms, disinchant Houses, and tie up the Night Ghosts that haunt the solitary Groves. 

Turn back your Comet Eyes, or I shall perish in the Flames. 

Her Forehead is a goodly Prospect, that shows like a Castle commanding some goodly Country.   

Her Breasts are two Mountains of Snow, from the two Fountains of which Cupid himself sucks Nectar.

What woman doesn't secretly want to hear that her voice could drive ghosts from a house and her forehead looks like the headquarters of a provincial government? 

More inspiration: How to Compliment a Lady, 1663

How to Sweet Talk Your Man, 1713

Lewis Walpole Library

"Complemental Expressions towards Men Leading to the Art of Courtship": 

Sir, I am daily in disquiet, and shall be, till some occasion be offered me suddenly wherein I may appear to You to be more than Verbal.
Sir, Your good Goodness wants a resident.
Sir, I shall study to Chronicle Your Vertues.
Sir, You are so highly Noble, that Your Purse is my Exchequer.
Sir, Be confident of my Affection, while I have room to lodge You in my Bosom.
Sir, Sleep is not more welcome to the wearied Traveller, than thou art to my House.
Sir, Without you, the State's necessities increase.
Sir, my appetite is sick, for want of a Capacity to digest your Favors. 

Charles Sackville, The New Academy of Complements, excerpts

Looking to get more than verbal with a special guy? A few of these lines in quick succession will have him lodging in your bosom in no time.

(Need to impress a lady? No problem. How to Sweet Talk Your Lady, 1656 and How to Compliment a Lady, 1653.)

How to Compliment a Lady, 1663

Amorous compliments endorsed by John Gough, The Academy of Complements (1663):

"Her Dove-like eyes."
"Liquorous rolling eyes."
"Her cheeks shine like sparkling stones."
"Her Cheeks are like Punick Apples."
"Her Cheeks are spread with Spices and Flowers."
"Her breasts are the soft Pillows of love."
"Her breasts are soft and tender as the Pelican's."
"Her Thighes are fit subjects for the pleasant Songs of youthfull Poets to acquaint the world with."
"Her legs as stately and firm as marble pillars."

Looking to stand out among the crowds of suitors? Try the pelican line at your next courtship event -- it really gives you the element of surprise.