The WILLIAM L. CLEMENTS LIBRARY of the University of Michigan Godwin, Mary Wollstonecraft VINDICATION OF THE RIGHTS OF WOMAN: With Strictures ON MORAL AND POLITICAL SUBJECTS. BY MARY WOOLSTONECRAFT. PHILADELPHIA:---PRINTED AND SOLD, BY WILLIAM GIBBONS, NO. 144. NORTH THIRD STREET. 1792 TO M. TALLEYRAND - PERIGORD, LATE BISHOP OF AUTUN. SIR, Having read with great pleaſure a pamphlet, which you have lately publiſhed, on National Education, 1 de- dicate this volume to you—the firſt dedication that I have ever written, to induce you to read it with attenti- on; and, becauſe I think that you will underſtand me, which I do not ſuppoſe many pert witlings will, who may ridicule the arguments they are unable to anſwer. But, Sir, I carry my reſpect for your underſtanding ſtill farther; ſo far, that I am confident you will not throw my work aſide, and haſtily conclude that I am in the wrong, becauſe you did not view the ſubject in the ſame light yourſelf.-And, pardon my frankneſs, but I muſt obſerve, that you treated it in too curſory a manner, con- tented to conſider it as it had been conſidered formerly, when the rights of man, not to advert to woman, were trampled on as chimerical—I call upon you, therefore, now to weigh what I have advanced reſpecting the rights of woman, and national education-and I call with the firm tone of humanity.- For my arguments, Sir, are dictated by a diſintereſted fpirit-I plead for my ſex- not for myſelf. Independence I have long conſidered as the grand bleſſing of life, the baſis of every virtue-and independence I will ever ſecure by contracting my wants, though I were to live on a barren heath. It iv DEDICATION. It is then an affection for the whole human race that makes my pen dart rapidly along to ſupport what I be- lieve to be the cauſe of virtue: and the ſame motive leads me earneſtly to with to fee woman placed in a ſtation in which ſhe would advance, inſtead of retarding, the pro- greſs of thoſe glorious principles that give a ſubſtance to morality. My opinion, indeed, reſpecting the rights and duties of woman, feeins to flow fo naturally from theſe fimple principles, that I think it ſcarcely poſſible, but that ſome of the enlarged minds who formed your admir- ble conftitution, will coincide with me. In France there is undoubtedly a more general diffu- fion of knowledge than in any part of the European world, and I attribute it, in a great meaſure, to the foci- al intercourſe which has long fubfiſted between the ſexes, It is true, I utter my ſentiments with freedom, that in France the very effence of ſenſuality has been extracted to regale the voluptuary, and a kind of ſentimental luft has prevailed, which, together with the ſyſtem of dupli- city that the whole tenor of their political and civil go- vernment taught, have given a ſiniſter fort of fagacity to the French character, properly termed fineffe, and a po- lifh of manners that injures the ſubſtance, by hunting fincerity out of ſociety. -And, modeſty, the faireſt garb of virtue! has been more groſsly inſulted in France than even in England, till their women have treated as prudiſh that attention to decency, which brutes inſtinctively ob- ſerve. Manners and morals are ſo nearly allied that they have often been confounded; but, though the former ſhould only be the natural reflection of the latter, yet, when va- rious cauſes have produced factitious and corrupt man- ners, which are very early caught, morality becomes an empty name. The perſonal reſerve, and facred reſpect for cleanlineſs and delicacy in domeſtic life, which French women almoſt deſpiſe, are the graceful pillars of modeíty; but, far from deſpiſing them, if the pure flame of DEDICATION. of patriotiſm have reached their boſoms, they ſhould la. bour to improve the morals of their fellow-citizens, by teaching men, not only to reſpect modeſty in women, but to acquire it themſelves, as the only way to merit their eſteem. Contending for the rights of woman, my main argu- ment is built on this ſimple principle, that if ſhe be not prepared by education to become the companion of man, ſhe will ſtop the progreſs of knowledge, for truth muſt be common to all, or it will be inefficacious with reſpect to its influence on general practice. And how can wo- man be expected to co-operate unleſs ſhe know why fhe ought to be virtuous? unlefs freedom ftrengthen her reafon till ſhe comprehend her duty, and fee in what manner it is connected with her real good? If children are to be educated to underſtand the true principle of patriotiſm, their mother muſt be a patriot; and the love of mankind, from which an orderly train of virtues ſpring, can only be produced by conſidering the moral and civil intereſt of mankind; but the education and ſituation of woman, at preſent, ſhuts her out from ſuch inveſtigations. In this work I have produced inany arguments, which to me were concluſive, to prove that the prevailing noti- *** on reſpecting a ſexual character was ſubverſive of ino- rality, and I have contended, that to render the human body and mind more perfect, chaſtity muſt more uni- verſally prevail, and that chaſtity will never be refpeeted in the male world till the perſon of a woman is not, as it were, idolized, when little virtue or ſenſe embelliſh it with the grand traces of mental beauty, or the intereſt- ing ſimplicity of affection. Conſider, Sir, diſpaſſionately, theſe obſervations for a glimpſe of this truth ſeemed to open before you when you obſerved, that to fee one half of the human race excluded by the other froin all participation of go- vernment, was a political phænomenon that, according 4 vi DEDICATION. • to abſtract.principles, it was impoſſible to explain. If fo, on what does your conſtitution reſt? If the abſtract rights of man will bear diſcuſſion and explanation, thoſe of woman, by a parity of reaſoning, will not thrink from the ſame teſt: though a different opinion prevails in this country, built on the very arguments which you uſe to juſtify the oppreſſion of woman--preſcription. Conſider, I addreſs you as a legiſlator, whether, when men contend for their freedom, and to be allowed to judge for themſelves reſpecting their own happineſs, it be not incon Giſtent and unjuſt to ſubjugate women, even though you firmly believe that you are acting in the manner beſt calculated to promote their happineſs? Who made man the excluſive judge, if woman partake with him the gift of reaſon? In this ſtyle, argue tyrants of every denomination, from the weak king to the weak father of a family; they are all eager to cruſh reaſon; yet always affert that they uſurp its throne only to be uſeful. Do you not act a fi- milar part, when you force all women, by denying them civil and political rights, to remain immured in their families groping in the dark ? for ſurely, Sir, you will not affert, that a duty can be binding which is not founded on reaſon? If indeed this be their deſtination, arguments may be drawn from reaſon: and thus auguft- ly fupported, the more underſtanding women acquire, the more they will be attached to their duty-compre- hending it-for unleſs they comprehend it, unleſs their morals be fixed on the ſame immutable principle as thoſe of man, no authority can make them diſcharge it in a virtuous manner. They may be convenient flaves, but flavery will have its conſtant effect, degrading the mar- ter and the abject dependent. But, if women are to be excluded without having a voice, from a participation of the natural rights of man- kind, prove firſt, to ward off the charge of injuſtice and inconſiſtency, that they want reaſon--elſe this flaw in your DEDICATION. vii your NEW CONSTITUTION, the firſt conſtitution founded on reaſon, will ever ſhew that man muſt, in fome ſhape, act like a tyrant, and tyranny, in whatever part of ſociety it rears its brazen front, will ever under- mine morality. I have repeatedly aſſerted, and produced what appear- ed to me irrefragable arguments drawn from matters of fact, to prove my affertion, that women cannot, by force, be confined to domeſtic concerns; for they will, how- ever ignorant, intermeddle with more weighty affairs, neglecting private duties only to diſturb, by cunning tricks, the orderly plans of reaſon which riſe above their comprehenſion. Beſides, whilſt they are only made to acquire perſon- al accompliſhments, men will ſeek for pleaſure in varie- ty, and faithleſs huſbands will make faithleſs wives; ſuch ignorant beings, indeed, will be very excuſable when, not taught to refpe&t public good, nor allowed any civil rights, they attempt to do themſelves juſtice by re- taliation The box of miſchief thus opened in ſociety, what is to preſerve private virtue, the only ſecurity of public freedom and univerſal happineſs? Let there be then no coercion eſtabliſhed in ſociety, and the common law of gravity prevailing, the ſexes will fall into their proper places. And, now that more equitable laws are forming your citizens, marriage may become more ſacred : your young men may chooſe wives from motives of affection, and your maidens allow love. to root out vanity. The father of a family will not then weaken his con- ftitution and debaſe his ſentiments, by viſiting the har- lot, nor forget, in obeying the call of appetite, the pur- poſe for which it was implanted, And, the mother will not neglect her children to practiſe the arts of co- quetry, when ſenſe and modeſty ſecure her the friend- fhip of her huſband. But, rean Constitution viii DEDICATION But, till men become attentive to the duty of a father, it is vain to expect women to ſpend that time in their nurſery, which they,' wife in their generation,' chooſe to ſpend at their glaſs; for this exertion of cunning is only an inſtinct of nature to enable them to obtain indi- rectly a little of that power of which they are unjuſtly denied a ſhare: for, if women are not permitted to en- joy legitimate rights, they will render both men and themſelves vicious, to obtain illicit privileges. I wiſh, Sir, to ſet ſome inveſtigations of this kind a- float in France ; and ſhould they lead to a confirma- tion of my principles, when your conſtitution is reviſed the Rights of Woman may be reſpected, if it be fully proved that reaſon calls for this reſpect, and loudly de- mands JUSTICE for one half of the human race.. I am, Sir, Your's reſpectfully, M. W. ADVERTISEMEN T. When I began to write this work, I divided it into three parts, fuppoſing that one volume would contain a full diſcuſſion of the arguments which ſeemed to me to riſe naturally from a few ſimple principles; but freſh illuſtrations occurring as I advanced, I now preſent on- ly the firſt part to the public. Many ſubjects, however, which I have curſorily al- luded to, call for particular inveſtigation, eſpecially the laws relative to women, and the confideration of their peculiar duties. Theſe will furniſh ample matter for a ſecond volume, which in due time will be publiſhed, to elucidate ſome of the ſentiments, and complete many of the ſketches begun in the firſt. INTRODUCTION. After conſidering the hiſtoric page, and viewing the living world with anxious ſolicitude, the moſt melan- choly emotions of ſorrowful indignation have depreſſed my ſpirits, and I have fighed when obliged to confeſs, that either nature has made a great difference between man and man, or that the civilization which has hitherto taken place in the world has been very partial. I have turned over various books written on the ſubject of edu- cation, and patiently obſerved the conduct of parents and the management of ſchools; but what has been the re- ſult?-a profound conviction that the neglected educa- tion of my fellow-creatures is the grand ſource of the miſery I deplore; and that women, in particular, are rendered weak and wretched by a variety of concurring cauſes, originating from one hafty concluſion. The conduct and manners of women, in fact, evidently prove that their minds are not in a healthy ftate; for, like the flowers which are planted in too rich a foil, ftrength and uſefulneſs are facrificed to beauty; and the flaunting leaves, after having pleaſed a faſtidious eye, fade, diſre- garded on the ſtalk, long before the ſeaſon when they ought to have arrived at maturity.-One cauſe of this barren blooming I attribute to a falſe fyſtem of educati- on, gathered from the books written on this ſubject by men who, conſidering females rather as women than human creatures, have been more anxious to inake them alluring miſtreſſes than rational wives; and the under- ſtanding of the ſex has been ſo bubbled by this ſpecious homage, that the civilized women of the preſent centu- ry, with a few exceptions, are only anxious to inſpire love, when they ought to cheriſh a nobler ambition, and by their abilities and virtues exact reſpect. In a treatiſe, therefore, on female rights and man- ners, the works which have been particularly written for their xii INTRODUCTION. their improvement muſt not be overlooked; eſpecially when it is aſſerted, in direct terms, that the minds of women are enfeebled by falſe refinement; that the books of inſtruction, written by men of genius, have had the ſame tendency as more frivolous productions, and that, in the true ſtyle of Mahometaniſm, they are only conſi- dered as females, and not as a part of the human fpe- cies, when improvable reaſon is allowed to be the digni- fied diſtinction which raifes men above the brute crea- tion, and puts a natural ſceptre in a feeble hand. Yet, becauſe I am a woman, I would not lead my readers to ſuppoſe that I mean violently to agitate the conteſted queſtion reſpecting the equality and inferiority of the ſex; but as the ſubject lies in my way, and I cannot paſs it over without ſubjecting the main tenden- cy of my reaſoning to miſconſtruction, I ſhall ſtop a moment to deliver, in a few words, my opinion.--In the government of the phyſical world it is obſervable that the female, in general, is inferior to the male. The male purſues, the female yields--this is the law of na- ture; and it does not appear to be fufpended or abrogat- ed in favour of woman. This phyſical fuperiority can- not be denied-and it is a noble prerogative! But not content with this natural pre-eminence, men endeavour to ſink us ſtill lower, merely to render us alluring ob- jects for a moment; and women, intoxicated by the adoration which men, under the influence of their fen- ſes, pay them, do not ſeek to obtain a durable intereſt in their hearts, or to become the friends of the fellow- creatures who find amuſement in their fociety. I am aware of an obvious inference: quarter have I heard exclamations againſt maſculine women; but where are they to be found? If by this appellation men mean to inveigh againſt their ardour in hunting, ſhooting, and gaming, I ſhall moſt cordially join in the cry; but if it be againſt the imitation of manly virtues, or, more properly ſpeaking, the attain- ment from every INTRODUCTION. xiii ment of thoſe talents and virtues, the exerciſe of which ennobles the human character, and which raiſe females in the ſcale of animal being, when they are comprehen- fively termed mankind; all thoſe who view them with a philoſophical eye muſt, I ſhould think, wiſh with me, that they may every day grow more and more maſcu- line. This diſcuſſion naturally divides the ſubject. I ſhall firſt conſider women in the grand light of human crea- tures, who, in common with men, are placed on this earth to unfold their faculties; and afterwards I ſhall more particularly point out their peculiar deſignation. I wiſh alſo to ſteer clear of an error which many re- fpectable writers have fallen into ; for the inſtruction which has hither been addreſſed to women, has rather been applicable to ladies, if the little indirect advice, that is ſcattered through Sandford and Merton, be excepted ; but, addreſſing my ſex in a firmer tone, I pay particular attention to thoſe in the middle claſs, becauſe they ap- pear to be in the moſt natural ſtate. Perhaps the ſeeds of falſe refinement, immorality, and vanity, have ever been ſhed by the great. Weak, artificial beings, raiſed above the common wants and affections of their race, in a premature unnatural manner, undermine the very foundation of virtue, and ſpread corruption through the whole maſs of ſociety! As a claſs of mankind they have the ſtrongeſt claim to pity; the education of the rich tends to render them vain and helpleſs, and the unfold- ing mind is not ſtrengthened by the practice of thoſe du- ties which dignify the human character. They only live to amuſe themſelves, and by the fame law which in nature invariably produces certain effects, they foon on- ly afford barren amuſement. But as I purpoſe taking a ſeparate view of the different ranks of ſociety, and of the moral character of women, in each, this hint is, for the preſent, ſufficient; and I have only alluded to the ſubject, becauſe it appears to B me xiv INTRODUCTION. me to be the very eſſence of an introduction to give a curſory account of the contents of the work it intro- duces. My own fex, I hope, will excuſe me, if I treat them like rational creatures, inſtead of flattering their faſcinat- ing graces, and viewing them as if they were in a ſtate of perpetual childhood, unable to ſtand alone. I ear- neſtly wiſh to point out in what true dignity and hu- man happineſs conſiſts—I wiſh to perſuade women to endeavour to acquire ſtrength, both of mind and body, and to convince them that the ſoft phraſes, ſuſceptibili- ty of heart, delicacy of ſentiment, and refinement of taſte, are almoſt ſynonymous with epithets of weakneſs, and that thoſe beings who are only the objects of pity and that kind of love, which has been terined its filter, will foon become objects of contempt. Diſmiſſing then thoſe pretty feminine phraſes, which the men condeſcendingly uſe to foften our ſlaviſh depen- dence, and deſpiſing that weak elegancy of mind, ex- quifite ſenſibility, and ſweet docility of manners, fup- poſed to be the ſexual characteriſtics of the weaker vel- ſel, I wiſh to ſhew that elegance is inferior to virtue, that the firſt object of laudable ambition is to obtain a character as a human being, regardleſs of the diſtincti- on of fex; and that ſecondary views ſhould be brought to this ſimple touchſtone. This is a rough ſketch of my plan; and ſhould I ex- preſs my conviction with the energetic emotions that I feel whenever I think of the ſubject, the dictates of ex- perience and reflection will be felt by ſome of my read- Animated by this important object, I ſhall diſdain to cull my phraſes or polith my ſtyle ;-I aim at being uſeful, and fincerity will render me unaffected; for, wiſhing rather to perfuade by the force of my argu- ments, than dazzle by the elegance of my language, I fhall not waſte my time in rounding periods, nor in fabricating the turgid bombaſt of artificial feelings, which, coming ers. INTRODUCTION. XV coming from the head, never reach the heart.--I ſhall be employed about things, not words !-and, anxious to render my fex more reſpectable members of fociety, I ſhall try to avoid that flowery diction which has Mided from effays into novels, and from novels into familiar letters and converſation. Theſe pretty nothings-theſe caricatures of the real beanty of ſenſibility, dropping glibly from the tongue, vitiate the taſte, and create a kind of fickly delicacy that turns away from fimple unadorned truth; and a deluge of falſe ſentiments and overſtretched feelings, ſtilling the natural emotions of the heart, render the domeſtic pleaſures inſipid, that ought to ſweeten the exerciſe of thoſe ſevere duties, whieh educate a rational and im- mortal being for a nobler field of action. The education of women has, of late, been more at- tended to than formerly; yet they are ſtill reckoned a frivolous fex, and ridiculed or pitied by the writers who endeavour by fatire or inſtruction to improve them. It is acknowledged that they ſpend many of the firſt years of their lives in acquiring a ſmattering of accom- pliſhments: meanwhile ſtrength of body and mind are facrificed to libertine notions of beauty, to the deſire of eſtabliſhing themſelves,--the only way women can riſe in the world, by marriage. And this defire making mere animals of them, when they marry they act as ſuch children may be expected to act :--they dreſs; they paint, and nickname God's creatures. ---Surely theſe weak beings are only fit for the ſeraglio!-Can they go- vern a family, or take care of the poor babes whom they bring into the world ? If then it can be fairly deduced from the preſent con- duct of the fex, from the prevalent fondneſs for pleaſure, which takes place of ambition and thoſe nobler paſſions that open and enlarge the foul; that the inſtruction which women have received has only tended, with the conftitution of civil ſociety, to render them inſignificant objects B 2 xvi INTRODUCTION. objects of defire-mere propagators of fools !--if it can be proved that in aiming to accompliſh them, without cultivating their underſtandings, they are taken out of their ſphere of duties, and made ridiculous and uſeleſs when the ſhort-lived bloom of beauty is over*, I pre- fuine that rational men will excuſe me for endeavouring to perſuade them to become more maſculine and reſpect- able. Indeed the word maſculine is only a bugbear: there is little reaſon to fear that women will acquire too much courage or fortitude; for their apparent inferiority with reſpect to bodily ſtrength, muſt render them, in fome degree, dependent on men in the various relations of life; but why ſhould it be increaſed by prejudices that (give a ſex to virtue, and confound fimple truths with fenfual reveries? Women are, in fact, ſo much degraded by miſtaken notions of female excellence, that I do not mean to add a paradox when I aſſert, that this artificial weakneſs produces a propenſity to tyrannize, and gives birth to cunning, the natural opponent of ſtrength, which leads them to play off thoſe contemptible infantile airs that undermine eſteem even whilſt they excite deſire. Do not foſter thefe prejudices, and they will naturally fall into their ſubordinate, yet reſpectable ſtation, in life. It ſeems ſcarcely neceſſary to ſay, that I now ſpeak of the fex in general. Many individuals have more ſenſe than their male relatives; and, as nothing prepon- derates where there is a conſtant ſtruggle for an equili- brium, without it has naturally more gravity, fome wo- men govern their huſbands without degrading them- ſelves, becauſe intellect will always govern. * A lively writer, I cannot recollect his name, aſks what buſineſs women turned of forty have to do in the world? VINDICATION [ 17 ] VINDICATION OF The Rights Rights of Woman. ༠༠འི༠༨༠༢༨ 人気​の ​СНА Р. 1. The rights and involved duties of mankind confidered. T N the preſent ſtate of ſociety it appears neceſſary to go back to firſt principles in ſearch of the moſt fim- ple truths, and to diſpute with ſome prevailing prejudice every inch of ground. To clear my way, I muſt be al- lowed to aſk fome plain queſtions, and the anſwers will probably appear as unequivocal as the axioms on which reaſoning is built; though, when entangled with various motives of action, they are formally contradicted, either by the words or conduct of men. In what does man's pre-eminence over the brute cre- ation conſiſt? The anſwer is as clear as that a half is leſs than the whole ; in Reaſon. What acquirement exalts one being above another? Virtue; we ſpontaneouſly reply. For what purpoſe were the paſlions implanted? That man by ſtruggling with them might attain a degree of knowledge denied to the brutes; whiſpers Experience. Conſequently the perfection of our nature and capa - bility of happineſs, muſt be eſtimated by the degree of reaſon, virtue, and knowledge, that diſtinguiſh the indis, vidual, and direct the laws which bind fociety: and that B 3 from 18 VINDICATION OF THE from the exerciſe of reaſon, knowledge and virtue na: turally flow, is equally undeniable, if mankind be view. ed collectively The rights and duties of man thus fimplified, it ſeems almoſt impertinent to attempt to illuſtrate truths that appear fo incontrovertible; yet fuch deeply rooted pre- judices have clouded reaſon, and ſuch ſpurious qualities have allumed the name of virtues, that it is neceſſary to purſue the courſe of reaſon as it has been perplexed and involved in error, by various adventitious circumſtances, comparing the ſimple axiom with caſual deviations, Men, in general, ſeem to employ their reaſon to juſ- tify prejudices, which they have imbibed, they cannot trace how, rather than to root them out. The mind muſt be ſtrong that reſolutely forms its own principles; for a kind of intellectual cowardice prevails which makes many men ſhrink from the taſk, or only do it by halves. Yet the imperfect conclufions thus drawn, are frequently very plauſible, becauſe they are built on partial experience, on juſt, though narrow, views. Going back to firſt principles, vice ſkulks, with all its native deformity, from cloſe inveſtigation ; but a ſet of ſhallow reaſoners are always exclaiming that theſe ar- guments prove too much, and that a meaſure rotten at The core may be expedient. Thus expediency is con- tinually contraſted with fimple principles, till truth is loſt in a milt of words, virtue, in forms, and knowledge rendered a founding nothing, by the ſpecious prejudices that aſſume its name. That the ſociety is formed in the wiſeſt manner, whoſe conftitution is founded on the nature of man, ftrikes, in the abſtract, every thinking being ſo forcibly, that it looks like preſumption to endeavour to bring for- ward proofs ; though proof muſt be brought, or the Itrong hold of preſcription will never be forced by rea- fon ; yet to urge preſcription as an argument to juſtify the depriving men (or women) of their natural rights, is 0.015 one RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 19 one of the abſurd ſophiſms which daily inſult common ſenſe. The civilization of the bulk of the people of Europe, is very partial ; nay, it may be made a queſtion, whe- ther they have acquired any virtues in exchange for in- nocence, equivalent to the miſery produced by the vices that have been plaſtered over unſightly ignorance, and the freedom which has been bartered for ſplendid flave- ry. The deſire of dazzling by riches, the moſt certain pre-eminence that man can obtain, the pleaſure of com- manding flattering ſycophants, and many other compli- cated low calculations of doting ſelf-love, have all con- tributed to overwhelm the maſs of mankind, and make liberty a convenient handle for mock patriotiſm. For whilft rank and titles are held of the utmoſt importance, before which Genius“ muſt hide its diminiſhed head," it is, with a few exceptions, very unfortunate for a nati- on when a man of abilities, without rank or property, puſhes himſelf forward to notice.—Alas! what unheard mifery have thouſands ſuffered to purchaſe a cardi- nal's hat for an intriguing obſcure adventurer, who long- ed to be ranked with princes, or lord it over them by ſeizing the triple crown! Such, indeed, has been the wretchedneſs that has flow- ed from hereditary honours, riches, and monarchy, that men of lively ſenſibility have almoſt uttered blaſphemy in order to juſtify the diſpenſations of providence. Man has been held out as independent of his power who made him, or as a lawleſs planet darting from its orbit to ſteal the celeſtial fire of reaſon; and the vengeance of heaven, lurking in the ſubtile flame, ſufficiently puniſh- ed his temerity, by introducing evil into the world. Impreſſed by this view of the miſery and diſorder which pervaded ſociety, and fatigued with joftling againſt artificial fools, Rouſſeau became enamoured of ſolitude, and, being at the ſame time an optiinift, he labours with uncommon eloquence to prove that man was naturally a ſolitary 20 VINDICATION OF THE folitary animal. Mifled by his reſpect for the good- neſs of God, who certainly—for what man of lenſe and feeling can doubt it!-gave life only to cominunicate happineſs, he conſiders evil as poſitive, and the work of man ; not aware that he was exalting one attribute at the expence of another, equally neceſſary to divine per- fection. Reared on a falſe hypotheſis his arguments in favour of a ſtate of nature are plauſible, but unſound. I fay unfound; for to aſſert that a ſtate of nature is preferable to civilization, in all its poſſible perfection, is, in other words, to arraign fupreme wiſdom ; and the paradoxi- cal exclamation, that God has made all things right, and that evil has been introduced by the creature, whom "he formed, knowing what he formed, is as unphilofo- phical as impious. When that wife Being who created us and placed us here, ſaw the fair idea, he willed, by allowing it to be fo, that the paſſions ſhould unfold our reafon, becauſe he could ſee that preſent evil would produce future good. Could the helpleſs creature whom he called from nothing break looſe from his providence, and boldly learn to know good by practiſing evil, without his permiſſion? No --How could that energetic advocate for immorta- lity argue fo inconſiſtently? Had mankind remained for ever in the brutal ſtate of nature, which even his magic pen cannot paint as a ſtate in which a ſingle vir- tue took root, it would have been clear, though not to the ſenſitive unreflecting wanderer, that man was born to run the circle of life and death, and adorn God's gar- den for ſome purpoſe which could not eaſily be reconcil- ed with his attributes. But if, to crown the whole, there were to be rational creatures produced, allowed to riſe in excellence by the exerciſe of powers implanted for that purpoſe; if be- nignity itſelf thought fit to call into exiſtence a crea- des ture RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 21 ture above the brutes*, who could think and improve himſelf, why ſhould that ineſtimable gift, for a gift it was, if man was ſo created as to have capacity to riſe above the ſtate in which fenſation produced brutal eaſe, be called, in direct terms, a curſe? A curſe it might be reckoned, if all our exiſtence was bounded by our conti- nuance in this world; for why ſhould the gracious foun- tain of life give us paſſions, and the power of reflecting, only to imbitter our days and inſpire us with miſtaken notions of dignity? Why ſhould he lead us from love of ourſelves to the fublime emotions which the diſcovery of his wiſdom and goodneſs excites, if theſe feelings were not ſet in motion to improve our nature, of which they make a parit, and render us capable of enjoying a more godlike portion of happineſs? Firmly perſuaded that no evil exiſts in the world that God did not deſign to take place, I build my belief on the perfection of God. * Contrary to the opinion of anatomifts, who argue by ana- logy from the formation of the teeth, ſtomach, and inteſtines, Rouſſeau will not allow a man to be a carnivorous animal. And, carried away from nature by a love of Syſtem, he dif- putes whether man be a gregarious animal, though the long and helpleſs ſtate of infancy ſeems to point him out as particu- larly impelled to pair. had defir- + What would you ſay to a mechanic whom you ed to make a watch to point out the hour of the day, if, ta Shew his ingenuity, he added wheels to make it a repeater, &c. that perplexed the ſimple mechaniſm; should he urge, to ex- cuſe himſelf—had you not touched a certain Spring, you would have known nothing of the matter, and that he ſhould have amuſed himſelf by making an experiment without do- ing you any harm: would you not retort fairly upon him, by infifting that if he had not added thoſe needleſs wheels and Springs, the accident could not have happened Ž Rouſſeau 22 VINDICATION OF THE : Rouſſeau exerts himſelf to prove that all was right ori- ginally: a crowd of authors that all is now right: and I, that all will be right. But, true to his firſt poſition, next to a ſtate of na- ture, Rouſſeau celebrates barbariſm, and, apoſtrophiz- ing the fhade of Fabricius he forgets that, in conquer- ing the world, the Romans never dreamed of eſtabliſhing their own liberty on a firm baſis, or of extending the reign of virtue. Eager to ſupport his ſyſtem, he ſtig- matizes as vicious, every effort of genius; and, uitering the apotheoſis of ſavage virtues, he exalts thoſe to demi- gods, who were ſcarcely human—the brutal Spartans, who, in defiance of juſtice and gratitude, facrificed, in cold blood, the flaves who had ſhewn themſelves men to reſcue their oppreſſors. Diſguſted with artificial manners and virtues, the citizen of Geneva, inſtead of properly fifting the ſubject, threw away the wheat with the chaff, without waiting to inquire whether the evils which his ardent foul turned from indignantly, were the conſequence of civilization or the veſtiges of barbariſın. He ſaw vice trampling on virtue, and the femblance of goodneſs taking place of the reality; he ſaw talents bent by power to finiſter purpoſes, and never thought of tracing the gigantic mif- chief up to arbitrary power, up to the hereditary diſtinc- tions that clath with the mental ſuperiority that natu- rally raiſes a man above his fellows. He did not per- ceive that the regal power, in a few generations, intro- duces idiotiſm into the noble ſtem, and holds out baits to render thouſands idle and vicious. Nothing can ſet the regal character in a more con- temptible point of view, than the various crimes that have elevated men to the ſupreme dignity. --Vile in- trigues, unnatural crimes, and every vice that degrades our nature, have been the ſteps to this diſtinguiſhed emi- nence ; yet millions of men have fupinely allowed the nerveleſs RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 3 23 nerveleſs limbs of the poſterity of ſuch rapacious prow- lers to reſt quietly on their enſanguined thrones*. What but a peſtilential vapour can hover over ſociety when its chief director is only inftructed in the inventi- on of crimes, or the ſtupid routine of childiſh ceremonies? Will men never be wiſe? --will they never ceaſe to ex- pect corn from tares, and figs from thiſtles? It is impoſſible for any man, when the moſt favour- able circumftances concur, to acquire fufficient know- ledge and ſtrength of mind to diſcharge the duties of a king, entruſted with uncontrouled power ; how then muſt they be violated when his very elevation is an in- fuperable bar to the attainment of either wiſdom or virtue ; when all the feelings of a man are ſtifled by flat- tery, and reflection ſhut out by pleaſure ! Surely it is madneſs to make the fate of thouſands depend on the caprice of a weak fellow-Creature, whoſe very ſtation finks him neceſſarily below the meaneſt of his ſubjects ! But one power ſhould not be thrown down to exalt ano- ther--for all power intoxicates weak man; and its abuſe proves, that the more equality there is eſtabliſhed among men, the more virtue and happineſs will reign in ſociety. But this, and any ſimilar maxim deduced from ſimple reaſon, raiſes an outcry—the church or the ftate is in danger, if faith in the wiſdom of antiquity is not implicit; and they who, rouſed by the fight of hu- man calamity, dare to attack human authority, are re- viled as deſpiſers of God, and enemies of man. Theſe are bitter calumnies, yet they reached one of the beſt of ment, whoſe alhes ſtill preach peace, and whoſe me- mory demands a reſpectful pauſe, when ſubjects are diſcuſſed that lay ſo near his heart.- * Could there be a greater inſult offered to the rights of man than the beds of juſtice in France, when an infant was made the organ of the deteſtable Dubois ! + Dr. Price. After 24 VINDICATION OF THE After attacking the ſacred majeſty of Kings, I ſhall ſcarcely excite ſurpriſe by adding my firm perſuaſion that every profeſſion, in which great ſubordination of rank conſtitutes its power, is highly injurious to moral- ity. A ftanding army, for inſtance, is incompatible with freedom; becauſe ſubordination and rigour are the ve- ry finews of military diſcipline; and deſpotiſm is neceſ- ſary to give vigour to enterprizes that one will directs. A fpirit inſpired by romantic notions of honour, a kind of morality founded on the faſhion of the age, can only be felt by a few officers, whilſt the main body muſt be moved by command, like the waves of the ſea ; for the ftrong wind of authority puſhes the crowd of ſubalterns forward, they ſcarcely know or care why, with headlong fury. Beſides, nothing can be ſo prejudicial to the morals of the inhabitants of country towns, as the occaſional re- fidence of a ſet of idle ſuperficial young men, whoſe on- ly occupation is gallantry, and whoſe poliſhed manners render vice more dangerous, by concealing its deformi- ty under gay ornamental drapery. An air of faſhion, which is but a badge of ſlavery, and proves that the ſoul has not a ſtrong individual character, awes ſimple coun- try people into an imitation of the vices, when they can- not catch the ſlippery graces, of politeneſs. Every corps is a chain of deſpots, who, ſubmitting and tyrannizing without exerciſing their reaſon, become dead weights of vice and folly on the community. A man of rank or fortune, ſure of riſing by intereſt, has nothing to do but to purſue fome extravagant freak; whilſt the needy gen- tleman, who is to riſe, as the phraſe turns, by his merit, becomes a ſervile paraſite or vile pander. Sailors, the naval gentlemen, come under the fame deſcription, only their vices aſſume a different and a groſſer caſt. They are more poſitively indolent, when not diſcharging the ceremonials of their ſtation ; whilſt the RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 25 the inſignificant fluttering of foldiers may be termed active idleneſs. More confined to the ſociety of men, the former acquire a fondneſs for humour and miſchiev- ous tricks; whilſt the latter, mixing frequently with well-bred women, catch ſentimental cant. But mind is equally out of the queſtion, whether they indulge the horſe-laugh, or polite fimper. May I be allowed to extend the compariſon to a pro- feffion, where more mind is certainly to be found; for the clergy have fuperior opportunities of improvement, though ſubordination alınoſt equally cramps their facul- ties? The blind ſubmiſſion impoſed at college to forms of belief ſerves as a novitiate to the curate, who moſt ob- men fequiouſly reſpect the opinion of his rector or patron, if he means to riſe in his profeflion. Perhaps there cannot be a more forcible contraſt than between the ſervile de- pendent gait of a poor curate and the courtly mien of a biſhop. And the reſpect and contempt they inſpire ren- der the diſcharge of their ſeparate functions equally uſe- leſs. It is of great importance to obſerve that the character of every man is, in fome degree, formed by his profelli- A man of ſenſe may only have a caſt of counte- nance that wears off as you trace his individuality, whilſt the weak, common man has ſcarcely ever any character, but what belongs to the body; at leaſt, all his opinions have been ſo ſteeped in the vat confecrated by authority, that the faint ſpirit which the grape of his own vine yields cannot be diſtinguiſhed. Society, therefore, as it becomes more enlightened, ſhould be very careful not to eſtabliſh bodies of men who muſt neceffarily be made fooliſh or vicious by the very conſtitution of their profeſſion. In the infancy of ſociety, when men were juſt emerg- ing out of barbariſm, chiefs and prieſts, touching the moſt powerful ſprings of ſavage conduct, hope and fear, muſt have had unbounded fway. An ariſtocracy, of С courſe on. 26 VINDICATION OF THE tenures. courſe, is naturally the firſt form of government. But, claſhing intereſts ſoon loſing their equipoiſe, a monarchy and hierarchy break out of the confufion of ambitious ſtruggles, and the foundation of both is ſecured by feudal This appears to be the origin of monarchical and prieſtly power, and the dawn of civilization. But fuch combuſtible materials cannot long be pent up; and, getting vent in foreign wars and inteſtine inſurrections, the people acquire ſome power in the tumult, which obliges their rulers to glofs over their oppreſſion with a fhew of right. Thus, as wars, agriculture, commerce, and literature, expand the mind, deſpots are compelled, to make covert corruption hold faſt the power which was formerly ſnatched by open force*. And this bane- ful lurking gangrene is moſt quickly ſpread by luxury and ſuperſtition, the fure dregs of ambition. The in- dolent puppet of a court firſt becomes a luxurious mon- fter, or faſtidious ſenſualiſt, and then makes the contagi- on which his unnatural ſtate ſpread, the inſtrument of tyranny. It is the peftiferous purple which renders the progreſs of civilization a curſe, and warps the underſtanding, till men of ſenſibility doubt whether the expanſion of intel- le&t produces a greater portion of happineſs or miſery. But the nature of the poiſon points out the antidote; and had Rouſſeau mounted one ſtep higher in his inveſ- tigation, or could his eye have pierced through the foggy atmoſphere, which he almoſt diſdained to breathe, his active mind would have darted forward to contemplate the perfection of man in the eſtablithment of true civi- lization, inſtead of taking his ferocious flight back to the night of fenfual ignorance. * Men of abilities ſcatter feeds that grow up and have a great influence on the forming opinion; and when once the public opinion preponderates, through the exertion of reaſon, the overthrow of arbitrary power is not very diftant. СНАР. RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 27 С НА Р. II. TO The prevailing opinion of a ſexual character diſcuſſed. "O account for, and excuſe the tyranny of man, ma- ny ingenious arguments have been brought forward to prove, that the two ſexes, in the acquirement of vir- tue, ought to aim at attaining a very different charac- ter: or, to ſpeak explicitly, women are not allowed to have ſufficient ſtrength of mind to acquire what really deſerves the name of virtue. Yet it ſhould ſeem, allow- ing them to have fouls, that there is but one way, ap- pointed by Providence to lead mankind to either virtue or happineſs. If then women are not a ſwarm of ephemeron triflers, why fhould they be kept in ignorance under the ſpecious name of innocence ? Men complain, and with reaſon, of the follies and caprices of our ſex, when they do not keenly fatirize our headſtrong paſſions and groveling vices.--Behold, I ſhould anſwer, the natural effect of ignorance! The mind will ever be unſtable that has only prejudices to reſt on, and the current will run with deſtructive fury when there are no barriers to break its force. Women are told from their infancy, and taught by the example of their mothers, that a little knowledge of human weakneſs, juftly termed cunning, foftneſs of temper, outward obedience, and a ſcrupulous attention to a puerile kind of propriety, will obtain for them the protection of man; and ſhould they be beauriful, every ihing elſe is needleſs, for, at leaſt, twenty years of their lives. Thus Milton deſcribes our firſt frail mother; though when he tells us that women are formed for ſoftneſs and ſweet attractive grace, I cannot comprehend his mean- ing, unleſs, in the true Mahometan ſtrain, he meant to deprive us of fouls, and infinuate that we were beings only deſigned by ſweet attractive grace, and docile blind obedience, C2 28 VINDICATION OF THE e 6 6 obedience, to gratify the ſenſes of man when he can no longer ſoar on the wing of contemplation. How groſsly do they inſult us who thus adviſe us on- ly to render ourſelves gentle, domeſtic brutes! For in- ftance, the winning foftneſs fo warmly, and frequently, recommended, that governs by obeying. What child- ith expreffions, and how inſignificant is the being can it be an immortal one? who will condeſcend to go- vern by ſuch finifter methods ! Certainly,' ſays Lord Bacon, 'man is of kin to the beaſts by his body ; and if he be not of kin to God by his fpirit, he is a baſe and ignoble creature ! Men, indeed, appear to me to act in a very unphiloſophical manner when they try to ſe- cure the good conduct of women by attempting to keep them always in a ſtate of childhood. Rouſſeau was more con Giftent when he wiſhed to ſtop the progreſs of reaſon in both ſexes, for if men eat of the tree of know- ledge, women will come in for a taſte; but, from the im- perfect cultivation which their underſtandings now re- ceive, they only attain a knowledge of evil. Children, I grant, ſhould be innocent; but when the epithet is applied to men, or women, it is but a civil term for weakneſs. For if it be allowed that women were deſtined by Providence to acquire human virtues, and by the exerciſe of their underſtandings, that ſtabili- ty of character which is the firmeſt ground to reſt our future hopes upon, they muſt be permitted to turn to the fountain of light, and not forced to fhape their courfe by the twinkling of a mere ſatellite. Milton, I grant, was of a very different opinion; for he only bends to the indeafeaſible right of beauty, though it would be difficult to render two paſſages which I now mean to contraſt, confiflent. But into ſimilar inconſiſtencies are great men often led by their ſenſes. To whom thus Eve with perfect beauty adorn'd. My Author and Diſpoſer, what thou bidſt Unargued 5 6 KIGHTS OF WOMAN. 20 Unargued I obey; ſo God ordains; God is thy law, thou mine : to know no more • Is Woman's happieſt knowledge and her praiſe.' Theſe are exactly the arguments that I have uſed to children; but I have added, your reaſon is now gaining ftrength, and, till it arrives at ſome degree of maturity, you muſt look up to me for advice-- then you ought to think, and only rely on God. Yet in the following lines Milton ſeems to coincide with me; when he makes Adam thus expoftulate with his Maker. • Haſt thou not made me here thy fubftitute, . And theſe inferior far beneaih me ſet? Among unequals what ſociety • Can fort, what harmony or true delight? • Which muſt be mutual, in proportion due • Giv'n and receiv'd; but in diſparity • The one intenſe, the other ſtill remiſs • Cannot well ſuit with either, but foon prove • Tedious alike: of fellowſhip I ſpeak • Such as I ſeek, fit to participate • All rational delight- In treating, therefore, of the manners of women, let us, diſregarding ſenſual arguments, trace what we ſhould endeavour to make them in order to co-operate, if the expreſſion be not too bold, with the Supreme Being. By individual education, I mean, for the ſenſe of the word is not preciſely defined, ſuch an attention to a child as will ſlowly ſharpen the ſenſes, form the temper, regu- late the paſsions, as they begin to ferment, and ſet the underſtanding to work before the body arrives at matu- rity; ſo that the man may only have to proceed, not to begin, the important taſk of learning to think and rea- fon. C3 To 30 VINDICATION OF THE To prevent any miſconſtruction, I muſt add, that I do not believe that a private education can work the wonders which fome fanguine writers have attributed to it. Men and women muſt be educated, in a great de- gree, by the opinions and manners of the ſociety they live in In every age there has been a ſtream of popu- lar opinion that has carried all before it, and given a fa- mily character, as it were, to the century. It may then fairly be inferred, that, till fociety be differently confti- tuted, much cannot be expected from education. It is, however, fufficient for my preſent purpoſe to affert, that, whatever effect circumſtances have on the abilities, every being may become virtuous by the exerciſe of its own reaſon; for if but one being was created with vici- ous inclinations, that is poſitively bad, what can ſave us from atheiſm? or if we worſhip a God, is not that God a devil? Conſequently, the moſt perfect education, in my opi- nion, is ſuch an exerciſe of the underſtanding as is best calculated to ſtrengthen the body and form the heart. Or, in other words, to enable the individual to attain fuch habits of virtue as will render it independent. In fact, it is a farce to call any being virtuons whoſe vir- tues do not reſult from the exerciſe of its own reaſon. This was Rouſſeau's opinion reſpecting men: I extend it to women, and confidently aſſert that they have been drawn out of their ſphere by falſe refinement, and not by an endeavour to acquire maſculine qualities. Still the regal homage which they receive is ſo intoxicating, that till the manners of the times are changed, and formed on more reaſonable principles, it may be impof- fible to convince them that the illigitimate power which they obtain, by degrading themſelves, is a curſe, and that they muſt return to nature and equality, if they wiſh to ſecure the placid ſatisfaction that unfophiſticated affections impart. But for this epoch we muſt wait- wait, perhaps, till kings and nobles, enlightened by rea- ſon, RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 39 fon, and, preferring the real dignity of man to childiſh ftate, throw off their gaudy hereditary trappings: and if then women do not reſign the arbitrary power of beau- ty—they will prove that they have lefs mind than man. I may be accuſed of arrogance; itill I muſt declare, what I firmly believe, that all the writers who have written on the ſubject of female education and manners, from Rouſſeau to Dr. Gregory, have contributed to ren- der women more artificial, weak characters, than they would otherwiſe have been; and, conſequently, more uſeleſs members of ſociety. I might have expreſſed this conviction in a lower key; but I am afraid it would have been the whine of affectation, and not the faithful expreſlion of my feelings, of the clear reſult, which ex- perience and reflection have led me to draw. When I come to that diviſion of the ſubject, I ſhall advert to the paſſages that I more particularly diſapprove of, in the works of the Authors I have juſt alluded to; but it is firſt neceſſary to obſerve, that my objection extends to the whole purport of thoſe books, which tend, in my opinion, to degrade one half of the human ſpecies, and render women pleaſing at the expence of every folid vir- гане Though, to reaſon on Rouſſeau's ground, if man did attain a degree of perfection of mind when his body ar- rived at maturity, it might be proper, in order to make a man and his wife one, that ſhe ſhould rely entirely on his underſtanding; and the graceful ivy, claſping the oak that ſupported it, would form a whole in which ſtrength and beauty would be equally conſpicuous. But, alas! huſbands, as well as their helpmates, are often only over- grown children; nay, thanks to early debauchery, ſcarce- ly men in their outward form-and if the blind lead the blind, one need not come from heaven to tell us the con- fequence. Many are the cauſes that, in the preſent corrupt ftate of fociety, contribute to enſlave women by cramping tue. their 32 VINDICATION OF THE their underſtandings and ſharpening their ſenſes. One, perhaps, that ſilently does more miſchief than all the reſt, is their diſregard of order. To do every thing in an orderly manner, is a molt im- portant precept, which women, who, generally ſpeak- ing, receive only a diſorderly kind of education, ſeldom attend to with that degree of exactneſs that men, who from their infancy are broken into method, obſerve. This negligent kind of gueſs-work, for what other epithet can be uſed to point out the random exertions of a fort of inſtinctive common ſenſe, never brought to the teſt of reaſon? prevents their generalizing matters of fact-fo they do to-day, what they did yeſterday, mere- ly becauſe they did it yeſterday. This contempt of the underſtanding in early life has more baneful conſequences than is commonly ſuppoſed; for the little knowledge which women of ſtrong minds attain, is, from various circumſtances, of a more deful- tory kind than the knowledge of men, and it is acquired more by ſheer obſervations on real life, than from com- paring what has been individually obſerved with the re- fults of experience generalized by ſpeculation. Led by their dependent ſituation and domeſtic employments more into fociety, what they learn is rather by ſnatches; and as learning is with them, in general, only a feconda- ry thing, they do not purſue any one branch with that perfevering ardour neceſſary to give vigour to the facul- ties, and clearneſs to the judgment. In the preſent ſtate of ſociety, a little learning is required to ſupport the character of a gentleman; and boys are obliged to ſub- mit to a few years of diſcipline. But in the education of women, the cultivation of the underſtanding is always ſubordinate to the acquirement of ſome corporeal ac- complishment; even while enervated by confinement and falſe notions of modeſty, the body is prevented from attaining that grace and beauty which relaxed half-form- ed limbs never exhibit. Beſides, in youth their facul- ties RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 33 ties are not brought forward by emulation, and having no ſerious ſcientific ſtudy, if they have natural ſagacity it is turned too ſoon on life and manners. They dwell on effects, and modifications, without tracing them back to cauſes; and complicated rules to adjuſt behaviour, are a weak ſubſtitute for ſimple principles. As a proof that education gives this appearance of weakneſs to females, we may inſtance the example of military men, who are, like them, fent into the world before their minds have been ftored with knowledge or fortified by principles. The conſequences are ſimilar; ſoldiers acquire a little ſuperficial knowledge, ſnatched from the muddy current of converſation, and, from con- tinually mixing with fociety, they gain, what is termed a knowledge of the world, and this acquaintance with manners and cuſtoms has frequently been confounded with a knowledge of the human heart. But can the crude fruit of caſual obſervation, never brought to the teſt of judgment, formed by comparing ſpeculation and experience, deſerve ſuch a diſtinction ? Soldiers, as well women, practiſe the minor virtues with punctilious po- liteneſs. Where is then the ſexual difference, when the education has been the fame! All the difference that I can diſcern, ariſes from the ſuperior advantage of liber- ty, which enables the former to ſee more of life. It is wandering from my preſent ſubject perhaps, to make a political remark; but, as it was produced natu- rally by the train of my reflections, I ſhall not paſs it fi- lently over. Standing armies can never conſiſt of reſolute, robuſt men ; they may be well diſciplined machines, but they will feldom contain men under the influence of ſtrong paflions, or with very vigorous faculties. And as for any depth of underſtanding, I will venture to affirm, that it is as rarely to be found in the army as ainongſt wo- men; and the cauſe, I maintain, is the ſame. It may be further obſerved, that officers are alſo particularly at- tentive 34 VINDICATION OF THI tentive to their perſons, fond of dancing, crowded rooms, adventures, and ridicule*. Like the fair ſex, the buſi- neſs of their lives is gallantry:--They were taught to pleaſe, and they only live to pleaſe. Yet they do not loſe their rank in the diſtinction of ſexes, for they are ſtill reckoned fuperior to women, though in what their fuperiority confiits, beyond what I have juſt mentioned, it is difficult to diſcover. The great misfortune is this, that they both acquire manners before morals, and a knowledge of life before they have, from reflection, any acquaintance with the grand ideal outline of human nature. The conſequence is natural; ſatisfied with common nature, they become a prey to prejudices, and taking all their opinions on credit, they blindly ſubmit to authority. So that, if they have any ſenſe, it is a kind of inſtinctive glance, that catches proportions, and decides with reſpect to man- ners; but fails when arguments are to be purſued below the ſurface, or opinions analyzed. May not the ſame remark be applied to women? Nay, the argument may be carried ftill further, for they are both thrown out of a uſeful ſtation by the unnatural diſtinctions eſtabliſhed in civilized life. Riches and he- reditary honours have made cyphers of women to give conſequence to the numerical figure; and idleneſs has produced a mixture of gallantry and deſpotiſm into ſo- ciety, which leads the very men who are the flaves of their miſtreſſes to tyrannize over their ſiſters, wives, and daughters. This is only keeping them in rank and file, it is true. Strengthen the female mind by enlarging it, and there will be an end to blind obedience; but, as blind obedience is ever fought for by power, tyrants and * Why ſhould women be cenſured with petulant acrimony, becauſe they ſeem to have a paſſion for a ſcarlet coat? Has not education placed them more on a level with ſoldiers than any other claſs of men ? ſenſualifts RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 35 ſenſualiſts are in the right when they endeavour to keep women in the dark, becauſe the former only want ſlaves, and the latter a play-thing. The ſenſualift, indeed, has been the moſt dangerous of tyrants, and women have been duped by their lovers, as princes by their miniſters, whilſt dreaming that they reigned over them. I now principally allude to Rouſſeau, for his charac- ter of Sophia is, undoubtedly, a captivating one, though it appears to me groſsly unnatural; however, it is not the foperſtructure, but the foundation of her character, the principles on which her education was built, that I mean to attack ; nay, warmly as I admire the genius of that able writer, whoſe opinions I ſhall often have occa- fion to cite, indignation always takes place of admira- tion, and the rigid frown of inſulted virtue effaces the ſmile of complacency, which his eloquent periods are wont to raiſe, when I read his voluptuous reveries. Is this the man, who, in his ardour for virtue, would baniſh all the ſoft arts of peace, and almoſt carry us back to Spartan diſcipline? Is this the man who delights to paint the uſeful ſtruggles of paſſion, the triumphs of good diſpoſitions, and the heroic flights which carry the glowing foul out of itſelf?-How are theſe mighty ſen- timents lowered when he deſcribes the pretty foot and enticing airs of his little favourite! But, for the preſent, I wave the ſubject, and, inſtead of ſeverely reprehend- ing the tranſient effuſions of overweening ſenſibility, I fhall only obſerve, that whoever has caſt a benevolent eye on ſociety, muſt often have been gratified by the fight of humble mutual love, not dignified by ſentiment, nor ſtrengthened by a union in intellectual purſuits. The domeſtic trifles of the day have afforded matter for cheerful converſe, and innocent careffes have ſoftened toils which did not require great exerciſe of mind or ſtretch of thought: yet, has not the fight of this mode- rate felicity excited more tenderneſs than reſpect? An emotion fimilar to what we feel when children are play- ing 36 VINDICATION OF THE ing, or animals ſporting*, whilſt the contemplation of the noble ſtruggles of ſuffering merit has raiſed admira- tion, and carried our thoughts to that world where fen- fation will give place to reaſon. Women are, therefore, to be confidered either as moral beings, or ſo weak that they muſt be entirely ſub- jected to the ſuperior faculties of men. Let us exainine this queſtion. Rouſſeau declares that a woman ſhould never, for a moment, feel herſelf inde- pendent, that ſhe ſhould be governed by fear to exerciſe her natural cunning, and made a coquetiſh ſlave in order to render her a more alluring object of deſire, a ſweeter companion to man, whenever he chooſes to relax him- felf. He carries the arguments, which he pretends to draw from the indications of nature, ftill further, and inſinuates that truth and fortitude, the corner ſtones of all human virtue, ſhall be cultivated with certain re- ftrictions, becauſe, with reſpect to the female charac- ter, obedience is the grand leffon which ought to be im- preſſed with unrelenting rigour. What nonſenſe! when will a great man ariſe with fufficient ſtrength of mind to puff away the fumes which pride and ſenſuality have thus ſpread over the ſubject ! If women are by nature inferior to men, their virtues muſt be the ſame in quality, if not in degree, or virtue is a relative idea ; conſequently, their conduct ſhould * Similar feelings has Milton's pleaſing picture of para- diſiacal happineſs ever raiſed in my mind; yet, inſtead of en- vying the lovely pair, I have, with conſcious dignity, or Satanic pride, turned to hell for ſublimer objects. In the ſame ſtyle, when viewing ſome noble monument of human art, I have traced the emanation of the Deity in the order I admired, till, deſcending from that giddy height, I have caught myſelf con- templating the grandeſt of all human fights ;--for fancy quick- ly placed, in ſome folitary receſs, an outcaſt of fortune, riſing Superior to paffion and diſcontent. be RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 37 be founded on the ſame principles, and have the ſame aim. Connected with man as daughters, wives, and mo- thers, their moral character may be eſtimated by their manner of fulfilling thoſe fimple duties; but the end, the grand end of their exertions ſhould be to unfold their own faculties, and acquire the dignity of conſcious vir- tue. They may try to render their road pleaſant; but ought never to forget, in common with man, that life yields not the felicity which can fatisfy an immortal ſoul. I do not mean to infinuate, that either ſex ſhould be fo loft in abſtract reflections or diſtant views, as to forget the affections and duties that lie before them, and are, in truth, the means appointed to produce the fruit of life; on the contrary, I would warmly recommend them, even while I aflert, that they afford inoſt ſatisfac- tion when they are conſidered in their true ſubordinate light. Probably the prevailing opinion, that woman was created for man, may have taken its riſe from Mofcs's X poetical ſtory; yet, as very few, it is preſumed, who have beſtowed any ſerious thought on the ſubject, ever ſuppoſed that Eve was, literary Ipeaking, one of Adam's all ribs, the deduction muſt be allowed to fall to the ground; or, only be ſo faradmitted as it proves that man, from the remoteft antiquity, found it convenient to ex- ert his ſtrength to fubjugate his companion, and his in- vention to thew that the ought to have neck bent un der the yoke; becauſe ſhe, as well as the brute creation, was created to do his pleaſure. Let it not be concluded that I wiſh to invert the or- der of things; I have already granted, that, from the conſtitution of their bodies, men feem to be deſigned by Providence to attain a greater degree of virtue. I ſpeak collectively of the whole fex; but I fee not the ſhadow of a reaſon to conclude that their virtues ſhould differ in reſpect to their nature. In fact, how can they, if virtue D has 38 VINDICATION OF THE has only one eternal ſtandard? I muſt therefore, if I reaſon conſequentially, as ſtrenuouſly maintain that they have the ſame fimple direction, as that there is a God. It follows then that cunning thould not be oppoſed to wiſdom, little cares to great exertions, nor inſipid ſoft- neſs, varniſhed over with the name of gentleneſs, to that fortitude which grand views alone can inſpire. I ſhall be told that woman would then loſe many of her peculiar graces, and the opinion of a well known po- et might be quoted to refute my unqualified aſſertion. For Pope has ſaid, in the name of the whole male ſex, Yet ne'er ſo ſure our paſſion to create, • As when the touch'd the brink of all we hate.' In what light this fally places men and women, I Thall leave to the judicious to determine ; meanwhile I Thall content inyſelf with obſerving, that I cannot diſ- cover why, unleſs they are mortal, females ſhould al- ways be degraded by being made ſubfervient to love or Juſt. To ſpeak diſreſpectfully of love is, I know, high treaſon againſt fentiinent and fine feelings; but I wilh to ſpeak the ſimple language of truth, and rather to ad- dreſs the head than the heart. To endeavour to reaſon love out of the world, would be to out Quixote Cer- vantes, and equally offend againſt common ſenſe; but an endeavour to reſtrain this tumultuous paſſion, and to prove that it should not be allowed to dethrone fuperior powers, or to uſurp the ſceptre which the underltand- ing ſhould ever coolly, wield, appears leſs wild. Youth is the ſeaſon for love in both ſexes; but in thoſe days of thoughtleſs enjoyment proviſion fhould be made for the more important years of life, when reflec- tion takes place of ſenſation. But Rouſſeau, and moſt of the male writers who have followed his ſteps, have warmly inculcated that the whole tendency of female education RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 39 education ought to be directed to one point :--to render then plealing. Let me reaſon with the ſupporters of this opinion who have any knowledge of human nature, do they ima- gine that marriage can cradicate the habitude of life? The woman who has only been taught to pleaſe will ſoon find that her charms are oblique ſunbeams, and that they cannot have much effect on her huſband's heart when they are ſeen every day, when the ſummer is palled and gone. Will ſhe then have ſufficient native energy to look into herſelf for comfort, and cultivate her dorinant faculties? or, is it not more rational to expect that ſhe will try to pleaſe other men; and, in the envotions raiſ- ed by the expectation of new conqueſts, endeavour to forget the mortification her love or pride has received ? When the huſband ceaſes to be a lover and the time will inevitably come, her defire of pleaſing will then grow languid, or become a ſpring of bitterneſs; and love, perhaps, the moſt evaneſcent of all paſſions, gives place to jealouſy or Fanity. I now ſpeak of women who are reſtrained by princi- ple or prejudice; ſuch women, though they would thrink from an intrigue with real abhorrence, yet, ne- vertheleſs, wiſh to be convinced by the homage of gal- lantry that they are cruelly neglected by their huſbands; or, days and weeks are ſpent in dreaming of the happi- neſs enjoyed by congenial fouls, till the health is inder- mined and the ſpirits broken by diſcontent. How then can the great art of pleaſing be ſuch a neceflary ſtudy? it is only uſeful to a miſtreſs ; the chaſte wife, and feri- ous mother, ſhould only conſider her power to pleaſe as the polish of her virtues, and the affection of her huſ. band as one of the comforts that render her taſk leſs dif- ficult, and her life happier.-But, whether ſhe be loved or neglected, her firſt wiſh ſhould be to make herſelf re- ſpectable, and not to rely for all her happineſs on a be- ing ſubject to like infirmities with herſelf. D 2. The 40 VINDICATION OF THE The amiable Dr. Gregory fell into a ſimilar error. 1 reſpect his heart; but entirely diſapprove of his cele- brated Legacy to his Daughters. He adviſes them to cultivate a fondneſs for dreſs, be- cauſe a fondneſs for dreſs, he afferts, is natural to them. I am unable to comprehend what either he or Rouſſeau mean, when they frequently uſe this indefinite term. If they told us that in a pre-exiſtent ſtate the ſoul was fond of dreſs, and brought this inclination with it into a new body, I thould liſten to them with a half-ſmile, as I often do when I hear a rant about innate elegance. But if he only meant to ſay that the exerciſe of the fa- culties will produce this fondneſs—I deny it. It is not natural; but arifes, like falſe ambition in men, from a love of power. Dr. Gregory goes much further ; he actually recom- mends diffimulation, and adviſes an innocent girl to give he lie to her feelings, and not dance with ſpirit, when gaiety of heart would make her feet eloquent without making her geſtures immodeft. In the name of truth and common ſenſe, why ſhould not one woman acknow- ledge that ſhe can take more exerciſe than another? or, in other words, that ſhe has a ſound conſtitution ; and why, to damp innocent vivacity, is ſhe darkly to be told that men will draw concluſions which ſhe little thinks of?--Let the libertine draw what inference he pleaſes; but, I hope, that no ſenſible mother will reſtrain the na- tural frankneſs of youth by inſtilling ſuch indecent cau- tions. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth fpeaketh ; and a wiſer than Solomon hath ſaid, that the heart should be made clean, and not trivial ceremonies obſerved, which it is not very difficult to fulfil with ſcru- pulous exactneſs when vice reigns in the heart. Women ought to endeavour to purify their hearts; but can they do fo when their uncultivated underſtand- ings make them entirely dependent on their ſenſes for employment and amuſement, when no noble purſuits ſets RICHTS OF WOMAN. 4NT fets them above the little vanities of the day, or enables them to curb the wild emotions that agitate a reed over which every paſſing breeze has power? To gain the af- fections of a virtuous man is affectation neceſſary ? Na- ture has given woman a weaker frame than man; but, to enſure her huſband's affections, muft a wife, who by the exerciſe of her mind and body whilſt ſhe was diſcharging the duties of a daughter, wife, and mother, has allowed her conſtitution to retain its natural ſtrength, and her nerves a healthy tone, is ſhe, I ſay, to conde- fcend, to uſe art and feign a fickly delicacy in order to fecure her huſband's affection? Weakneſs may excite tenderneſs, and gratify the arrogant pride of man; but the lordleſs careſſes of a protector will not gratify a no- ble mind that pants for, and deſerves to be reſpected. Fondneſs is a poor ſubſtitute for friendſhip! In a ſeraglio, I grant, that all theſe arts are neceſſa- ry; the epicure muſt have his palate tickled, or he will fink into apathy; but have women fo little ambition as to be ſatisfied with ſuch a condition? Can they ſupine- Jy dream life away in the lap of pleaſure, or the laugour of wearineſs, rather than affert their claim to purſue rea- fonable pleaſures, and render themſelves confpicuous by practiſing the virtues which dignify mankind ? Surely The has not an immortal foul who can loiter life away merely employed to adorn her perſon, that ſhe may a- mufe the languid hours, and foften the cares of a fellow- creature who is willing to be enlivened by her ſmiles and tricks, when the ſerious buſineſs of life is over. Beſides, the woman who ſtrengthens her body and exerciſes her mind will, by managing her family and practiſing various virtues, become the friend, and not the humble dependent of her huſband, and if ſhe de- ferves his regard by poſſeſſing ſuch ſubſtantial qualities, fhe will not find it neceſſary to conceal her affection, nor to pretend to an unnatural coldneſs of conſtitution to excite her huſband's paflions. In fact, if we revert D 3 to 42 VINDICATION OF THE to hiſtory, we ſhall find that the women who have dif- tinguiſhed themſelves have neither been the moſt beau- ful nor the moſt gentle of their ſex. Nature, or, to ſpeak with ſtriet propriety God, has made all things right; but man has fought himn out ma- ny inventions to mar the work. I now allude to that part of Dr. Gregory's treatiſe, where he adviſes a wife never to let her huſband know the extent of her fenfibi. lity or affection. Voluptuous precaution, and as inef- feétual as abſurd, Love, from its very nature, muſt be tranſitory. To ſeek for a ſecret that would render it conſtant, would be as wild a ſearch as for the philoſo- pher's ftone, or the grand panacea : and the diſcovery would be equally uſeleſs, or rather pernicious, to man- kind. The moſt holy band of ſociety is friendthip. It has been well ſaid, by a ſhrewd ſatiriſt, " that rare as true love is, true friendſhip is ſtill rarer.' This is an obvious truth, and the cauſe not lying deep, will not elude a ſlight glance of inquiry. Love, the common paflion, in which chance and ſen- fation take place of choice and reaſon, is, in fome de- dree, felt by the maſs of mankind; for it is not neceſ- fary to ſpeak, at preſent, of the emotions that riſe above or link below love. This paſſion, naturally increaſed by fufpenſe and difficulties, draws the mind out of its ac- cuſtomed ſtate, and exalts the affc&tions; but the ſecuri- ty of marriage, allowing the fever of love to fubfide, a healthy temperature is thought inſipid, only by thoſe who have not fufficient intellect to ſubſtitute the calm tenderneſs of friendſhip, the confidence of reſpect, in- itead of blind admiration, and the ſenſual emotions of fondneſs. This is, muſt be, the courſe of nature:-friendſhip or indifference inevitably ſucceeds love. —And this conſti- tution feems perfectly to harmonize with the ſyſtem of government which prevails in the moral world. Pal- fons are ſpurs to action, and open the mind; but they fink RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 43 ſink into mere appetites, become a perſonal and moment- ary gratification, when the object is gained. and the fa- tisfied mind reſts in enjoyment. The man who had fome virtue whilft he was ſtruggling for a crown, often becomes a voluptuous tyrant when it graces his brow; and, when the lover is not loſt in the huſband, the do- tard, a prey to childiſh caprices, and fond jealouſies, ne- glects the ſerious duties of life, and the careſſes which fhould excite.confidence in his children are laviſhed on the overgrown child, his wife. In order to fulfil the duties of life, and to be able to purſue with vigour the various employments which form the moral character, a maſter and miſtreſs of a fainily ought not to continue to love each other with paſſion. I mean to ſay, that they ought not to indulge thoſe emo- tions which diſturb the order of fociety, and engroſs the thoughts that ſhould be otherwiſe employed. The mind that has never been engroſſed by one object wants vigour--if it can long be fo, it is weak. A miſtaken education, a narrow, uncultivated mind, and many ſexual prejudices, tend to make women more conſtant than men; but, for the preſent, I ſhall not touch on this branch of the ſubject. I will go ftill further, and advance, without dreaming of a paradox, 2 that an unhappy marriage is often very advantageous to a family, and that the neglected wife is, in general, the beſt mother. And this would almoſt always be the con- fequence if the female mind was more enlarged: for, it feems to be the common diſpenſation of Providence, that what we gain in preſent enjoyment ſhould be de- ducted from the treaſure of life, experience; and that when we are gathering the flowers of the day and revel- ling in pleaſure, the ſolid fruit of toil and wiſdom ſhould not be caught at the ſame time. The way lies before us, we muſt turn to the right or left; and he who will paſs life away in bounding from one pleaſure to another, muſt 44 VINDICATION OF THE muſt not complain if he neither acquires wiſdom nor reſpectability of character. Suppofing, for a moment, that the foul is not immor- tal, and that man was only created for the preſent ſcene, -I think we ſhould have reaſon to complain that love, infantine fondneſs, ever grew infipid and palled upon the ſenſe. Let us eat, drink, and love, for to-morrow we die, would be, in fact, the language of reaſon, the morality of life; and who but a fool would part with a reality for a fleeting ſhadow? But, if awed by obſerving the improvable powers of the mind, we diſdain to con- fine our wiſhes or thoughts to ſuch a comparatively mean field of action; that only appears grand and im- portant, as it is connected with a boundleſs proſpect and ſublime hopes, what neceffity is there for falſehood in conduct, and why muſt the ſacred majeſty of truth be violated to detain a deceitful good that ſaps the very foundation of virtue? Why muſt the female mind be tainted by coquetiſh arts to gratify the ſenſualiſt, and prevent love from ſubſiding into friendſhip, or compaf- fionate tenderneſs, when there are not qualities on which friendſhip can be built ? Let the honeſt heart ſhew it- felf, and reaſon teach paſſion to ſubmit to neceflity; or, let the dignified purſuit of virtue and knowledge raiſe: the mind above thofe emotions which rather imbitter than ſweeten the cup of life, when they are not reſtrain- ed within due bounds. I do not mean to allude to the romantic paſſion, which is the concomitant of genius.-Who can clip its wing? But that grand paffion not proportioned to the puny en- joyments of life,is only true to the ſentiinent, and feeds on itſelf. The pallions which have been celebrated for their durability have always been unfortunate. They have acquired ſtrength by abfence and conſtitutional me- lancholy.-The fancy has hovered round a form of beauty dimly ſeen-but familiarity might have turned admiration into diſguſt; or, at leaſt, into indifference, and RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 45 and allowed the imagination leiſure to ſtart freſh game. With perfect propriety, according to this view of things, does Rouſſeau make the miſtreſs of his foul, Eloifa, love St. Preux, when life was fading before her ; but this is no proof of the immortality of the paſſion. Of the ſame complexion is Dr. Gregory's advice re- ſpecting delicacy of ſentiment, which he adviſes a wo- man not to acquire, if ſhe has determined to marry. This determination, however, perfectly conſiſtent with his former advice, he calls indelicate, and earneſtly per- fuades his daughters to conceal it, though it may govern their conduct: as if it were indelicate to have the com- mon appetites of human nature. Noble morality! and conſiſtent with the cautious prudence of a little ſoul that cannot extend its views be- yond the preſent minute diviſion of exiſtence. If all the faculties of woman's mind are only to be cultivated as they reſpect her dependence on man; if, when ſhe obtains a huſband ſhe has arrived at her goal, and mean- ly proud is ſatisfied with ſuch a paltry crown, let her grovel contentedly, ſcarcely raiſed by her employments above the animal kingdom ; but, if ſhe is ſtruggling for the prize of her high calling, let her cultivate her under- ſtanding without ſtopping to conſider what character the huſband may have whom ſhe is deſtined to marry. Let her only determine, without being too anxious. about preſent happineſs, to acquire the qualities that ennoble a rational being, and a rough inelegant huf- band may ſhock her tafte without deltroying her peace of mind. She will not model her ſoul to ſuit the frail- ties of her companion, but to bear with them: his cha- racter may be a trial, but not an impediment to virtue. If Dr. Gregory confined his remark to romantic ex, pectations of conſtant love and congenial feelings, he ſhould have recollected that experience will banilh what advice can never make us ceaſe to wiſh for, when the imagination is kept alive at the expence of reaſon. I own 4.6 VINDICATION OF THE I own it frequently happens that women who have foſtered a romantic unnatural delicacy of feeling, waſte their * lives in imagining how happy they ſhould have been with a huſband who could love them with a fervid increaſing affection every day, and all day. But they might as well pine married as ſingle—and would not be a jot more unhappy with a bad huſband than longing for a good one. That a proper education; or, to ſpeak with more preciſion, a well ſtored mind, would enable a woman to fupport a ſingle life with dignity, I grant; but that ſhe ſhould avoid cultivating her taſte, leſt her huſband ſhould occaſionally ſhock it, is quitting a ſub- ſtance for a fhadow. To ſay the truth, I do not know of what uſe is an improved taſte, if the individual is not Tendered more independent of the cafualties of life, if new ſources of enjoyment, only dependent on the ſolitary operations of the mind, are not opened. People of taſte, married or fingle, without diſtinction, will ever be dif- guſted by various things that touch not lefs obſerving minds. On this concluſion the argument muſt not be allowed to hinge ; but in the whole ſum of enjoyment is taſte to be denominated a blefling? The queſtion is, whether it procures moſt pain or pleaſure? The anſwer will decide the propriety of Dr. Gregory's advice, and ſhew how abfurd and tyrannic it. is thus to lay down a ſyſtem of flavery; or to attempt to educate moral beings by any other rules than thofe de- duced from pure reaſon, which apply to the whole fpe- cies. Gentlenefs of manners, forbearance and long-ſuffer- ing, are fuch amiable Godlike qualities, that in ſublime poetic ſtrains the Deity has been inveſted with them ; and, perhaps, no repreſentation of his goodneſs fo ſtrong- ly faltens on the human affections as thoſe that repreſent him abundant in mercy and willing to pardon. Gen- * For example, the herd of novelifts. teneſs RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 4') tleneſs, conſidered in this point of view, bears on its front all the characteriſtics of grandeur, combined with the winning graces of condeſcenſion; but what a dif- ferent aſpect it affumes when it is the fubinifflive de- meanour of dependence, the ſupport of weakneſs that loves, becauſe it wants protection; and is forbearing, becauſe it muſt filently endure injuries ; ſmiling under the lath at which it dare not fnarl. Abject as this pic- ture appears, it is the portrait of an accompliſhed wo- man, according to the received opinion of female ex- cellence, ſeparated by ſpecious reafoners from human excellence. Or, they * kindly reſtore the rib, and make one moral being of a man and woman; not forgetting to give her all the ſubmiſlive charms. How women are to exiſt in that ſtate where there is to be neither marrying nor giving in marriage, we are not told. For though moraliſts have agreed that the tenor of life ſeems to prove that man is prepared by various circumſtances for a future ſtate, they conſtantly concur in adviſing woman only to provide for the preſent, Gentleneſs, docility, and a ſpaniel-like affection are, on this ground, conſiſtently recommended as the cardinal virtues of the fex; and, diſregarding the arbitrary eco- nomy of nature, one writer has declared that it is maf- culine for a woman to be melancholy. She was created to be the toy of man, his rattle, and it muſt jingle in his ears whenever, diſmiſſing reaſon, he chooſes to be amuſed. To recommend gentleneſs, indeed, on a broad bafis is ftri&tly philofophical. A frail being ſhould labour to be gentle. But when forbearance confounds right and wrong, it ceaſes to be a virtue ; and, however conveni- ent it may be found in a companion--that companion will ever be conſidered as an inferior, and only inſpire a vapid tenderneſs, which eaſily degenerates into cons * Vide Rouſſeau, and Swedenborg. tempt. w 28 VINDICATION OF THE tempt. Still, if advice could really make a being gen- tle, whoſe natural difpofition admitted not of ſuch a fire polith, ſomething towards ihe advancement of or- der would be attained; but if, as might quickly be de- monſtrated, only affectation be produced by this indiſ- criminate counſel, which throws a ſtumbling-block in the way of gradual improvement, and true melioration of temper, the lex is not much benefited by facrificing folid virtues to the attainment of ſuperficial graces, though for a few years they may procure the individuals regal fway. As a philoſopher, I read with indignation the plau- fible epithets which men uſe to foften their infults; and, as a morslift, I aſk what is meant by ſuch heterogene- ous aſſociations, as fair defects,amiable weakneſſes, &c.? If there is but one criterion of morals, but one arche- type for man, women appear to be ſuſpended by defti- ny, according to the vulgar tale of Mahomet's coffin ; they have neither the unerring inſtinct of brutes, nor are allowed to fix the eye of reaſon on a perfect model. They were made to be loved, and muſt not aim at re- fpect, left they ſhould be hunted out of ſociety as maf- culine. But to view the ſubject in another point of view. Do paflive indolent women make the beſt wives ? Confin- ing our diſcuſſion to the preſent moment of exiſtence, let us ſee how ſuch weak creatures perform their part? Do the women who, by the attainment of a few ſuper- ficial accompliſhments, have ſtrengthened the prevailing prejudice, merely contribute to the happineſs of their huſbands? Do they diſplay their charms merely to a- muſe them ? And have women, who have early im- bibed notions of paſſive obedience, fufficient character to manage a family or educate children? So far from it, that, after ſurveying the hiſtory of woman, I cannot help, agreeing with the fevereſt ſatiriſt, conſidering the ſex as the weakeſt as well as the moſt opprefied half of the RIGHTS QF WOMAN 49 the ſpecies. What does hiſtory diſcloſe but marks of inferiority and how few women have emancipated them- ſelves from the galling yoke of fovereign man :--Sofew, that the exceptions remind me of an ingenious conjec- ture reſpecting Newton : that he was probably a being of a ſuperior order, accidentally caged in a human bo- dy. In the ſame ſtyle I have been led to imagine that the few extraordinary women who have ruſhed in eccen- trical directions out of the orbit preſcribed to their ſex, were male ſpirited, confined by miſtake in a female frame. But if it be not philoſophical to think of ſex when the ſoul is mentioned, the inferiority mult depend on the organs; or the heavenly fire, which is to fer- ment the clay, is not given in equal portions. But avoiding, as I have hitherto done, any direct compariſon of the two fexes collectively, or frankly ac- knowledging the inferiority of woman, according to the preſent appearance of things, I ſhall only inſiſt that inen have increaſed that inferiority till women are almoſt funk below the ſtandard of rational creatures. Let their faculties have room to unfold, and their virtues to gain ſtrength, and then determine where the whole fex muſt ſtand in the intellectual ſcale. Yet let it be remember- ed, that for a ſmall number of diſtinguiſhed women I do not aſk a place. It is difficult for us purblind mortals to ſay to what height human diſcoveries and improvements may arrive when the gloom of deſpotiſm ſubſides, which makes us ſtumble at every ſtep ; but when morality ihall be fet- tled on a more folid baſis, then, without being gifted with a prophetic ſpirit, I will venture to predict that woman will be either the friend or flave of man. We ſhall not, as at preſent, doubt whether ſhe is a mortal agent, or the link which unites man with brutes. But, ſhould it then appear, that like the brutes they were principally created for the uſe of man, he will let them patiently bite the bridle, and not mock them with emp- E ty 50 VINDICATION OF THE 99 ty praiſe; or, ſhould their rationality be proved, he will not impede their improvement merely to gratify his fen- fual appetites. He will not with all the graces of rheto- ric, adviſe them to ſubmit implicitly their underſtand- ings to the guidance of man. He will not, when he treats of the education of women, affert that they ought never to have the free uſe of reaſon, nor would he re- commend cunning and diffimulation to beings who are acquiring, in like manner as himſelf, the virtues of hu- manity. Surely there can be but one rule of right, if morality has an eternal foundation, and whoever facrifices virtue, ſtrictly ſo called, to preſent convenience, or whoſe duty it is to act in ſuch a manner, lives only for the paſſing day, and cannot be an accountable creature. The poet then ſhould have dropped his ſneer when he ſays, « If weak women go aſtray, “ The ſtars are more in fault than they." For that they are bound by the adamantine chain of def- tiny is moſt certain, if it be proved that they are never to exerciſe their own reaſon, never to be independent, never to riſe above opinion, or to feel the dignity of a rational will that only bows to God, and often forgets that the univerſe contains any being but itſelf, and the model of perfe&tion to which its ardent gaze is turned, to adore attributes that, foftened into virtues, may be imitated in kind, though the degree overwhelms the en- captured mind. If, I ſay, for I would not impreſs by declamation when Reafon offers her fober light, if they are really ca- pable of acting like rational creatures, let them not be treated like flaves; or, like the brutes who are depend- ent on the reaſon of man, when they aſſociate with him; but cultivate their minds, give them the falutary, ſublime curb of principle, and let them attain conſcious dignity RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 51 dignity by feeling themſelves only dependent on God. Teach them, in common with man, to ſubmit to necel fity, inſtead of giving, to render them more pleaſing, a ſex to morals. Further, thould experience prove that they cannot at- tain the ſame degree of ſtrength of mind, perſeverance, and fortitude, let their virtues be the ſame in kind, though they may vainly ſtruggle for the ſame degree; and the ſuperiority of man will be equally clear, if not clearer; and truth, as it is a ſimple principle, which ad- mits of no modification, would be common to both. Nay, the order of ſociety as it is at preſent regulated would not be inverted, for woman would then only have the rank that reaſon afligned her, and arts could not be practiſed to bring the balance even, much leſs to turn it. Theſe may be termed Utopian dreams.-Thanks to that Being who impreſſed them on my ſoul, and gave me fufficient ſtrength of mind to dare to exert my own reaſon, till, becoming dependent only on him for the fupport of my virtue, I view, with indignation, the miſ- taken notions that enilave my fex. I love man as my fellow ; but his ſcepter, real, or uſurped, extends not to me, unleſs the reaſon of an in- dividual demands my homage ; and even then the ſub- miſſion is to reaſon, and not to man. In fact, the con- duct of an accountable being muſt be regulated by the operations of its own reaſon; or on what foundation reſts the throne of God? It appears to me neceſſary to dwell on theſe obvious truths, becauſe females have been inſulted, as it were; and, while they have been ſtripped of the virtues that ſhould clothe humanity, they have been decked with ar- tificial graces that enable them to exerciſe a ſhort-lived tyranny. Love, in their bofoms, taking place of every nobler paffion, their fole ambition is to be fair, to raiſe emotion inſtead of inſpiring reſpect, and this ignoble deſire, like the ſervility in a bſolute monarchies, deſtroys all E 2 *52 VINDICATION OF THE The ma- all ftrength of character. Liberty is the mother of vir- .. tue, and if women are, by their very conſtitution, flaves, and not allowed to breathe the ſharp invigorating air of freedom, they muſt ever languiſh like exotics, and be reckoned beautiful flaws in nature;-let it alſo be re- membered, that they are the only flaw. As to the argument reſpecting the fubje&tion in which the fex has ever been held, it retorts on man. ny have always been enthralled by the few; and, mon- ſters, who ſcarcely have ſhewn any diſcernment of hu- man excellence, have tyrannized over thouſands of their fellow creatures. Why have men of fuperior endowa ments fubmitted to fuch degradation? For, is it not univerſally acknowledged that kings, viewed collective- ly, have ever been inferior, in abilities and virtue, to the ſame number of men taken from the common maſs of mankind-yet, have they not, and are they not ftill treated with a degree of reverence that is an infult to reaſon? China is not the only country where a living man has been made a God. Men have ſubmitted to ſuperior ſtrength to enjoy with impunity the pleafure of the moment-women have only done the fame, and there- fore till it is proved that the courtier, who fervilely re- figns the birthright of a man, is not a moral agent, it cannot be demonſtrated that woman is eſſentially inferi- or to man becauſe ſhe has always been fubjugated. Brutal force has hitherto governed the world, and that the ſcience of politics is in its infancy, is evident from philoſophers fcrupling to give the knowledge moſt uſeful to man that determinate diſtinction. I ſhall not purſue this arguinent any further than to eſtabliſh an obvious inference, that as found politics diffuſe liberty, mankind, including woman, will become more wife and virtuous. CHAP. RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 53 С НА Р. III. BODOS The ſame ſubject continued. ODILY ftrength from being the diſtinction of he- roes is now ſunk into ſuch unmerited contempt; that men, as well as women, ſeemn to think it unneceſ- fary: the latter, as it takes from their feminine graces, and from that lovely weakneſs, the ſource of their undue power; and the former, becauſe it appears inimical with the character of a gentleman. That they have both by departing from one extreme run into another, may eaſily be proved; but firſt it may be proper to obſerve, that a vulgar error has obtained a degree of credit, which has given force to a falfe con- clufion, in which an effect has been miſtaken for a cauſe. People of genius havez. very frequently, impaired their conſtitutions by ſtudy or careleſs inattention to their health, and the violence of their pallions bearing a proportion to the vigour of their intellects, the ſword's deſtroying the fcabbard has become almoſt proverbial, and ſuperficial obſervers have inferred from thence, that men of genius have commonly weak, or, to uſe a more faſhionable phraſe, delicate conſtitutions. Yet the con- trary, I believe, will appear to be the fact ; for, on dili- gent inquiry, I find that ſtrength of mind has, in moſt caſes, been accompanied by ſuperior ſtrength of body,- natural foundneſs of conſtitution, not that robuſt tone of nerves and vigour of muſcles, which ariſe from bodi- ly labour, when the mind is quieſcent, or only directs the hands. Dr. Prieſtly has remarked, in the preface to his bio- graphical chart, that the majority of great men have lived beyond forty-five. And, conſidering the thought- lefs manner in which they have laviſhed their ſtrength, when E 3 54 VINDICATION OF THE when inveſtigating a favourite ſcience they have waſted the lamp of life, forgetful of the midnight hour; or, when loſt in poetic dreams, fancy has peopled the ſcene, "and the ſoul has been diſturbed, till it ſhook the conſti- tution, by the paſſions that meditation had raiſed; whoſe objects, the baſeleſs fabric of a viſion, faded be- fore the exhauſted eye, they muſt have had iron frames. Shakſpeare never graſped the airy dagger with a nerve- Jefs hand, nor did Milton tremble when he led Satan far from the confines of his dreary priſon.--Theſe were not the ravings of imbecility, the fickly effufions of dif- tempered brains; but the exuberance of fancy, that in a fine phrenzy' wandering, was not continually remind- ed of its material ſhackles. I am aware that this argument would carry me fur. ther than it may be ſuppoſed I wiſh to go; but I follow truth, and, ſtill adhering to my firſt poſition, I will al- low that bodily ſtrength ſeems to give man a natural fu- periority over woman; and this is the only folid baſis on which the ſuperiority of the ſex can be built. But I ftill infift, that not only the virtue, but the knowledge of the two fexes ſhould be the ſame in nature, if not in de- gree, and that women, conſidered not only as moral, but rational creatures, ought to endeavour to acquire human virtues (or perfections) by the fame means as men, in- itead of being educated like a fanciful kind of half being -one of Roufieau's wild chimeras*. But, 6 Reſearches into abſtract and ſpeculative truths, the principles and axioms of ſciences, in ſhort, every thing which • tends to generalize our ideas, is not the proper province of wornen; their ſiudies ſhould be relative to points of praca e tice; it belongs to them to apply thoſe principles which men have diſcovered; and it is their part to make obſervations, which direčt men to the eſtabliſhment of general principles. All the ideas of women, which have not the immediate tend- ency to points of duty, fhould be directed to the ftudy of 6 5 & mena RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 55 But, if ftrength of body be, with ſome ſhew of reaſon, the boaſt of men, why are women ſo infatuated as to be proud of a defect? Rouſſeau has furniſhed them with a plaufible excuſe, which could only have occurred to a man, whoſe imagination had been allowed to run wild, and refine on the impreſſions made by exquiſite fenfes; --that they might, forſooth, have a pretext for yielding to a natural appetite without violating a romantic fpe- cies of modeſty, which gratifies the pride and libertiniſm of man. Women, deluded by theſe ſentiments, fometimes boaſt of their weakneſs, cunningly obtaining power by playing on the weakneſs of men ; and they may well glory 6 < 6 men, and to the attainment of thoſe agreeable accompliſh- • ments which have taſte for their object; for as to works of genius, they are beyond their capacity; neither have they ſufficient preciſion or power of attention to ſucceed in ſci- *ences which require accuracy: and as to phyſical know- ledge, it belongs to thoſe only who are moſt active, moſt in- quiſitive; who comprehend the greateſt variety of ebje&ts: in ſhort, it belongs to thoſe who have the ſtrongeſt powers, ' and who exerciſe them moſt, to judge of the relations be- * tween ſenſible beings and the laws of nature. A woman . who is naturally weak, and does not carry her ideas to any great extent, knows how to judge and make a proper eſtimate of thoſe movements which ſhe ſets to work, in order to aid • her weakneſs; and theſe movements are the paſſions of The meehaniſm phe employs is much more powerful * than ours, for all her levers move the human heart. She e muſt have the ſkill to incline us to do every thing which her ſex will not enable her to do of herſelf, and which is necef- • fary or agreeable to her; therefore ſhe ought to ſtudy the « mind of man thoroughly, not the mind of man in general, abſtracted, but the difpofitions of thoſe men to whom ſhe is Subject, either by the laws of her country or by the force of opinion. s men. 6 56 VINDICATION OF THE glorv in their illicit ſway, for, like Turkiſh baſhaws, they have more real power than their maſters: but vir- tue is facrificed to temporary gratifications, and the re- ſpectability of life to the triumph of an hour. Women, as well as deſpots, have now, perhaps, inore power than they would have if the world; divided and ſubdivided into kingdoms and families, was governed by laws deduced from the exerciſe of reaſon; but in ob- taining it, to carry on the compariſon, their character is degraded, and licentiouſneſs ſpread through the whole aggregate of ſociety. The many become pedeſtal to the few. I, therefore, will venture to affert, that till woi men are more rationally educated, the progreſs of human virtue and improvement in knowledge muſt receive con- tinual 6 6 6 6 6 6 opinion. She ſhould learn to penetrate into their real ſena timents from their converſation, their actions, their looks, and geſtures. She ſhould alſo have the art, by her own converſation, actions, looks, and geftures, to communicate thoſe ſentiments which are agreeable to them, without ſeems ing to intend it. Men will argue more philoſophically about the human heart; but women will read the heart of man • better than they. It belongs to women, if I may be allowed & the expreſſion, to form an experimental morality, and to re- • duce the ſtudy of man to a ſyſtem. Women have moſt wit, men have moſt genius; women obſerve, men reaſon: from • the concurrence of both we derive the cleareſt light and the moſt perfeét knowledge, which the human mind is , of itſelf, capable of attaining. In one word, from hence we acquire • the moſt intimate acquaintance, both with ourſelves and others, of which our nature is capable; and it is thus that • art has a conſtant tendency to perfeet thoſe endowments which nature has beſtowed.—The world is the book of wo- « men.' Rouſſeau's Emilius. I hope my readers fill re- member the compariſon, which I have brought forward, be- tween women and officers. 6 6 6 RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 57 tinual checks. And if it be granted that woman was not created merely to gratify the appetite of man, nor to be the upper ſervant, who provides his meals and takes care of his linen, it muſt follow, that the firſt care of thoſe mothers or fathers, who really attend to the edu- cation of females, ſhould be, if not to ſtrengthen the bo- dy, at leaſt, not to deſtroy the conſtitution by miſaken notions of beauty and female excellence; nor ſhould girls ever be allowed to imbibe the pernicious notion that a defect can, by any chemical proceſs of reaſoning, become an excellence. In this reſpect, I am happy to find, that the author of one of the moft inſtructive books, that our country has produced for children, coincides with me in opinion; I ſhall quote his pertinent remarks to give the force of his reſpectable authority to reaſon*. But. ca- 6 5 * A reſpeEtable old man gives the following ſenſible aca sount of the method he purſued when educating his daugh- ter. I endeavoured to give both to her mind and body a degree of vigour, which is feldom found in the female ſex. As ſoon as fhe was ſufficiently advanced in ſtrength to be pable of the lighter labours of huſbandry and gardening, I employed her as my conſtant companion.. Selene, for that was her name, foon acquired a dexterity in all theſe ruſtic employments, which I conſidered with equal pleaſure and admiration. If women are in general feeble both in body "and mind, it ariſes leſs from nature than from education. We encourage a vicious indolence and inactivity, which we falſely call delicacy, inſtead of hardening their minds by the Severer principles of reaſon and philoſophy, we breed them * to uſeleſs arts, which terminate in vanity and ſenſuality. * In moſt of the countries which I had viſited, they are taught nothing of an higher nature than a few modulutions of the voice, or uſeleſs poſtures of the body; their time is confum- • ed in poth or trifles, and trifles hecomes the only purſuits ca- . pable of intereſting them. We ſeem to forget that it is up- 6 $ 6 013 58 VINDICATION OF THE But fhould it be proved that woman is naturally weaker than man, from whence does it follow that it is natural for her to labour to become ftill weaker than na- ture intended her to be ? Arguments of this caſt are an inſult to common ſenſe and ſavour of paſſion. The di- vine right of huſbands, like the divine right of kings, may, it is to be hoped, in this enlightened age, be con- teſted without danger, and, though conviction may not filence many boiſterous diſputants, yet, when any pre- vailing prejudice is attacked, the wiſe will conſider, and leave the narrow-minded to rail with thoughtleſs vehe- inence at innovation. The mother, who wiſhes to give true dignity of cha- racter to her daughter, muſt, regardleſs of the ſneers of ignorance, proceed on a plan diametrically oppoſite to that which Rouſſeau has recommended with all the de- luding charms of eloquence and philoſophical ſophiſtry: on 6 the qualities of the female ſex that our oum domeſtic com- 'forts and the education of our children muſt depend. And • what are the comforts or the education which a race of be. ings, corrupted from their infancy, and unacquainted with • all the duties of life, are fitted to beſtow ? Totouch a muſi- cal inſtrument with uſeleſs ſkill, to exhibit their natural or affected graces to the eyes of indolent and debauched young men, to diſipate their huſband's patrimony in riotous ard un- neceſſary expences, theſe are the only arts cultivated by ws- men in moſt of the poliſhed nations I had ſeen. And the con- Sequences are uniformly ſuch as may be expected to proceed from ſuch polluted ſources, private miſery and public ſervi- tude. • But, Selene's education was regulated by different views, . and conducted upon feverer principles; if that can be called "Severity, which opens the mind to a ſenſe of moral and religi- sous duties, and moſt effe&tually arms it againſt the inevitable a evils of life.' Mr. Day's Sandford and Merton, Vol. III. for RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 59 for his eloquence renders abfurdities plauſible, and his dogmatic concluſions puzzle, without convincing, thoſe who have not ability to refute them. Throughout the whole animal kingdom every young creature requires almoſt continual exerciſe, and the in- fancy of children, conformable to this intimation, ſhould be paſſed in harmleſs gambols, that exerciſe the feet and hands, without requiring very minute direction from the head, or the conſtant attention of a nurſe. In fact, the care neceſſary for ſelf-preſervation is the firſt natu- ral exerciſe of the underſtanding, as little inventions to amuſe the preſent moment unfold the imagination. But theſe wiſe deſigns of nature are counteracted by miſtaken fondneſs or blind zeal. The child is not left a moment to its own direction, particularly a girl, and thus rendered dependent-dependence is called natural. To preſerve perſonal beauty, woman's glory! the limbs and faculties are cramped with worſe than Chi- neſe bands, and the ſedentary life which they are con- demned to live, whilſt boys frolic in the open air, weak- ens the muſcles and relaxes the nerves.--As for Rouſ. ſeau's remarks, which have ſince been echoed by ſeveral writers, that they have naturally, that is from their birth, independent of education, a fondneſs for dolls, dreſſing, and talking-they are ſo puerile as not to merit a ſeri- ous refutation. That a girl, condemned to fit for hours together liſtening to the idle chat of weak nurſes, or to attend at her mother's toilet, will endeavour to join the converſation, is, indeed, very natural.; and that the will imitate her mother or aunts, and amuſe herſelf by adorn- ing her lifeleſs doll, as they do in dreſſing her, poor in- nocent babe! is undoubtedly a moſt natural conſequence. For men of the greateſt abilities have ſeldom had ſuffici- ent ſtrength to riſe above the ſurrounding atmoſphere; and, if the page of genius has always been blurred by the prejudices of the age, fome allowance ſhould be made for Ós VINDICATION OF THE for a ſex, who, like kings, always ſee things through a falſe medium. In this manner may the fondneſs for dreſs, conſpicu- ous in women, be eaſily accounted for, without ſuppo- fing it the reſult of a deſire to pleaſe the ſex on which they are dependent. The abſurdity, in ſhort, of fup- poſing that a girl is naturally a coquette, and that a de- fire connected with the impulſe of nature to propagate the ſpecies, ſhould appear even before an improper edu- cation has, by heating the imagination, called it forth prematurely, is ſo unphiloſophical, that ſuch a fagacious obſerver as Rouſſeau would not have adopted it, if he had not been accuſtomed to make reaſon give way to his defire of fingularity, and truth to a favourite paradox. Yet thus to give a ſex to mind was not very conſiſt- ent with the principles of a man who argued fo warm- ly, and ſo well, for the immortality of the foul.-But what a weak barrier is truth when it ſtands in the way of an hypotheſis! Rouſſeau reſpected—almoſt adored virtue--and yet he allowed himſelf to love with fenfual fondneſs. His imagination conſtantly prepared in- flammable fewel for his inflammable fenſes ; but, in or- der to reconcile his reſpect for ſelf-denial, fortitude, and thoſe heroic virtues, which a mind like his could not coolly admire, he labours to invert the law of nature, and broaches a doctrine pregnant with miſchief, and derogatory to the character of fupreme wiſdom. His ridiculous ſtories, which tend to prove that girls are naturally attentive to their perſons, without laying any ſtreſs on daily example, are below contempt.-And that a little miſs ſhould have fuch a correct taſte as to neglect the pleaſing amuſement of making O's, merely becauſe ſhe perceived that it was an ungraceful attitude, should be ſelected with the anecdotes of the learned pig*. I have, ** I once knew a young perſon who learned to write before She learned to read, and began to write with her needle be- fore RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 61 I have, probably, had an opportunity of obſerving more girls in their infancy than J. J. Roufleau- I can recollect my own feelings, and I have looked ſteadily around me; yet, fo far from coinciding with him in opinion reſpecting the firſt dawn of the female charac- ter, I will venture to affirm, that a girl, whoſe ſpirits have not been damped by inactivity, or innocence taint- ed by falſe ſhame, will always be a romp, and the doll will never excite attention unleſs confinement allows her no alternative. Girls and boys, in ſhort, would play harmleſs together, if the diſtinction of ſex was not in- culcated long before nature makes any difference. I will go further, and affirm, as an indiſputable fact, that moſt of the women, in the circle of my obſervation, who have acted like rational creatures, or ſhewn any vigour of intellect, have accidentally been allowed to run wild-as ſome of the elegant formers of the fair fex would inſinuate. The baneful conſequences which flow from inatten- tion to health during infancy, and youth, extend further than is ſuppoſed-dependence of body naturally produc- es dependence of mind; and how can the be a good wife or mother, the greater part of whoſe time is em- ployed to guard againſt or endure ſickneſs? Nor can it be expected that a woman will reſolutely endeavour to 6 fore ſhe could uſe a pen. At firſt, indeed, ſhe took it into • her head to make no other letter than the o: this letter the was conſtantly making of all ſizes, and always the wrong way. Unluckily, one day, as he was intent on this employ- 'ment, ſhe happened to ſee herſelf in the looking-glaſs; when, taking a diflike to the conſtrained attitude in which ſhe fat while writing, ſhe threw away her pen, like another Pallas, and determined againſt making the O any more. Her brother was alſo equally averſe to writing : it was the con- finement, however, and not the conſtrained attitude, that moſt diſguſted him.' Rouſſeau's Emilius. F. strengthen 4 VINDICATION OF THE ſtrengthen her conſtitution and abſtain froni enervating indulgencies, if artificial notions of beauty, and falle defcriptions of ſenlibility, have been early entangled with her motives of action. Moſt men are ſometimes obliged to bear with bodily inconveniencies, and to en- dure, occaſionly, the inclemency of the elements; but genteel women are, literally ſpeaking, ſlaves to their bo- dies, and glory in their fubjection. I once knew a weak woman of faſhion, who was more than commonly proud of her delicacy and ſenſibi- lity. She thought a diſtinguiſhing taſte and puny appe- tite the height of all human perfection, and acted ac- cordingly.--I have ſeen this weak fophiſticated being neglect all the duties life, yet recline with ſelf-compla- cency on a ſofa, and boaſt of her want of appetite as a proof of delicacy that extended to, or, perhaps, aroſe from, her exquiſite fenfibility: for it is difficult to ren- der intelligible ſuch ridiculous jargon.-Yet, at the mo- ment, I have feen her inſult a worthy old gentlewoman, whom unexpected misfortunes had made dependent on her oftentatious bounty, and who, in better days, had claims on her gratitude. Is it poſſible that a human creature could have become ſuch a weak and depraved being, if, like the Sybarites, diſſolved in luxury, every thing like virtue had not been worn away, or never im- preſſed by precept, a poor ſubſtitute, it is true, for culti- vation of mind, thought it ſerves as a fence againſt vice? Such a woman is not a more irra al monſter than fome of the Roman emperors, who were depraved by lawle's power. Yet, fince kings have been more under the reſtraint of law, and the curb, however weak, of ho- nour, the records of hiſtory are not filled with ſuch un- natural inſtances of folly and cruelty, nor does the der potiſm that kills virtue and genius in the bud, hover over Europe with that deſtructive blaſt which defolates Tur- ky, and renders the men, as well as the ſoil, unfruit- Ionic RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 3 63 Women are every where in this deplorable ſtate ; for, in order to preſerve their innocence, as ignorance is courteouily termed, truth is hidden from them, and they are made to aſſume an artificial character before their faculties have acquired any ſtrength. Taught from their infancy that beauty is woman's ſceptre, the mind ſhapes itſelf to the body, and, roaming round its gilt cage, only ſeeks to adorn its priſon. Men have various employments and purſuits which engage their attention, and give a character to the opening mind; but women, confined to one, and having their thoughts conſtantly di- rected to the moſt inſignificant part of themſelves, ſel- dom extend their views beyond the triumph of the hour. But was their underſtanding once emancipated from the flavery to which the pride and fenfuality of man and their ſhort-fighted deſire, like that of dominion in tyrants, of preſent ſway, has ſubjected them, we ſhould probably read of their weakneſſes with ſurpriſe. I muſt be allow- ed to purſue the argument a little farther. Perhaps, if the exiſtence of an evil being was allowed, who, in the allegorical language of fcripture, went a- bout ſeeking whom he ſhould devour, he could not more effectually degrade the human character than by giving a man abſolute power. This argument branches into various ramifications. Birth, riches, and every extrinſic advantage that exalt a man above his fellows, without any mental exertion, fink him in reality below them. In proportion to his weakneſs, he is played upon by deſigning men, till the bloated monſter has loſt all traces of humanity. And that tribes of men, like flocks of ſheep, ſhould quietly follow ſuch a leader, is a ſoleciſm that only a deſire of preſent enjoyment and narrowneſs of underſtanding can folve. Educated in flaviſh dependence, and enervated by luxury and ſloth, where ſhall we find men who will ftand forth to affert the rights of man ;-or claim the privilege of moral beings, who ſhould have but one road to.. F 2 6.1 VINDICATION OF THE to excellence? Slavery to monarchs and miniſters, which the world will be long in freeing itſelf from, and whofe deadly graſp liops the progreſs of the human mind, is not yet aboliſhed. Let not men then in the pride of power, uſe the ſame arguments that tyrannic kings and venal miniſters have uſed, and fallaciouſly allert that woman ought to be ſub- jected becauſe the has always been fo.-But, when man, governed by reaſonable laws, enjoys his natural freedom, let him deſpiſe woman, if ſhe do not thare it with him; and, till that glorious period arrives, in deſcanting on the folly of the fex, let him not overlook his own. Women, it is true, obtaining power by unjuſt means, by practiſing or foſtering vice, evidently loſe the rank which reaſon would aſſign them, and they become either abject flaves or capricious tyrants. They loſe all fim- plicity, all dignity of mind, in acquiring power, and act as men are obſerved to act when they have been exalted by the ſame means. It is time to effect a revolution in female manners- time to reſtore to them their loft dignity-and make them, as a part of the human fpecies, labour by reform- ing themſelves to reform the world. It is time to ſe- parate unchangeable morals from local manners. If men be demi-gods--why let us ferve them ! And if the dignity of the female foul be as diſputable as that of ani- mals if their reaſon does not afford fufficient light to di- rect their conduct whilſt unerring inſtinct is denied- they are ſurely of all creatures the moſt miſerable! and, bent beneath the iron hand of deitiny, muft fubmit to be a fair defect in creation. But to juſtify the ways of Pro- vidence reſpecting them, by pointing out ſome irrefra- gable reaſon for thus making ſuch a large portion of mankind accountable and not accountable, would puz- zle the fubtileft cafuiſt. The only folid foundation for morality appears to be the character of the fupreme Being; the harmony of which RIGHTS OF WOMAN, 65 which ariſes from a balance of attributes ;---and, to ſpeak with reverence, one attribute ſeems to imply the neceffity of another. He muſt be juſt, becauſe he is wife, he mult be good becauſe he is omnipotent. For to exalt one at- tribute at the expence of another equally noble and ne- ceffary, bears the ſtamp of the warped reaſon of man-- the homage of paſſion. Man, accuſtomed to bow down to power in his favage ftate, can feldom divelt himſelf of this barbarous prejudice, even when civilization determines how much fuperior mental is to bodily ſtrength; and his reaſon is clouded by theſe crude opi- nions, even when he thinks of the Deity. His omnipo- tence is made to ſwallow up, or preſide over his other attributes, and thoſe mortals are ſuppoſed to limit his power irreverently, who think that it muſt be regulated by his wiſdom. I diſclaim that ſpecies humility which after inveſti- gating nature, ſtops at the author.-The High and Lof- ty One, who inhabiteth eternity, doubtleſs poffefles ma- ny attributes of which we can form no conception; but reaſon tells me that they cannot claſh with thufe I a- dore--and I am compelled to liſten to her voice. It ſeems natural for man to ſearch for excellence, and either to trace it in the object that he worſhips, or blind ly to inveſt it with perfection as a garment. But what good effect can the latter mode of worſhip have on the moral conduct of a rational being? He bends to power ; he adores a dark cloud, which may open a bright prof- pect to him, or burſt in angry, lawleſs fury, on his de- voted head-he knows not why. And, fuppoſing that the Deity acts from the vague impulſe of an undirected will, man muſt alſo follow his own, or act according to rules, deduced from principles which he diſclaims as irreverent. Into this dilemma have both enthuſiaſts and cooler thinkers fallen, when they laboured to free men from the wholeſome reſtraints which a juft conception of the character of God impoſes, F3 It 66 VINDICATION OF THE It is not impious thus to ſcan the attributes of the Almighty : in fact, who can avoid it that exerciſes his faculties for to love God as the fountain of wiſdom, goodneſs, and power, appears to be the only worſhip uſeful to a being who wiſhes to acquire either virtue or knowledge. Å blind unſettled affection may, like human paſſions, occupy the mind and warm the heart, whilſt to do juſtice, love mercy, and walk hum- bly with our God, is forgotten. I ſhall purſue this ſubject ftill further, when I conſider religion in a light oppoſite to that recommended by Dr. Gregory, who treats it as a matter of ſentiment or taſte. To return from this apparent digreffion. It were to be wiſhed that women would cheriſh an affection for their huſbands, founded on the ſame principle that de- votion ought to reſt upon. No other firm baſe is there under heaven--for let them beware of the fallacious light of ſentiment; too often uſed as a ſofter phraſe for fenfu- ality. It follows then, I think, that from their infan- cy women ſhould either be ſhut up like eaſtern princes, or educated in ſuch a manner as to be able to think and aet for themſelves. Why do men halt between two opinions, and expect impoffibilities? Why do they expect virtue from a llave, from a being whom the conſtitution of civil ſociety has rendered weak, if not vicious ? Still I know that it will require a conſiderable length of time to eradicate the firmly rooted prejudices which ſenſualiſts have planted; it will alſo require ſome time to convince women that they act contrary to their real intereſt on an enlarged ſcale, when they cheriſh or affect weakneſs under the name of delicacy, and to convince the world that the poiſoned fource of female vices and follies, if it be neceſſary, in compliance with cuſtom, to uſe ſynonymous terms in a lax ſenſe, has been the ſenſu- al homage paid to beauty :-to beauty of features ; for it has been threwdly obſerved by a German writer, that a pretty woman, as an object of deſire, is generally allowed RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 67 allowed to be ſo by men of all deſcriptions, whiſt a fine woman, who inſpires more fublime emotions by diſplaying intellectual beauty may be overlooked or obſerved with indifference, by thoſe men who find their happineſs in the gratification of their appetites. I fore- fee an obvious retort-whilft man remains ſuch an im- perfect being as he appears hitherto to have been, he will, more or leſs, be the flave of his appetites; and thoſe women obtaining moſt power who gratify a pre- dominant one, the fex is degraded by a phyſical, if not by a moral neceſſity. This objection has, I grant, ſome force; but while ſuch a ſublime precept exiſts, as, be pure as your hea- venly father is pure;' it would ſeem that the virtues of man are not limited by the Being who alone could limit them; and that he may preſs forward without conſider- ing whether he ſteps out of his ſphere by indulging ſuch a noble ambition. To the wild billows it has been ſaid, • thus far fhalt thou go, and no further; and here ſhall thy proud waves be ſtayed.' Vainly then do they beat and foam, reſtrained by the power that confines the ſtruggling planets in their orbits, matter yields to the great governing Spirit.-But an immortal ſoul, not re- Itrained by mechanical laws and ſtruggling to free itſelf from the ſhackles of matter, contributes to, inſtead of diſturbing, the order of creation, when, co-operating with the Father of ſpirits, it tries to govern itſelf by the invariable rule that, in a degree, before which our ima- gination faints, the univerſe is regulated. Befides, if women are educated for dependence; that is, to act according to the will of another fallible being, and fubinit, right or wrong, to power, where are we to ſtop? Are they to be conſidered as vicegerents allowed to reign over a ſmall domain, and anſwerable for their conduct to a higher tribunal, liable to error ? It will not be difficult to prove that ſuch delegates will act like men ſubjected by fear, and make their children and ſervants endure their tyrannical oppreſſion. As 68 VINDICATION OF THE As they ſubmit without reaſon, they will, having no fix- ed rules to ſquare their conduct by, be kind or cruel, juſt as the whim of the moment directs; and we ought not to wonder if ſometimes, galled by their heavy yoke, they take a malignant pleaſure in reſting it on weaker ſhoulders. But, fuppoſing a woman, trained up to obedience, be married to a fenſible man, who directs her judgment without making her feel the ſervility of her ſubjection, to act with as much propriety by this reflected light as can be expected when reaſon is taken at ſecond hand, yet ſhe cannot enſure the life of her protector; he may die and leave her with a large family. A double duty devolves on her; to educate them in the character of both father and mother; to form their principles and ſecure their property. But, alas! ſhe has never thought, much leſs acted for herſelf. She has only learned to pleaſe * men, to depend gracefully on 6 * In the union of the fexes, both purſue one common ob- ject, but not in the ſame manner. From their diverſity in this particular, ariſes the firſt determinate difference be- • tween the moral relations of each. The one ſhould be ac- • tive and ſtrong, the other paſſive and weak : it is neceſſary • the one ſhould have both the power and the will, and that • the other ſhould make little reſiſtance . * This principle being eſtabliſhed, it follows that woman is expreſsly formed to pleaſe the man: if the obligation be re- ciprocal alſo, and the man ought to pleaſe in his turn, it is not ſo immediately neceſſary: his great merit is in his pow- • er, and he pleaſes merely becauſe he is ſtrong. This, I muf confefs, is not one of the refined maxims of love; it is, . however, one of the laws of nature, prior to love itſelf. • If woman be formed to pleaſe and be ſubjected to man, it • is her place, doubtleſs, to render herſelf agreeable to him, in- oftead of challenging his paſſion. The violence of his deſires depends $ o RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 69 on them; yet, encumbered with children, how is the to obtain another protector-a huſband to ſupply the place of reaſon? A rational man, for we are not treading on romantic ground, though he may think her a pleafing docile creature, will not chooſe to marry a family for love, when the world contains many more pretty creatures. What is then to become of her? She either falls an eaſy prey to ſome mean fortune-hunter, who defrauds her children of their paternal inheritance, and renders her miſerable; or becomes the victim of diſcontent and blind indulgence. Unable to educate her fons, or imprefs them with reſpect ; for it is not a play on words to af- ſert, that people are never reſpected, though filling an important ſtation, who are not reſpectable ; fhe pines under the anguiſh of unavailing impotent regret. The ferpent's tooth enters into her very ſoul, and the vices of licentious youth bring her with forrow, if not with pover- ty alſo, to the grave, This is not an overcharged picture; on the contrary, it is a very poſſible caſe, and ſomething ſimilar muſt have fallen under every attentive eye. . I have, however, taken it for granted, that ſhe was well-diſpoſed, though experience thews, that the blind 6 6 depends on her charms; it is by means of theſe ſhe ſhould • urge him to the exertion of thoſe powers which nature hath "given him. The moſt ſucceſsful method of exciting them, ois, to render ſuch exertion neceſſary by their reſiſtance; as, in that caſe, ſelf-love is added to deſire, and the one triumphs « in the victory which the other obliged to acquire. Hence ariſe the various modes of attack and defence between the • ſexes; the boldneſs of one ſex, and the timidity of the other; • and, in a word, that baſhfulneſs and modeſty with which o nature hath armed the weak, in order to ſubdue the ſtrong.' Rouſſeau's Emilius. I ſhall make no other comment on this ingenious paſſage, than juſt to obſerve, that it is the philoſophy of laſcivioufneſs • may 70 VINDICATION OF THE may as eaſily be led into a ditch as along the beaten road. But ſuppofing, no very improbable conjecture, that a being only taught to pleaſe muſt ſtill find her hap- pineſs in pleaſing ;-what an example of folly, not to fay vice, will the be to her innocent daughters! The mother will be loit in the coquette, and, inſtead of mak- ing friends of her daughters, view them with eyes afk. ance, for they are rivals-rivals more cruel than any other, becauſe they invite a compariſon, and drive her froin the throne of beauty, who has never thought of a feat on the bench of reaſon. It does not require a lively pencil, or the diſcriminat- ing outline of a caricature, to ſketch the domeſtic mife- ries and petty vices which ſuch a miſtreſs of a family diffufes. Still fhe only acts as a woman ought to act, brought up according to Rouſſeau's ſyſtem. She can never be reproached for being maſculine, or turning out of her ſphere; nay, ſhe may obſerve another of his grand rules, and cautiouſly preſerving her reputation free from ſpot, be reckoned a good kind of woman. Yet in what reſpect can the be termed good? She abſtains, it is true, without any great ſtruggle, from committing groſs crimes; but how does ſhe fulfil her duties? Duties! in truth ſhe has enough to think of to adorn her body and nurſe a weak conſtitution. With reſpect to religion, ſhe never prefumed to judge for herſelf; but conformed, as a dependent crea- ture ſhould, to the ceremonies of the church which the was brought up in, piouſly believing that wiſer heads than her own have ſettled that buſineſs :-and not to doubt is her point of perfection. She therefore pays her tythe of mint and cummin—and thanks her God that ſhe is not as other women are. Theſeare the bleiled effects of a good education ! theſe the virtues of man's help-mate* I muſt * O how lovely,' exclaims Rouſſeau, Speaking of Sophia, e is her ignorance! Happy is he who is deſtined to inſtruct cher! RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 71 I muſt relieve myſelf by drawing a different picture. Let fancy now preſent a woman with a tolerable un- derſtanding, for I do not with to leave the line of medi- ocrity, whoſe conſtitution, ſtrengthened by exerciſe, has allowed her body to acquire its full vigour; her mind, at the ſame time, gradually expanding itſelf to compre- hend the moral duties of life, and in what human vir- tue and dignity confift. Formed thus by the relative duties of her ſtation, ſhe marries from affection, without lofing fight of prudence, and looking beyond matrimonial felicity, ſhe ſecures her huſband's re- ſpect before it is nceffary to exert mean arts to pleaſe him and feed a dying flame, which nature doomed to ex- pire when the object became familiar, when friendſhip and forbearance take place of a mere ardent affection. This is the natural death of love, and domeſtic peace is not deſtroyed by ſtruggles to prevent its extinction. I alſo ſuppoſe the huſband to be virtuous; or ſhe is ſtill more in want of independent principles. Fate, however, breaks this tie. --She is left a wi- dow, perhaps, without a ſufficient proviſion ; but the is not deſolate! The pang of nature is felt; but after time has ſoftened forrow into melancholy reſignation, her heart turns to her children with redoubled fondneſs, and anxious to provide for them, affection gives a fa- cred heroic caſt to her maternal duties. She thinks that not only the eye ſees her virtuous efforts from whom all her comfort now muſt flow, and whoſe approbation is life; but her imagination, a little abſtracted and exalted her! She will never pretend to be the tutor of her huſband, • but will be content to be his pupil. Far from attempting to ſubject him to her tafie, ſhe will accommodate herſelf to his. She will be more eſtimable to him, than if ſhe was • learned: he will have a pleaſure in inſtructing her.' I ſhall content myſelf with ſimply aſking, how friendſhip can fubfift, when love expires, between the maſter and his by 72 VINDICATION OF THE by grief, dwells on the fond hope that the eyes which her treinbling hand cloſed, may ſtill ſee how the ſubdues every wayward paſſion to fulfil the double duty of being the father as well as the mother of her children. Raiſed to heroiſm by misfortunes, ſhe repreffes the firſt faint dawning of a naturnl inclination, before it ripens into love, and in the bloom of life forgets her ſex-forgets the pleaſure of an awakening paſſion, which might a- gain have been inſpired and returned. She no longer thinks of pleaſing, and conſcious dignity prevents her from priding herſelf on account of the praiſe which her conduct demands. Her children have her love, and her brighteſt hopes are beyond the grave, where her imagina- tion often ftrays. I think I ſee her ſurrounded by her children, reaping the reward of her care. The intelligent eye meets hers, whilſt health and innocence ſmile on their chubby cheeks, and as they grow up the cares of life are leſſened by their grateful attention. She lives to ſee the virtues which ſhe endeavoured to plant on principles, fixed into habits, to ſee her children attain a Itrength of character ſufficient to enable them to endure adverſity without forgetting their mother's example. The taſk of life thus fulfilled, ſhe calmly waits for the ſleep of death, and riſing from the grave, may ſay- Behold, thou gaveſt me a talent--and here are five ta- lents. I wiih to ſum up what I have ſaid in a few words, for I here throw down my gauntlet, and deny the exiſt- ence of ſexual virtues, not excepting modeſty. For man and woman, truth, if I underſtand the meaning of the word, muſt be the ſame; yet the fanciful female charac- ter, fo prettily drawn by poets and noveliſts, demanding the facrifice of truth and fincerity, virtue becomes a re- lative idea, having no other foundation than utility, and of that atility men pretend arbitrarily to judge, ſhaping it to their own convenience. Women RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 73 Women, I allow, may have different duties to fulfil; but they are human duties, and the principles that ſhould regulate the diſcharge of them, I ſturdily maintain, muſt be the fame. To become reſpectable, the exerciſe of their under- ſtanding is neceſſary, there is no other foundation for independence of character ; I mean explicitly to ſay that they muſt only bow to the authority of reaſon, inſtead of being the modeft ſlaves of opinion. In the ſuperior ranks of life how feldom do we meet with a man of fuperior abilities, or even common ac- quirements? The reaſon appears to me clear, the ſtate they are born in was an unnatural one. The human character has ever been formed by the employnients the individual, or claſs, purſues; and if the faculties are not ſharpened by neceſſity, they muſt remain obtuſe. The argument may fairly be extended to women; for, ſeldom occupied by ſerious buſineſs, the purſuit of plea- fure gives that inſignificancy to their character which renders the ſociety of the great fo inſipid. The fame want of firmneſs, produced by a ſimilar cauſe, forces them both to fly from themſelves to noiſy pleaſures, and artificial paflions, till vanity takes place of every ſocial affection, and the characteriſtics of humanity can ſcarce- ly be diſcerned. Such are the bleſſings of civil govern- ments, as they are at preſent organized, that wealth and female ſoftneſs equally tend to debaſe mankind, and are produced by the faine cauſe; but allowing women to be rational creatures, they ſhould be incited to acquire vir- tues which they may call their own, for how can a rati- onal being be ennobled by any thing that is not obtain- ed by its own exertions? G СНАР. 74 VINDICATION OF THE С Н А Р IV. Obfervations on the ſtate of degradation to which woman is reduced by various cauſes. THA HAT woman is naturally weak, or degraded by a concurrence of circumſtances, is, I think, clear. But this poſition I ſhall fimply contraſt with a conclu- fion, which I have frequently heard fall from ſenſible men in favour of an ariſtocracy: that the maſs of man- kind cannot be any thing, or the obſequious ſlaves, who patiently allow themſelves to be penned up, would feel their own conſequence, and ſpurn their chains. Men, they further obſerve, fubmit every where to oppreflion, when they have only to lift up their heads to throw off the yoke; yet, inſtead of aſſerting their birthright, they quietly lick the duſt, and ſay, let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die. Women, I argue from analogy, are degraded by the ſame propenſity to enjoy the preſent mo- ment; and, at laſt, deſpiſe the freedom which they have not ſufficient virtue to ſtruggle to attain. But I muſt be more explicit With reſpect to the culture of the heart, it is unani- mouſly allowed that ſex is out of the queſtion ; but the line of fubordination in the mental powers is never to be paſſed over* Only · abſolute in lovelineſs,' the portion of * Into what inconſiſtencies do men fall when they argue without the compafs of principles. Women, weak women, are compared with angels; yet, a ſuperior order of beings Jhould be ſuppoſed to popeſs more intelle&t than nan; or, in what does their fuperiority conſiſt? In the ſame ſtyle, to drop the ſneer, they are allowed to polleſs more goodneſs of heart, piety, and benevolence.—I doubt the fact, though it be courte- ouſly brought forward, unleſs ignorance-be allowed to be the mother RICHTS OF WOMAN. 75 of rationality granted to woman, is, indeed, very ſcanty; for, denying her genius and judgment, it is ſcarcely poſ. fible to divine what remains to characterize intellect. The ſtamina of immortality, if I may be allowed the phraſe, is the perfectibility of human reaſon; for, was man created perfect, or did a flood of knowledge break in upon him, when he arrived at maturity, that preclud- ed error, I ſhould doubt whether his exiſtence would be continued after the diffolution of the body. But, in the preſent ſtate of things, every difficulty in morals that eſcapes from human diſcuſſion, and equally baffles the inveſtigation of profound thinking, and the lightning glance of genius, is an argument on which I build my belief of the immortality of the ſoul. Reaſon is, con- fequentially, the fimple power of improvement; or, more properly ſpeaking, of diſcerning truth. Every individual is in this reſpect a world in itſelf. More or leſs may be conſpicuous in one being than another; but the nature of reaſon muſt be the fame in all, if it be an emanation of divinity, the tie that connects the crea- ture with the Creator ; for, can that ſoul be ſtamped with the heavenly image, that is not perfected by the exerciſe of its own reaſon*? Yet outwardly ornament- ed with elaborate care, and ſo adorned to delight man, that with honour he may lovet,' the ſoul of woman is not allowed to have this diftinction, and man, ever plac- ed between her and reaſon, ſhe is always repreſented as mother of devotion ; for I am firmly perſuaded that, on an average, the proportion between virtue and knowledge, is more upon a par ihan is commonly granted. * The brutes,' ſays Lord Monboddo, remain in the ftate in which nature has placed them, except in so far as • their natural inftinet is improved by the culture we beſtow upon them.' + Vide Milton. G2 only 76 FINDICATION OF THE only created to ſee through a groſs mediuin, and to take things on truſt. But, ciſmiſſing theſe fanciful theories, and conſidering woman as a whole, let it be what it will, inſtead of a part of man, the inquiry is whether ſhe has reaſon or not. If ſhe has, which, for a moment, I will take for granted, ſhe was not created merely to be the folace of man, and the ſexual ſhould not deſtroy the hu- man character. Into this error men have, probably, been led by view- ing education in a falſe light; not conſidering it as the firſt ſtep to form a being advancing gradually towards perfection* ; but only as a preparation for life. On this ſenſual error, for I muſt call it fo, has the falſe fyſ- tem of female manners been reared, which robs the whole ſex of its dignity, and claſſes the brown and fair with the ſmiling flowers that only adorns the land. This has ever been the language of men, and the fear of de- parting from a fuppoſed ſexual character, has made even women of fuperior ſenſe adopt the fame ſenti- ments+. Thus underſtanding, ſtrictly ſpeaking, has been * This word is not ſtrictly juſt, but I cannot find a better. + Pleaſure's the portion of th' inferior kind; • But glory, virtue, Heaven for man deſign d. After writing theſe lines, how could Mrs. Barbauld write the following ignoble compariſon? • Toa Lady with ſome painted flowers.' • Flowers to the fair: to you theſe flowers I bring, • And ſtrive to greet you with an earlier ſpring, Flowers ſweet, and gay, and delicate like you ; • Emblems of innocence, and beauty too. • With flowers the Graces bind their yellow hair, • And flowery wreaths conſenting lovers wear. Flowers, RICHTS OF WOMAN. 17. been denied to woman; and inſtinct, fublimated into wit and cunning, for the purpoſes of life, has been ſub- ſtituted in its ſtead. The power of generalizing ideas, of drawing com- prehenſive concluſions from individual obſervations, is the only acquirement, for an immortal being, that real- ly deſerves the name of knowledge. Merely to obſerve, without endeavouring to account for any thing, may, (in a very incomplete manner) ſerve as the common ſenſe of life; but where is the ſtore laid up that is to clothe the foul when it leaves the body? This power has not only been denied to women ; but writers have inſiſted that it is inconſiſtent, with a few exceptions, with their ſexual character. Let men prove this, and I ſhall grant that woman only exiſts for man. I muſt, however, previouſly remark, that the power of generalizing ideas, to any great extent, is not very com- mon amongſt men or women. But this exerciſe is the true cultivation of the underſtanding; and every thing conſpires to render the cultivation of the underſtanding more difficult in the female than the male world. 6 Flowers, the fole luxury which nature knew, • In Eden's pure and guiltleſs garden grew. 'To loftier forms are rougher taſks aſſign'd, The ſheltering oak reſiſts the ſtormy wind : • The tougher yew repels invading foes, And the tall pine for future navies grows; • But this ſoft family, to cares unknown, • Were born for pleaſure and delight alone. • Gay without toil, and lovely without art, They Spring to cheer the ſenſe, and glad the heart. Nor bluſh, my fair, to own you copy theſe; Your beſt, your ſweeteſt, empire is to pleaſe.' So the men tell us; but virtue muſt be acquired by rough toils, and uſeful ſtruggles with worldly cares. 6 G 3 I am 78 VINDICATION OF THE I am naturally led by this affertion to the main fub- ject of the preſent chapter, and ſhall now attempt to point out ſome of the cauſes that degrade the ſex, and prevent women from generalizing their obſervations. I ſhall not go back to the remote annals of antiquity to trace the hiſtory of woman ; it is ſufficient to allow that ſhe has always been either a ſlave, or a deſpot, and to remark, that each of theſe ſituations equally retards the progreſs of reaſon. The grand fource of female fol- ly and vice has ever appeared to me to ariſe from nar- rowneſs of mind; and the very conftitution of civil go- vernments has put almoſt inſuperable obſtacles in the way to prevent the cultivation of the female underſtand- ing :-yet virtue can be built on no other foundation! The ſame obſtacles are thrown in the way of the rich, and the ſame conſequences enſue. Neceflity has been proverbially termed the mother of invention--the aphorifm may be extended to virtue. It is an acquirement, and an acquirement to which plea- fure muſt be facrificed—and who facrifices pleaſure when it is within the graſp, whoſe mind has not been opened. and ſtrengthened by adverſity, or the purſuit of know- Irdge goaded on by neceſſity ? -Happy is it when peo- ple have the cares of life to ſtruggle with ; for theſe itruggles prevent their becoming a prey to enervating vices, merely from idleneſs ! But, if from their birth men and women are placed in a torrid zone, with the meridian fun of pleaſure darting directly upon them, how can they ſufficiently brace their minds to diſcharge the duties of life, or even to relith the affections that carry them out of themſelves? Pleaſure is the buſineſs of woman's life, according to the preſent modification of fociety, and while it conti- nues to be fo, little can be expected from fuch weak be- ings. Inheriting, in a lineal deſcent from the firſt fair defeat in nature, the fovereignty of beauty, they have, to maintain their power, reſigned the natural rights- which RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 19 which the exerciſe of reaſon might have procured them; and chofen rather to be ſhort-lived queens than labour to obtain the fober pleaſures that ariſe from equality. Exalted by their inferiority (this ſounds like a contra- diction) they conſtantly demand homage as women, though experience ſhould teach them that the men who pride themſelves upon paying this arbitrary , infolent re- fpect to the ſex, with the moſt ſcrupulous exactnefs, are moſt inclined to tyrannize over, and deſpiſe, the very weakneſs they cheriiſh. Often do they repeat Mr. Hume's ſentiments; when, comparing the French and Athenian character, he alludes to women. • But what is more ſingular in this whimſical nation, ſay I to the • Athenians, is, that a frolick of yours during the Sa- turnalia, when the ſlaves are ſerved by their maſters, is, feriouſly continued by them through the whole year, and through the whole courſe of their lives; ac- companied too with fome circumſtances, which ſtill • further augment the abſurdity and ridicule. Your • ſport only elevates for a few days thoſe whom fortune • has thrown down, and whom ſhe too, in ſport, may really elevate for ever above you. But this nation gravely exalts thoſe, whom nature has fubjected to «them, and whoſe inferiority and infirmities are abfo- lutely incurable. The women, though without vire. "tue, are their maſters and ſovereigns.! Ah! why do women, I write with affectionate foli. citude, condeſcend to receive a degree of attention and reſpect from ſtrangers, different from that reciprocation of civility which the dictates of humanity and the po- liteneſs of civilization authoriſe between man and man? And, why do they not diſcover, when in the noon of beauty's power' that they are treated like queens only to be deluded by hollow reſpect, till they are led to reſign,or not affume, their natural prerogatives ? Confined then in cages like the feathered race, they have nothing to do but to plume themſelves, and ſtalk with mock-majeſty from 6 8. VINDICATION OF THE from perch to perch. It is true, they are provided with food and raiment, for which they neither toil nor fpin; but health, liberty, and virtue are given in exchange. But, where, amongſt mankind has been found fufficient ſtrength of mind to enable a being to reſign theſe adven- titious prerogatives; one who, riſing with the calm dignity of reaſon above opinion, dared to be proud of the privileges inherent in man? and it is vain to expect it whilſt hereditary power chokes the affections and nips reaſon in the bud. The paſſions of men have thus placed women on thrones, and, till mankind become more reaſonable, it is to be feared that women will avail themſelves of the power which they attain with the leaſt exertion, and which is the moſt indiſputable. They will fmile,- yes, they will ſmile, though told that -- « In beauty's empire is no mean, • And woman, either fave or queen, • Is quickly ſcorn'd when not ador'd. But the adoration comes firſt, and the ſcorn is not an- ticipated. Lewis the XIVth, in particular, ſpread fa&titious manners, and caught in a ſpecious way the whole na- tion in his toils ; for eſtablithing an artful chain of del potiſm, he made it the intereſt of the people at large, individually to reſpect his ſtation and ſupport his power. And women, whom he flattered by a puerile attention to the whole fex, obtained in his reign that prince-like diſtinction ſo fatal to reaſon and virtue. A king is always a king—and a woman always a wo- man*: his authority and her ſex, ever ſtand between * And a wit always a wit, might be added; for the vain fooleries of wits and beauties to obtain attention, and make conqueſts, are much upon a par. them RIGHTS OF WOMAN. SZ them and rational converſe. With a lover, I grant the ſhould be ſo, and her fenfibility will naturally lead her to endeavour to excite emotion, not to gratify her vanity, but her heart. This I do not allow to be co- quettry, it is the artleſs impulſe of nature, I only ex- claim againſt the ſexual deſire of conqueſt when the heart is out of the queſtion. This defire is not confined to women; I have en- • deavoured,' ſays Lord Cheſterfield, to gain the hearts of twenty women, whoſe perſons I would not have given a fig for.' The libertine, who, in a guſt of paf- fion, takes advantage of unſuſpecting tenderneſs, is a faint when compared with this cold-hearted raſcal ; for I like to ufe fignificant words. Yet only taught to pleaſe, women are always on the watch to pleaſe, and with true heroic ardour endeavour to gain hearts mere- ly to reſign, or fpurn them, when the victory is decid- ed, and conſpicuous. I muſt deſcend to the minutiæ of the ſubject. I lament that women are fyftematically degraded by receiving the trivial attentions, which men think it man- ly to pay to the fex, when, in fact, they are infultingly ſupporting their own ſuperiority. It is not condeſcen- fion to bow to an inferior. So ludicrous, in fact, do theſe ceremonies appear to me that I fcarcely am able to govern my muſcles, when I ſee a man ſtart with eager, and ſerious ſolicitude to lift a handkerchief, or fhut a door, when the lady could have done it herſelf, had fhe only moved a pace or two. A wild wiſh has juſt flown from my heart to my head, and I will not ſtifle it though it may excite a horſe- laugh.-I do earneſtly wiſh to ſee the diſtinction of ſex confounded in ſociety, unleſs where love animates the behaviour. For this diſtinction is, I am firmly perſuad- ed, the foundation of the weakneſs of character aſcribed to woman; is the cauſe why the underſtanding is ne- glected, whilft accompliſhments are acquired with ſe- dulous 82 VINDICATION OF THE dulous care: and the ſame cauſe accounts for their pre- ferring the graceful before the heroic virtues. Mankind, including every deſcription, wiſh to be loved and reſpected for ſomething; and the common herd. will always take the neareſt road to the completion of their wiſhes. The reſpect paid to wealth and beauty is the moſt certain, and unequivocal ; and, of courſe, will always attract the vulgar eye of common minds. Abi- lities and virtues are abſolutely neceſſary to raiſe men from the middle rank of life into notice; and the natu- ral conſequence is notorious, the middle rank contains moſt virtue and abilities. Men have thus, in one ftati- on, at leaſt, an opportunity of exerting themſelves with dignity, and of riſing by the exertions which really im- prove a rational creature; but the whole female ſex are, till their character is formed, in the ſaine condition as the rich: for they are born, I now ſpeak of a ſtate of ci- vilization, with certain ſexual privileges, and whilft they are gratuitouſly granted them, few will ever think of works of ſupererogation, to obtain the eſteem of a ſmall number of fuperior people. When do we hear of women who, ſtarting out of ob- ſcurity, boldly claim reſpect on account of their great abilities or daring virtues? Where are they to be found? -To be obſerved, to be attended to, to be taken no- tice of with ſympathy, complacency, and approbation, • are all the advantages which they feek.'—'True! my male readers will probably exclaim; but let them, be- fore they draw any concluſion, recollect that this was not written originally as deſcriptive of women, but of the rich. In Dr. Smith's Theory of Moral Sentiments, I have found a general character of people of rank and fortune, that, in my opinion, might with the greateſt propriety be applied to the female ſex. I refer the fa- gacious reader to the whole compariſon ; but muſt be allowed to quote a paſſage to enforce an argument that I mean to inſiſt on, as the one moſt concluſive againſt a ſexual RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 83 fexual character. For if, excepting warriors, no great men, of any denomination, have ever appeared amongſt the nobility, may it not be fairly inferred that their local fituation ſwallowed up the man, and produced a charac- ter fimilar to that of women, who are localized, if I may be allowed the word, by the rank they are placed in, by courteſy ? Women, commonly called Ladies, are not to be contradicted in company, are not allowed to exert any manual ſtrength; and from them the negative vir- tues only are expected, when any virtues are expected, patience, docility, good-humour, and flexibility ; vir- tues incompatible with any vigorous exertion of intel- lect. Beſides, by living more with each other, and be- ing ſeldom abfolutely alone, they are more under the influence of ſentiments than paffions. Solitude and re- flection are neceſſary to give to wiſhes the force of paſ- fions, and to enable the imagination to enlarge the ob- ject, and make it the moſt defirable. The ſame may be ſaid of the rich; they do not ſufficiently deal in ge- neral ideas, collected by impaſſioned thinking, or calm inveſtigation, to acquire that ſtrength of character on which great reſolves are built. But hear what an acute obſerver ſays of the great. • Do the great ſeem inſenſible of the eaſy price at which they may acquire the public admiration; or do " they ſeem to imagine that to them, as to other men, it muſt be the purchaſe either of ſweat or of blood? By . what important accompliſhments is the young noble- man inſtructed to ſupport the dignity of his rank, and to render himſelf worthy of that ſuperiority over his fellow-citizens, to which the virtue of his anceſtors had raiſed them? Is it by knowledge, by induſtry, by pati- ence, by ſelf-denial, or by virtue of any kind? As all his words, as all his motions are attended to, he learns * an habitual regard to every circumſtance of ordinary behaviour, and ſtudies to perform all thoſe finall duties with the moſt exact propriety. As he is conſcious • how 6 84 VINDICATION OF THE 6 6 6 6 5 6 how much he is obſerved, and how much mankind are diſpoſed to favour all his inclinations, he acts, upon the moſt indifferent occafions, with that freedom and • elevation which the thought of this naturally inſpires. · His air, his manner, his deportment, all mark that ele- gant and graceful ſenſe of his own fuperiority, which thoſe who are born to inferior ſtation can hardly ever arrive at. Theſe are the arts by which he propofes to • make mankind more eaſily ſubmit to his authority, • and to govern their inclinations according to his own pleaſure: and in this he is ſeldom diſappointed. • Theſe arts, ſupported by rank and pre-eminence, are, upon ordinary occaſions, fufficient to govern the world. • Lewis XIV. during the greater part of his reign, was regarded, not only in France, but over all Europe, as the moſt perfect model of a great prince. But what were the talents and virtues by which he acquired this • great reputation ? Was it by the ſcrupulous and inflex- ible juſtice of all his undertakings, by the immenſe dangers and difficulties with which they were attended, • or by the unwearied and unrelenting application with • which he purſued them? Was it by his extenſive knowledge, by his exquiſite judgment, or by his hero- • ic valour? It was by none of thefe qualities. But he was, firſt of all, the moſt powerful prince in Europe, • and conſequently held the higheſt rank among kings; • and then, ſays his hiſtorian, “ he ſurpaſſed all his cour- « tiers in the gracefulneſs of his ſhape, and the majeſtic « beauty of his features. The found of his voice, no- « ble and affecting, gained thoſe hearts which his pre- « fence intimidated. He had a ſtep and a deportment « which could fuit only him and his rank, and which " would have been ridiculous in any other perſon. « The embarraſſment which he occaſioned to thoſe who ſpoke to him, flattered that ſecret ſatisfaction with « which he felt his own fuperiority." Theſe frivo- • lous accompliſhments, ſupported by his rank, and, no doubt, 6 6 66 RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 85 6 « doubt too, by a degree of other talents and virtues, 6 which ſeems, however, not to have been much above mediocrity, eſtabliſhed this prince in the eſteem of his own age, and have drawn, even from pofterity, a good deal of reſpect for his memory. Compared with theſe, • in his own times, and in his own preſence, no other virtue, it ſeems, appeared to have any merit, Know- ledge, induſtry, valour, and beneficence, trembling, were abaſhed, and loſt all dignity before them.' Woman alſo thus · in herſelf complete,' by poſſeſſing all theſe frivolous accompliſhments, fo changes the nature of things "That what ſhe wills to do or ſay Seems wifeft, virtuouſeft, diſcreeteſt, beft; All higher knowledge in her preſence falls • Degraded. Wiſdom in diſcourſe with her Loſes diſcountenanc'd, and, like Folly, ſhows; · Authority and Reaſon on her wait.'- 6 And all this is built on her lovelineſs! In the middle rank of life, to continue the compari. ſon, men, in their youth, are prepared for profeſſions, and marriage is not conſidered as the grand feature in their lives; whilſt women, on the contrary, have no other ſcheme to ſharpen their faculties. It is not buſi- neſs, extenſive plans, or any of the excurſive flights of ambition, that engrofs their attention ; no, their thoughts are not employed in rearing ſuch noble ftructures. To riſe in the world, and have the liberty of running from pleaſure to pleaſure, they muſt marry advantageouſly, and to this object their time is ſacrificed, and their per- ſons often legally proſtituted. A man when he enters any profeſſion has his eye ſteadily fixed on ſome future advantage (and the mind gains great ſtrength by having all its efforts directed to one point), and, full of his buſi- H neſs, 86 VINDICATION OF THE neſs, pleaſure is conſidered as mere relaxation; whilſt women ſeek for pleaſure as the main purpoſe of exift- ence. In fact, from the education, which they receive from fociety, the love of pleaſure may be faid to govern them all; but does this prove that there is a ſex in fouls? It would be juſt as rational to declare that the courtiers in France, when a deſtructive ſyſtem of deſpotiſm had formed their character, were not men, becauſe liberty, virtue, and humanity, were ſacrificed to pleaſure and vanity.--Fatal paffions, which have ever domineered over the whole race! The ſame love of pleaſure, foſtered by the whole ten- dency of their education, gives a trifling turn to the con- duct of women in moſt circumſtances: for inſtance, they are ever anxious about ſecondary things; and on the watch for adventures, inſtead of being occupied by du- ties. A man, when he undertakes a journey, has, in gene- ral, the end in view; a wonan thinks more of the in- cidental occurrences, the ſtrange things that may poffi- bly occur on the road; the impreſſion that ſhe may make on her fellow-travellers; and, above all, ſhe is anx- iouſly intent on the care of the finery that the carries with her, which is more than ever a part of herſelf, when going to figure on a new ſcene; when, to uſe an apt French turn of expreſſion, ſhe is going to produce a ſenſation.-Can dignity of mind exiſt with ſuch trivial cares? In ſhort, women, in general, as well as the rich of both ſexes, have acquired all the follies and vices of ci. vilization, and miſſed the uſeful fruit. It is not neceſ- ſary for me always to premile, that I ſpeak of the con- dition of the whole fex, leaving exceptions out of the queſtion. Their ſenſes are inflamed, and their under- ftandings neglected, conſequently they become the prey of their ſenſes, delicately termed fenfibility, and are blown about by every momentary guſt of feeling. They are, RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 87 are, therefore, in a much worſe condition than they would be in were they in a ſtate nearer to nature. Ever reſtleſs and anxious, their over exerciſed ſenſibility not only renders them uncomfortable themſelves, but trou- bleſome, to uſe a foft phraſe, to others. All their thoughts turn on things calculated to excite emotion; and feeling, when they ſhould reaſon, their conduct is unſtable, and their opinions are wavering—not the wa- vering produced by deliberation or progreſſive views, but by contradictory emotions. By fits and ſtarts they are warm in many purſuits; yet this warmth, never concentrated into perſeverance, foon exhauſts itſelf; exhaled by its own heat, or meeting with ſome other fleeting paſſion, to which reaſon has never given any ſpecific gravity, neutrality enſues. Miferable, indeed, muſt be that being whoſe cultivation of mind has only tended to inflame its paſſions! A diſtinction ſhould be made between inflaming and ſtrengthening them. The paffions thus pampered, whilſt the judgment is left un- formed, what can be expected to enſue? -Undoubtedly, a mixture of madneſs and folly! This obſervation ſhould not be confined to the fair ſex ; however, at preſent, I only mean to apply it to thein. Novels, muſic, poetry, and gallantry, all tend to make women the creatures of ſenſation, and their character is thus formed during the time they are acquiring ac- compliſhments, the only improvement they are excited, by their ſtation in ſociety, to acquire. This overſtretch- ed fen Gbility naturally relaxes the other powers of the mind, and prevents intellect from attaining that ſove- reignty which it ought to attain to render a rational creature uſeful to others, and content with its own ſtati- on: for the exerciſe of the underſtanding, as life ad- vances, is the only method pointed out by nature to calm the paſions. Η 2 Satiety 88 VINDICATION OF THE Satiety has a very different effect, and I have often been forcibly ſtruck by an emphatical deſcription of damnation : --when the ſpirit is repreſented as continu- ally hovering with abortive eagerneſs round the defiled body, unable to enjoy any thing without the organs of ſenſe. Yet, to their fenfes, are women made ſlaves, becauſe it is by their ſenſibility that they obtain preſent power. And will moraliſts pretend to aſſert, that this is the condition in which one half of the human race ſhould be encouraged to remain with liftleſs inactivity and ſtu- pid acquieſcence? Kind inſtructors ! what were we created for? To remain, it may be ſaid, innocent; they mean in a ſtate of childhood.-We might as well never have been born, unleſs it were neceſſary that we ſhould be created to enable man to acquire the noble privilege of reaſon, the power of diſcerning good from evil, whilſt we lie down in the duſt from whence we were taken, never to riſe again.- It would be an endleſs talk to trace the variety of meanneſſes, cares, and ſorrows, into which women are plunged by the prevailing opinion, that they were creat- ed rather to feel than reaſon, and that all the power they obtain, muſt be obtained by their charms and weakneſs: • Fine by defect, and amiably weak?' And, made by this amiable weakneſs entirely dependent, excepting what they gain by illicit ſway, on man, not only for protection, but advice, it is furpriſing that, ne- glecting the duties that reaſon alone points out, and ſhrinking from trials calculated to ſtrengthen their minds, they only exert themſelves to give their defects a graceful covering, which may ſerve to heighten their charms in the eye of the voluptuary, though it ſink them below the ſcale of moral excellence ? Fragile in every fenſe of the word, they are obliged to look up to man for every comfort. In the moſt trilling dangers RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 89 dangers they cling to their ſupport, with paraſitical te- nacity, piteouſly demanding fuccour; and their natural protector extends his arm, or lifts up his voice, to guard the lovely trembler-from what? Perhaps the frown of an old cow, or the jump of a mouſe; a rat, would be a ſerious danger. In the name of reaſon, and even common ſenſe, what can ſave ſuch beings from con- tempt; even though they be ſoft and fair Theſe fears, when not affected, may be very pretty ; but they ſhew a degree of imbecility that degrades a ra- tional creature in a way women are not aware of— for love and eſteem are very diftinet things. I am fully perſuaded that we ſhould hear of none of theſe infantine airs, if girls were allowed to take fuffi- cient exerciſe, and not confined in cloſe rooins till their muſcles are relaxed, and their powers of digeſtion de- ſtroyed. To carry the remark ftill further, if fear in girls, inſtead of being cheriſhed, perhaps, created, was treated in the ſame manner as cowardice in boys, we fhould quickly ſee women with more dignified aſpects. It is true, they could not then with equal propriety be termed the ſweet flowers that ſmile in the walk of man; but they would be more reſpectable members of ſociety, and diſcharge the important duties of life by the light of their own reaſon. Educate women like men,' ſays Rouſſeau, • and the more they reſemble our ſex the leſs power will they have over us. This is the very point I aim at. I do not wiſh them to have power over men; but over themſelves. In the ſame ſtrain have I heard men argue againſt inſtructing the poor; for many are the forms that ari- ſtocracy affumes. Teach them to read and write,' ſay they,' and you take them out of the ſtation aſſigned • them by nature. An eloquent Frenchman has an- fwered them, I will borrow his ſentiments. But they know not, when they make man a brute, that they may expect every inftant to ſee him transformed into a fero- H3 cious 6 6 90 VINDICATION OF THE cious beaſt. Without knowledge there can be no mo- rality! Ignorance is a frail baſe for virtue! Yet, that it is the condition for which woman was organized, has been inſiſted upon by the writers who have moſt vehemently argued in favour of the fuperiority of man; a ſuperiori- ty not in degree, but ellence; though, to ſoften the ar- gument, they have laboured to prove, with chivalrous generoſity, that the ſexes ought not to be compared ; man was made to reaſon, woman to feel : and that to- gether, fleth and ſpirit, they make the moſt perfect whole, by blending happily reaſon and ſenſibility into one character. And what is ſenſibility ? Quickneſs of ſenſation; quickneſs of perception; delicacy.' Thus it is defined by Dr. Johnſon; and the definition gives me no other idea than of the moſt exquiſitely poliſhed inſtinct. I diſcern not a trace of the image of God in either ſenſation or matter. Refined ſeventy times ſeven, they are ſtill ma- terial; intellect dwells not there; nor will fire ever make lead gold! I come round to my old argument; if woinan be al- lowed to have an immortal foul, ſhe muſt have, as the einployment of life, an underſtanding to improve. And when, to render the preſent ſtate more complete, though every thing proves it to be but a fraction of a mighty fum, ſhe is incited by prefent gratification to forget her grand deſtination, Nature is counteracted, or ſhe was born only to procreate and rot. Or, granting brutes, of every deſcription, a foul, thongh not a reaſonable one, the exerciſe of inſtinct and ſenſibility may be the ſtep, which they are to take, in this life, towards the attain- ment of reaſon in the next; ſo that through all eternity they will lag behind man, who, why we cannot tell, had the power given him of attaining reaſon in his firſt mode of existence. Whea RIGHTS OF WOMAN. OL When I treat of the peculiar duties of women, as I ſhould treat of the peculiar duties of a citizen or father, it will be found that I do not mean to inſinuate that they ſhould be taken out of their families, ſpeaking of the majority. He that hath wife and children,' ſays Lord Bacon, hath given hoſtages to fortune; for they are impediments to great enterpriſes, either of virtue or • miſchief. Certainly the beſt works, and of greateſt • merit for the public, have proceeded from the unmar- ried or childleſs men.' I ſay the ſame of women. But, the welfare of fociety is not built on extraordinary exer- tions; and were it more reaſonably organized, there would be ſtill lefs need of great abilities, or heroic vir- 6 tues. In the regulation of a family, in the education of chil- dren, underſtanding, in an unfophiſticated ſenſe, is par- ticularly required : ſtrength both of body and mind; yet the men who, by their writings, have moſt earneſtly la- boured to domeſticate women, have endeavoured, by ar- guments dictated by a groſs appetite, that fatiety had rendered faſtidious, to weaken their bodies and cramp their minds. But, if even by theſe ſiniſter methods they really perſuaded women, by working on their feelings, to ſtay at home, and fulfil the duties of a mother and miſtreſs of a family, I ſhould cautiouſly oppoſe opinions that led women to right conduct, by prevailing on them to inake the diſcharge of a duty the buſineſs of life, though reaſon were inſulted. Yet, and I appeal to ex- perience, if by neglecting the underſtanding they are as much, nay, more detached from theſe domeſtic duties, than they could be by the moſt ſerious intellectual pur- fuit, though it may be obſerved, that the maſs of man- kind will never vigorouſly purſue an intellectual object*, I may be allowed to infer that reaſon is abſolutely necef- * The maſs of mankind are rather the flaves of their ap- petitas than of their paſſions. fary 92 VINDICATION OF THE fary to enable a woman to perform any duty properly, and I muſt again repeat, that ſenſibility is not reaſon. The compariſon with the rich ſtill oceurs to me; for, when men neglect the duties of humanity, women will do the ſame; a common ſtream hurries them both along with thoughtleſs celerity. Riches and honours prevent a man from enlarging his underſtanding, and enervate all his powers by reverſing the order of nature, which has ever made true pleaſure the reward of labour. Plea- fure-enervating pleaſure is, likewiſe, within women's reach without earning it. But, till hereditary poffeffions are ſpread abroad, how can we expect men to be proud of virtue? And, till they are, women will govern them by the moſt direct means, neglecting their dull domeſtic duties to catch the pleaſure that is on the wing of time. The power of the woman,' ſays ſome author, is her • fenfibility ;' and men, not aware of the conſequence do all they can to make this power ſwallow up every other. Thoſe who conſtantly employ their ſenſibility will have moſt: for example; poets, painters, and com- poſers*. Yet, when the ſenſibility is thus increaſed at the expence of reaſon, and even the imagination, why do philoſophical men complain of their fickleneſs? The ſexual attention of man particularly acts on female fen- ſibility, and this ſympathy has been exerciſed from their youth up. A huſband cannot long pay thoſe attentions with the paflion neceſſary to excite lively emotions, and the heart, accuſtomed to lively emotions, turns to a new lover, or pines in ſecret, the prey of virtue or prudence. I mean when the heart has really been rendered ſuſcep- tible, and the taſte formed; for I am apt to conclude, from what I have ſeen in faſhionable life, that vanity is * Men of theſe deſcriptions pour it into their compoſitions, to amalgamate the groſs materials ; and, moulding them with pafſion, give to the inert body a ſoul; but, in woman's imagi- nation, love alone concentrates theſe ethereal beams. oftenes RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 93 oftener foftered than fenfibility by the mode of education, and the intercourſe between the ſexes, which I have re- probated ; and that coquetry more frequently proceeds from vanity than from that inconftancy, which over- ſtrained ſenſibility naturally produces. Another argument that has had a great weight with me, muft, I think, have ſome force with every confi- derate, benevolent heart. Girls who have been thus weakly educated, are often cruelly left by their parents without any proviſion; and, of courſe, are dependent on not only the reaſon, but the bounty of their brothers. Theſe brothers are, to view the faireft ſide of the queſti- on, good fort of men, and give as a favour, what chil- dren of the ſame parents had an equal right to. In this equivocal humiliating ſituation, a docile female may re- main ſome time, with a tolerable degree of comfort. But, when the brother marries, a probable circumſtance, from being conſidered as the miſtreſs of the family, ſhe is viewed with averted looks as an intruder, an unneceſſa- ry burden on the benevolence of the maſter of the houſe, and his new partner. Who can recount the miſery, which many unfortu- nate beings, whoſe minds and bodies are equally weak, fuffer in fuch ſituations-unable to work, and aſhamed to beg! The wife, a cold-hearted, narrow-minded, wo- man, and this is not an unfair ſuppoſition ; for the pre- fent mode of education does not tend to enlarge the heart any more than the underſtanding, is jealous of the little kindneſs which her huſband fhews to his relations; and her ſenſibility not riſing to humanity, ſhe is diſpleaſ- ed at ſeeing the property of her children laviſhed on an helpleſs filter. Theſe are matters of fact, which have come under my eye, again and again. The conſequence is obvious, the wife has recourſe to cunning to undermine the habi- tual affection, which ſhe is afraid openly to oppoſe ; and neither tears nor careſſes are ſpared till the ſpy is work- ed 94 VINDICATION OF THE been very ed out of her home, and thrown on the world, unprepar- ed for its difficulties; or fent, as a great effort of gene- roſity, or from fome regard to propriety, with a ſmall ftipend, and an uncultivated mind, into joyleſs folitude. Theſe two women may be much upon a par, with relpect to reaſon and humanity; and changing ſituati- ons, might have acted juſt the ſame ſelfiſh part; but had they been differently educated, the caſe would alſo have different. The wife would not have had that ſenſibility, of which ſelf is the centre, and reaſon might have taught her not to expect, and not even to be flat- tered, by the affection of her huſband, if it led him to violate prior duties. She would wiſh not to love him merely becauſe he loved her, but on account of his vir- tues; and the ſiſter might have been able to ſtruggle for herſelf inſtead of eating the bitter bread of dependence. I am, indeed, perſuaded that the heart, as well as the underſtanding, is opened by cultivation ; and by, which may not appear fo clear, ſtrengthening the organs; I am not now talking of momentary flaſhes of ſenſibility, but of affections. And, perhaps, in the education of both ſexes, the moſt difficult taſk is ſo to adjuſt inſtructi. on as not to narrow the underſtanding, whilſt the heart is warmed by the generous juices of ſpring, juſt raiſed by the electric fermentation of the ſeaſon; nor to dry up the feelings by employing the mind in inveſtigations re- mote from life. With reſpect to women, when they receive a careful education, they are either made fine ladies, brimful of ſenſibility, and teeming with capricious fancies; or mere notable women. The latter are often friendly, honeſt creatures, and have a ſhrewd kind of good fenfe joined with worldly prudence, that often render them more uſeful members of ſociety than the fine ſentiment- al lady, though they poſſeſs neither greatneſs of mind nor taſte. The intellectual world is thut againſt them; take them out of their family or neighbourhood, and they RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 95 they ſtand ſtill; the mind finding no employment, for literature affords a fund of amuſement which they have never fought to reliſh, but frequently to deſpiſe. The ſentiinents and taſte of more cultivated minds appear ri- diculous, even in thoſe whom chance and family con- nections have led them to love; but in mere acquaint- ance they think it all affectation, A man of ſenſe can only love ſuch a woman on ac- count of her ſex, and reſpect her, becauſe ſhe is a truſty ſervant. He lets her, to preſerve his own peace, fcold the ſervants, and go to church in clothes made of the very beſt materials. A man of her own ſize of under- ſtanding would, probably, not agree ſo well with her; for he might wiſh to encroach on her prerogative, and manage fome domeſtic concerns himſelf. Yet women, whoſe minds are not enlarged by cultivation, or the natu- ral ſelfiſhneſs of ſenſibility expanded by reflection, are very unfit to manage a family; for, by an undue ſtretch of power, they are always tyrannizing to ſupport a ſupe- riority that only reſts on the arbitrary diſtinction of for- tune. The evil is ſometimes more ſerious, and domef- tics are deprived of innocent indulgencies, and made to work beyond their ſtrength, in order to enable the notable woman to keep a better table, and outſhine her neigh- bours in finery and parade. If ſhe attend to her chil- dren, it is, in general, to dreſs them in a coſtly manner --and, whether this attention ariſes from vanity or fond- neſs, it is equally pernicious. Beſides, how many women of this deſcription paſs their days; or, at leaſt, their evenings, diſcontentedly. Their huſbands acknowledge that they are good manag- ers, and chalte wives; but leave home to ſeek for more agreeable, may I be allowed to uſe a fignificant French word, piquant ſociety; and the patient drudge, who ful- fils her taſk, like a blind horſe in a mill, is defrauded of her juſt reward; for the wages due to her are the careſſes of her huſband; and women who have fo few reſources in 96 VINDICATION OF THE in themſelves, do not very patiently bear this privation of a natural right. A fine lady, on the contrary, has been taught to look down with contempt on the vulgar employments of life; though ſhe has only been incited to acquire accompliſh- ments that riſe a degree above ſenſe ; for even corporeal accompliſhments cannot be acquired with any degree of preciſion, unleſs the underſtanding has been ſtrengthen- ed by exerciſe. Without a foundation of principles taſte is ſuperficial; and grace muſt ariſe from fomething deeper than imitation. The imagination, however, is heated, and the feelings rendered faſtidious, if not fophif- ticated; or, a counterpoife of judgment is not acquired, when the heart ſtill remains artleſs, though it becomes too tender. Theſe women are often amiable; and their hearts are really more ſenſible to general benevolence, more a- live to the ſentiments that civilize life, than the ſquare- elbowed family drudge; but, wanting a due proportion of reflection and ſelf-government, they only inſpire love; and are the miſtreſſes of their huſbands, whilſt they have any hold on their affections; and the platonic friends of his male acquaintance. Theſe are the fair defects in nature ; the women who appear to be created not to en- joy the fellowſhip of man, but to ſave him from ſinking into abſolute brutality, by rubbing off the rough angles of his character; and by playful dalliance to give ſome dignity to the appetite that draws him to them.-Gra- cious Creator of the whole human race! haſt thou creat- ed ſuch a being as woman, who can trace thy wiſdom in thy works, and feel that thou alone art by thy nature, exalted above her,-for no better purpoſe? —Can ſhe be- lieve that ſhe was only made to ſubmit to man her equal; a being, who, like her, was ſent into the world to ac- quire virtue?—Can ſhe conſent to be occupied merely to pleaſe him ; merely to adorn the earth, when her ſoul is capable of riſing to thee? -And can ſhe reſt fupinely dependent RIGHTS (F WOMAN. 97 dependent on man for reaſon, when the ought to mount with him the aiduous ſteeps of knowledge Yet, if love be the fupreme good, let women be only educated to inſpire it, and let every charm be poliſhed to intoxicate the ſenſes; but, if they are moral beings, let them have a chance to become intelligent; and let love to man be only a part of that glowing flame of univerſal love, which, after encircling humanity, mounts in grate- ful incenſe to God. To fulfil domeſtic duties much reſolution is neceſſary, and a ſerious kind of perſeverance that requires a more firm ſupport than emotions, however lively and true to nature. To give an example of order, the ſoul of virtue, fome auſterity of behaviour muſt be adopted, ſcarcely to be expected from a being who, from its infancy, has been made the weathercock of its own ſenſations. Whoever rationally means to be uſeful muſt have a plan of conduct; and, in the diſcharge of the ſimpleſt duty, we are often obliged to act contrary to the preſent inn- pulſe of tenderneſs or compaſſion. Severity is frequent- ly the moſt certain, as well as the moſt fublime proof of affcction; and the want of this power over the feelings, and of that lofty, dignified affection, which makes a per- fon prefer the future good of the beloved object to a pre- fent gratification, is the reaſon why ſo many fond mo- thers ſpoil their children, and has made it queſtionable whether negligence or indulgence is moſt hurtful: but I am inclined to think, that the latter has done moſt harm. Mankind ſeem to agree that children ſhould be left under the management of women during their childhood. Now, from all the obſervation that I have been able to make, women of ſenſibility are the moſt unfit for this talk, becauſe they will infallibly, carried away by their feelings, ſpoil a child's temper. The management of the temper, the firſt, and moſt important branch of edu- cation, requires the fober ſteady eye of reaſon; a plan of I conduct 98 VINDICATION OF THE conduct equally diſtant from tyranny and indulgence: yet theſe are the extremes that people of ſenſibility al- ternately fall into; always thooting beyond the mark. I have followed this train of reaſoning much further, till I have concluded, that a perſon of genius is the moſt im- proper perſon to be employed in education, public or private. Minds of this rare fpecies fee things too much in malles, and feldom, if ever, have a good temper. That habitual cheerfulneſs, termed good humour, is, perhaps, as ſeldom united with great mental powers, as with ſtrong feelings. And thoſe people who follow, with intereſt and admiration, the flights of genius; or, with cooler approbation fuck in the inſtruction which has been elaborately prepared for them by the profound thinker, ought not tu be diſguſted, if they find the for- mer choleric, and the latter moroſe, becauſe livelineſs of fancy, and a tenacious comprehenſion of mind, are ſcarce- ly compatible with that pliant urbanity which leads a man, at leaſt, to bend to the opinions and prejudices of others, inſtead of roughly confronting them. But, treating of education or manners, minds of a ſu- perior claſs are not to be conſidered, they may be left to chance; it is the multitude, wth moderate abilities, who call for inſtruction, and catch the colour of the atmoſ- phere they breathe. This reſpectable concourſe, I con- tend, men and women, ſhould not have their ſenſations heightened in the hot-bed of luxurious indolence, at the expence of their underſtanding ; for, unleſs there be a ballaſt of underſtanding, they will never become either virtuous or free: an arittocracy, founded on property, or ſterling talents, will ever ſweep before it, the alternate- ly timid, and ferocious, ſlaves of feeling. Numberleſs are the arguments, to take another view of the ſubject, brought forward with a few of reaſon; becauſe ſuppoſed to be deduced from nature, that men have nfed morally and phyſically, to degrade the ſex. I muſt notice a few. The RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 99 The female underſtanding has often been ſpoken of with contempt, as arriving fooner at maturity than the male. I ſhall not anſwer this argument by alluding to the early proofs of reaſon, as well as genius, in Cowley, Milton, and Pope*, but only appeal to experience to de- cide whether young men, who are early introduced into company and examples now abound) do not acquire the fame precocity. So notorious is this fact, that the bare mentioning of it muſt bring before people, who at all mix in the world, the idea of a number of ſwaggering apes of men, whoſe undertandings are narrowed by be- ing brought into the ſociety of men when they ought to have been ſpinning a top or twirling a hoop: It has alſo been afferted, by fome naturaliſts, that men do not attain their full growth and ſtrength till thirty : but that women arrive at maturity by twenty. I appre- hend that they reaſon on falfe ground, led aſtray by the male prejudice, which deems beauty the perfection of woman-mere beauty of features and complexion, the vulgar acceptation of the world, whilft male beauty is allowed to have ſome connection with the mind. Strength of body, and that character of countenance, which the French term a phyſionomie, women do not acquire before thirty, any more than men. The little artleſs tricks of children, it is true, are particularly pleaſing and attrac- tive; yet, when the pretty freſhneſs of youth is worn off, theſe artleſs graces become ſtudied airs, and diſguſt eve- ry perſon of taſte. In the countenance of girls we only look for vivacity and baſhful modelty ; but, the ſpring- tide of life over, we look for foberer ſenſe in the face, and for traces of paſſion, inſtead of the diiples of animal fpirits; expecting to ſee individuality of character, the only faſtener of the affectionst. We then wiſh to con- verſe, * Many other names might be added. † The Arength of an affection is, generally, in the ſame proportion I 2 100 VINDICATION OF THE verſe, not to fondle; to give ſcope to our inaginations as well as to the ſenſations of our hearts. At twenty the beauty of both fexes is equal; but the libertinifin of man leads him to make the diſtinction, and fuperannuated coquettes are commonly of the fame opi- nion; for, when they can no longer inſpire love, they pay for the vigour and vivacity of youth. The French, who admit more of mind into their notions of beauty, uive the preference to women of thirty. I mean to ſay that they allow women to be in their moſt perfect ſtate, when vivacity gives place to reaſon, and to that mageſtic ſeriouſneſs of character, which marks maturity ;-or, the reſting point. In youth, till twenty, the body ſhoots cut, till thirty the ſolids are attaining a degree of denſity; and the flexible muſcles, growing daily more rigid, give character to the countenance; that is, they trace the ope- sations of the mind with the iron pen of fate, and tell us not only what powers are within, but how they have been employed. It is proper to obſerve, that animals who arrive flow- ly at maturity, are the longeſt lived, and of the nobleſt fpecies. Men cannot, however, claim any natural fu- periority from the grandeur of longevity; for in this re- ſpect nature has not diſtinguiſhed the male. Polygamy is another phyfical degradation ; and a plauſible argument for a cuſtom, that blaſts every do- meſtic virtue, is drawn from the well-atteſted fact, that in the countries where it is eſtabliſhed, more females are born than males. This appears to be an indication of nature, and to nature, apparently reaſonable ſpecula- tions muft yield. A further conclufion obviouſly pre- ſented itſelf; if polygamy be neceſſary, woman muſt be inferior to man, and made for him. Proportion as the character of the ſpecies in the obje£t beloved, is loft in that of the individual With RIGHTS OF WOMAN. ICE 6 6 8 With refpect to the formation of the fetus in the womb, we are very ignorant; but it appears to me pro- bable, that an accidental phyſical cauſe may account for this phenomenon, and prove it not to be a law of nature. I have met with fome pertinent obſervations on the ſub- ject in Forſter's Account of the Iſles of the South-Sea, that will explain my meaning. After obſerving that of the two ſexes ainongſt animals, the moſt vigorous and hotteſt conſtitution always prevails, and produces its kind; he adds,- If this be applied to the inhabitants • of Africa, it is evident that the men there, accuſtomed * to polygamy, are enervated by the uſe of ſo many wo- . men, and therefore leſs vigorous; the women, on the contrary, are of a hotter conſtitution, not only on ac- • count of their more irritable nerves, more ſenſible or- ganization, and more lively fancy; but likewiſe be- cauſe they are deprived in their matrimony of that • ſhare of phyſical love which, in a monogamous condi- • tion, would all be theirs; and thus, for the above rea- • ſons, the generality of children are born females.' • In the greater part of Europe it has been proved by the moft accurate liſts of mortality, that the proporti • on of men to women is nearly equal, or, if any differ- «ence takes place, the males born are more nuinerous, * in the proportion of 105 to ico.' The neceſſity of polygamy, therefore, does not appear; yet when a man ſeduces a woman, it ſhould, I think, be termed a left-handed marriage, and the man ſhould be legally obliged to maintain the woman and her children, unleſs adultery, a natural divorcement, abrogated the law. And this law fhould remain in force as long as the weakneſs of women cauſed the word ſeduction to be uſed as an excuſe for their frailty and want of principle; nay, while they depend on man for a fubfiftence, inſtead of earning it by the exerciſe of their own hands or heads. But theſe women ſhould not, in the full meaning of the relationſhip, be termed wives, or the very purpoſe of I 3 marriage IO2 VINDICATION OF THE marriage would be fubverted, and all thoſe endearing charities that flow from perſonal fidelity, and give a fanctity to the tie, when neither love nor friendſhip unites the hearts, would melt into ſelfiſhneſs. The wo- man who is faithful to the father of her children de- inands refpe&t, and ſhould not be treated like a proſti- tute; though I readily grant that if it be neceffary for a man and woman to live together in order to bring up their offspring, nature never intended that a man ſhould have more than one wife. Still, highly as I reſpect marriage, as the foundation of almoſt every focial virtue, I cannot avoid feeling the moſt lively compaſſion for thoſe unfortunate females who are broken off from fociety, and by one error torn from all thoſe affections and relationſhips that improve the heart and mind. It does not frequently even deſerve the name of error; for many innocent girls become the dupes of a ſincere, affectionate heart, and ſtill more are, as it may emphatically be termed, ruined before they know the difference between virtue and vice:-and thus prepared by their education for infamy, they become in- famous. Aſylums and Magdalens are not the proper remedies for theſe abuſes. It is juſtice, not charity, that is wanting in the world! A woman who has loſt her honour, imagines that ſhe cannot fall lower, and as for recovering her former fta- tion, it is impoffible; no exertion can waſh this ſtain awar. Loſing thus every ſpur, and having no other means of ſupport, proſtitution becomes her only refuge, and the character is quickly depraved by circumſtances over which the poor wretch has little power. unleſs the poſſeſſes an uncommon portion of ſenſe and loftineſs of fpirit. Neceflity never makes proftitution the buſineſs of men's lives; though numberleſs are the women who are thus rendered fyftematically vicious. This, howe- ver, ariſes, in a great degree, from the ſtate of idleneſs in which women are educated, who are always taught to RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 103 to look up to man for a inaintenance, and to conſider their perſons as the proper return for his exertions to ſupport them. Meretricious airs, and the whole ſcience of wantonneſs, has then a more powerful ſtimulus than either appetite or vanity; and this remark gives force to the prevailing opinion, that with chaſtity all is loft that is reſpectable in woman. Her character depends on the obſervance of one virtue, though the only paſſion foftered in her heart-is love. Nay, the honour of a woman is not made even to depend on her will. When Richardſon * makes Clariſſa tell Lovelace that he had robbed her of her honour, he muſt have had ſtrange notions of honour and virtue. For, miſerable beyond all names of miſery is the condition of a being, who could be degraded without its own conſent! This exceſs of ftrictneſs I have heard vindicated as a ſalutary error. I ſhall anſwer in the words of Leibnitz-Errors are of- ten uſeful; but it is commonly to remedy other errors.' Moſt of the evils of life ariſe from a deſire of preſent enjoyment that outruns itſelf. The obedience required of women in the marriage ſtate comes under this deſcrip- tion; the mind, naturally weakened by depending on authority, never exerts its own powers, and the obedient wife is thus rendered a weak indolent mother. Or, fuppofing that this is not always the conſequence, a fu- ture ſtate of exiſtence is ſcarcely taken into the reckon- ing when only negative virtues are cultivated. For, in treating of morals, particularly when women are allud- ed to, writers have too often conſidered virtue in a very limited ſenſe and made the foundation of it folely world- ly utility; nay, a ſtill more fragile baſe has been given to this ftupendous fabric, and the wayward flu&uating feelings of men have been made the ſtandard of virtue. * Dr Young Supports the ſame opinion, in his plays, when be talks of the misfortune, that ſhunned the light of day. Yes, 104 VINDICATION OF THE Yes, virtue as well as religion, has been ſubjected to the deciſions of taſte. It would almoſt provoke a ſmile of contempt, if the vain abſurdities of man did not ſtrike us on all ſides, to obſerve, how eager men are todegrade the ſex from whom they pretend to receive the chief pleaſure of life; and I have frequently with full conviction retorted Pope's ſarcaſm on them; or, to ſpeak explicitly, it has appear- ed to me applicable to the whole human race. A love of pleaſure or ſway ſeems to divide mankind, and the huſband who lords it in his little haram thinks only of his pleaſure or his convenience. To ſuch lengths, in deed, does an intemperate love of pleaſure carry ſome prudent men, or worn out libertines, who marry to have a ſafe bed-fellow, that they ſeduce their owu wivesi -Hymen baniſhes modeſty, and chalte love takes its flight.. Love, conſidered as an animal appetite, cannot long feed on itfelf without expiring. And this extinction, in its own flame, may be termed the violent death of love. But the wife who has thus been rendered licenti. ous, will probably endeavour to fill the void left by the loſs of her huſband's attentions ; for ſhe cannot content- edly become merely an upper fervant after having been treated like a goddeſs. She is ſtill handſome, and, in- ſtead of transferring her fondneſs to her children, fhe on ly dreams of enjoying the ſunſhine of life. Beſides, there are many huſbands fo devoid of ſenſe and parental affection, that during the firſt efferveſcence of voluptu- ous fondnefs they refuſe to let their wives fuckle their children. They are only to dreſs and live to pleaſe them: and love-even innocent love, foon finks into laſcivioul- neſs when the exerciſe of a duty is ſacrificed to its indulg- Perſonal attachment is a very happy foundation for friendſhip; yet, when even two virtuous young people marry, it would, perhaps, be happy if ſome circumſtance checked ence. RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 105 checked their paſſion; if the recollection of ſome prior attachment, or diſappointed affection, made it on one fide, at leaſt, rather a match founded on eſteem. In that cafe they would look beyond the prefent moment, and try to render the whole of life reſpectable, by form- ing a plan to regulate a friendſhip which only death ought to diffolve. Friendſhip is a ſerious affection ; the moſt fublime of all affections, becauſe it is founded on principle, and ce- mented by time. The very reverſe may be ſaid of love. In a great degree, love and friendſhip cannot ſubfiſt in the ſame boſom; even when inſpired by different ob- jects they weaken or deſtroy each other, and for the ſame object can only be felt in ſucceſſion. The vain fears and fond jealouſies, the winds which fan the flame of love, when judiciouſly or artfully tempered, are both in- compatible with the tender confidence and ſincere reſpect of friendſhip Love, ſuch as the glowing pen of genius has traced, exiſts not on earth, or only reſides in thoſe exalted, fer- vid imaginations that have ſketched ſuch dangerous pic- tures. Dangerous, becauſe they not only afford a plau- fible excuſe, to the voluptuary who diſguiſes ſheer ſenſu- ality under a fentimental veil; but as they ſpread affecta- tion, and take from the dignity of virtue. Virtue, as the very word imports, ſhould have an appearance of ſeriouſ- neſs, if not auſterity; and to endeavour to trick her out in the garb of pleaſure, becauſe the epithet has been uſed as another name for beauty, is to exalt her on a quickſand; a moſt infidious attempt to haiten her fall by apparent reſpect. Virtue and pleaſure are not, in fact, ſo nearly allied in this life as ſome eloquent writers have laboured to prove. Pleafure prepares the fading wreath, and mixes the intoxicating cup; but the fruit which virtue gives, is the recompence of toil: and, gra- dually ſeen as it ripens, only affords calm ſatisfa&ion; nay, appearing to be the reſult of the natural tendency of 106 VINDICATION OF THE of things, it is ſcarcely obſerved. Bread, the common food of life, ſeldom thought of as a bleſſing, ſupports the conſtitution and preſerves health; ſtill feaſts delight the heart of man, though diſeaſe and even death lurk in the cup or dainty that elevates the ſpirits or tickles the palate. The lively heated imagination, in the ſame ityle, draws the piếture of love, as it draws every other picture, with thoſe glowing colours, which the daring hand will ſteal from the rainbow that is directed by a mind, condemned in a world like this, to prove its no- ble origin by panting after unattainable perfection ; ever purſuing what it acknowledges to be a fleeting dream. An imagination of this vigorous caſt can give exiſtence to infubſtantial forms, and ſtability to the thadowy re- veries which the mind naturally falls into when realities are found vapid. It can then depict love with celeſtial charms, and dote on the grand ideal object--it can ima gine a degree of mutual affection that ſhall refine the foul, and not expire when it has ſerved as a • ſcale to heavenly, and, like devotion, make it abſorb every meaner affection and deſire. In each others arms, as in a temple, with its fummit loſt in the clouds, the world is to be ſhut out, and every thought and wiſh, that do not nurture pure affection and permanent virtue.- Permanent virtue! alas! Rouſſeau, reſpectable viſion- ary! thy paradiſe would ſoon be violated by the entrance of ſome unexpected gueſt. Like Milton's it would on- ly contain angels, or men funk below the dignity of ra- tional creatures. Happineſs is not material, it cannot be ſeen or felt! Yet the eager purſuit of the good which every one ſhapes to his own fancy, proclaims man the lord of this lower world, and to be an intelligential crea- ture, who is not to receive, but acquire happineſs. They therefore, who complain of the deluſions of paſſion, do not recollect that they are exclaiming againſt a ſtrong proof of the immortality of the ſoul. But $ RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 107 But leaving ſuperior minds to correct themſelves, and pay dearly for their experience, it is neceſſary to ob- ſerve, that it is not againſt ſtrong, perſevering paſſions ; but romantic wavering feelings that I wilh to guard the female heart by exerciſing the underſtanding ; for theſe paradiſiacal reveries are oftener the effect of idleneſs than of a lively fancy. Women have ſeldom fufficient ſerious employment to filence their feelings; a round of little cares, or vain purſuits frittering away all ſtrength of mind and organs, they become naturally only objects of ſenſe. In ſhort, the whole tenor of female education (the education of fociety) tends to render the beſt diſpofed romantic and inconftant; and the remainder vain and mean. In the preſent ſtate of ſociety this evil can ſcarcely be remedi- ed, I am afraid, in the flighteſt degree ; ſhould a more laudable ambition ever gain ground they may be brought nearer to nature and reaſon ; and become more virtuous and uſeful as they grow more reſpectable. But, I will venture to aſſert that their reaſon will ne- ver acquire ſufficient ſtrength to enable it to regulate their conduct, whilſt the making an appearance in the world is the firſt wilh of the majority of mankind. Te this weak with the natural affections, and the moſt uſe- ful virtues are facrificed. Girls marry merely to better themſelves, to borrow a ſignificant vulgar phraſe, and have ſuch perfect power over their hearts as not to per- mit themſelves to fall in love till a man with a ſuperior fortune offers. On this ſubject I mean to enlarge in a future chapter, it is only neceſſary to drop a hint at pre- ſent, becauſe women are ſo often degraded by ſuffering the ſelfiſh prudence of age to chill the ardour of youth. From the fame fource flows an opinion that young girls ought to dedicate great part of their time to needle work; yet, this employment contracts their faculties more than any other that could have been choſen for them, by confining their thoughts to their perſons. Men 108 VINDICATION OF THE Men order their clothes to be made, and have done with the ſubject ; women make their own clothes, neceſſary or ornamental, and are continually talking about them; and their thoughts follow their hands. It is not indeed the making of neceſſaries that weakens the mind; but the frippery of dreſs. For when a woman in the lower rank of life makes her huſband's and children's clothes, ſhe does her duty, this is part of her busineſs; but when women work only to dreſs better than they could other- wiſe afford, it is worſe than ſheer loſs of time. To ren- der the poor virtuous they muſt be employed, and women in the middle rank of life, did they not ape the faſhions of the nobility, without catching their caſe, might em- ploy them, whilſt they themſelves managed their fami- lies, inſtructed their children, and exerciſed their own minds. Gardening, experimental philoſophy, and lite- rature, would afforct thein ſubjects to think of and mat. ter for converſation, that in fome degree would exerciſe their underſtandings. The converſation of Freneh wo- men, who are not ſo rigidly nailed to their chaiys to twiſt lappets, and knot ribbands, is frequently fuperfici- al; but, I contend, that it is not half ſo infipid as that of thoſe Engliſh women whoſe time is ſpent in making caps, bonnets, and the whole miſchief of trimmings, not to mention ſhopping, bargain-hunting, &c. &c.: and it is the decent, prudent women, who are moſt de graded by theſe practices; for their motive is ſimply va- nity. The wanton who exerciſes her taſte to render her perſon alluring, has ſomething more in view. Theſe obſervations all branch out of a general one, which I have before made, and which cannot be too often inſiſted upon, for, ſpeaking of men, women, or profeſſions, it will be found that the employment of the thoughts ſhapes the character both generally and indivi- dually. The thoughts of women ever hover around their perſons, and is it furpriſing that their perſons are rec- koned moſt valuable? Yet ſome degree of liberty of mind RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 109 mind is neceſſary even to form the perſon ; and this may be one reaſon why ſome gentle wives have ſo few attractions beſide that of ſex. Add to this, ſedentary employments render the majority of women fickly---- and falſe notions of female excellence make them proud of this delicacy, though it be another fetter, that by call. ing the attention continually to the body, cramps the ac- tivity of the mind: Women of quality ſeldom do any of the manual part of their dreſs, conſequently only their taſte is exerciſed, and they acquire, by thinking leſs of the finery, when the buſineſs of their toilet is over, that eaſe, which ſel- dom appears in the deportment of women, who dreſs merely for the ſake of dreſſing. In fact, the obſervati- on with reſpect to the middle rank, the one in which talents thrive belt, extends not to women; for thoſe of the ſuperior claſs, by catching, at leaſt, a ſmattering of literature, and converſing more with men, on general topics, acquire more knowledge than the women who ape their faſhions and faults without ſharing their ad- vantages. With reſpect to virtue, to uſe the word in a comprehenſive ſenſe, I have ſeen moſt in low life. Many poor women maintain their children by the ſweat of their brow, and keep together families that the vices of the fathers would have ſcattered abroad; but gentle- women are too indolent to be actively virtuous, and are ſoftened rather than refined by civilization. Indeed, the good ſenſe which I have met with, among the poor women who have had few advantages of education, and yet have acted heroically, ſtrongly confirmed me in the opinion that trifling employments have rendered woman a trifler. Men, taking her * body, the mind is left to ruſt; ſo that while phyſical love enervates man, as being his favourite recreation, he will endeavour to enſlave woman:-and, who can tell how many generations may * • I take her body,' ſays Ranger. К. be IIO VINDICATION OF THE as be neceſſary to give vigour to the virtue and talents of the freed poſterity of abject ſaves* ? In tracing the cauſes that, in my opinion, have degrad- ed woman, I have confined my obſervations to ſuch univerſally act upon the morals and manners of the whole ſex, and to me it appears clear that they all ſpring from want of underſtanding. Whether this ariſe from a phyſical or accidental weakneſs of faculties, time alone can determine ; for I ſhall not lay any great ſtreſs on the example of a few women + who, from having receiv- ed a maſculine education, have acquired courage and re- ſolution; I only contend that the men who have been placed in fimilar ſituations, have acquired a ſimilar cha- racter--I ſpeak of bodies of men, and that men of geni- us and talents have ſtarted out of a claſs, in which wo- men have never yet been placed. 人​・人​･人​･人​･人​・人​。 人人​人人​人​･･･ С НА Р. V. Animadverſions on ſome of the writers who have rendered women obje Ets of pity, bordering on contempt. TH CHE opinions ſpeciouſly ſupported, in ſome modern publications on the female character and educati- on, which have given the tone to moſt of the obſervati- * 8 Suppoſing that women are voluntary Naves--Suvery of any kind is unfavourable to human happineſs und im- provement.' Knox's Efſays. + Sappho, Eloiſa, Mrs. Macauley, the Empreſs of Ruf- fia, Mudame d'Eon, &c. Theſe, and many more, may be reckoned exceptions; and, are not all heroes, as well as be- roines, exceptions to general rules? I wiſh to fee wonen nei- ther heroines nor lrutes; but reaſonable creatures, ons RIGHTS OF WOMAN. III ons made, in a more curſory manner, on the ſex, re- main now to be examined. SECT 1. I SHALL begin with Rouſſeau, and give a ſketch of the character of women, in his own words, interſperſing comments and reflections. My comments, it is true, will all ſpring from a few ſimple principles, and might have been deduced from what I have already faid; but the artificial ſtructure has been raiſed with ſo much in- genuity, that it ſeems neceſſary to attack it in a more circumſtantial manner, and make the application my- felf. Sophia, ſays Rouſſeau, ſhould be as perfect a woman as Emilius is a man, and to render her ſo, it is neceſſary to examine the character which nature has given to the ſex. He then proceeds to prove that woman ought to be weak and paffive, becauſe ſhe has leſs bodily ſtrength than man; and, from hence infers, that ſhe was formed to pleaſe and to be ſubject to him; and that it is her duty to render herſelf agreeable to her maſter---this being the grand end of her exiſtence*. Still, however, to give a little mock dignity to luſt, he inſiſts that man ſhould not exert his ſtrength, but depend on the will of the wo- man, when he ſeeks for pleaſure with her. • Hence we deduce a third conſequence from the dif- 'ferent contitutions of the ſexes, which is, that the • ſtrongeſt ſhould be maſter in appearance, and be de- pendent in fact on the weakeſt; and that not from any • frivolous practice of gallantry or vanity of protector- • ſhip, but from an invariable law of nature, which, • furnithing woman with a greater facility to excite de- · fires than ſhe has given man to ſatisfy them, makes the 6 * I have already inſerted the paſſage, page 99. K 2 latter 112 VINDICATION OF THE 4 6 6 • latter dependent on the good pleaſure of the former, and compels him to endeavour to pleaſe in his turn, • in order to obtain ber conſent that he ſhould be ſtrongeft*. • On theſe occaſions, the moſt delightful circumſtance • a man finds in his victory is, to doubt whether it was • the woman's weakneſs that yielded to his ſuperior • ſtrength, or whether her inclinations ſpoke in his fa. vour: the females are alſo generally artful enough to • leave this matter in doubt. The underſtanding of wo- men anſwers in this reſpect perfectly to their conſti- * tution: ſo far from being aſhamed of their weakneſs, • they glory in it; their tender muſcles make no refift- .ance; they affect to be incapable of lifting the ſmalleſt • burthens, and would bluſh to be thought robuſt and ſtrong, To what purpoſe is all this? Not merely for the ſake of appearing delicate, but through an artful precaution: it is thus they provide an excuſe before- • hand, and a right to be feeble when they think it ex- pedientt.' I have quoted this paſſage, left my readers ſhould fuf- pect that I warped the author's reaſoning to ſupport my own arguments. I have already aſſerted that in educat- ing women theſe fundamental principles lead to a ſyſtem of cunning and laſciviouſneſs. Suppoſing woman to have been formed only to pleaſe, and be ſubject to man, the concluſion is juft, fhe ought to facrifice every other conſideration to render herſelf a- . greeable to him: and let this brutal deſire of ſelf-preſer- vation be the grand ſpring of all her actions, when it is proved to be the iron bed of fate, to fit which her cha- Tacter thould be ſtretched or contracted, regardleſs of all moral or phyſical diſtinctions. But, if, as I think, may be demonſtrated, the purpoſes, of even this life, viewing 6 * What nonſenſe! † Rouleau's Emilius, Vol. III. p. 168. the RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 113 the whole, are ſubverted by practical rules built upon this ignoble baſe, I may be allowed to doubt whether woman was created for man: and, though the cry of ir- religion, or even atheiſm, be raiſed againſt me, I will ſimply declare, that were an angel from heaven to tell me that Moſes's beautiful, poetical coſmogony, and the account of the fall of man, were literally true, I could not believe what my reaſon told me was derogatory to the character of the Supreme Being: and, having no fear of the devil before mine eyes, I venture to call this a ſuggeſtion of reaſon, inſtead of reſting my weakneſs on the broad ſhoulders of the firſt ſeducer of my trail fex. It being once demonſtrated,' continues Rouſſeau, that man and woman are not, nor ought to be, confti-. tuted alike in temparament and character, it follows of courſe that they ſhould not be educated in the ſame man- In purſuing the directions of nature, they ought indeed to act in concert, but they ſhould not be engaged «in the ſame employments: the end of their purſuits ſhould be the ſame, but the means they ſhould take to “accompliſh them, and of conſequence their taſtes and inclinations ſhould be different*.' 6 ner. Whether I conſider the peculiar deſtination of the • ſex, obſerve their inclinations, or remark their duties, 6 all things equally concur to point out the peculiar me- «thod of education beſt adapted to them. Woman and man were made for each other, but their mutual de- pendence is not the ſame. The men depend on the women only on account of their deſires; the women on the men both on account of their deſires and their 6 * Rouſſeau's Emilius, Vol. III. p. 176.. K 3 neceſſities : 114 VINDICATION OF THE • neceſities: we could ſubfift better without them than they without us*.' • For this reaſon, the education of the women ſhould • be always relative to the men. To pleaſe, to be uſe- . ful to us, to make us love and eſteem them, to edu- 'cate us when young, and take care of us when grown up, to adviſe, to conſole us, to ler our lives eaſy and agreeable: theſe are the duties of women at all times, • and what they ihould be taught in their infancy. So long as we fail to recur to this principle, we run wide • of the mark, and all the precepts which are given them • contribute neither to their happineſs nor our ownt. 6 6 6 • Girls are from their earlieſt infancy fond of dreſs. Not content with being pretty, they are deſirous of be- . ing thought ſo ; we fee, by all their little airs, that this thought engages their attention ; and they are hardly capable of underſtanding what is ſaid to them, before they are to be governed by talking to them of what people will think of their behaviour. The ſame mo- • tive, however, indiſcreetly made uſe of with boys, has • not the ſaine effe&t: provided they are let to purſue • their amuſements at pleaſure, they care very little what people think of them. Time and pains are ne- ceffary to ſubject boys to this motive. Whenceſoever girls derive this firſt leffon, it is a ve- ry good one. As the body is born, in a manner be- fore the foul, our firſt concern ſhould be to cultivate the former, this order is common to both fexes, but the object of that cultivation is different. In the one • fex it is the developement of corporeal powers; in the other, that of perſonal charms: not ihat either the * Lefrau's Ernilius, Vol. II!. p. 179. + P. 181. quality 6 RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 115 quality of ſtrength or beauty ought to be confined ex- •cluſively to one ſex ; but only that the order of the cul- • tivation of both is in that reſpect reverſed. Women certainly require as much ſtrength as to enable them to move and act gracefully, and men as much addreſs * as to qualify them to act with eaſe.' 6 Children of both fexes have a great many amuſe- ments in common; and ſo they ought ; have they not 6 alſo many ſuch when they are grown up ? Each ſex has • alſo its peculiar taſte to diſtinguiſh in this particular. Boys love ſports of noiſe and activity ; to beat the drum, to whip the top, and to drag about their little carts: girls, on the other hand, are fonder of things of • ſhow and ornament ; ſuch as mirrors trinkets, and dolls: the doll is the peculiar amuſement of the fe- males; from whence we ſee their taſte plainly adapt- •ed to their deſtination. The phyſical part of the art of pleaſing lies in dreſs; and this is all which children are capacitated to culivate of that art.' 6 . 6 6 . Here then we fee a primary propenſity firmly eſta- bliſhed, which you need only to purſue and regulate. The little creature will doubtleſs be very deſirous to • know how to dreſs up her doll, to make its fleeve- knots, its flounces, its head. dreſs, &c. ſhe is obliged • to have ſo much recourſe to the people about her, for their aſſiſtance in theſe articles, that it would be much more agreeable to her to owe them all to her own in- •duſtry. Hence we have a good reaſon for the firſt lef- • ſons that are uſually taught theſe young females: in which we do not appear to be ſetting them a talk, but obliging them, by inſtructing them in what is imme- diately uſeful to themſelves. And, in fact, almoſt all of them learn with reluctance to read and write; but 6 6 6 very 116 VINDICATION OF THE & very readily apply themſelves to the uſe of their needles. They imagine themſelves already grown up, and think • with pleaſure that ſuch qualifications will enable them « to decorate themſelves.' This is certainly only an education of the body; but Rouſſeau is not the only man who has indirectly ſaid that merely the perſon of a young woman, without any mind, unleſs animal fpirits come under that deſcription, is very pleaſing. To render it weak, and what fome may call beautiful, the underſtanding is neglected, and girls forced to fit ftill, play with dolls and liſten to fool- iſh converſations ;—the effect of habit is inſiſted upon as an undoubted indication of nature. I know it was Rouſſeau's opinion that the firſt years of youth ſhould be employed to form the body, though in educating Emi- lius he deviates from this plan; yet the difference be- tween ſtrengthening the body, on which ſtrength of mind in a great meaſure depends, and only giving it an eaſy motion, is very wide. Rouſſeau's obſervations, it is proper to remark, were made in a country where the art of pleaſing was refined only to extract the groſſneſs of vice. He did not go back to nature, or his ruling appetite diſturbed the ope- rations of reaſon, elſe he would not have drawn theſe crude inferences. In France boys and girls, particularly the latter, are only educated to pleaſe, to manage their perſons, and re- gulate their exterior behaviour; and their minds are corrupted, at a very early age, by the worldly and pions cautions they receive to guard them againſt immodeſty. I ſpeak of paſt times. The very confeflions which mere children are obliged to make, and the queſtions aſked by the holy men, I aſſert theſe facts on good authority, were fufficient to impreſs a ſexual character; and the education of ſociety was a ſchool of coquetry and art. At the age of ten or eleven; nay, often much fooner, girls RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 117 < girls began to coquet, and talked, unreproved, of eſta- bliſhing themſelves in the world by marriage. In ſhort, they were made women, almoſt from their very birth, and compliments were liſtened to inſtead of inſtruction. Theſe, weakening the mind, Nature was fuppoſed to have acted like a ſtep-inother, when the form- ed this after-thought of creation. Not allowing them underſtanding, however, it was but conſiſtent to fubject them to authority independent of reaſon; and to prepare them for this ſubjection, he gives the following advice : • Girls ought to be active and diligent; nor is that all; they ſhould alſo be early ſubjected to reſtraint. This misfortune, if it really be one, is inſeparable from their ſex ; nor do they ever throw it off but to fuffer more cruel evils. They muſt be ſubject, all • their lives, to the moſt conſtant and ſevere reſtraint, • which is that of decorum: it is, therefore, neceſſary to • accuſtom them early to ſuch confinement, that it may not afterwards coſt them too dear; and to the fuppref- 'fion of their caprices, that they may the more readily • ſubmit to the will of others. If, indeed, they are fond of being always at work, they thould be ſometimes compelled to lay it aſide. Diffipation, levity, and in- conſtancy, are faults that readily ſpring up from their • firſt propenſities, when corrupted or perverted by too much indulgence. To prevent this abuſe, we ſhould learn them, above all things, to lay a due reſtraint on • themſelves. The life of a modeſt woman is reduced, by our abſurd inſtitutions, to a perpetual conflict with herſelf: not but it is juſt that this fex thould partake of the ſufferings which ariſe from thoſe evils it hath • cauſed us.' And why is the life of a modeſt woman a perpetual conflict? I ſhould anſwer, that this very ſyſtem of educa- tion makes it ſo. Modeſty, temperance, and ſelf-denial, are the fober offspring of reaſon; but when fenfibility 6 IS 118 VINDICATION OF THE is nurtured at the expence of the underſtanding, fuch weak beings muſt be reſtrained by arbitrary means, and be ſubjected to continual conflicts; but give their activi- ty of mind a wider range, and nobler paſſions and motives will govern their appetites and ſentiments. • The conmon attachment and regard of a mother, nay, mere habit, will make her beloved by her children, . if ſhe does nothing to incur their hate. Even the con- • ſtraint ſhe lays them under, if well directed, will in- creaſe their affection, inſtead of lefeningeit; -becauſe a • ſtate of dependence being natural to the ſex, they per- ceive themſelves formed for obedience. This is begging the queſtion ; for ſervitude not only debaſes the individual, but its effects ſeem to be tranſ- mitted to poſterity. Conſidering the length of time that women have been dependent, is it furpriſing that ſome of them hug their chains, and fawn like the ſpaniel? Theſe dogs,' obferves a naturaliſt, . at firſt kept their ears erect; but cuſtom has ſuperſeded nature, and a • token of fear is become a beauty.' • For the ſame reaſon,' adds Rouſſeau, 'women have, • or ought to have, but little liberty ; they are apt to in- dulge themſelves exceſſively in what is allowed them. • Addicted in every thing to extremes, they are even more tranſported at their diverſions than boys.' The anſwer to this is very ſimple. Slaves and mobs have always indulged themfelves in the ſame exceſſes, when once they broke looſe from authority. The bent bow recoils with violence, when the hand is ſuddenly re- laxed that forcibly held it; and ſenſibility, the play-thing of outward circumſtances, muſt be ſubjected to authori- ty, or moderated by reaſon. • There reſults,' he continues, from this habitual reſtraint a tractableneſs which the women have occa- • fion for during their whole lives, as they conſtantly • remain either under ſubjection to the men, or to the opinions of mankind; and are never permitted to ſet themſelves & 0 6 RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 119 6 $ 6 6 themſelves above thoſe opinions. The firſt and moſt • important qualification in a woman is good-nature or ſweetneſs of temper: formed to obey a being ſo im- perfect as man, often full of vices, and always full of faults, ſhe ought to learn betimes even to ſuffer injuf- tice, and to bear the inſults of a huſband without com- plaint; it is not for his fake, but her own, that the * ſhould be of a mild diſpoſition. The perverſeneſs and • ill-nature of the women only ſerve to aggravate their • own misfortunes, and the miſconduct of their huſ- bands; they might plainly perceive that ſuch are not * the arms by which they gain the fuperiority.' Formed to live with ſuch an imperfect being as man, they ought to learn from the exerciſe of their faculties the neceflity of forbearance; but all the ſacred rights of humanity are violated by inſiſting on blind obedience ; or, the moſt facred rights belong only to man. The being who patiently endures injuſtice, and filent- ly bears inſults, will ſoon become unjuſt, or unable to difcern right from wrong. Beſides, I deny the fact, this is not the true way to form or meliorate the temper ; for, as a ſex, men have better tempers than women, be- cauſe they are occupied by purſuits that intereſt the head as well as the heart; and the ſteadineſs of the head gives a healthy temperature to the heart. People of ſenſibili- ty have ſeldom good tempers. The formation of the temper is the cool work of reaſon, when, as life advance es, the mixes with happy art, jarring elements. I ne- ver knew a weak or ignorant perſon who had a good temper, though that conſtitutional good humour, and that docility, which fear ftamps on the behaviour, often obtains the name. I ſay behaviour, for genuine meek- nefs never reached the heart or mind, unleſs as the ef- fect of reflection; and that ſimple reſtraint produces a number of peccant humours in domeſtic life, many fen- fible men will allow, who find ſome of theſe gentle ir- ritable creatures, very troubleſome companions. « Each 120 VINDICATION OF THE 8 or • Each ſex,' he further argues, ſhould preſerve its peculiar tone and manuer; a meek huſband may make • a wife impertinent; but mildneſs of diſpoſition on the woman's fide will always bring a man back to reaſon, • at leaſt if he be not abſolutely a brute, and will ſooner later triumph over him.' True, the mildneſs of reaſon ; but abject fear always inſpires contempt; and • tears are only eloquent when they flow down fair • cheeks. Of what materials can that heart be compoſed, which can melt when inſulted, and inſtead of revolting at in- juſtice, kiſs the rod ? It is unfair to infer that her virtue is built on narrow views and ſelfiſhneſs, who can careſs a man, with true feminine ſoftneſs, the very moment when he treats her tyrannically? Nature never dictated ſuch infincerity ;--and, though prudence of this fort be termed a virtue, morality becomes vague when any part is ſuppoſed to reſt on falſehood. Theſe are mere expe- dients, and expedients are only uſeful for the moment. Let the huſband beware of truſting too implicitly to this fervile obedience; for if his wife can with winning ſweetneſs careſs him when angry, and when fhe ought to be angry, unleſs contempt had ftifled a natural effer- veſcence, ſhe may do the ſame after parting with a lo- ver. Theſe are all preparations for adultery, or, ſhould the fear of the world, or of hell, reſtrain her defire of pleaſing other men, when ſhe can no longer pleaſe her huſband, what ſubſtitute can be found by a being who was only formed, by nature and art, to pleaſe man? what can make her amends for this privation, or where is ſhe to ſeek for a freſh employment? where find fuffi- cient ſtrength of mind to determine to begin the ſearch, when her habits are fixed, and vanity has long ruled her chaotic mind But this partial moraliſt recommends cunning ſyſte- matically and plauſibly. Daughters 6 RIGHTS OF WOMAN. I 21 6 Daughters fhould be always fubmiſſive; their mo- thers however, ſhould not be inexorable. To make . a young perſon tra&able, ſhe ought not to be made un- happy; to make her modeſt the ought not to be ren- dered ſtupid. On the contrary, I ſhould not be diſ- pleaſed at her being permitted to uſe ſome art, not to • elude puniſhment in caſe of diſobedience, but to ex- • empt herſelf from the neceſſity of obeying. It is not neceſſary to make her dependence burdenſome, but on- ly to let her feel it. Subtilty is a talent natural to the ſex; and as I am perſuaded, all our natural inclinati- ons are right and good in themſelves, I am of opinion this ſhould be cultivated as well as the others : it is re- •quiſite for us only to prevent its abuſe.' • Whatever is, is right,' he then proceeds triumphant- ly to infer. Granted ;--yet perhaps, no aphoriſm ever contained a more paradoxical affertion. It is a folemn truth with reſpect to God. He, reverentially I ſpeak, fees the whole at once, and ſaw its juſt proportions in the womb of time ; but man, who can only inſpect diſ- jointed parts, finds many things wrong; and it is a part of the ſyſtem, and therefore right, that he ſhould endea- vour to alter what appears to him to be ſo, even while he bows to the Wiſdom of his Creator, and reſpects the darkneſs he labours to diſperſe. The inference that follows is juſt, ſuppoſing the prin- ciple to be found. • The ſuperiority of addreſs, peculiar to the female ſex, is a very equitable indemnification • for their inferiority in point of ſtrength: without this, woman would not be the companion of man; but his ſlave: it is by her ſuperior art and ingenuity that ſhe preferves her equality, and governs him while ſhe af- • fects to obey. Woman has every thing againſt her, as well our faults, as her own timidity and weakneſs; • ſhe has nothing in her favour, but her ſubtilty and • her beauty. Is it not very reaſonable, therefore, the < fhould cultivate both?' Greatneſs of mind can never L dwell 5 I 22 VINDICATION OF THE dwell with cunning, or addreſs, for I ſhall not boggle about words, when their direct ſignification is inſinceri. ty and falſehood; but content myſelf with obſerving, that if any claſs of mankind are to be educated by rules not ſtrictly deducible from truth, virtue is an affair of convention. How could Rouſſeau dare to affert, after giving this advice, that in the grand end of exiſtence the object of both ſexes ſhould be the ſame, when he well knew that the mind, formed by its purſuits, is expanded by great views ſwallowing up little ones, or that it be- comes itſelf little? Men have ſuperior ſtrength of body; but were it not for miſtaken notions of beauty, women would acquire ſufficient to enable then to earn their own ſubſiſtence, the true definition of independence; and to bear thoſe bodily inconveniencies and exertions that are requiſite to ſtrengthen the mind. Let us then, by being allowed to take the ſame exer- ciſe as boys, not only during infancy, but youth, arrive at perfection of body, that we may know how far the natural fuperiority of man extends. For what reaſon or virtue can be expected from a creature when the feed- time of life is neglected ? None-did not the winds of heaven caſually ſcatter many uſeful feeds in the fallow ground. Beauty cannot be acquired by dreſs, and coquetry is an art not ſo early and ſpeedily attained. While girls are yet young, however, they are in a capacity to ſtudy agreeable geſture, a pleaſing modulation of voice, · an eaſy carriage and behaviour; as well as to take the • advantage of gracefully adapting their looks and atti- «tudes to time, place, and occaſion. Their application, therefore, ſhould not be ſolely confined to the arts of induftry and the needle, when they come to diſplay ve other talents, whoſe utility is already apparent.' • For my part, I would have a young Engliſhwoman • cultivate her agreeable talents, in order to pleaſe her future 6 6 C 6 RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 123 S 6 future huſband, with as much care and affiduity as a young Circaſſian cultivates her's, to fit her for the Ha- ram of an Eaſtern baſhaw.' To render women completely inſignificant, he adds --The tongues of women are very voluble; they ſpeak * earlier, more readily, and more agreeably, than the men ; they are accuſed alſo of ſpeaking much more: .but ſo it ought to be, and I ſhould be very ready to • convert this reproach into a compliment; their lips • and eyes have the ſame activity, and for the ſame rea- • fon. A man ſpeaks of what he knows, a woman of what pleaſes her'; the one requires knowledge, the o- ther taſte; the principal object of a man's diſcourſe « ſhould be what is uſeful, that of a woman's what is • agreeable. There ought to be nothing in common be. «tween their different converſation but truth.' • We ought not, therefore, to reſtrain the prattle of girls, in the ſame manner as we ſhould that of boys, with that ſevere queſtion ; To what purpoſe are you talk- ing? but by another, which is no leſs difficult to an- • [wer, How will your diſcourſe be received ? In infancy, « while they are as yet incapable to diſcern good from evil, they ought to obſerve it, as a law, never to ſay • any thing diſagreeable to thoſe whom they are ſpeak- ing to: what will render the practice of this rule alſo • the more difficult, is, that it muſt ever be fubordinate • to the former, of never ſpeaking falſely or telling an untruth' To govern the tongue in this manner muſt require great addreſs indeed ; and it is too much prac- riſed both by men and women.-Out of the abundance of the heart how few ſpeak! So few, that I, who love fimplicity, would gladly give up politeneſs for a quarter of the virtue that has been ſacrificed to an equivocal qua- lity which at beſt ſhould only be the polith of virtue. But, to complete the ſketch. It is eaſy to be con- ceived, that if male children are not in a capacity to form any truc notions of religion, thoſe ideas muſt be greatly & 8 I 2 124 VINDICATION OF THE 6 man $ greatly above the conception of the females : it is for . this very reaſon, I would begin to ſpeak to them the * earlier on this ſubject; for if we were to wait till they were in a capacity to diſcuſs methodically fuch pro- found queſtions, we ſhould run a riſk of never ſpeak- ing to them on this ſubject as long as they lived. Reaſon in women is a practical reaſon, capacitating them artfully to diſcover the means of attaining a known end, but which would never enable them to diſcover that end itſelf. The focial relations of the • ſexes are indeed truly adınirable: from their union there reſults a moral perſon, of which woman may be * termed the eyes, and man the hand, with this depend- ence on each other, that it is from the man that the wo- is to learn what the is to ſee, and it is of the wo- man that man is to learn what he ought to do. If * woman could recur to the firſt principles of things as well as man, and man was capacitated to enter into - their minutiæ as well as woman, always independent of * each other, they would live in perpetual diſcord, and • their union could not fubfiſt. But in the prefent har- *mony which naturally fubfifts between them, their dif- ferent faculties tend to one common end; it is diffi- cult to ſay which of them conduces the moſt to it: * each follows the impulſe of the other; each is obedi- ent, and both are maſters.' As the conduct of a woman is ſubfervient to the public opinion, her faith in matters of religion ſhould, • for that very reaſon, be ſubject to authority. Every daughter ought to be of the ſame religion as her mother, ' and every wife to be of the ſamie religion as her huſband: for, though ſuch religion ſhould be falſe, that docility which induces the mother and daughter to ſubmit to the order of • nature, take away, in the ſight of God, the criminality of « their error*. As they are not in a capacity to judge for * What is to be the conſequence, if the mother's and huc- band's $ 6 RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 125 & for themſelves, they ought to abide by the deciſion of • their fathers and huſbands as confidently, as by that of the church.' • As authority ought to regulate the religion of the women, it is not ſo needful to explain to them the rea- • fons for their belief, as to lay down preciſely the tenets they are to believe : for the creed, which preſents only • obſcure ideas to the mind, is the ſource of fanaticiſm . and that which preſents abſurdities, leads to infidelity.' Abſolute, uncontroverted authority, it ſeems, muſt fubfift ſomewhere : but is not this a direct and excluſive appropriation of reaſon? The righés of humanity have been thus confined to the male line from Adam down- wards. Rouſſeau would carry his male ariſtocracy ſtill further, for he inſinuates, that he ſhould not blame thofe, who contend for leaving woman in a ſtate of the moſt profound ignorance, if it were not neceſſary in order to preſerve her chaſtity and juſtify the man's choice, in the eyes of the world, to give her a little knowledge of men, and the cuſtoms produced by human paſions; elſe ſhe might propagate at home without being rendered leſs luptuous and innocent by the exerciſe of her underſtand- ing: excepting, indeed, during the firſt year of mar- riage, when the might employ it to dreſs like Sophia. • Her dreſs is extremely modeſt in appearance, and yet very coquettilh in fact: the does not make a diſplay 6 of her charms, ſhe coneeals them; but in concealing them, ſhe knows how to affect your imagination. • Every one who ſees her, will ſay, There is a modeſt • and diſcreet girl; but while you are near her, your eyes band's opinion ſhould chance not to agree ? An ignorant per- Jon cannot be reaſoned out of an erron--and when perſuad- ed to give up one prejudice for another, the mind is unſettled. Indeed, the huſband may not have any religion to teach her, though in fueb a ſituation ſhe will be in great want of a ſup- port to her virtue, independent of worldly conſiderations. and VO. 6 L 3 1 26 VINDICATION OF THE • and affections wander all over her perſon, ſo that you • cannot withdraw them; and you would conclude that every part of her dreſs, ſimple as it ſeems, was only put • in its proper order to be taken to pieces by the imagi- • nation.' 'Is this modeſty? Is this a preparation for im nortality? Again. What opinion are we to form of a ſyſtem of education, when the author ſays of his he- roine, that with her, doing things well, is but a ſeconda- ry concern; her principal concern is to do them neatly. Secondary, in fact, are all her virtues and qualities, for, reſpecting religion, he makes her parents thus addreſs her, accuſtomed to ſubmiſſion—- Your huſband will in • ftruct you in good time.' After thus cramping a woman's mind, if, in order to keep it fair, he has not made it quite a blank,, he ad- viſes her to refled, that a reflecting man may not yawn in her company, when he is tired of careſſing her. -What has the to reflect about, who muſt obey and would it not be a refinement on cruelty only to open her inind to make the darkneſs and miſery of her fate viſible? Yet, theſe are his ſenſible remarks ; how coniiftent with what I have already been obliged to quote, to give a fair view of the fubject, the reader may determine. They who paſs their whole lives in working for ' their daily bread, have no ideas beyond their buſineſs their intereſt, and all their underſtanding ſeems to • lie in their fingers' ends. This ignorance is neither prejudicial to their integrity nor their morals; it is of- a ten of ſervice to them. Sometimes, by means of re- • flection, we are led to compound with our duty, and we conclude by fubftituting a jargon of words, in the room • of things. Our own conſcience is the moſt enlighten- .ed philoſopher. There is no need to be acquainted with Tully's offices, to make a man of probity: and perhaps the inoſt virtuous woman in the world, is the • leaſt acquainted with the definition of virtue. But it * is no leſs t: u', that an iniproved underſtanding can on- ly 6 or 8 6 € € 8 RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 127 ly render ſociety agreeable; and it is a melancholy thing for a father of a family, who is fond of home, to • be obliged to be always wrapped up in hiinſe!f, and to • have no body about him to whom he can impart his ſentiments, Beſides, how ſhould a woman void of reflection be capable of educating her children? How ſhould ſhe difcern what is proper for them? How ſhould ſhe in- • cline them to thoſe virtues ſhe is unacquainted with, or to that merit of which ſhe has no idea? She can on- ly footh or chide them; render them infolent or timid; • ſhe will make them formal coxcombs, or ignorant blockheads; but will never make them ſenſible or a- • miable.' How indeed ſhould the, when her huſband is not always at hand to lend her his reaſon? -when they both together make but one moral being. A blind will, eyes without hands,' would go a very little way; and perchance his abſtract reaſon, that flould concen- trate the ſcattered beams of her practical reaſon, may be employed in judging of the flavour of wine, defcant- ing on the fauces molt proper for turtle; or, more pro- foundly intent at a card-table, he may be generalizing his ideas as he bets away his fortune, leaving all the mi- nutiæ of education to his helpmate or to chance. But, granting that woman ought to be beautiful, in- nocent, and filly, to render her a inore alluring and in- dulgent companion ;-what is her underſtanding ſacri- ficed for? And why is all this preparation neceſſary on- ly, according to Rouſſeau's own account, to make her the miſtreſs of her huſband, a very ſhort time? For no man ever infifted more on the tranſient nature of love. Thus ſpeaks the philoſopher. Senſual pleaſures are • tranfient. The habitual ſtate of the affections always loſe by their gratification. The imagination, which decks the object of our deſires, is loft in fruition. Ex- cepting the Supreme Being, who is ſelf-exiſtent, there is nothing beautiful but what is ideal.' But 6 128 VINDICATION OF THE 6 6 6 6 But he returns to his unintelligible paradoxes again, when he thus addreſſes Sophia. • Emilius, in becoming 'your huſband, is become your maſter; and claims your obedience. Such is the order of nature. When a man is married, however, to ſuch a wife as Sophia, it is proper he ſhould be directed by her: this is alſo agreeable to the order of nature: it is, therefore, to give you as much authority over his heart as his fex gives him over your perſon, that I have made you the • arbiter of his pleaſures. It may coſt you, perhaps, fome diſagreeable ſelf-denial; but you will be certain of maintaining your empire over him, if you can preſerve ' it over yourſelf what I have already obſerved, alſo, • ſhews me, that this difficult attempt does not furpaſs your courage. Would you have your huſband conſtantly at your · feet ? keep him at fome diſtance from your perſon. • You will long maintain the authority in love, if you • know but how to render your favours rare and valua- • ble. It is thus you may employ even the arts of co- • quetry in the ſervice of virtue, and thoſe of love in that 6 of reaſon.' I ſhall cloſe my extracts with a juft defcription of a comfortable couple. •And yet you muſt not imagine, that even fuch management will always fuffice. What- • ever precaution be taken, enjoyment will, by degrees, • take off the edge of paflion. But when love hath laſt- ed as long as poſſible, a pleaſing habitude ſupplies its • place, and the attachment of a mutual confidence fuc- ceeds to the tranſports of paſſion. Children often • form a more agreeable and permanent connection be- •tween married people than even love itſelf. When * you ceaſe to be the miſtreſs of Emilius, you will conti- nue to be his wife and friend, you will be the mother 6 of his children.' * Rouſſeau's Emitius. Children, RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 129 Children, he truly obſerves, form a much more per- manent connection between married people than love. Beauty, he declares, will not be valued, or even feen, af- ter a couple have lived fix months together; artificial graces and coquetry will likewiſe pall on the ſenſes : why then does he ſay that a girl ſhould be educated for her huſband with the ſame care as for an eaſtern haram. I now appeal from the reveries of fancy and refined licentiouſneſs to the good ſenſe of mankind, whether, if the object of education be to prepare women to become chaſte wives and ſenſible mothers, the method ſo plauſi- bly recommended in the foregoing ſketch,be the one beſt calculated to produce thoſe ends? Will it be allowed that the fureſt way to make a wife chaſte, is to teach her to practiſe the wanton arts of a miſtreſs, termed virtu- ous coquetry, by the ſenſualiſt who can no longer reliſh the artleſs charms of fincerity, or taſte the pleaſure ariſ- ing from a tender intimacy, when confidence is un- checked by ſuſpicion, and rendered intereſting by ſenſe? The man who can be contented to live with a pretty, uſeful companion, without a mind, has loſt in voluptu- ous gratifications a taſte for more refined enjoyments ; he has never felt the calm fatisfaction, that refreſhes the parched heart, like the filent dew of heaven, ---of being beloved by one who could underſtand him.-In the fo- ciety of his wife he is ſtill alone, unleſs when the man is funk in the brute. • The charm of life,' ſays a grave philoſophical reaſoner, is • fympathy ; nothing pleaſes us more than to obſerve in other men a fellow- feeling with all the emotions of our own breaft.' But, according to the tenor of reaſoning, by which women are kept from the tree of knowledge, the im- -portant years of youth, the uſefulneſs of age, and the sa- tional hopes of futurity, are all to be facrificed to render women an object of deſire for a ſhort time. Beſides, how could Rouffeau expect them to be virtuous and con- Itant when reaſon is neither allowed to be the founda- tion 130 VINDICATION OF THE tion of their virtue, nor truth the object of their inqui- ries? But all Rouſſeau's errors in reaſoning aroſe from ſen- fibility, and ſenſibility to their charms women are very ready to forgive! When he ſhould have reaſoned he be- came impallioned, and reflection inflamed his imagina- tion inſtead of enlightening his underſtanding. Even his virtues alſo led him farther aſtray ; for, born with a warm conſtitution and lively fancy, nature carried him toward the other ſex with ſuch eager fondneſs, that he foon became laſcivious. Had he given way to theſe de- fires, the fire would have extinguiſhed itſelf in a natural manner, but virtue, and a romantic kind of delicacy, made him practiſe felf-denial ; yet, when fear, delica- cy, or virtue reſtrained him, he debauched his imagin- ation, and reflecting on the ſenſations to which fancy gave force, he traced them in the moſt glowing colours , and ſunk them deep into his ſoul. He then fought for ſolitude, not to ſleep with the man of nature; or calmly inveſtigate the cauſes of things under the ſhade where Sir Iſaac Newton indulged con- templation, but merely to indulge his feelings. And ſo warmly has he painted, what he forcibly felt, that, intereſting the heart and inflaming the imagination of his readers ; in proportion to the ſtrength of their fan- cy, they imagine that their underſtanding is convinced when they only ſympathize with a poetic writer, who ſkilfully exhibits the objects of ſenſe, moſt voluptuouſly ſhadowed or gracefully veiled-And thus inaking us feel whilft dreaming that we reaſon, erroneons conclufion's are left in the mind. Why was Rouſſeau's life divided between ecſtaſy and miſery? Can any other anſwer be given than this, that the efferveſcence of his imagination produced both; but, had his fancy been allowed to cool, it is poſſible that he might have acquired more ſtrength of mind. Still, if the purpoſe of life be to educate the intellectual part of RICHTS OF WOMAN. 131 man. of man, all with reſpect to him was right, yet, had not death led to a nobler ſcene of action, it is probable that he would have enjoyed more equal happineſs on earth, and have felt the calm ſenſations of the man of nature inſtead of being prepared for another ſtage of exiſtence by nouriſhing the paſſions which agitate the civilized But peace to his manes! I war not with his afhes, but his opinions. I war only with the ſenſibility that led him to degrade woman by making her the ſlave of love, - Curs’d vaſſalage, Firſt idoliz'd till love's hot fire be o'er, • Then ſlaves to thoſe who courted us before.' Dryden. 6 The pernicious tendency of thoſe books, in which the writers inſidiouſly degrade the ſex whilſt they are proſtrate before their perſonal charms, cannot be too often or too ſeverely expoſed. Let us, my dear contemporaries, ariſe above fuch nar- row prejudices! If wiſdom is deſirable on its own ac- count, if virtue, to deſerve the name, muſt be founded on knowledge; let us endeavour to ſtrengthen our minds by reflection, till our heads become a balance for our hearts; let us not confine all our thoughts to the petty occurrences of the day, nor our knowledge to an ac- quaintance with our lovers' or huſbands' hearts; but let the pradice of every duty be ſubordinate to the grand one of improving our minds, and preparing our affecti- ons for a more exalted ſtate! Beware then, my friends, of ſuffering the heart to be moved by every trivial incident: the reed is ſhaken by a breeze, and annually dies, but the oak ſtands firm, and for ages braves the ſtorm! Were we, indeed, only created to flutter our hour out and die-why let us then indulge ſenſibility, and laugh at 132 VINDICATION OF THE at the ſeverity of reaſon.--Yet, alas! even then we fhould want ſtrength of body and mind, and life would be loſt in feveriſh pleaſures or weariſome langour. But the ſyſtem of education which I earneſtly wiſh to ſee exploded, ſeems to pre-ſuppoſe what ought never to be taken for granted, that virtue fields us from the caſualties of life, and that fortune, flipping off her band- age, will ſmile on a well-educated female, and bring in her hand an Emilius or a Telemachus. Whilft, on the contrary, the reward which virtue promiſes to her votaries is confined, it is clear, to their own bofoms; and often muſt they contend with the moſt vexatious worldly cares, and bear with the vices and humours of relations for whom they can never feel a friendſhip. There have been many women in the world who, in- ſtead of being ſupported by the reaſon and virtue of their fathers and brothers, have ſtrengthened their own minds by ſtruggling with their vices and follies; yet have ne- ver met with a hero, in the ſhape of a huſband; who, paying the debt that mankind owed them, might chance to bring back their reaſon to its natural dependent ſtate, and reſtore the uſurped prerogative, of riſing above opi- nion, to man. SECT. II. Dr. FORDYCE's ſermons have long made a part of a young woman's library; nay, girls at ſchool are allow- ed to read them; but I ſhould inſtantly diſmiſs them from my pupil's, if I wiſhed to ſtrengthen her under- ſtanding, by leading her to form found principles on a broad baſis; or, were I only anxious to cultivate her taſte; though they muſt be allowed to contain many fen- Gble obſervations. Dr. Fordyce may have had a very laudable end in view; but theſe diſcourſes are written in ſuch an affect- ed ſtyle, that were it only on that account, and had I no- thing to object againſt his mellifluous precepts, I thould not RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 133 not allow girls to peruſe them, unleſs I deſigned to hunt every ſpark of nature ont of their compofition, melting every human quality into female meekneſs and artificial grace. I fay artificial, for true grace ariſes from fome kind of independence of mind. Children, careleſs of pleaſing, and only anxious to amuſe themſelves, are often very graceful; and the nobi- lity who have moftly lived with inferiors, and always had the command of money, acquire a graceful eaſe of deportment which ſhould rather be termed habitual grace of body, than that ſuperior gracefulneſs which is truly the expreſſion of the mind. This mental grace, not noticed by vulgar eyes, often flaſhes acroſs a rough countenance, and irradiating every feature, ſhows fim- plicity and independence of mind. It is then we read characters of immortality in the eye, and ſee the ſoul in every geſture, though when at reft, neither the face nor limbs may have much beauty to recommend them; or the behaviour, any thing peculiar to attract univerſal attention. The maſs of mankind, however, look for more tangible beauty; yet fimplicity is, in general, ad- mired, when people do not conſider what they admire; and can there be fimplicity without ſincerity? But, to have done with remarks that are in ſome meaſure deful- tory, though naturally excited by the ſubject- In declamatory periods Dr. Fordyce ſpins out Rouf- feau's eloquence; and in moſt ſentimental rant, details his opinions reſpecting the female character, and the behaviour which woman ought to aſſume to render her lovely, He ſhall ſpeak for himſelf, for thus he makes Nature • Behold theſe ſmiling innocents, whom • I have graced with my faireſt gifts, and committed to your protection ; behold them with love and reſpect; • treat them with tenderneſs and honour. They are . timid and want to be defended. They are frail; O * do not take advantage of their weakneſs! Let their M fears addreſs man. 6 134 VINDICATION OF THE 6 fears and bluſhes endear them. Let their confidence in you never be abuſed.--But is it poſſible, that any of • you can be ſuch barbarians, fo ſupremely wicked, as • to abuſe it? Can you find in your hearts * to deſpoil • the gentle, truſting creatures of their treaſure, or do any thing to ſtrip them of their native robe of virtue ? Curſt be the impious hand that would dare to violate • the unblemiſhed form of Chaſtity! Thou wretch! • thou ruffian! forbear; nor venture to provoke heaven's • fierceſt vengeance.' I know not any comment that can be made ſeriouſly on this curious paſſage, and I could produce many fimilar ones; and fome, ſo very fenti- mental, that I have heard rational men uſe the word in- decent, when they mentioned them with diſguft. Throughout there is a diſplay of cold artificial feel. ings, and that parade of ſenſibility which boys and girls fhould be taught to deſpiſe as the fure mark of a little vain mind. Florid appeals are made to heaven, and to the beauteous innocents, the faireft images of heaven here below, whilft fober ſenſe is left far behind.---This is not the language of the heart, nor will it ever reach it, though the ear may be tickled. I ſhall be told, perhaps, that the public have been pleaſed with theſe volumes.-True—and Hervey's Me- ditations are ſtill read, though he equally finned againſt fenſe and taſte. I particularly object to the lover-like phraſes of pump- ed up paſſion, which are every where interſperſed. If women be ever allowed to walk without leading-ſtrings, why muſt they be cajoled into virtue by artful flattery and ſexual compliments ? —Speak to them the language of truth and foberneſs, and away with the lullaby ſtrains of condeſcending endearment! Let them be taught to reſpect themſelves as rational creatures, and not led to * Can you? ---Can you? would be the moſt emphatical comment, were it drawled out in a whining voice. have RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 135 $ 6 have a paſſion for their own inſipid perſons. It moves my gall to hear a preacher deſcanting on dreſs and needle- work; and ſtill more, to hear him addreſs the Britiſh fair, the faireſt of the fair, as if they had only feelings. Even recommending piety he uſes the following ar- gument. Never, perhaps, does a fine woman ftrike 'more deeply, than when, compoſed into pious recollec- 'tion, and poffelled with the nobleſt conſiderations, ſhe affumes, without knowing it, fuperior dignity and new graces; ſo that the beauties of holineſs ſeem to radiate about her, and the by-ſtanders are almoſt induced to fancy her already worſhipping amongit her kindred angels! Why are women to be thus bred up with a defire of conqueſt ? the very epithet, uſed in this ſenſe, gives me a fickly qualm! Does religion and virtue offer no ſtronger motives, no brighter reward? Muit they al- ways be debaled by being made to conſider the ſex of their companions? Muſt they be taught always to be pleaſing? And when levelling their ſmall artillery at the heart of man, is it neceffary to tell them that a little ſenſe is ſufficient to render their attention incredibly ſooth- ing? As a ſmall degree of knowledge entertains in a woman, fo from a woman, though for a different rea- • fon, a ſmall expreſſion of kindneſs delights, particular- ly if ſhe have beauty! I ſhould have ſuppoſed for the fame reaſon. Why are girls to be told that they reſemble angels; but to link them below women? Or, that a gentle in- nocent female is an object that comes nearer to the idea which we have formed of angels than any other. Yet they are told, at the ſame time, that they are only like angels when they are young and beautiful; conſequent- ly, it is their perſons, not their virtues, that procure them this homage. Idle empty words! What can fuch deluſive flattery lead to, but vanity and folly? The lover, it is true, has a poetic licence to exalt his miſtreſs; his reaſon is the bubble M 2 136 VINDICATION OF THE 6 bubble of his paſſion, and he does not utter a falſehood when he borrow's the language of adoration. His ima- gination may raiſe the idol of his heart, unblamed, above hnınanity; and happy would it be for women, if they were only flattered by the men who loved them; I mean, who love the individual, not the ſex ; but ſhould a grave preacher interlard his diſcourſes with ſuch fooleries? In fermons or novels, however, voluptuouſneſs is al- ways true to its text. Men are allowed by moraliſts to cultivate, as Nature directs, different qualities, and af- fume the different characters, that the fame paſſions, modified almoſt to infinity, give to each individual. A virtuous man inay have a choleric or a ſanguine conſti- tution, be gay or grave, unreproved; be firm till he is almoſt overbearing, or, weakly fubmiflive, have no will or opinion of his own; but all women are to be levelled, by meekneſs and docility, into one character of yielding ſoftneſs and gentle compliance. I will uſe the preacher's own words. Let it be ob- ſerved, that in your ſex manly exerciſes are never grace. ful; that in them a tone and figure, as well as an air . and deportment, of the maſculine kind, are always for- bidding; and that men of ſenſibility deſire in every • woman ſoft features, and a flowing voice, a form, not & robuſt, and demeanor delicate and gentle.' Is not the following portrait-the portrait of a houſe ſlave? I am aſtoniſhed at the folly of many women, who are ſtill reproaching their huſbands for leaving • them alone, for preferring this or that company to theirs, for treating them with this and the other mark • of diſregard or indifference; when, to ſpeak the truth, they have themſelves in a great meaſure to blame. • Not that I would juſtify the men in any thing wrong part. But had you behaved to them with inore reſpectful obſervance, and a more equal tenderneſs; ftudy- ing their humours, overlooking their miſtakes, ſubmitting • to their opinions in matters indifferent, paſſing by little inſtances 6 6 0 on their . RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 137 5 inſtances of unevenneſs, caprice, or paſſion, giving Soft anſwers to haſty words, complaining as ſeldom as poili- ble, and making it your daily care to relieve their anx- ieties and prevent their wiſhes, to enliven the hour of dulneſs, and call up the ideas of felicity: had you pur- • ſued this conduct, I doubt not but you would have « maintained and even increaſed their eſteem, ſo far as to have ſecured every degree of influence that could • conduce to their virtue, or your mutual ſatisfaction; and your houſe might at this day have been the abode of domeſtic bliſs.' Such a woman ought to be an an- gel--Or ſhe is an aſs—for I diſcern not a trace of the hu- inan character, neither reaſon nor paſſion in this domeſ- tic drudge, whoſe being is abſorbed in that of a tyrant's. Still Dr. Fordyce muſt have very little acquaintance with the human heart, if he really ſuppoſed that ſuch conduct would bring back wandering love, inſtead of exciting contempt. No, beauty, gentleneſs, &c. &c. may gain a heart; but eſteem, the only laſting affection, can alone be obtained by virtue fupported by reaſon. It is reſpect for the underſtanding that keeps alive ten- derneſs for the perſon. As theſe volumes are ſo frequently put into the hands of young people, I have taken more notice of them than. ftrictly ſpeaking, they deſerve; but as they have contri- buted to vitiate the taſte, and enervate the underſtand. ing of many of my fellow-creatures, I could not paſs them filently over SECT. III. Such paternal folicitude pervades Dr. Gregory's Leer gacy to his Daughters, that I enter on the taſk of criti. ciſm with affectionate reſpect; but as this little volume. has many attractions to recommend it to the notice of the moſt reſpectable part of my fex, I cannot ſilently paſs over arguments that ſo ſpeciouſly ſupport opinions which; M 3. 138 VINDICATION OF THE which, I think, have had the moſt baneful effea on the morals and manners of the female world. His eaſy familiar ſtyle is particularly ſuited to the te- nor of his advice, and the melancholy tenderneſs which his reſpect for the memory of a beloved wife, diffufes through the whole work, renders it very intereſting; yet there is a degree of conciſe elegance conſpicuous in many paſſages that diſturbs this ſympathy; and we pop on the author, when we only expected to meet the--fa- ther. Befides, having two objects in view, he ſeldom adhered ſteadily to either; for wiſhing to make his daughters amiable, and fearing leſt unhappineſs ſhould only be the confequence, of inſtilling ſentiments that might draw them out of the track of common life without enabling them to act with conſonant independence and dignity, he checks the natural flow of his thoughts, and neither adviſes one thing nor the other. In the preface he tells them a mournful truth, that they will hear, at leaſt once in their lives, the genuine ſentiments of a man who has no intereſt in deceiving them.' Hapleſs woman! what can be expected from thee when the beings on whom thou art ſaid naturally to de- pend for reaſon and fupport, have all an intereſt in de- ceiving thee! This is the root of the evil that has ſhed a corroding mildew on all thy virtues ; and blighting in the bud thy opening faculties, has rendered thee the weak thing thou art! It is this ſeparate intereſt—this inſidious ſtate of warfare, that undermines morality, and divides mankind ! If love have made ſome women wretched-how ma- ny more has the cold unmeaning intercourſe of gallan- try rendered vain and uſeleſs! yet this heartleſs attenti- on to the fex is reckoned ſo manly, ſo polite, that till ſociety is very differently organized, I fear, this veſtige of gothic manners will not be done away by a more reaſon- ſonable RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 139 fonable and affectionate mode of conduct. Beſides, to ſtrip it of its imaginary dignity, I muſt obſerve, that in the moſt uncivilized European ſtates this lip-ſervice pre- vails in a very great degree, accompanied with extreme diffoluteneſs of morals. In Portugal, the country that I particularly allude to, it takes place of the moſt ſerious moral obligations ; for a man is feldom affaflinated when in the company of a woman. The favage hand of ra- pine is unnerved by this chivalrous fpirit; and, if the ſtroke of vengeance cannot be ſtayed—the lady is en- treated to pardon the rudeneſs and depart in peace, though ſprinkled, perhaps, with her huſband's or bro- ther's blood. I ſhall paſs over his ſtrictures on religion, becauſe I mean to diſcuſs that fubject in a ſeparate chapter. The remarks relative to behaviour, though many of them very ſenſible, I entirely diſapprove of, becauſe it appears to me to be beginning, as it were, at the wrong end. A cultivated underſtanding, and an affectionate heart, will never want ſtarched rules of decorum. ſomething more fubftantial than feemhineſs will be the reſult; and, without underſtanding the behaviour here recommenced, would be rank affectation. Decorum, indeed, is the one thing needful !-decorum is to fup- plant nature, and baniſh all ſimplicity and variety of character out of the female world. Yet what good end can all the fuperficial counſel produce? It is, however, much eaſier to point out this or that mode of behaviour, than to ſet the reafon to work; but, when the mind has been ſtored with uſeful knowledge, and ſtrengthen- ed by being employed, the regulation of the behaviour may ſafely be left to its guidance. Why, for inſtance, thould the following caution be given when art of every kind muſt contaminate the mind; and why entangle the grand motives of action, which reaſon and religion equally combine to enforce, with pitiful worldly ſhifts and flight of hand tricks to gain 140 VINDICATION OF THE 6 gain the applauſe of gaping taſtelefs fools? Be even * cautious in diſplaying your good ſenſe*. It will be thought you aſſume a fuperiority over the reſt of the • company-But if you happen to have any learning, • keep it a profound ſecret, eſpecially from the men, • who generally look with a jealous and malignant eye 'on a woman of great parts, and a cultivated underſtand- ing. If men of real merit, as he afterwards obferves, are ſuperior to this meanneſs, where is the neceſſity that the behaviour of the whole fex fhould be modulated to pleaſe fools, or men, who having little claim to reſpect as individuals, chooſe to keep cloſe in their phalanx. Men, indeed, who inſiſt on their common ſuperiority, having only this ſexual fuperiority, are certainly very excufable. There would be no end to rules for behaviour, if it be proper always to adopt the tone of the company; for thus, for ever varying the key, a flat would often paſs for a natural note.. Surely it would have been wifer to have adviſed wo- men to improve themſelves till they roſe above the fumes of vanity ; and then to let the public opinion come round-for where are rules of accommodation to ſtop? The narrow path of truth and virtue inclines nei- ther to the right nor left-it is a ſtraight-forward buſi- neſs, and they who are earneſtly purſuing their road, may bound over many decorous prejudices, without leaving modeſty behind. Make the heart clean, and give the head employment, and I will venture to predict that there will be nothing offenſive in the behaviour. The air of faſhion, which many young people are ſo eager to attain, always ſtrikes me like the ſtudied atti- tudes of ſome modern prints, copied with taſteleſs ſervi- * Let women once acquire good ſenſe--and if it deſerve the name, it will teach them; or, of what uſe will it be? how to employ it. lity RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 141 lity after the antiques ;-the ſoul is left out, and none of the parts are tied together by what may properly be termed character. This varniſh of faſhion, which fel- dom ſticks very cloſe to fenſe, may dazzle the weak; but leave nature to itſelf, and it will feldom diſguſt the wife. Beſides, when a woman has ſufficient ſenſe not to pretend to any thing which ſhe does not underſtand in ſome degree, there is no need of determining to hide her talents under a buſhel. Let things take their natu- ral courſe, and all will be well. It is this ſyſtem of diſfimulation, throughout the vo- lume, that I deſpiſe. Women are always to ſeem to be this and that--yet virtue might apoſtrophize them, in the words of Hamlet ---Seems! I know not ſeems ! - Have that within that paſſeth ſhow! Still the ſame tone occurs; for in another place, after recommending, without fufficiently diſcriminating de- licacy, he adds, The men will complain of your re- • ſerve. They will aſſure you that a franker behaviour would make you more amiable. But, truſt me, they are not ſincere when they tell you ſo.-I acknowledge, that on fome occaſions it might render you more a- greeable as companions, but it would make you leſs 'amiable as women: an important diſtinction, which many of your ſex are not aware of.' This deſire of being always women, is the very con- ſciouſneſs that degrades the ſex. Excepting with a lo- ver, I muſt repeat with emphaſis, a foriner obſervation, it would be well if they were only agreeable or rational companions.—But in this reſpect his advice is even in- conliſtent with a paſſage which I mean to quote with the moſt marked approbation. • The ſentiment, that a woman may allow all inno- cent freedoms, provided her virtue is ſecure, is both groſsly indelicate and dangerous, and has proved fatal to many of your ſex.' With this opinion I perfectly coincide. A man, or a woman, of any feeling, muſt al- ways 6 6 142 VINDICATION OF THE ways wiſh to convince a beloved object that it is the ca- retles of the individual, not the ſex, that is received and returned with pleaſure; and, that the heart, rather than the ſenſes, is moved. Without this natural delicacy, love becomes a ſelfith perſonal gratification that ſoon de- grades the character. I carry this ſentiment ſtill further. Affection, when love is out of the queſtion, authoriſes many perſonal endearments, that naturally flowing from an innocent heart, give life to the behaviour ; but the perſonal in- tercourſe of appetite, gallantry, or vanity, is deſpicable. When a man ſqueezes the hand of a pretty woman, handing her to a carriage, whom he has never ſeen be- fore, ſhe will conſider ſuch an impertinent freedom in the light of an infult, if ſhe have any true delicacy, in ſtead of being flattered by this unmeaning homage to beauty. Theſe are the privileges of friendſhip, or the momentary homage which the heart pays to virtue, when it flaſhes ſuddenly on the notice-mere animal ſpi- rits have no claim to the kindneſſes of affection! Wiſhing to feed the affections with what is now the food of vanity, I would fain perſuade my ſex to act from ſimpler principles. Let them merit love, and they will obtain it, though they may never be told that - "The power of a fine woman over the hearts of men, • of men of the fineſt parts, is even beyond what ſhe conceives.' I have already noticed the narrow cautions with rel. ped to duplicity, female ſoftneſs, delicacy of conſtitu. tion ; for theſe are the changes which he rings round without ceaſing-in a more decorous manner, it is true, than Rouſſeau ; but it all comes home to the ſame point, and whoever is at the trouble to analyze theſe ſentiments, will find the firſt principles not quite ſo delicate as the ſuperſtructure. The ſubject of amuſements is treated in too curſory a manner ; but with the ſame ſpirit. When RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 143 When I treat of friendſhip, love, and marriage, it will be found that we materially differ in opinion ; I ſhall not then foreſtall what I have to obſerve on theſe important ſubjects; but confine my remarks to the ge- neral tenor of them, to that cautious family prudence, to thoſe confined views of partial unenlightened affec- tion, which exclude pleaſure and improvement, by vain- ly wiſhing to ward of ſorrow and error-and by thus guarding the heart and mind, deſtroy alſo their energy. It is far better to be often deceived than never to truſt; to be diſappointed in love than never to love; to loſe a huſband's fondneſs than forfeit his eſteem. Happy would it be for the world, and for individuals, of courſe, if all this unavailing ſolicitude to attain world- ly happineſs, on a confined plan, were turned into an anxious deſire to improve the underſtanding.--' Wif- *dom is the principal thing: therefore get wiſdom; and ' with all thy gettings get underſtanding.'—How long, *ye ſimple ones, will ye love fimplicity, and hate know- ledge ?' Saith Wiſdom to the daughters of men! - 6 SE CT IV. I do not mean to allude to all the writers who have written on the ſubject of female manners-it would, in fact, be only beating over the old ground, for they have in general, written in the ſame ſtrain; but attacking the boaſted prerogative of man--the prerogative that may emphatically be called the iron ſceptre of tyranny, the original fin of tyrants, I declare againſt all power built on prejudices, however hoary. If the ſubmiſſion demanded be founded on juſtice- there is no appealing to a higher power—for God is Juf- tice itſelf. Let us then, as children of the fame parent, if not baſtardized by being the younger born, reaſon to- gether, and learn to ſubmit to the authority of reafon- when her voice is diſtinctly heard. But, if it be that proved, 144 VINDICATION OF THE that this throne of prerogative only reſts on a chaotic maſs of prejudices, that have no inherent principle of order to keep them together, or on an elephant, tortoiſe, or even the mighty ſhoulders of a ſon of the earth, they may eſcape, who dare to brave the confequence, without any breach of duty, without finning againſt the order of things. Whilſt reaſon raiſes man above the brutal herd, and death is big with promiſes, they alone are ſubject to blind authority who have no reliance on their own ſtrength. They are free who will be free*!'_ The being who can govern itſelf, has nothing to fear in life; but if any thing is dearer than its own reſpect, the price muſt be paid to the laſt farthing. Virtue, like every thing valuable, muſt be loved for herſelf alone; or ſhe will not take her abode with us. She will not im- part that peace, which paſſeth underſtanding,' when the is merely made the ſtilts of reputation; and reſpected with phariſaical exactneſs, becauſe honeſty is the beſt policy. That the plan of life which enables us to carry fome knowledge and virtue into another world, is the one beſt calculated to enſure content in this, cannot be denied; yet few people act according to this principle, though it be univerſally allowed that it admits not of diſpute. Preſent pleaſure, or preſent power, carry before it theſe ſober convictions, and it is for the day, not for life, that man bargains with happineſs. How few!how very few ! have fufficient foreſight or reſolution, to endure a ſmall evil at the moment, to avoid a greater hereafter. Woman in particular, whoſe virtue tis built on muta- ble prejudices, ſeldom attains to this greatneſs of mind; ſo that, becoming the flave of her own feelings, ſhe is up * He is the free man whom the truth makes free! Cowper. + I mean to uſe a word that comprehends more than chaſtity the fexual virtue. eaſily RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 145 10 eaſily fubjugated by thoſe of others. Thusdegraded, her reaſon, her miſty reaſon! is employed rather to burnith than to ſnap her chains. Indignantly have I heard women argue in the ſame track as men, and adopt the ſentiments that brutalize them, with all the pertinacity of ignorance. I must illuſtrate my aſſertion by a few examples. Mrs. Piozzi, who often repeated by rote, what the did not underſtand, comes forward with Johnſonian periods. Seek not for happineſs in fingularity; and dread a "refinement of wiſdom as a deviation into folly.' Thus ſhe dogmatically addreſſes a new married man; and to elucidate this pompous exordinın, the adds, • I ſaid that * the perſon of your lady would not grow more pleaſing * to you, but pray never let her ſuſpect that it grows leſs • ſo : that a woman will pardon an affront to her under- • ſtanding much fooner than one to her perfon, is well known, nor will any of us contradict the affertion. All our attainments, all our arts, are employed to gain ' and keep the heart of man; and what mortification can exceed the diſappointment, if the end be not obtained ; There is no reproof however pointed, no puniſhment however ſevere, that a woman of ſpirit will not prefer * to neglect; if ſhe can endure it without complaint, it only proves that ſhe means to make herſelf amends by • the attention of others for the flights of her huſband !' Theſe are truly maſculine ſentiments. All our arts * are employed to gain and keep the heart of man :'-and what is the inference-if her perſon, and was there ever a perfon, though formed with Mediciſan fymmetry, that was not flighted ? be neglected, ſhe will make herſelf amends by endeavouring to pleaſe other men. Noble mo- rality! But thus is the underſtanding of the whole fex affronted, and their virtue deprived of the common ba- ſis of virtue. A woman muſt know, that her perſon can- not be as pleaſing to her huſband as it was to her lover, and if the be offended with him for being a liuman crea- N 6 ture 146 VINDICATION OF THE ture, ſhe may as well whine about the loſs of his heart as about any other fooliſh thing.–And this very want of diſcernment or unreaſonable anger, proves that he could not change his fondneſs for her perſon into affec- tion for her virtues or reſpect for her underſtanding, Whilſt women avow, and act up to ſuch opinions, their underſtandings, at leaſt, deſerve the contempt and obloquy that men, who never inſult their perſons, have pointedly levelled at the female mind. And it is the ſentiments of theſe polite men, who do not wiſh to be encumbered with mind, that vain women thoughtleſsly adopt. Yet they ſhould know, that inſulted reafon alone can ſpread that facred reſerve about the perfon, which renders human affections, for human affections have al- ways ſome baſe alloy, as permanent as is conſiſtent with the grand end of exiſtence--the attainment of virtue. The Baroneſs de Stael ſpeaks the ſame language as the lady juft cited, with more enthuſiaſm. Her culo- gium on Rouſſeau was accidentally put into my hands, and her ſentiments, the ſentiments of too many of my fex, may ſerve as the text for a few comments. Though • Rouffeau,' the obſerves, has endeavoured to prevent 'women from interfering in public affairs, and acting a • brilliant part in the theatre of politics; yet in ſpeak- ing of them, how much has he done it to their fatis. « faction! If he wiſhed to deprive them of ſome rights • foreign to their fex, how has he for ever reſtored to them • all thoſe to which it has a claim ! And in attempting "to diminiſh their influence over the deliberations of men, how facredly has he eſtabliſhed the empire they • have over their happineſs! In aiding them to deſcend from an uſurped throne, he has firmly feated them up- that to which they were deſtined by nature; and though he be full of indignation againſt them when they endeavour to reſemble men, yet when they come before him with all the charms, weakneſſes, virtues and .errors, of their ſex, his reſpect for their perſons amounts • almoſt < on 6 RICHTS OF WOMAN. 147 ( almoſt to adoration. True!--For never was there a ſenſualiſt who paid more fervent adoration at the ſhrine of beauty. So devout, indeed, was his reſpect for the perſon, that excepting the virtue of chaſtity, for obvious reaſons, he only wiſhed to ſee it embellished by charms, weakneſſes, and errors. He was afraid left the aufte- rity of reaſon ſhould diſturb the ſoft playfulneſs of love. The maſter wiſhed to have a meretricious flave to fon- dle, entirely dependent on his reaſon and bounty; he did not want a companion, whom he ſhould be compel- led to eſteem, or a friend to whom he could confide the care of his children's education, ſhould death deprive them of their father, before he had fulfilled the facred taſk. He denies woman reaſon, fhuts her out from knowledge, and turns her aſide from truth; yet his par- don is granted, becauſe he admits the paſſion of love.' It would require fome ingenuity to fhew why women were to be under ſuch an obligation to him for thus ad- mitting love ; when it is clear that he admits it only for the relaxation of men, and to perpetuate the ſpecies ; but he talked with paſſion, and that powerful ſpell worked on the ſenſibility of a young encomiaſt. What ſignifies it,' purſues this rhapſodiſt , to women, that his reaſon diſputes with them the empire, when his • heart is devotedly theirs.' It is not empire--but equa- lity, that they ſhould contend for. Yet, if they only wiſhed to lengthen out their ſway, they ſhould not entire- ly truſt to their perſons, for though beauty may gain a heart, it cannot keep it, even while the beauty is in full bloom, unleſs the mind lend, at leaſt, fome graces. When women are once ſufficiently enlightened to diſcover their real intereſt, on a grand ſcale, they will, I am perfuaded, be very ready to reſign all the preroga- tives of love, that are not mutual, ſpeaking of them as laſting prerogatives, for the calm fatisfaction of friend- ſhip, and the tender confidence of habitual eſteem. Be- fore marriage they will not aſſume any infolent airs, N2 nor 148 VINDICATION OF THE nor afterwards abjectly ſubmit; but endeavouring to act like reaſonable creatures, in both fituations, they will not be tumbled from a throne to a ftool. Madame Genlis has written ſeveral entertaining books for children ; and her Letters on Educacion afford ma- ny ufeful hints, that fenfible parents will certainly avail themſelves of ; but her views are narrow, and her pre- judices as unreaſonable as ſtrong. I ſhall paſs over her vehement argument in favour of the eternity of future puniſhments, becauſe I bluſh to think that a human being ſhould ever argue vehemently in ſuch a cauſe, and only make a few remarks on her abſurd manner of making the parental authority fup- plant reaſon. For every where does the inculcate not only blind ſubmiſſion to parents; but to the opinion of the world*. She tells a ſtory of a young inan engaged by his fa- ther's expreſs delire to a girl of fortune. Before the mar- riage could take place, ſhe is deprived of her fortune, and thrown friendleſs on the world. The father prac- tiſes the moſt infamous arts to ſeparate his fon from her, and when the fon detects his villany, and, follow- ing the dictates of honour, marries the girl, nothing but miſery enſues, becaufe forfooth he married without his father's conſent. On what ground can religion or mo- rality reſt when juſtice is thus fet at defiance? In the fame ſtyle ſhe repreſents an accompliſhed young woman, * A perſon is not to act in this or that way, though con- vinced they are right in ſo doing, becauſe ſome equivocal cir. cumſtances may lead the world to ſuſpect that they acted from different motives.--This is facrificing the ſubſtance for a ſhadow. Let people but watch their own hearts, and aft rightly, as far as they can judge, and they may patiently wait till the opinion of the world comes round. It is beſt to be di- rected by a ſimple motive-for juſtice has too often been fa- crificed to propriety ;-another word for convenience. as RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 149 as ready to marry any body that her mamma pleaſed to recommend ; and, as actually marrying the young man of her own choice, without feeling any emotions of paſ. fion, becauſe that a well educated girl had not time to be in love. Is it pofſible to have much reſpect for a ſyſtem of education that thus infults reaſon and nature? Many ſimilar opinions occur in her writings, mixed with ſentiments that do honour to her head and heart. Yet ſo much fuperſtition is mixed with her religion, and ſo much worldly wifdom with her morality, that I ſhould not let a young perſon read her works, unleſs I could afterwards converſe on the ſubjects, and point out the contradictions. Mrs. Chapone's Letters are written with ſuch good ſenſe, and unaffected humility, and contain ſo many uſe- ful obſervations, that I only mention them to pay the worthy writer this tribute of reſpect. I cannot, it is true, always coincide in opinion with her; but I always reſpect her. The very word reſpect brings Mrs. Macaulay to my remembrance. The woman of the greateſt abilities un- doubtedly, that this country has ever produced.-And yet this woman has been ſuffered to die without ſufficient reſpect being paid to her memory. Pofterity, however, will be more juít; and remem- ber that Catharine Macaulay was an example of intel- lectual acquirements ſuppoſed to be incompatible with the weakneſs of her ſex. In her ſtyle of writing, indeed no ſex appears, for it is like the ſenſe it conveys, ſtrong and clear. I will not call her's a maſculine underſtanding, be- cauſe I admit not of ſuch an arrogant aſſumption of rea- fon; but I contend that it was a ſound one, and that her judgment, the matured fruit of profound thinking, was a proof that a woman can acquire judgment, in the full extent of the word. Poffefling more penetration than ſagacity, more underſtanding than fancy, the writes with ſober N3 150 VINDICATION OF THE ſober energy and argumentative cloſeneſs ; yet ſympathy and benevolence give an intereſt to her ſentiments, and that vital heat to arguments, which forces the reader to weigh them*. When I firſt thought of writing theſe ſtrictures I an- ticipated Mrs. Macaulay's approbation, with a little of that ſanguine ardour, which it has been the buſineſs of my life to depreſs; but foon heard with the fickly qualm of diſappointed hope; and the ſtill ſeriouſneſs of regret that ſhe was to more! SECT. V. TAKING a view of the different works which have been written on education, Lord Cheſterfield's Letters mund not be filently palled over. Not that I mean to analyze his unmanly, iminoral ſyſtem, or even to cull any of the uſeful, ſhrewd remarks which occur in his trivolous correſpondence -No, I only mean to make a few reflections on the avowed tendency of them—the art of acquiring an early knowledge of the world. An art, I will venture to aſſert, that preys fecretly, like the worm in the bud, on the expanding powers, and turns to poiſon the generous juices which ſhould mount with vigour in the youthful frame, inſpiring warm affecti- ons and great refolvest. * Coinciding in opinion with Mrs. Macaulay relative to many branches of education, I refer to her valuable work, in- ſtead of quoting her ſentiments to ſupport my own. + That children ought to be conſtantly guarded again the vices and follies of the world, appears, to me, a very miſ- taken opinion; for in the courſe of my experience, and my eyes have looked abroad, I never knew a youth educated in this manner, who had early imbibed theſe chilling ſuſpicions, and repeated by rote the beſitating if of age, that did not prove a ſelfifo character. For RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 151 For every thing, faith the wiſe man, there is reaſon ; -and who would look for the fruits of autumn during the genial months of ſpring? But this is mere declama- tion, and I mean to reafon with thofe worldly-wife in- ſtructors, who, inſtead of cultivating the judgment inſtil prejudices,and render hard the heart that gradual experi- ence would only have cooled. An early acquaintance with human infirmities; or, what is termed knowledge of the world, is the ſureſt way, in my opinion, to con- tract the heart and damp the natural youthful ardour which produces not only great talents, but great virtues. For the vain attempt to bring forth the fruit of experi- ence, before the fapling has tlvrown out its leaves, only exhauſts its ſtrength, and prevents its affuming a natural form ; juſt as the form and ſtrength of fubfiding metals are injured when the attraction of coheſion is diſturbed. Tell me, ye who have ſtudied the human mind, is it not a ſtrange way to fix principles by ſhowing young peo- ple that they are feldom ſtable? And how can they be fortified by habits when they are proved to be fallacious by exainple? Why is the ardour of youth thus to be damped, and the luxuriancy of fancy cut to the quick ? This dry caution may, it is true, guard a character from worldly miſchances; but will infallibly preclude ex- cellence in either virtue or knowledge*. The ſtumbling- block thrown acroſs every path by fufpicion, will prevent any vigorous exertions of genius or benevolence, and life will be ſtripped of its moſt alluring charm long be- fore its calm evening, when man ſhould retire to con- templation for comfort and ſupport. A young man who has been bred up with domeſtic friends, and led to ſtore his mind with as much fpecu- lative knowledge as can be acquired by reading and the * I have already obſerved that an early knowledge of the world, obtained in a natural way, by mixing in the world, has the fame effect: inſtancing officers and women. natural 152 VINDICATION OF THE natural reflections which youthful ebullitions of animal ſpirits and inſtinctive feelings inſpire, will enter the world with warm and erroneous expectations. But this appears to be the courſe of nature ; and in morals, as well as in works of taſte, we ſhould be obſervant of her facred indications, and not preſume to lead when we ought obſequiouſly to follow. In the world few people act from principle; preſent feelings, and early habits, are the grand (prings : but how would the former be deadened, and the latter render- ed iron corroding fetters, if the world were ſhewn to young people juſt as it is; when no knowledge of man- kind or their own hearts, flowly obtained by experience, rendered thein forbearing? Their fellow creatures would not then be viewed as frail beings, like themſelves, condemned to ſtruggle with human infirmities, and ſometimes diſplaying the light, and ſometimes the dark fide of their character; extorting alternate feelings of love and diſguſt; but guarded againſt as beaſt of prey, till every enlarged focial feeling, in a word,--humanity, was eradicated. In life, on the contrary, as we gradually diſcover the imperfections of our nature, we diſcover virtues, and various cireumſtances attach us to our fellow creatures, when we mix with them, and view the ſame objects, that are never thought of in acquiring a haſty unnatural knowledge of the world. We fee a folly ſwell into a vice, by almoſt imperceptible degrees, and pity while we blame; but, if the hideous monſter burſt ſuddenly on our ſight, fear and diſguſt rendering us more ſevere than man ought to be, might lead us with blind zeal to uſurp the character of omnipotence, and denounce damnation on our fellow mortals, forgetting that we cannot read the heart, and that we have ſeeds of the fame vices lurk- ing in our own. I have already remarked that we expect more from inſtruction, than mere inſtruction can produce: for, in- ſtead RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 153 ſtead of preparing young people to encounter the evils of life with dignity, and to acquire wildom and virtue by the exerciſe of their own faculties, precepts are heap- ed upon precepts, and blind obedience required, when conviction ſhould be brought home to reaſon. Suppoſe, for inſtance, that a young perfon in the firſt ardour of friendſhip deifies the beloved object--what harm can ariſe from this miſtaken enthuſiaſtic attach- ment? Perhaps it is neceffary for virtue firſt to appear in a human form to impreſs youthful hearts; the ideal model, which a more matured and exalted mind looks up to, and ſhapes for itſelf, would elude their fight. He who loves not his brother whom he hath feen, how can he love God? aſked the wifeft of men. It is natural for youth to adorn the firſt object of its affection with every good quality, and the emulation produced by ignorance, or, to ſpeak with more propri- ety, by inexperience, brings forward the mind capable of forming ſuch an affection, and when, in the lapſe of time, perfection is found not to be within the reach of mortals, virtue, abſtractedly, is thought beautiful, and wifdom fublime. Admiration then gives place to friend- fhip, properly ſo called, becauſe it is cemented by eſteem ;, and the being walks alone only dependent on heaven for that emulous panting after perfection which ever glow's in a noble mind. But this knowledge a man muſt gain by the exertion of his own faculties, and this is ſurely the bleſſed fruit of diſappointed hope! for He who de- lighteth to diffuſe happineſs and ſhew mercy to the weak creatures, who are learning to know him, never implanted a good propenſity to be a tormenting ignis fatuus. Our trees are now allowed to ſpread with wild luxuri- ance, nor do we expect by force to combine the majeſtic marks of time with youthful graces; but wait patiently till they have ſtruck deep their root, and braved many a ftorm.- Is the mind then, which, in proportion to its dignity, 154 VINDICATION OF THE dignity, advances more ſlowly towards perfection, to be treated with leſs reſpect ? To argue from analogy, eve- ry thing around us is in a progreſſive ſtate ; and when an unwelcome knowledge of life produces almoſt a fa- tiety of life, and we diſcover by the natural courſe of things that all that is done under the ſun is vanity, we are drawing near the awful cloſe of the drama. The days of activity and hope are over, and the opportunities which the firſt ſtage of exiſtence has afforded of advanc- ing in the ſcale of intelligence, mult ſoon be fummed up.—A knowledge at this period of the futility of life, or earlier, if obtained by experience, is very uſeful, be- cauſe it is natural ; but when a frail being is ſhewn the follies and vices of man, that he may be taught prudent- ly to guard againſt the common caſualties of life by fa- crificing his heart--ſurely it is not ſpeaking harſhly to call it the wiſdom of this world, contraſted with the no- bler fruit of piety and experience. I will venture a paradox, and deliver my opinion with- out reſerve; if men were only born to form a circle of life and death, it would be wiſe to take every foreſight could ſuggeſt to render life happy. Moderati- on in every purſuit would then be ſupreme wiſdom; and the prudent voluptuary might enjoy a degree of content, though he neither cultivated his underſtanding nor kept his heart pure. Prudence, ſuppoſing we were mortal, would be true wiſdom, or, to be more explicit , would procure the greateſt portion of happineſs, confi- dering the whole of life, but knowledge beyond the con- veniencies of life would be a curſe. Why ſhould we injure our health by cloſe ftudy? The exalted pleaſure which intellectual purſuits afford would ſcarcely be equivalent to the hours of langour that follow ; eſpecially, if it be neceſſary to take into the reckoning the doubts and diſappointments that cloud our reſearches. Vanity and vexation cloſe every inquiry: for the cauſe which we particularly wiſhed to diſcover ſtep that flies RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 155 Theig- flies like the horizon before us as we advance. norant, on the contrary, reſemble children, and ſuppoſe, that if they could walk ſtraight forward they ihould at laſt arrive where the earth and clouds meet. Yet, dif- appointed as we are in our reſearches, the mind gains ſtrength by the exerciſe, fufficient, perhaps, to compre-- hend the anſwers which, in another ſtep of exiſtence, it may receive to the anxious queſtions it aſked, when the underſtanding with feeble wing was fluttering round the viſible effects to dive into the hidden cauſe. The paflions alſo, the winds of life, would be uſeleſs, if not injurious, did the ſubſtance which compofes our thinking being, after we have thought in vain, only be- come the ſupport of vegetable life, and invigorate a cab- bage, or bluſh in a roſe. The appetites would anſwer every earthly purpoſe, and produce more moderate and permanent happineſs. But the powers of the foul that are of little uſe here, and, probably, diſturb our animal enjoyments, even while conſcious dignity makes us glo- ry in poſſeſſing them, prove that life is merely an educa- tion, a ſtate of infancy, to which the only hopes worth cheriſhing ſhould not be ſacrificed. I mean, therefore, to infer, that we ought to have a preciſe idea of what we wiſh to attain by education, for the immortality of the foul is contradicted by the actions of many people who firmly profeſs the belief. If you mean to ſecure eaſe and proſperity on earth as the firſt confideration, and leave futurity to provide for itſelf; you act prudently in giving your child an early inſight into the weakneſſes of his nature. You may not, it is true, make an Inkle of him ; but do not ima- gine that he will ſtick to more than the letter of the law, who has very early imbibed a mean opinion of human nature ; nor will he think it neceffary to riſe much above the common ſtandard. He may avoid groſs vices, be- cauſe honeſty is ths beſt policy; but he will never aim at 156 VINDICATION OF THE at attaining great virtues. The example of writers and artiſts will illustrate this remark. I muſt therefore venture to doubt whether what has been thought an axiom in morals, may not have been a dogmatical allertion made by men who have coolly ſeen mankind through the medium of books, and ſay, in di- rect eontradiction to them, that the regulation of the paſſions is not, always, wiſdom. On the contrary, it fhould ſeem, that one reaſon why men have fuperior judgment, and more fortitude than women, is undoubt- edly this, that they give a freer ſcope to the grand paſſi- ons, and by more frequently going aftray enlarge their ininds. If then by the exerciſe of their own * reaſon they fix on ſome ſtable principle, they have probably to thank the force of their paſſions, nouriſhed by falſe views of life, and permitted to overleap the boundary that ſe- cures content. But if, in the dawn of life, we could ſoberly ſurvey the ſcenes before as in perſpective, and ſee every thing in its true colours, how could the pafli- ons gain fufficient ſtrength to unfold the faculties? Let me now as from an eminence ſurvey the world ſtripped of all its falſe deluſive charms. The clear at- moſphere enables me to ſee each object in its true point of view, while my heart is ſtill. I am calm as the proſ- pect in a morning when the miſts, flowly diſperſing, fi- lently unveil the beauties of nature, refreſhed by reit. In what light will the world now appear? I rub my eyes and think, perchance, that I am juſt awaking from a lively dream. I ſee the ſons and daughters of men purſuing ſhadows, and anxiouſly waſting their powers to feed paſſions which have no adequate object--if the very exceſs of theſe blind impulſes, pampered by that lying, yet con- ftantly truſted guide, the imagination, did not, by pre- I find that all is but lip-wiſdom which wants experi- ence,' ſays Sidney. * 6 paring NIGHTS OF WOMAN. 157 paring them for ſome other fixte, render ſhort-ſighted mortals wiſer without their own concurrence; or, what comes to the ſame thing, when they were purſuing fome imaginary preſent good. After viewing objects in this light, it would not be very fanciful to imagine that this world was a ſtage on which a pantomime is daily performed for the amuſe- ment of fuperior beings. How would they be diverted to ſee the ambitious man conſuming himſelf by running after a phantom, and, purſuing the bubble fame in the • cannon's mouth' that was to blow him to nothing: for when conſciouſneſs is loſt, it inatters not whether we mount in a whirlwind or deſcend in rain. And fhould they compaſſionately invigorate his fight and ſhew him the thorny path which led to eminence, that like a quick- ſand finks as he aſcends, diſappointing his hopes when almoſt within his graſp, would he not leave to others the honour of amuſing them, and labour to ſecure the pre- ſent moment, though from the conſtitution of his nature he would not find it very eaſy to catch the flying ſtream? Such flaves are we to hope and fear! But, vain as the ambitious man's purſuits would be, he is often ſtriving for ſomething more ſubſtantial than fame-that indeed would be the verieſt meteor, the wild- eft fire that could lure a man to ruin.-What! renounce the moſt trifling gratification to be applauded when he ſhould be no more! Wherefore this itruggle, whether man is mortal or immortal, if that noble paflion did not really raiſe the being above his fellows? And love! What diverting ſcenes would it produce- Pantaloon's tricks muft yield to inore egregious folly. To ſee a inortal adorn an object with innaginary charms, and then fall down and worſhip the idol which he had himſelf ſet up-how ridiculous! But what ſerious con- ſequences enſue to rob man of that por:ion of happineſs, which the Deity by calling him into existence has (or, on what can his attributes reſt?) indubitably promiſed: 0 would 158 VINDICATION OF THE would not all the purpoſes of life have been much better fulfilled if he had only felt what has been termed phyfi- cal love ? And, would not the fight of the object, not ſeen through the medium of the imagination, foon re- duce the paflion to an appetite, if reflection, the noble diſtinction of man, did not give it force, and make it an inſtrument to raiſe him above this earthly droſs, by teach ing him to love the centre of all perfection; whoſe wiſ- dom appears clearer and clearer in the works of nature, in proportion as reaſon is illuminated and exalted by contemplation, and by acquiring that love of order which the ſtruggles of paſſion produce ? The habit of reflection, and the knowledge attained by foſtering any paſſion, might be ſhewn to be equally uſeful, though the object be proved equally fallacious; for they would all appear in the ſame light, if they were not magnified by the governing pallion implanted in us by the Author of all good, to call forth and ſtrengthen the faculties of each individual, and enable it to attain all the experience that an infant can obtain, who does certain things, it cannot tell why. I deſcend from my height, and mixing with my fellow-creatures, feel myſelf hurried along the common Stream; ambition, love, hope, and fear, exert their wont- ed power, though we be convinced by reaſon that their preſent and moſt attractive promiſes are only lying dreams; but had the cold hand of circumſpection damp- ed each generous feeling before it had left any perma- nent character, or fixed ſome habit, what could be ex- pected, but ſelfiſh prudence and reaſon juſt riſing above inftin&t? Who that has read Dean Swift's diſguſt- ing deſcription of the Yahoos, and inſipid one of Houyhnhom with a philoſophical eye, can avoid ſee- ing the futility of degrading the paſſions, or making man reſt in contentment? The youth thould act; for had he the experience of a grey head he would be fitter for death than life, though his RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 159 his virtues, rather reſiding in his head than his heart, could produce nothing great, and his underſtanding pre- pared for this world, wou'd not, by its noble flights, prove that it had a title to a better. Beſides, it is not poflible to give a young perſon a juſt view of life; he muſt have ſtruggled with his own paſ- fions before he can eſtimate the force of the temptation which betrayed his brother into vice. Thoſe who are entering life, and thoſe who are departing, ſee the world from ſuch very different points of view, that they can feldom think alike, unleſs the unfledged reaſon of the former never attempted a ſolitary flight. When we hear of fome daring crime--it comes full on us in the deepelt ſhade of turpitude, and raiſes indig- nation; but the eye that gradually ſaw the darkneſs thick- en, muſt obſerve it with more compaflionate forbearance. The world cannot be ſeen by an unmoved ſpectator, we muſt mix in the throng, and feel as men feel before we can judge of their feelings. If we mean, in ſhort, to live in the world to grow wiſer and better, and not mere- ly to enjoy the good things of life, we muſt attain a knowledge of others at the ſame time that we become acquainted with ourſelves knowledge acquired any o- ther way only hardens the heart and perplexes the un- derſtanding I may be told, that the knowledge thus acquired, is fometimes purchaſed at too dear a rate. I can only anſwer that I very much doubt whether any knowledge can be attained without labour and forrow; and thoſe who wiſh to ſpare their children both, ſhould not complain. if they are neither wiſe nor virtuous. They only aimed at making them prudent; and prudence, early in life, is but the cautious craft of ignorant felf-love. I have obſerved that young people, to whoſe educati- on particular attention has been paid, have, in general, been very ſuperficial and conceited, and far from plea- fing in any reſpect, becauſe they had neither the unfuf- pecting 02 160 VINDICATION OF THE peeting warmth of youth, nor the cool depth of age. I cannot help imputing this unnatural appearance prin- cipally to that hafty premature inftru&tion, which leads them preſumptuouſly to repeat all the crudé notions they have taken upon truſt, ſo that the careful education which they received, inakes them all their lives the flaves of prejudices. Mental as well as bodily exertion is, at firſt, irkſome; ſo much ſo, that the many would fain let others both work and think for them. An obfervation which I have often made will illuſtrate my meaning. When in a circle of ſtrangers, or acquaintances, a perſon of mo- derate abilities alſerts an opinion with heat, I will ven- ture to affirm, for I have traced this fact home, very of- ten, that it is a prejudice. Theſe echoes have a high reſpect for the underſtanding of fome relation or friend, and without fully comprehending the opinions, which they are ſo eager to retail, they maintain them with a degree of obſtinacy, that would ſurpriſe even the perſon who connected them. I know that a kind of faſhion now prevails of reſpect- ing prejudices; and when any one dares to face them, though actuated by humanity and armed by reaſon, he is ſuperciliouſly aſked whether his anceſtors were fools. No, I ſhould reply ; opinions, at firſt, of every deſcrip- tion, were all, probably, conſidered, and therefore were founded on ſome reaſon; yet not unfrequently, of courſe, it was rather a local expedient than a fundamental prin- ciple, that would be reaſonable at all times. But, moſs- covered opinions aſſume the diſproportioned form of prejudices, when they are indolently adopted only becauſe age has given them a venerable aſpect, though the rea- ſon on which they were built ceaſes to be a reafon, or cannot be traced. Why are we to love prejudices, merely becauſe they are prejudices* ? A prejudice is a * Vide Mr. Burke. fond RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 161 fond obſtinate perſuaſion for which we can give no rea- fon; for the moment a reaſon can be given for an opi- nion, it ceaſes to be a prejudice, though it may be an er- ror in judgment: and are we then adviſed to cheriſh opinions only to ſet reaſon at defiance? This mode of arguing, if arguing it may be called, reminds me of what is vulgarly termed a woman's reaſon. For women ſome times declare that they love, or believe, certain things, becauſe they love, or believe them. Is it poſſibie to converſe with people to any purpoſe, who, in this ſtyle, only uſe affirmatives and negatives. Before you can bring them to a point, to ſtart fairly from, you muſt go back to the fimple principles that were antecedent to the prejudices broached by power; and it is ten to one but you are ſtopped by the philofophical affertion, that certain principles are as practically falſe as they are abſtractly true*. Nay, it may be inferred, that reaſon has whiſpered ſome doubts, for it generally happens that people aſſert their opinions with the great- eft heat when they begin to waver; ſtriving to drive out their own doubts by convincing their opponent, they grow angry when thoſe gnawing doubts are thrown back to prey on themſelves. The fact is, that men expect from education, what education cannot give. A ſagacious parent or tutor may ſtrengthen the body and tharpen the inſtruments by which the child is to gather knowledge ; but the honey muſt be the reward of the individual's own induſtry. It is almoſt as abſurd to attempt to inake a youth wife by the experience of another, as to expect the body to grow ſtrong by the exerciſe which is only talked of, or ſeent. * Convince a man againſt his will, • He's of the ſame opinion fill.' + One ſees nothing when one is content to contemplate on- ly; it is neceſſary to act oneſelf to be able to ſee how others act.' Rouſſeau. Many O 3 162 VINDICATION OF THE Many of thoſe children whoſe conduct has been molt narrowly watched, become the weakeſt men, becauſe their inſtructors only inſtil certain notions into their minds, that have no other foundation than their autho- rity; and if they are loved or reſpected, the mind is cramped in its exertions and wavering in its advances. The buſineſs of education in this caſe, is only to con- duct the ſhooting tendrils to a proper pole ; yet after lay- ing precept upon precept, without allowing a child to acquire judgment itſelf, parents exped them to act in the fame manner by this borrowed and fallacious light, as if they had illuminated it themſelves; and be, when they enter life, what their parents are at the cloſe. They do not confider that the tree, and even the human body, does not ſtrengthen its fibres till it has reached its full growth. There appears to be ſomething analogous in the mind. The ſenſes and the imagination give a form to the cha- racter, during childhood and youth; and the underſtand- ing, as life advances, gives firmnefs to the firſt fair pur- poſes of ſenſibility-till virt'ie, ariſing rather from the clear conviction of reafon than the impulſe of the heart. morality is made to reſt on a rock againſt which the ſtorms of paſſion vainly beat. I hope I ſhall not be miſunderſtood when I ſay, that religion will not have this condenſing energy, unleſs it be founded on reaſon. If it be merely the refuge of weakneſs er wild fanaticiſm, and not a governing prin- ciple of conduct, drawn from felf-knowledge, and a ra- tional opinion reſpecting the attributes of God, what can it be expected to produce? The religion which con- fifts in warming the affections, and exalting the ima- gination, is only the poetical part, and may afford the individual pleaſure without rendering it a more moral being. It may be a ſubſtitute for worldly purſuits ; yet narrow, inſtead of enlarging the heart ; but virtue muſt be loved as in itſelf fublime and excellent, and not for the advantages RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 163 advantages it procures or the evils it averts, if any great degree of excellence be expected. Men will not become moral when they only build airy caſtles in a future world to compenſate for the diſappointments which they meet with in this; if they turn their thoughts from relative duties to religious reveries. Moſt proſpects in life are marred by the ſhuffling worldly wiſdom of men, who, forgetting that they can- not ferve God and mammon, endeavour to blend contra- dictory things - If you wiſh to make your fon rich,pur- fue one courſe if you are only anxious to make him virtuous, you muſt take another ; but do not imagine that you can bound from one road to the other without loſing your way* ........... 人​・人​･人​･人​･人​・ C Η Α Ρ. VI. The effect which an early aſſociation of ideas has upon be character E DUCATED in the unervating ſtyle recommended by the writers on whom I have been animadvert- ing; and not having a chance, from their ſubordinate ftate in fociety, to recover their loft ground, is it fur- priſing that women every where appear a defect in na- ture? Is it ſurpriſing, when we conlider what a deter- minate effect an early alſociation of ideas has on the cha- sacter, that they neglect their underſtandings, and turn all their attention to their perſons ? The great advantages which naturally reſult from ftoring the mind with knowledge, are obvious from the following confiderations. The aifociation of our ideas * See an excellent eſay on this fubjet by Mrs. Barbould, in Miſcellaneous pieces in Proſe. is 164 VINDICATION OF THE is either habitual or inſtantaneous; and the latter mode ſeems rather to depend on the original temperature of the mind than on the will. When the ideas, and mat- ters of fact, are once taken in, they lie by for uſe, till fome fortuitous circumſtance makes the information dart into the mind with illuſtrative force, that has been re- ceived at very different periods of our lives. Like the lightning's flaſh are many recollections; one idea affi- milating and explaining another, with aſtoniſhing rapi- dity. I do not now allude to that quick perception of truth, which is ſo intuitive that it baffles reſearch, and anakes us at a loſs to determine whether it is reminiſ. cence or ratiociations, loft fight of in its celerity, that opens the dark cloud. Over thoſe inſtantaneous affoci- ations we have little power; for when the mind is once enlarged by excurſive flights, or profound reflection, the raw materials will, in fome degree, arrange themſelves . The underſtanding, it is true, may keep us from going out 5. drawing when we group our thoughts, or tran- feribe from the imagination the warm ſketches of fancy, but the animal ſpirits, the individual character give the colouring. Over this fubtile electric fluid*, how little power do we poſſeſs, and over it how little power can reaſon obtain! Theſe fine intractable ſpirits appear to be the effence of genius, and beaming in its eagle eye, produce in the moſt eminent degree the happy energy of aſſociating thoughts that ſurpriſe, delight, and inſtruct. Theſe are the glowing minds that concentrate pictures for their fellow-creatures ; forcing them to view with * I have ſometimes, when inclined to laugh at materialiſts, aſked whether, as the moſt powerful effe Ets in nature are ap- parently produced by fluids, the magnetic, &c. the paſſions might not be fine volatile fluids that embraced humanity, keep- ing the more refractory elementary parts together-or whe- ther they were ſimply a liquid fire that pervaded the more Nuggiſh materials, giving them life and heat? intereſt KIGHTS OF WOMAN. 165 intereſt the objects reflected from the impaſſioned ima- gination, which they paſſed over in nature. I muſt be allowed to explain myſelf. The generali- ty of people cannot fee or feel poetically, they want fan- cy, and therefore fly from folitude in ſearch of fenfible objeds; but when an author lends them his eyes they can ſee as he faw, and be amuſed by images they could not ſelect, though lying before them. Education thus only ſupplies the man of genius with knowledge to give variety and contraſt to his affociati- ons ; but there is an habitual affociation of ideas, that grows with our growth,' which has a great effect on the moral character of mankind; and by which a turn is given to the mind that commonly remains throughout life. So ductile is the underſtanding, and yet ſo ſtub- born, that the aſſociations which depend on adventitious circumſtances, during the period that the body takes to arrive at maturity, can ſeldom be diſentangled by rea- fon. One idea calls up another, its old affociate, and me- mory, faithful to the firſt impreſſions, particularly when the intellectual powers are not employed to cool our ſen- ſations, retraces them with mechanical exactneſs. This habitual flavery, to firſt impreſlions, has a more baneful effect on the female than the male character, becauſe buſineſs and other dry employments of the un- derſtanding, tend to deaden the feelings and break affoci- ations that do violence to reaſon. But females, who are made women of when they are mere children, and brought back to childhood when they ought to leave the go-cart for ever, have not ſufficient ſtrength of mind to efface the ſuperinductions of art that have ſmothered nature. Every thing that they ſee or hear ſerves to fix impref- fions, call forth emotions, and aſſociate ideas, that give a ſexual character to the mind. Falſe notions of beauty and delicacy ſtop the growth of their limbs and produce a fickly forenels, rather than delicacy of organs; and thus weakened by being employed in unfolding inſtead of 166 VINDICATION OF THE of examining the firſt affociations, forced on them by every ſurrounding object, how can they attain the vigour neceſſary to enable them to throw off their factitious character ?-where find ſtrength to recur to reafon and riſe ſuperior to a ſyſtem of oppreſſion, that blaſts the fair promiſes of ſpring? This cruel aſfociation of ideas, which every thing conſpires to twiſt into all their habits of thinking, or, to ſpeak with more preciſion, of feeling, receives new force when they begin to act a little for themſelves ; for they then perceive that it is only through their addreſs to excite emotions in men, that pleafure and power are to be obtained. Befides, all the books profelfedly written for their inſtruction, which make the firſt impreſſion on their minds, all inculcate the fame opinions. Educated than in worſe than Egyptian bon- dage, it is unreafonable, as well as cruel, to upbraid them with faults that can ſcarcely be avoided, unleſs a degree of native vigour be ſuppoſed, that falls to the lot of ve- ry few amongſt mankind. For inſtance, the fevereſt ſarcaſms have been levelled againſt the ſex, and they have been ridiculed for repeat- ing a ſet of phraſes learnt by rote,' when nothing could be more natural, conſidering the education they receive, and that their higheſt praiſe is to obey, unar- gued'--the will of man. If they are not allowed to have reaſon fufficient to govern their own conduct- why, all they learn--muſt be learned by rote! And when all their ingenuity is called forth to adjuſt their dreſs , a paflion for a ſcarlet coat,' is fo natural, that it never ſurpriſed me; and, allowing Pope's ſummary of their character to be juſt, « that every woman is at heart a rake,' why thould they be bitterly cenſured for ſeeking a congenial mind, and preferring a rake to a man of ſenſe? Rakes know how to work on their fenfibility, whilſt the modeft merit of reaſonable men has, of courſe, leſs effect on their feelings, and they cannot reach the heart by RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 167 by the way of the underſtanding, becauſe they have few fentiments in common. It ſeems a little abſurd to expect women to be more reaſonable than men in their likings, and ſtill to deny thern the uncontrouled uſe of reaſon. When do men fall-in-love with ſenſe? When do they, with their ſupe- rior powers and advantages, turn from the perſon to the mind? And how can they then expect women, who are only taught to obſerve behaviour, and acquire manners rather than morals, to deſpiſe what they have been all their lives labouring to attain? Where are they fudden- ly to find judgment enough to weigh patiently the ſenſe of an awkward virtuous man, when his manners, of which they are made critical judges, are rebuffing, and his converſation cold and dull, becauſe it does not conſiſt of pretty repartees, or well turned compliments ? In or- der to admire or eſteem any thing for a continuance, we muſt, at leaſt, have our curioſity excited by knowing, in ſome degree, what we admire; for we are unable to eſtimate the value of qualities and virtues above our comprehenſion. Such a reſpect, when it is felt, may be very ſublime; and the confuſed conſciouſneſs of humi- lity may render the dependent creature an intereſting ob- ject, in ſome points of view ; but human love muſt have groffer ingredients; and the perſon very naturally will come in for its ſhare-and, an ample ſhare it moſtly has ! Love is, in a great degree, an arbitrary paſſion, and will reign, like ſome other ſtalking miſchiefs, by its own authority, without deigning to reafon; and it may be ea- fily diſtinguiſhed from eſteem, the foundation of friend- ſhip, becauſe it is often excited by evaneſcent beauties and graces, though to give an energy to the ſentiment, fomething more folu muft deepen their impreſſion and ſet the imagination to work, to make the moſt fair--the firſt good. Common 168 VINDICATION OF THE Common paſſions are excited by common qualities. Men look for beauty and the fimper of good humoured docility : women are captivated by eaſy manners; a gen- tleman-like man ſeldom fails to pleaſe them, and their thirſty ears eagerly drink the inſinuating nothings of po- liteneſs, whilſt they turn from the unintelligible ſounds of the charmer-reaſon, charm he never ſo wiſely. With reſpect to ſuperficial accompliſhments, the rake certain- ly has the advantage; and of theſe females can form an opinion, for it is their own ground. Rendered gay and giddy by the whole tenor of their lives, the very aſpect of wiſdom, or the ſevere graces of virtue, muſt have a lugubrious appearance to them; and produce a kind of reſtraint from which they and love, ſportive child, natu- rally revolt. Without taſte, excepting of the lighter kind, for taſte is the offspring of judgment, how can they diſ- cover that true beauty and grace muſt ariſe from the play of the mind and how can they be expected to reliſh in a lover what they do not, or very imperfectly, poſſeſs themſelves ? The ſympathy that unites hearts, and in- vites to confidence, in them is ſo very faint, that it can- net take fire, and thus mount to paflion. No, I repeat it, the love cheriſhed by ſuch minds, muſt have groffer fewel ! The inference is obvious; till women are led to ex- erciſe their underſtandings, they ſhould not be ſatirized for their attachment to rakes; nor even for being rakes at heart, when it appears to be the inevitable confequence of their education. They who live to pleaſe-muſt find their enjoyments, their happineſs, in pleaſure! It is a trite, yet true remark, that we never do any thing well, unleſs we love it for its own fake. Suppofing, however for a moment. that women were, in fome future revolution of time, co become, what I fincerely with them to be, even love would adquire more ſerious dignity, and be purified in its own fires ; and virtue giving trưe delicacy to their affections, they would turn RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 169 with diſguſt from a rake. Reaſoning then, as well as feeling, the only province of woman, at preſent, they might eaſily guard againſt exterior graces, and quickly learn to deſpiſe the ſenſibility that had been excited and hacknied in the ways of women, whoſe trade was vice; and allurements wanton airs. They would recollect that the flame, one muſt uſe appropriated expreſſions, which they wiſhed to light up, had been exhauited by luft, and that the fated appetite lofing all reliſh for pure and fim- ple pleaſures could only be rouſed by licentious arts or variety. What ſatisfaction could a woman of delicacy promiſe herſelf in a union with ſuch a man, when the very artleſſneſs of her affection might appear infipid? Thus does Dryden deſcribe the fituation, .Where love is duty, on the female fide, On theirs mere Senſual guft, and fought with ſurly pride.' But one grand truth women have yet to learn, though much it imports them to act accordingly. In the choice of a huſband, they ſhould not be led altray by the quali- ties of a lover--for a lover the huſband, even fuppoſing him to be wife and virtuous, cannot long remain. Were women more rationally educated, could they take a more comprehenſive view of things, they would be contented to love but once in their lives; and after marriage calmly let paſſion fubſide into friendſhip-into that tender intimacy, which is the beſt refuge from care; yet is built on ſuch pure, ſtill affections, that idle jealou- fies would not be allowed to diſturb the diſcharge of the fober duties of life, nor to engroſs the thoughts that ought to be otherwiſe employed. This is a ſtate in which many men live; but few, very few women. And the difference may eaſily be accounted for, without re- curring to a ſexual character. Men, for whom we are told women were made, have too much occupied the thoughts of women ; and this aſſociation has ſo entan- Р gled 17 VINDICATION OF THE gled love with all their motives of action; and, to harp a little on an old ſtring, having been folely employed either to prepare themſelves to excite love, or actually putting their leſſons in practice, they cannot live without love. But, when a ſenſe of duty, or fear of ſhame, obliges them to reſtrain this pampered deſire of pleaſing beyond cer- tain lengths, too far for delicacy, it is true, though far from criminality, they obſtinately determine to love, I Speak of the paſſion, their huſbands to the end of the chapter--and then acting the part which they foolithly exacted from their lovers, they become abject woers, and fond ſlaves. Men of wit and fancy are often rakes; and fancy is the food of love. Such men will inſpire paſſion. Half the fex, in its prefent infantine ſtate, would pine for a Lovelace; a man ſo witty, fo graceful, and lo valiant: and can they deſerve blame for acting according to prin- ciples fo conſtantly inculcated? They want a lover, and protector; and, behold him kneeling before them bravery proſtrate to beauty! The virtues of a huſband are thus thrown by love into the back ground, and gay hopes, or lively emotions, banith reflection till the day of reckoning comes; and come it ſurely will, to turn the ſprightly lover into a ſurly ſuſpicious tyrant, who con- temptuouſly inſults the very weaknefs he foſtered. Or, fuppofing the rake reformed, he cannot quickly get rid of old habits. When a man of abilities is firſt carried away by his paſſions, it is neceſſary that ſentiment and taſte varniſh the enormities of vice, and give a zeft to brutal indulgences; but when the glofs of -novelty is worn off, and pleaſure palls upon the ſenſe, laſcivioul- neſs becomes barefaced, and enjoyment only the deſpe- rate effort of weakneſs flying from reflection as from a legion of devils. Oh! virtue thou art not an empty name! . All that life can give-thou giveſt ! If much comfort cannot be expected from the friend- thip of a reformed rake of ſuperior abilities, what is the conſequence RICHTS OF WOMAN. 171 confequence when he lacketh ſenſe, as well as princi- ples? Verily miſery, in its moſt hideous ſhape. When the habits of weak people are conſolidated by time, a re- formation is barely poſſible; and actually makes the be- ings miſerable who have not ſufficient mind to be amuſ- ed by innocent pleaſure ; like the tradeſman who retires from the hurry of buſineſs, nature preſents to thein only a univerſal blank; and the reſtleſs thoughts prey on the damped ſpirits*. Their reformation, as well as his.re- tirement, actually makes them wretched becauſe it de prives them of all employment, by quenching the hopes and fears that ſet in motion their fluggiſh minds. If ſuch is the force of habit; if ſuch is the bondage of folly, how carefully ought we to guard the mind from ftoring up vicious aſſociations; and equally careful ſhould we be to cultivate the underſtanding, to ſave the poor wight from the weak dependent ſtate of even harmleſs ignorance. For it is the right uſe of reaſon alone which makes us independent of every thing-excepting the un- clouded Reaſon-Whoſe ſervice is perfect freedom.' ༠རབ༠ནིབའི་•རི༠བ བ༠ 人人​人人​人 ​С НА Р. VII. Modeſty.- Comprehenſively conſidered, and not as a ſexual virtue. its ODESTY! Sacred offspring of ſenſibility and reaſon !--true delicacy of mind !--may I un- blamed preſume to inveſtigate thy nature, and trace to * I bave frequently ſeen this exemplified in women, whoſe beauty could no longer be repaired. They have retired from the noiſy ſcenes of difſipation ; but, unleſs they became metho- diſts, the ſolitude of the ſele Et ſociety of their family connecti- ons or acquaintance, has preſented only a fearful void; con- Tequently, P2 172 VINDICATION OF THE its covert the mild charm, that mellowing each harſh feature of a character, renders what would otherwiſe on- ly inſpire cold admiration---lovely! - Thou that ſmooth- eſt the wrinkles of wiſdom, and ſofteneft the tone of the fublimeſt virtues till they all melt into humanity ;- thon that ſpreadeſt the ethereal cloud that ſurrounding love heightens every beauty, it half ſhades, breathing thoſe coy ſweets that ſteal into the heart, and charm the ſenſes--modulate for me the language of perſuaſive rea- fon, till I rouſe my fex from the flowery bed, on which they ſupinely fleep life away! In ſpeaking of the affociation of our ideas, I have no- ticed two diftinct modes; and in defining modeſty, it appears to me equally proper to diſcriminate that purity of mind, which is the effect of chaſtity, from a ſimplici- ty of character that leads us to form a juft opinion of ourſelves, equally diſtant from vanity or preſumption, though by no means incompatible with a lofty conſci- oufneſs of our own dignity. Modeſty, in the latter fig- nification of the term, is, that ſoberneſs of mind which teaches a man not to think more highly of himſelf than he ought to think, and ſhould be diſtinguiſhed from hu- mility, becauſe humility is a kind of ſelf-abaſement. A modeſt man often conceives a great plan, and tena- ciouſly adheres to it, conſcious of his own ſtrength, till fucceſs gives it a fanction that determines its character. Milton was not arrogant when he ſuffered a ſuggeſtion of judgment to eſcape him that proved a propheſy ; nor was General Waſhington when he accepted of the com- mand of the American forces. The latter has always been characterized as a modeſt man; but had he been merely humble, he would probably have ſhrunk back ir- ſequently, nervous complaints, and all the vapouriſh train of idleneſs, rendered them quite as uſeleſs, and far more unhap- Þy, than when they joined the giddy throng. refolute, RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 173 reſolute, afraid of truſting to himſelf the direction of an enterpriſe on which ſo much depended. A modeſt man is ſteady, an humble man timid, and a vain one preſumptuous:--this is the judgment, which the obfervation of many characters, has led me to form. Jeſus Chriſt was modeft, Moſes was humble, and Pe- ter vain. pear to be. Thus, diſcriminating modeſty from humility in one caſe, I do not mean to confound it with bathfulneſs in the other. Baſhfulneſs, in fact, is ſo diſtinct froni ties deſty, that the moſt baſhful laſs, or raw country lout, oft- en becomes the moſt impudent; for their bathfulneſs be- ing inerely the inſtinctive timidity of ignorance, cuſtom foon changes it into allurance* The thameleſs behaviour of the proſtitutes who infeit the ſtreets of this metropolis, railing alternate emotions of pity and diſguft, may ſerve to illuſtrate this remark. They trample on virgin baſhfulneſs with a fort of bra- vado, and glorying in their fhame, become more audaci- ouſly lewd than men, however depraved, to whom this ſexual quality has not been gratuitouſly granted, ever ap- But theſe poor ignorant wretches never had any modelty to loſe, when they conſigned themſelves to infamy; for modeſty is a virtue not a quality. No, they were only balhful, ſhame-faced innocents; and loſing their innocence, their ſhame-facedneſs was rudely bruſh- ed off; a virtue would have left ſome veſtiges in the inind, ** Such is the country-maiden's fright, 'When firſt a red-coat is in ſight; Behind the door he hides her face ; Next time at diſtance eyes the lace : She now can all his terrors fland, Nor from his Jqueeze withdraws her hand. She plays familiar in his arms, . And ev'ry ſoldier hath his charms: • From tent to tent he ſpreads her flame; For cuſtom conquers fear and ſhame.' Gay. 6 6 P3 had 174 VINDICATION OF THE & had it been facrified to paſſion, to make us reſpect the grand ruin. Purity of mind, or that genuine delicacy, which is the only virtuous ſupport of chaſtity, is near akin to that re- finement of humanity, which never reſides in any but cultivated minds. It is ſomething nobler than inno- cence; it is the delicacy of reflection, and not the coy- neſs of ignorance. The reſerve of reaſon, which like habitual cleanlineſs, is ſeldom ſeen in any great degree, aanleſs the ſoul is active may eaſily be diſtinguiſhed from ruftic fhyneſs or wanton ſkittiſhneſs; and, fo far from being incompatible with knowledge, it is its faireſt fruit. What a groſs idea of modeſty had the writer of the fol- lowing remark!. The lady who aſked the queſtion whe- ther women may be inſtructed in the modern ſyſtem: of botany, confitently with female delicacy? was ac- ·cuſed of ridiculous prudery: nevertheleſs, if ſhe had pro- • poſed the queſtion to me, I ſhould certainly have an- ſwered–They cannot.' Thus is the fair book of know- ledge to be ſhut with an everlaſting ſeal! On reading fi- milar paftages I have reverentially lifted up my eyes and heart to Him who liveth for ever and ever, and ſaid, O my Father, haft thou by the very conftitution of her na- ture forbid Thy child to ſeek Thee in the fair forms of truth? And, can her foul be fullied by the knowledge that awfully calls her to Thee? I have then philofophically purſued theſe reflections till I inferred that thoſe women who have moſt improv- ed their reaſon muſt have the moſt modeſty—though a dignified ſedateneſs of deportment may have ſucceeded the playful, bewitching baſhfulneſs of youth*. And thus have I argued. To render chaſtity the vir- tue from which unfophiſticated modeſty will naturally flow, the attention ſhould be called away from employ- * Modeſly, is the graceful calm virtue of maturity; baſh- fulneſs, the charm of vivacious youth. ments RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 175 ments which only exerciſe the ſenſibility; and the heart made to beat time to humanity, rather than to throb with love. The woman who has dedicated a conſider- able portion of her time to purſuits purely intellectual, and whoſe affections have been exerciſed by humane plans of uſefulneſs, muſt have more purity of mind, as a natural conſequence, than the ignorant beings whoſe time and thoughts have been occupied by gay pleafures or ſchemes to conquer hearts*. The regulation of the behaviour is not modeſty, though thoſe who ſtudy rales of decorum, are, in general termed modeſt women. Make the heart clean, let it expand and feel for all that is human, inſtead of being narrowed by ſelfiſh paffions ; and let the mind frequently contemplate ſubjects that ex- erciſe the underſtanding, without heating the imagina- tion, and artleſs modelty will give the finiſhing touches to the picture... She who can diſcern the dawn of immortality, in the ſtreaks that ſhoot athwart the miſty night of ignorance, promiſing a clearer day, will reſpect, as a ſacred temple, the body that enſhrines ſuch an improvable ſoul. True * I have converſed, as man with man, with medical men, on anatomical ſubjects; and compared the proportions of the buman body with artiſts-yet ſuch modeſty did I meet with, that I was never reminded by word or look of my fex, of the abſurd rules which make modeſty a pharifaical cloak of weak- neſs. And I am perſuaded that in the purſuit of knowledge women would never be inſulted by ſenſible men, and rarely by men of any deſcription, if they did not by mock-modeſty remind them that they were women : acluated by the ſame ſpirit as the Portugueze ladies, who would think their charms inſulted, if, when left alone with a man, he did not, at leaſt, attempt to be groſsly familiar with their perſons. Men are not al- ways men in the company of women, nor would women always remember they are women, if they were allowed to acquire more underſtanding love, 176 VINDICATION OF THE joy! love, likewiſe, ſpreads this kind of myſterious fanctity round the beloved object, making the lover moſt modeſt when in her preſence*. So reſerved is affection that, receiving or returning perſonal endearments, it wiſhes, not only to fhun the human eye, as a kind of profanati- on; but to diffufe an encircling cloudy obſcurity to ſhut out even the faucy ſparkling ſunbeams. Yet, that af' . fection does not deſerve the epithet of chafte, which does not receive a fublime gloom of tender melancholy, that allows the mind for a moment to ſtand ſtill and enjoy the preſent ſatisfaction, when a conſciouſneſs of the Di- vine preſence is felt--for this muſt ever be the food of As I have always been fond of tracing to its ſource in nature any prevailing cuſtom, I have frequently thought that it was a ſentiment of affection for whatever had touched the perſon of an abſent or loſt friend, which gave birth to that reſpect for relicks, ſo much abuſed by ſelfith priets. Devotion, or love, may be allowed to hallow the garnents as well as the perſon ; for the lov- er muſt want fancy who has not a ſort of ſacred reſpect for the glove or slipper of his miſtreſs. He could not confound them with vulgar things of the fame kind. This fine ſentiment, perhaps, would not bear to be ana- lyzed by the experimental philoſopher—but of ſuch ſtuff is human rapture made up !-A ſhadowy phantom glides before us, obfcuring every other object; yet when the foft cloud is graſped, the form melts into common air, leaving a ſolitary void, or ſweet perfume, ſtolen from the violet, that memory long holds dear. But, I have tripped unawares on fairy ground, feeling the balmy gale of ſpring ſtealing on me, though November frowns. As a ſex, women are more chaſte than men, and as modeſty is the effect of chaſtity, they may deſerve to have * Male or female ; for the world contains many modeſt men. this RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 177 this virtue aſcribed to them in rather than an appropri- ated ſenſe; yet, I muſt be allowed to add an helitating if:--for I doubt whether chaſtity will produce modeſty, though it may propriety of conduct, when it is merely a reſpect for the opinion of the world*, and when co- quetry and the lovelorn tales of noveliſts employ the thoughts. Nay, from experience, and reaſon, I ſhould be led to expect to meet with more modeſty amongſt men than women, fimply becauſe men exerciſe their uh- derſtandings more than women. But, with reſpect to propriety of behaviour, except- ing one claſs of females, women have evidently the ad- vantage. What can be more diſguſting than that im- pudent droſs of gallantry, thought ſo manly, which makes many men ſtare inſultingly at every female they meet? Is this reſpect for the ſex? This looſe behaviour ſhews fuch habitual depravity, ſuch weakneſs of mind, that it is vain to expect much public or private virtue, till both men and women grow more modeſt—till men, curbing a fenfual fondneſs for the ſex, or an affectation of man- ly aſſurance, more properly ſpeaking, impudence, treat each other with reſpec-unleſs appetite or paſſion gives the tone, peculiar to it, to their behaviour. I mean even perſonal reſpect-the modeſt reſpect of humanity, and fellow-feeling-not the libidinous mockery of gal- lantry, nor the infolent condeſcenſion of protectorſhip. To carry the obſervation ſtill further, modeſty must heartily diſelaim, and refuſe to dwell with that debauche- ry of mind, which leads a man coolly to bring forward, without a bluſh, indecent alluſions, or obſcene witti- ciſms, in the preſence of a fellow creature ; women are now out of the queſtion, for then it is brutality. Re- ſpect for man, as man, is the foundation of every noble ſentiment. How much more modeft is the libertine * The immodeft behaviour of many married women, who are nevertheleſs faithful to their huſbands' beds, will illuf- trate this remark. who 178 VINDICATION OF THE who obeys the call of appetite or fancy, than the lewd joker who ſets the table in a roar! This is one of the many inſtances in which the ſexu- al diftinction reſpecting modeſty has proved fatal to vir- tue and happineſs. It is, however, carried ftill further, and woman, weak woman! made by her education the flave of ſenſibility, is required, on the moſt trying occa- fions, to reſiſt that ſenſibility. Can any thing,' ſays Knox, be more abſurd than keeping women in a ſtate • of ignorance, and yet ſo vehemently to inſiſt on their reſiſting temptation ?'-Thus when virtue or honour make it proper to check a paſſion, the burden is thrown on the weaker ſhoulders, contrary to reaſon and true modeſty, which, at leaſt, ſhould render the ſelf-denial mutual, to ſay nothing of the generoſity of bravery, fup- poſed to be a manly virtue. In the ſame ſtrain runs Rouſſeau's and Dr. Gregory's advice reſpecting modeſty, ſtrangely miſcalled ! for they both defire a wife to leave it in doubt whether ſenſibili- ty or weakneſs led her to her huſband's arms.--The woman is immodeſt who can let the ſhadow of ſuch a doubt remain on her huſband's mind a moment. But to ſtate the ſubject in a different light. The want of modeſty, which I principally deplore as ſubver- five of morality, ariſes from the ſtate of warfare fo ftre- nuouſly ſupported by voluptuous men as the very eſſence of modeſty, though, in fact, its bane ; becauſe it is a re- finement on luſt, that men fall into who have not fuffici- ent virtue to reliſh the innocent pleaſures of love. A man of delicacy carries his notions of modeſty ſtill fur- ther, for neither weakneſs nor ſenſibility will gratify him--he looks for affection. Again; men boaſt of their triumphs over women,what do they boaſt of? Truly the creature of ſenſibility was ſurpriſed by her ſenſibility into folly-into vice*; and * The poor moth fluttering round a candle, burns its winsgesa the RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 179 the dreadful reckoning falls heavily on her own weak head, when reaſon wakes. For where art thou to find comfort, forlorn and diſconfolate one? He who ought to have directed thy reaſon, and ſupported thy weakneſs, has betrayed thee! In a dream of paffion thou confent- edſt to wander through flowery lawns, and heedleſsly ſtepping over the precipice to which thy guide, inſtead of guarding, lured thee, thou ſtarteſt from thy dream only to face a ineering, frowning world, and to find thyſelf a- lone in a waſte, for he that triumphed in thy weakneſs is now purſuing new conqueſts; but for thee--there is no redemption on this ſide the grave! And what reſource haft thou in an enervated mind to raiſe a ſinking heart? But, if the ſexes are really to live in a ſtate of warfare, if nature has pointed it out, let men act nobly, or let pride whiſper to them, that the victory is mean when they merely vanquiſh ſenſibility. The real conqueſt is that over affection not taken by ſurpriſe-when, like Heloifa, a woman gives up all the world, deliberately, for love. I do not now conſider the wiſdom or virtue of ſuch a fa- crifice, I only contend that it was a facrifice to affection, and not merely to ſenſibility, though ſhe had her ſhare. And I muſt be allowed to call her a inodeſt woman, be- fore I diſmiſs this part of the ſubject, by ſaying, that till men are more chaſte women will be immodeft. Where, indeed, could modeſt women find huſbands from whom they would not continually turn with diſguſt? Modeſty muſt be equally cultivated by both ſexes, or it will ever remain a fickly het-houſe plant, whilſt the affectation of it, the fig-leaf borrowed by wantonneſs, may give a zeſt to voluptuous enjoyments. Men will probably ſtill inſiſt that woman ought to have more modeſty than man; but it is not diſpaſſionate rea- foners who will earneſtly oppoſe my opinion. No, they are the men of fancy, the favourites of the fex, who out- wardly reſpect and inwardly deſpiſe the weak creatures whom they thus ſport with. They cannot ſubmit to reſign 180 VINDICATION OF THE reſign the higheſt ſenſual gratification, nor even to reliſh the epicuriſm of virtue-ſelf denial. To take another view of the ſubject, confining my re- marks to women. The ridiculous falcities * which are told to children, from miſtaken notions of modeſty, tend very early to in- flame their imaginations and ſet their little minds to work, reſpecting ſubjects, which nature never intended they ſhould think of till the body arrived at ſome degree of maturity ; then the paſſions naturally begin to take place of the ſenſes, as inſtruments to unfold the under- ſtanding, and form the moral character. In nurſeries, and boarding-ſchools, I fear, girls are firſt ſpoiled; particularly in the latter. A number of girls ſleep in the ſame room, and waſh together. And, though I ſhould be forry to contaminate an innocent creature's mind by inſtilling falſe delicacy, or thoſe inde- cent prudiſh notions, which early cautions reſpecting the other fex naturally engender, I ſhould be very anx- ious to prevent their acquiring nalty, or immodeſt ha- bits; and as many girls have learned very naſty tricks, from ignorant ſervants, the mixing them thus indiſcri- minately together, is very improper. * Children very eaſy fee cats with their kittens, birds with their young, &c. Why then are they not to be told that their mothers carry and nouriſh them in the ſame way? As there would then be no appearance of myſtery they would ne- ver think of the ſubject more. Truth may always be told to children, if it be told gravely; but it is the immodeſty of af- fected modeſty, that does all the miſchief; and this ſmoke heats the imagination by vainly endeavouring to obſcure certain ob- jects. If, indeed, children could be kept entirely from impro- per company, we ſhould never allude to any ſuch ſubjects; but as this is impoſible, it is beſt to tell them the truth, eſpe- cially as ſuch information, not intereſting ther, will make no impreſion on their imagination. To RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 18 To ſay the truth, women are, in general, too familiar with each other, which leads to that groſs degree of fa- miliarity that ſo frequently renders the marriage ſtate un- happy. Why in the name of decency are liſters, fe- male intimates, or ladies and their waiting-women, to be fo groſsly familiar as to forget the reſpect which one human creature owes to another ? That ſqueamiſh deli- cacy which ſhrinks from the moſt diſguſting offices when affection * or humanity lead us to watch at a fick pillow, is deſpicable. But, why women in health ſhould be more familiar with each other than men are, when they boaſt of their ſuperior delicacy, is a ſoleciſm in man- ners which I could never ſolve. In order to preſerve health and beauty, I ſhould ear- neſtly recommend frequent ablutions, to dignify my ad- vice that it may not offend the faſtidious ear; and, by example, girls ought to be taught to waſh and dreſs alone, without any diſtinction of rank ; and if cuſtom ſhould make them require ſome little atliſtance, let then not re- quire it till that part of the buſineſs is over which ought never to be done before a fellow creature ; becauſe it is an inſult to the majeſty of human nature. Not on the ſcore of modeſty, but decency; for the care which ſome modeſt women take, making at the ſame time a diſplay of that care, not to let their legs be ſeen, is as childish as immodeftt. Affection would rather make one chooſe to perform theſe offices, to ſpare the delicacy of a friend, by ſtill keeping a veil over them, for the perſonal helpleſſneſs, produced by ſickneſs, is of an humbling nature. + I remember to have met with a fentence, in a book of education, that made me ſmile. It would be needleſs to caution you againſt putting your hand, by chance, under your neck-handkerchief: for a modeſt woman never did fo!" Q Q I could 182 VINDICATION OF THE I could proceed ſtill further, till I animadverted on fome ftill more naſty cuſtoms, which men never fall in- to. Secrets are told--where filence ought to reign; and that regard to cleanlineſs, which ſome religious fects have, perhaps, carried too far, eſpecially the Effenes, amongſt the Jews, by making that an inſult to God which is only an inſult to humanity, is violated in a beaſtly manner. How can delicate women obtrude on notice that part of the animal oeconomy, which is ſo ve- ry diſguſting? And is it not very rational to conclude, that the women who have not been taught to reſpect the human nature of their own ſex, in theſe particulars, will not long reſpect the mere difference of ſex in their huſs bands? After their maideniſh baſhfulneſs is once loft, I, in fact, have generally obſerved, that women fall into old habits; and treat their huſbands as they did their fifters or female acquaintance. Beſides, women from neceffity, becauſe their minds are not cultivated, have recourſe very often to what I I fa- miliarly term bodily wit; and their intimacies are of the fame kind. In ſhort, with reſpect to both mind and body, they are too intimate. That decent perſonal reſerve which is the foundation of dignity of character, muſt be kept up between women, or their minds will never gain ſtrength or modeſty. On this account alſo, I object to many females being ſhut up together in nurſeries, ſchools, or convents. I cannot recollect without indignation, the jokes and hoi- den tricks, which knots of young women indulge them- felves in, when in my youth accident threw me, an awk- ward ruſtic in their way. They were almoſt on a par with the double meanings, which ſhake the convivial table when the glaſs has circulated freely. But, it is vain to attempt to keep the heart pure, unleſs the head is furnithed with ideas, and ſet to work to compare them, in order to acquire judgment, by generalizing ſimple ones , RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 183 ones; and modeſty, by making the underſtanding damp the ſenſibility. It may be thought that I lay too great a ſtreſs on per- fonal reſerve; but it is ever the handmaid of modeſty, So that were I to name the graces that ought to adorn beauty, I ſhould inſtantly exclaim cleanlineſs, neatneſs, and perſonal reſerve. It is obvious, I ſuppoſe, that the reſerve I inean, has nothing ſexual in it, and that I think it equally neceſſary in both ſexes. So neceffary, indeed, is that referve and cleanlineſs, which indolent women too often neglect, that I will venture to affirm that when two or three women live in the ſame houſe, the one will be moſt reſpected by the male part of the family, who reſide with them, leaving love entirely out of the queſtion, who pays this kind of habitual reſpect to her perſon. When domeſtic friends meet in a morning, there will naturally prevail an affectionate ſeriouſneſs, eſpecially, if each look forward to the diſcharge of daily duties; and, it may be reckoned fanciful, but this ſentiment has frequently riſen ſpontaneouſly in iny mind, I have been pleaſed after breathing the ſweet-bracing morning air, to ſee the ſame kind of freſhneſs in the countenances I particularly loved; I was glad to ſee them braced, as it were, for the day, and ready to run their courſe with the ſun. The greetings of affection in the morning are by theſe means more reſpectful than the familiar tenderneſs which frequently prolongs the evening talk. Nay, I have often felt hurt, not to ſay diſguſted, when a friend has appeared, whom I parted with full dreiled the even- ing before, with her clothes huddled on, becauſe the choſe to indulge herſelf in bed till the laſt moment. Domeſtic affection can only be kept alive by theſe neglected attentions; yet if men and women took half as much pains to dreſs habitually neat, as they do to or nament, or rather to disfigure, their perfons, much would be done towards the attainment of purity of mind. But Q2 women 154 VINDICATION OF THE women only dreſs to gratify men of gallantry; for the lover is always beft pleaſed with the ſimple garb that fits cloſe to the ſhape. "There is an impertinence in orna- ments that rebuffs affection ; becauſe love always clings round the idea of home. As a fex, women are habitually indolent; and every thing tends to make them ſo. I do not forget the ſpurts of activity which ſenſibility produces ; but as theſe flights of feelings only increaſe the evil, they are not to be confounded with the flow, orderly walk of reaſon. So great in reality is their mental and bodily indolence, that till their body be ſtrengthened, and their underſtand- ing enlarged by active exertions, there is little reaſon to expect that modeſty will take place of baſhfulneſs. They may find it prudent to aſſume its ſemblance; but the fair veil will only be worn on gala days. Perhaps, there is not a virtue that mixes fo kindly with every other as modeſty.-It is the pale moon-beain that renders more intereſting every virtue it foftens, giv- ing mild grandeur to the contracted horizon. Nothing can be more beautiful than the poetical fiction, which makes Diana with her filver creſcent, the goddeſs of chaſtity. I have ſometimes thought, that wandering with ſedate ſtep in ſome lonely recefs, a modeſt dame of antiquity muſt have felt a glow of con cious dignity when, after contemplating the ſoft ſhadowy landſcape, the has invited with placid fervour the mild reflection of her fifters beams to turn to her chaſte bofom. A Chriftian has ſtill nobler motives to incite her to preſerve her chaſtity and acquire modeſty, for her body has been called the Temple of the living God; of that God who requires more than modeſty of mien. His pve fearcheth the heart ; and let her remember, that if fhe hopeth to find favour in the fight of purity itſelf, her chutity muſt be founded on modeſty and not on worldly prudence; or verily a good reputation will be her only reward; for that awful intercourſe, that facred commu- nication, RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 5 185 nication, which virtue eſtabliſhes between man and his Maker, muſt give riſe to the wiſh of being pure as he is pure! After the foregoing remarks, it is almoſt ſuperfluous to add, that I conſider all thoſe feminine airs of matti- rity, which ſucceed bathfulneſs, to which truth is facri- ficed, to ſecure the heart of a huſband, or rather to force him to be fill a lover when nature would, had the nor been interrupted in her operations, have made love give place to friendihip, as immodeſt. The tenderneſs which a man will feel for the mo:her of his children is an ex- cellent ſubſtitute for the arduur of unſatisfied paſſion ; but to prolong that ardour it is indelicate, not to ſay immo- deſt, für women to feign an unnatural coldneſs of conſti- tution. Women as well as men ought to have the com- mon appetites and paſſions of their nature, they are on- ly brutal when unchecked by reafon : but the obligation to check thein is the duty of mankind, not a ſexual duty. Nature, in theſe reſpects, may ſafely be left to herſelf; let women only acquire knowledge and humanity, and love will teach them mudeſty*. There is no need of falſe- houds, diſguſting as futile, for ſtudied rules of behaviour only impoſe on ihallow obſervers; a man of ſenſe ſoon fees through, and deſpiſes the affectation. The behaviour of young people, to each other, as men and women, is the laſt thing that ſhould be thought of in education. In fact, behaviour in moſt circumſtances is now ſo much thought of, that ſimplicity of character is rarely to be ſeen : yet, if men were only anxious to cultivate each virtue, and let it take root firmly in the * The behaviour of many newly married women has often diſguſted me. They ſeem anxious never to let their huſbands forget the privilege of marriage, and to find no pleaſure in his Society unleſs he is aeting the lover. Short, indeed, muſt be the reign of love, when the flame is thus conſtantly blown up, without its receiving any ſolid fewi!! mind, Q3 186 VINDICATION OF THE mind, the grace reſulting from it, its natural exterior mark,would ſoon ſtrip affectation of its flaunting plumes; becauſe, fallacious as unſtable, is the conduct that is not founded upon truth! Would ye, O my ſiſters, really poſſeſs modeſty, ye muſt remember that the poſſeſſion of virtue, of any de- nomination, is incompatible with ignorance and vani- ty! ye muſt acquire that foberneſs of mind, which the exerciſe of duties, and the purſuit of knowledge, alone inſpire, or ye will ſtill remain in a doubtful dependent fituation, and only be loved whilſt ye are fair! The downcaſt eye, the rowſy bluſh, the retiring grace, are all proper in their ſeaſon; but modeſty, being the child of reaſon, cannot long exiſt with the ſenſibility that is not tempered by reflection. Beſides, when love, even inno- cent love, is the whole employ of our lives, your hearts will be too ſoft to afford modefty that tranquil retreat, where the delights to dwell, in cloſe union with humanity. ・・・・・・･・・・・・・イベ ​さん​･人​･人​･人​･人​･人​・ CH A P. VIII. Morality undermined by ſexual notions of the importance of a good reputation. I T has long ſince occurred to me that adviſe reſpecting 1 behaviour, and all the various modes of preſerving a good reputation, which have been ſo ſtrenuouſly incul. cated on the female world, were ſpecious poiſons, that incruiting morality eat away the ſubſtance. And, that this meaſuring of ſhadows produced a falſe calculation, becauſe their length depends ſo much on the height of the fun, and other adventitious circumſtances. From whence ariſes the eaſy fallacious behaviour of a courtier? From his ſituation, undoubtedly: for ſtanding in need of dependents, he is obliged to learn the art of de- nying RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 187 6 man. nying without giving offence, and, of evaſively feeding hope with the chameleon's food : thus does politeneſs ſport with truth, and eating away the fincerity and hu- manity natural to man, produce the fine gentleman. Women in the ſaine way acquire, from a ſuppoſed ne- ceſſity, an equally artificial mode of behaviour. Yet truth is not with impunity to be ſported with, for the practiſed diſembler, at laſt, become the dupe of his own arts, loſes that ſagacity, which has been juſtly termed common ſenſe; namely, a quick perception of common truths : which are conſtantly received as ſuch by the un- ſophiſticated mind, though it might not have had ſuffici- ent energy to diſcover them itſelf, when obfcured by lo- cal prejudices. The greater number of people take their opinions on truſt to avoid the trouble of exerciſing their own minds, and theſe indolent beings naturally adhere to the letter, rather than the ſpirit of a law, divine or hu- Women,' ſays ſome author, I cannot recollect who, mind not what only heaven fees.' Why, indeed fhould they? it is the eye of man that they have been taught to dread—and if they can lull their Argus to ſleep, they ſeldom think of heaven or themſelves, becauſe their reputation is ſafe, and it is reputation not chaſtity and all its fair train, that they are employed to keep free from ſpot, not as a virtue, but to preſerve their ſtation in the world. To prove the truth of this remark, I need only ad- vert to the intrigues of married women, particularly in high life, and in countries where women are ſuitably married, according to their reſpective ranks, by their pa- If an innocent girl become a prey to love, ſhe is degraded for ever, though her mind was not polluted by the arts which married women, under the convenient cloke of marriage, practife; nor has ſhe violated any du- ty-but the duty reſpecting herſelf. The married wo- man on the contrary, breaks a moſt ſacred engagement, and becomes a cruel mother when ſhe is a falſe and faithleſs rents. 188 VINDICATION OF THE faithleſs wife. If her huſband has ſtill an affection for her, the arts which ſhe muſt practiſe to deceive him, will render her the moſt contemptible of human beings; and at any rate, the contrivances neceffary to preſerve appear- ances, will keep her mind in that childiſh, or vicious tumult which deſtroys all its energy. Beſides, in time, like thoſe people who habitually take cordials to raiſe their ſpirits, ſhe will want an intrigue to give life to her thoughts, having loſt all reliſh for pleaſures that are not highly ſeaſoned by hope or fear. Sometimes married women act ftill more audaciouſly; I will mention an inſtance. A woman of quality, notorious for her gallantries, though as the fill lived with her huſband, nobody choſe to place her in the claſs where the ought to have been placed, made a point of treating with the inoſt inſulting contempt a poor timid creature, abaſhed by a fenfe of her former weakneſs, whom a neighbouring gentleman had feduced and afterwards married. This woman had actually confounded virtue with reputation; and, I do believe, valued herſelf on the propriety of her behaviour before marriage, though when once ſettled, to the fatis- faction of her fainily, the and her lord were equally faith- leſs, --ſo that the half alive heir to an immenſe eſtate, came from heaven knows where! To view this ſubject in another light. I have known a number of women who, if they did not love their huſbands, loved nobody elſe, give them- ſelves entirely up to vanity and diſſipation, neglecting every domeſtic duty; nay, even ſquandering away all the money which ſhould have been ſaved for their help- leſs younger children, yet have plumed themſelves on their unſullied reputation, as if the whole compaſs of their duty as wives and mothers was only to preſerve it. Whilſt other indolent women neglecting every perſonal duty, have thought that they deſerved their huſbands' af- fection, becauſe they acted in this reſpect with propri- ety. Weak RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 189 6 6 Weak minds are always fond of reſting in the cere- monials of duty, but morality offers much ſimpler mo- tives; and it were to be wiſhed that ſuperficial moraliſts had ſaid leſs reſpecting behaviour, and outward obſer- vances, for unleſs virtue, of any kind, is built on know- ledge, it will only produce a kind of infipid decency. Reſpect for the opinion of the world has, however, been termed the principal duty of woman in the moſt expreſs words, for Rouſſeau declares,' that reputation is no leſs indiſpenſable than chaſtity. A man,' adds he, feu cure in his own good conduct, depends only on him- • felf, and may brave the public opinion ; but a woman, in behaving well, performs but half her duty, as what is thought of her, is as important to her as what the really is. It follows hence, that the ſyſtem of a wo- man's education ſhould, in this reſpect, be directly con- trary to that of ours, Opinion is the grave of virtue among the men; but its throne among women.' It is ſtrictly logical to infer that the virtue that reſts on opi- nion is merely worldly, and that it is the virtue of a be- ing to whom reaſon has been denied. But, even with reſpect to the opinion of the world, I am convinced that this claſs of reaſoners are miſtaken. This regard for reputation, independent of its being one of the natural rewards of virtue, however, took its riſe from a cauſe that I have already deplored as the grand fource of female depravity, the impoffibility of regaining reſpectability by a return to virtue, though inen preſerve theirs during the indulgence of vice. It was natural for women then tu endeavour to preſerve what once loft--was loft for ever, till this care ſwallowing up every other care, Teputation for chaſtity, became the one thing needful to the fex. But vain is the ſcrupulofity of ignorance, for neither religion nor virtue, when they reſide in the heart, require ſuch a puerile attention to mere ceremo- nies, becauſe the behaviour muſt, upon the whole, be proper, when the motive is pure. To I90 VINDICATION OF THE To ſupport my opinion I can produce very reſpecta. ble authority; and the authority of a cool reaſoner ought to have weight to enforce conſideration, though not to eſtabliſh a ſentiment. Speaking of the general laws of morality, Dr. Smith obſerves - That by ſome very • extraordinary and unlucky circumſtance, a good man may come to be ſuſpected of a crime of which he was altogether incapable, and upon that account be moſt * unjuſtly expoſed for the remaining part of his life to the horror and averſion of mankind. By an accident of this kind he may be ſaid to loſe his all, notwith- • ſtanding his integrity and juſtice, in the ſame manner as a cautious man, notwithſtanding his utmoſt circum- * ſpection, may be ruined by an earthquake or an inun- 6 dation. Accidents of the firſt kind, however, are per- “haps ſtill more rare, and ſtill more contrary to the common courſe of things than thofe of the ſecond; and it ſtill remains true, that the practice of truth, juf- "tice, and humanity, is a certain and almoſt infallible method of acquiring what thoſe virtues chiefly aim at, o the confidence and love of thoſe we live with. A per- . fon may be eaſily miſrepreſented with regard to a parti- 'cular action ; but it is ſcarce poſſible that he ſhould be ſo with regard to the general tenor of his conduct. An • innocent man may be believed to have done wrong: * this, however, will rarely happen. On the contrary, the eſtablithed opinion of the innocence of his manners • will often lead us to abſolve him where he has really * been in the fault, notwithſtanding very ſtrong pre- fumptions.' I perfectly coincide in opinion with this writer, for I verily believe that few of either lex were ever deſpiſed for certain vices withont deſerving to be deſpiſed. I ſpeak not of the calumny of the moment, which hangs over a character, like one of the denſe fogs of November, over this metropolis, till it gradually ſubſides before the common light of day, I only contend that the daily con- duet RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 191 duct of the majority prevails to ſtamp their character with the impreſion of truth. Quietly does the clear light, fhining day after day, refute the ignorant furmiſe, or ma- licious tale, which has thrown dirt on a pure character. A falſe light diſtorted, for a ſhort time, its ſhadow-re- putation ; but it ſeldoms fails to become juſt when the cloud is diſperſed that produced the miſtake in viſion. Many people, undoubtedly, in ſeveral reſpects obtain a better reputation than, ſtrictly ſpeaking, they deſerve; for unremitting induſtry will moſtly reach its goal in all races. They who only ſtrive for this paltry prize, like the Phariſees, who prayed at the corners of ſtreets, to be ſeen of men, verily obtain the reward they ſeek; for the heart of man cannot be read by man! Still the fair fame that is naturally reflectad by good actions, when the man is only employed to direct his ſteps aright, regardleſs of the lookers-on, is in general, not only more true but more fure. There are, it is true, trials when the good man muſt appeal to God from the injuſtice of man; and amidſt the whining candour or hiſſings of envy, erect a pavilion in his own mind to retire to till the rumour be overpaſt; nay, the darts of undeferved cenſure may pierce an innocent tender bofoin through with many ſorrows; but theſe are all exceptions to general rules, And it is according to theſe common laws that human behaviour ought to be regulated. The eccentric orbit of the comet never in- fluences aſtronomical calculations reſpecting the invaria- ble order eſtabliſhed in the motion of the principal bo- dies of the folar fyftem. I will then venture to affirm, that after a man is arriv- ed at maturity, the general outline of his character in the world is juſt, allowing for the before-mentioned excepa tions to the rule. I do not ſay that a prudent, worldly- wiſe man, with only negative virtues and qualities, may not fometimes obtain a more ſmooth reputation than a wiſer or a better man. So far from it, that I am apt to conclude 192 VINDICATION OF THE conclude from experience, that where the virtue of two people is nearly equal, the moſt negative character will be liked belt by the world at large, whilſt the other may have inore friends in private life. But the hills and dales, clouds and ſunſhine, conſpicuous in the virtues of great men, ſet off each other; and though they afford envious weakneſs a fairer mark to ſhoot at, the real character: will ſtill work its way to light, though beſpattered by weak affection, or ingenious malice*. With reſpect to that anxiety to preſerve a reputation hardly earned, which leads fagacious people to analyze it, I thall not make the obvious comment; but I am afraid that morality is very inſidiouſly undermined, in the female world, by the attention being turned to the ſhew inſtead of the ſubſtance. A fimple thing is thus made ſtrangely complicated; nay, ſometimes virtue and its ſhadow are ſet at variance. We ſhould never, per- haps, have heard of Lucretia, had ſhe died to preſerve her chaſtity inſtead of her reputation. If we really de- ſerve our own good opinion we ſhall commonly be re- fpected in the world; but if we pant after higher im- provement and higher attainments, it is not fufficient to view ourſelves as we ſuppoſe that we are viewed by others, though this has been ingeniouſly argued, as the foundation of our moral ſentimentst. Becauſe, each by- ftander may have his own prejudices, beſides the preju- dices of his age or country. We ſhould rather endea- vour to view ourſelves as we ſuppoſe that Beings views us who feeth each thought ripen into action, and whoſe judgment never ſwerves from the eternal rule of right. Righteous are all his judgments—juſt as merciful! The humble mind that ſeeketh to find favour in His fight, and calmly examines its conduct when only His preſence is felt, will feldom form a very erroneous opi- * I allude to various biographical writings, but particu- Jarly to Boſwell's Life of Fohnſon. + Smith. nion RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 193 nion of its own virtues. During the ſtill hour of ſelf- collection the angry brow of offended juſtice will be fear- fully deprecated, or the tie which draws man to the De- ity will be recognized in the pure ſentiment of reverenti- al adoration, that ſwells the heart without exciting any tumultuous emotions. In theſe folemn moments man diſcovers the germ of thoſe vices, which like the Java tree ſhed a peſtiferous vapour around-death is in the thade! and he perceives them without abhorrence, be- cauſe he feels himſelf drawn by ſome cord of love to all his fellow creatures, for whoſe follies he is anxious to find every extenuation in their nature-in himſelf. If 1, he may thus argue, who exerciſe my own mind, and have been refined by tribulation, find the ſerpent's egg in ſome fold of my heart, and cruſh it with difficulty, ſhall not I pity thoſe who have ſtamped with leſs vigour, or who have heedleſsly nurtured the inſidious reptile till it poiſoned the vital ſtream it ſucked? Can, I, conſci- ous of my ſecret fins, throw off my fellow-creatures, and calmly fee them drop into the chaſm of perdition, that yawns to receive them.-No! no! The agonized heart will cry with ſuffocating impatience—I too am a man! and have vices, hid, perhaps, from human eye, that bend me to the duſt before God, and loudly tell me, when all is mute, that we are formed of the ſame earth, and breathe the fame element. Humanity thus riſes na- turally out of humility, and twiſts the cords of love that in various convolutions entangle the heart. This fympathy extends ftill further, till a man well pleaſed obferves force in arguments that do not carry conviction to his own boſom, and he gladly places in the faireft light, to himſelf, the ſhews of reaſon that have led others aſtray, rejoiced to find ſome reaſon in all the errors of man; though before convinced that he who rules the day makes his fun to ſhine on all. Yet, ſhak- ing hands thus as it were with corruption, one foot on earth, the other with bold ſtride mounts to heaven, and R claims 194 VINDICATION OF THE claims kindred with ſuperior natures. Virtues, unob- ſerved by man, drop their balmy fragrance at this cool hour, and the thirſty land, refreihed by the pure ſtreams of comfort that ſuddenly guſh out, is crowned with ſimil- ing verdure; this is the living green, on which that eye may look with complacency that is too pure to behold iniquiry! But iny ſpirits flag ; and I muſt filently indulge the reverie theſe reflections lead to, unable to deſcribe the ſentiments, that have calmed my foul, when watch- ing the riſing fun, a ſoft fhower drizzling through the leaves of neighbouring trees, ſeemed to fall on my lan- guid, yet tranquil ſpirits, to cool the heart that had been heated by the paſſions which reaſon laboured to tame. The leading principles which run through all my diſ- quiſitions, would render it unnecellary to enlarge on this ſubject, if a conſtant attention to keep the varniſh of the characer freſh, and in good condition, were not often inculcated as the ſum total of female duty; if rules to regulate the behaviour, and to preſerve the reputati- on, did not too frequently ſuperſede moral obligations. But, with reſpect to reputation, the attention is confin- ed to a ſingle virtue-chaſtity. If the honour of a wo- man, as it is abſurdly called, is ſafe, ſhe may neglect eve- ry ſocial duty; nay, ruin her family by gaming and ex- travagance ; yet ſtill preſent a ſhameleſs front--for tru- ly ſhe is an honourable woman! Mrs. Macaulay has juſtly obſerved, that there is but one fault which a woman of honour may not commit • with impunity.' She then juftly and humanely adds - This has given riſe to the trite and foolish obſerva- ition, that the firſt fault againſt chaſtity in a woman • has a radical power to deprave the character. But no • ſuch frail beings come out of the hands of nature. The human mind is built of nobler materials than to • be ſo eaſily corrupted ; and with all their diſadvantag- es of ſituation and education, women feldom become entirely 6 RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 195 $ 6 entirely abandoned till they are thrown into a ſtate of deſperation, by the venemous rancour of their own ſex.' But, in proportion as this regard for the reputation of chaſtity is prized by women, it is deſpiſed by men : and the two extremes are equally deſtructive to moral- ity. Men are certainly more under the influence of their appetites than women ; and their appetites are more de- praved by unbridled indulgence and the faſtidious con- trivances of ſatiety. Luxury has introduced a refinement in eating, that deſtroys the conſtitution ; and, a degree of gluttony which is ſo beaſtly, that a perception of feemlineſs of behaviour muſt be worn out before one be- ing could eat immoderately in the preſence of another, and afterwards complain of the oppreſſion that his in- temperance naturally produced. Some women, parti- cularly French women, have alſo loft a ſenſe of decen- cy in this reſpect; for they will talk very calmly of an indigeſtion. It were to be wiſhed that idleneſs was not allowed to generate, on the rank foil of wealth, thoſe ſwarms of ſummer inſects that feed on putrefaction, we ſhould not then be diſguſted by the fight of ſuch brutal excefles. There is one rule relative to behaviour that, I think, ought to regulate every other; and it is ſimply to cheriſh ſuch an habitual reſpect for mankind as may prevent us from diſguſting a fellow creature for the ſake of a pre- fent indulgence. The ſhameful indolence of many mar- ried women, and others a little advanced in life, frequent- ly leads them to fin againſt delicacy. For, though con- vinced that the perſon is the band of union between the ſexes, yet, how often do they from ſheer indolence, or, to enjoy ſome trifling indulgence, diſguſt? The depravity of the appetite which brings the ſexes together, has had a ftill more fatal effect. Natare muſt ever be the ſtandard of taſte, the gauge of appetite-yet R2 how 196 VINDICATION OF THE guft. The how grofsly is nature infulted by the voluptuary. Leav- ing the refinements of love out of the queſtion ; nature, by making the gratification of an appetite, in this re- ſpect, as well as every other, a natural and imperious law to preſerve the ſpecies, exalts the appetite, and mix- es a little mind and affection with a ſenſual feelings of a parent mingling with an inſtinct merely animal, give it dignity; and the man and woman often meeting on account of the child, a mutual intereſt and affection is excited by the exerciſe of a common ſym- pathy. Women then having neceſſarily fome duty to fulfil, more noble than to adorn their perſons, would not contentedly be the flaves of caſual luft; which is now the ſituation of a very conſiderable number who are, lite- rally ſpeaking, ſtanding diſhes to which every glutton may have acceſs. I may be told that great as this enormity is, it only affects a devoted part of the fex-devoted for the ſalvati- on of the reſt. But, falfe as every affertion might eaſily be proved, that recommends the ſanctioning a ſmall evil to produce a greater good; the mifchief does not ſtop here, for the moral character, and peace of mind, of the chafter part of the ſex, is undermined by the con- duct of the very women to whom they allow no refuge from guilt: whom they inexorably conſign to the exer- ciſe of arts that lure their huſbands from them, debauch their fons, and force them, let not modeſt women ſtart, to affume, in fome degree, the fame character them- ſelves. For I will venture to aſſert, that all the cauſes of female weakneſs, as well as depravity, which I have already enlarged on, branch out of one grand cauſe- want of chaſtity in men. This intemperance, ſo prevalent, depraves the appe- tite to ſuch a degree, that a wanton ftimulus is neceſſary to rouſe it; but the parental deſign of nature is forgot- ten, and the mere perſon, and that for a moment, alone engroſſes the thoughts. So voluptuous, indeed, often grows RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 197 grows the luftful prowler, that he refines on female foft- neſs. Something more ſoft than woman is then ſought for ; till, in Italy and Portugal, men attend the levees of- equivocal beings, to ſigh for more than female langour. To ſatisfy this genius of men, women are made fyf- tematically voluptuous, and though they may not all carry their libertiniſm to the ſame height, yet this heartleſs in- tercourſe with the ſex, which they allow themſelves, de- praves both ſexes, becauſe the taſte of men is vitiated ; and women, of all claſſes, naturally ſquare their behavi- our to gratify the taſte by which they obtain pleaſure and power. Women becoming, conſequently, weaker, in mind and body, than they ought to be, were one of the grand ends of their being taken into the account, that of bearing and nurſing children, have not fufficient Arength to diſcharge the firſt duty of a mother; and fa- crificing to laſciviouſneſs the parental affection, that en- nobles inſtinct, either deſtroy the embryo in the womb, or caſt it off when born. Nature in every thing demands reſpect, and thoſe who violate her laws ſeldom violate them with impunity. The weak enervated women who particularly catch the attention of libertines, are unfit to be mothers, though they may conceive; fo that the rich fenfualiſt, who has rioted among women, ſpreading depravity and miſery, when he wiſhes to perpetuate his name, receives from his wife only an half-formed being that inherits both its father's and mother's weakneſs.. Contraſting the humanity of the preſent age with the barbariſm of antiquity, great ſtreſs has been laid on the ſavage cuſtom of expoſing the children whom their pa- rents could not maintain ; whilſt the man of ſenſibility, who thus, perhaps,complains, by his promiſcuous amours produces a molt deſtructive barrenneſs and contagious flagitiouſneſs of manners. Surely nature never intended that women, by ſatisfying an appetite, ſhould fruſtrate the very purpoſe for which it was implanted? I have: R3 298 VINDICATION OF THE I have before obſerved, that men ought to maintain the women whom they have ſeduced ; this would be one means of reforming female manners, and ſtopping an a. bufe that has an equally fatal effect on population and morals. Another, no leſs obvious, would be to turn the attention of woman to the real virtue of chaſtity; for to little reſpect has that woman a claim, on the ſcore of mo- deſty, though her reputation may be white as the driven fnow, who ſmiles on the libertine whilſt the ſpurns the widtims of his lawleſs appetites and their own folly. Beſides, ſhe has a taint of the fame folly, pure as the eſteems herſelf, when the ſtudiouſly adorns her perſon on- ly to be ſeen by men, to excite reſpectful fighs, and all the idle homage of what is called harmleſs gallantry. Did women really reſpect virtue for its own fake, they would not ſeek for a compenſation in vanity, for the felf- denial which they are obliged to practiſe to preſerve their reputation, nor would they affociate with inen who fet reputation at defiance. The two fexes mutually corrupt and improve each other. This I believe to be an indiſputable truth, ex- tending it to every virtue. Chaſtity, modeſty, public ſpi- rit, and all the noble train of virtues, on which focial vir- túe and happineſs is built, ſhould be underſtood and cul- tivated by all mankind, or they will be cultivated to lit- tle effect. And, inſtead of furniſhing the vicious or idle with a pretext for violating fome ſacred duty, by terming it a fexual one, it would be wiſer to thew that nature has not made any difference, for that the unchafte man dou- bly defeats the purpoſe of nature, by rendering women barren, and deſtroying his own conſtitution, though he avoids the ſhame that purſues the crime in the other fex. Theſe are the phyſical conſequences, the moral are ſtill more alarming; for virtue is only a nominal diſtinction when the duties of citizens, huſbands, wives, fathers, mothers, and directors of families, become merely the Selfiſh ties of convenience. Why RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 199 Why then do philofophers look for public ſpirit? Pub- lic fpirit muſt be nurtured by private virtue, or it will reſemble the factitious ſentiment which makes women careful to preſerve their reputation, and men their ho- nour. A fentiment that often exiſts unſupported by vir- tue, unſupported by that ſublime morality which makes the habitual breach of one duty a breach of the whole mo- ral law. ogo2.4.2.462.40 文​:httle: С НА Р. IX. FRO Of the pernicious effects which ariſe from the unnatural dif- tinčtions eſtabliſhed in ſociety. "ROM the reſpect paid to property flow, as from a poiſoned fountain, moſt of the evils and vices which Tender this world fuch a dreary ſcene to the contempla- tive mind. For it is in the moſt poliſhed ſociety that noiſome reptiles and venomous ferpents lurk under the rank herbage ; and there is voluptuoufneſs pampered by the ſtill fultry air, which relaxes every good diſpoſition before it ripens into virtue. One claſs preſſes on another; for all are aiming to procure reſpect on account of their property: and pro- perty, once gained, will procure the reſpect due only to talents and virtue. Men neglect the duties incumbent on man, yet are treated like demi-gods ; religion is al- fo ſeparated from morality by a ceremonial veil, yet men wonder that the world is almoſt literary ſpeaking a den of ſharpers or oppretfors. There is a homely proverb, which ſpeaks a ſhrewd truth, that whoever the devil finds idle he will employ.. And what but habitual idleneſs can hereditary wealth and titles produce ? For man is fo conſtituted that he can on- ly attain a proper uſe of his faculties by exerciſing them, and will not exerciſe them unleſs neceſſity, of ſome kind fire 200 VINDICATION OF THE firſt ſet the wheels in motion. Virtue likewiſe can on- ly be acquired by the diſcharge of relative duties; but the importance of theſe ſacred duties will ſcarcely be felt by the being who is cajoled out of his humanity by the flat- tery of fycophants. There muſt be more equality elta- bliſhed in ſociety, or morality will never gain ground, and this virtuous equality will not reſt firmly even when founded on a rock, if one half of mankind are chained to its bottom by fate, for they will be continually un- dermining it through ignorance or pride. It is vain to expect virtue from women till they are in fome degree, independent of men; nay, it is vain to ex- pect that ſtrength of natural affection, which would make them good wives and inothers. Whilſt they are abfo- lutely dependent on their huſbands they will be cunning mean and ſelfiſh, and the men who can be gratified by the fawning fondneſs, of ſpaniel-like affection, have not much delicacy, for love is not to be bought, in any ſenſe of the words, its filken wings are inſtantly thrivelled up when any thing beſide a return in kind is fought. Yet whilſt wealth enervates men; and women live, as it were, by their perſonal charms, how can we expect them to diſcharge thoſe ennobling duties which equally require exertion and ſelf-denial. Hereditary property fophifti- cates the mind, and the unfortunate vi&tims to it, if I may. ſo expreſs myſelf, ſwathed from their birth, feldom ex- ert the locomotive faculty of body or mind; and, thus viewing every thing through one medium, and that a falſe one, they are unable to diſcern in what true merit and happineſs confift. Falle, indeed, muſt be the light when the drapery of ſituation hides the man, and makes him ſtalk in maſquerade, dragging from one ſcene of dif- fipation to another, the nerveleſs limbs that hang with ſtupid liſtleſſneſs, and rolling round the vacant eye which plainly tells us that there is no mind at home. I mean, therefore, to infer that the ſociety is not pro- perly organized which does not compel men and women, to RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 201 to diſcharge their reſpective duties, by making it the on- ly way to acquire that countenance from their fellow creatures, which every human being wiſhes fome way to attain. The reſpect, conſequently, which is paid to wealth and mere perſonal charms, is a true north-eaſt blait, that blights the tender blofloms of affection and virtue. Nature has wiſely attached affections to duties, to ſweeten toil, and to give that vigour to the exertions of reaſon which only the heart can give. But, the af- fection which is put on merely becauſe it is the appro- priated inſignia of a certain character, when its duties are not fulfilled, is one of the empty compliments which vice and folly are obliged to pay to virtue and the real nature of things. To illuſtrate my opinion, I need only obſerve, that when a woman is admired for her beauty, and ſuffers herſelf to be ſo far intoxicated by the admiration the re- ceives, as to neglect to diſcharge the indiſpenſable duty of a mother, ſhe fins againſt herſelf by neglecting to eultivate an affection that would equally tend to make her uſeful and happy. True happineſs, I mean all the contentment, and virtuous ſatisfaction, that can be ſnatched in this imperfect ftate, muſt ariſe from well re- gulated affections; and an affection includes a duty. Men are not aware of the miſery they cauſe, and the vi- cious weakneſs they cheriſh, by only inciting women to render themſelves pleaſing; they do not conſider that they thus make natural and artificial duties claſh, by facrificing the comfort and reſpectability of a woman's life to voluptuous notions of beauty, when in nature they all harmonize. Cold would be the heart of a huſband, were he not rendered unnatural by early debauchery, who did not feel more delight at ſeeing his child ſuckled by its mo- ther, than the moſt artful wanton tricks could ever raile; yet this natural way of cementing the matrimo- nial tie, and twiſting eſteem with fonder recollections, wealth 202 VINDICATION OF THE wealth leads women to ſpurn. To preſerve their beau- ty, and wear the flowery crown of the day, that gives them a kind of right to reign for a ſhort time over the fex, they neglect to ſtamp impreſſions on their huſbands' hearts, that would be remembered with more tenderneſs when the ſnow on the head began to chill the boſom, than even their virgin charms. The maternal folici- tude of a reaſonable affectionate woman is very intereſt- ing, and the chaſtened dignity with which a mother re- turns the careſſes that ſhe and her child receive from a father who has been fulfilling the ſerious duties of his ſtation, is not only a reſpectable but a beautiful fight. So fingular, indeed, are my feelings, and I have endea- voured not to catch factitious ones, that after having been fatigued with the fight of inſipid grandeur and the flav- iſh ceremonies that with cumberous pomp ſupplied the place of domeſtic affections, I have turned to ſome other ſcene to relieve my eye by refting it on the refreſhing green every where ſcattered by nature. I have then viewed with pleaſure a woman nurſing her children, and diſcharging the duties of her ſtation with, perhaps, merely a ſervant maid to take off her hands the ſervile part of the houſehold buſineſs. I have ſeen her prepare herſelf and children, with only the luxury of cleanlineſs, to receive her huſband, who returning weary home in the evening found (miling babes and a clean hearth. My heart has loitered in the midſt of the group, and has even throbbed with ſympathetic emotion, when the ſcraping of the well known foot has raiſed a pleaſing tumult. Whilſt my benevolence has been gratified by contem- plating this artleſs picture, I have thought that a couple of this deſcription, equally neceſſary and independent of each other, becauſe each fulfilled the reſpective duties of their ſtation, pofſeffed all that life could give.-Raiſed fufficiently above abject poverty not to be obliged to weigh the conſequence of every farthing they ſpend, and having RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 203 having ſufficient to prevent their attending to a frigid ſyſtem of oeconomy, which narrows both heart and mind. I declare, ſo vulgar are my conceptions, that I know not what is wanted to render this the happieſt as well as the moſt reſpectable ſituation in the world, but a taſte for li- terature, to throw a little variety and intereſt into ſocial converſe, and ſome fuperfluous money to give to the nee- dy and to buy books. For it is not pleaſant when the heart is opened by compaſſion and the head active in arranging plans of uſefulneſs, to have a prim urchin continually twitching back the elbow to prevent the hand from drawing out an almoſt empty purſe, whil- pering at the ſame time fome prudential maxim about the priority of juſtice. Deltructive, however, as riches and inherited honours are to the human character, women are more debaſed and cramped, if poſſible by them, than men, becauſe men may ſtill, in ſome degree, unfold their faculties by becoming ſoldiers and ſtateſmen. As foldiers, I grant, they can only gather, for the moſt part, vain glorious laurels, whilſt they adjuſt to a hair the European balance, taking eſpecial care that no bleak nor- thern nook or found incline the beam. But the days of true heroiſm are over, when a citizen fought for his country like a Fabricius or a Waſhington, and then re- turned to his farm to let his virtuous fervour run in a more placid, but not a leſs ſalutary, ſtream. No, our Britiſh heroes are oftner ſent from the gaming table than from the plow; and their pallions have been rather in- flamed by hanging with dumb fuſpenſe on the turn of a die, than fublimated by panting after the adventurous march of virtue in the hiſtoric page. The ſtateſman, it is true, might with more propriety quit the Faro Bank or card-table, to guide the helm, for he has ſtill but to fhuffle and trick. The whole fyftem of Britiſh politics, if fyſtem it may courteoufly be called, conſiſting in multiplying dependents and contriving tax- es 204 VINDICATION OF THE es which grind the poor to pamper the rich; thus a war, or any wild gooſe chace is, as the vulgar uſe the phraſe, a lucky turn-up of patronage for the miniſter, whoſe chief merit is the art of keeping himſelf in place. It is not neceſſary then that he ſhould have bowels for the poor, ſo he can ſecure for his family the odd trick. Orthould fome fhew of reſpect, for what is termed with ignorant oſtentation an Engliſhman's birth-right, be ex- pedient to bubble the gruff maſtiff that he has to lead by the noſe, he can make an empty ſhew, very ſafely, by giving his ſingle voice, and ſuffering his light ſquadron to file off to the other ſide. And when a queſtion of hu- manity is agitated he may dip a fop in the milk of hu- man kindneſs, to ſilence Cerberus, and talk of the in- tereſt which his heart takes in an attempt to make the earth no longer cry for vengeance as it ſucks in its chil- dren's blood, though his cold hand may at the very mo- ment rivet their chains, by ſanctioning the abominable traffick. A miniſter is no longer a miniſter than while he can carry a point, which he is determined to carry. -Yet it is not neceffary that a minifter ſhould feel like a man, when a bold puſh might fhake his feat. But, to have done with theſe epiſodical obſervations, let me return to the more ſpecious ſlavery which chains the very ſoul of woman, keeping her for ever under the bondage of ignorance. The prepoſterous diſtinctions of rank, which render civilization a curſe, by dividing the world between vo- luptuous tyrants, and cunning envious dependents, cor- rupt, almoſt equally, every claſs of people, becauſe re- ſpectability is not attached to the diſcharge of the rela- lative duties of life, but to the ſtation, and when the du- ties are not fulfilled, the affections cannot gain fufficient Strength to fortify the virtue of which they are the natu- ral reward. Still there are ſome loop-holes out of which a man may creep, and dare to think and act for him- felf; but for a woman it is an herculean talk, becauſe The SRIGHTS OF WOMAN. 205 The has difficulties peculiar to her ſex to overcome, which require almoſt fuper-human powers. A truly benevolent legiſlator always endeavours to make it the intereſt of each individual to be virtuous; and thus private virtue becoming the cement of public happineſs, an orderly whole is conſolidated by the ten- dency of all the parts towards a common centre. But, the private or public virtue of a woman is very proble- inatical; for Rouſſeau, and a numerous lift of male wri- ters, inſiſt that the thould all her life be ſubjected to a fevere reſtraint, that of propriety. Why ſubject her to propriety-blind propriety, if the be capable of acting from a nobler ſpring, if ſhe be an heir of immortality? Is ſugar always to be produced by vital blood ? Is one half of the human ſpecies, like the poor African flaves, to be ſubject to prejudices that brutalize them, when principles would be a ſurer guard, only to ſweeten the cup of man? Is not this indirectly to deny woman rea- fon? for a gift is a mockery, if it be unfit for uſe. Women are, in common with men, rendered weak and luxurious by the relaxing pleaſures which wealth procures; but added to this they are made flaves to their perſons, and muſt render them alluring that man may lend them his reaſon to guide their tottering ſteps aright. Or ſhould they be ambitious, they muſt govern their ty- rants by finiſter tricks, for without rights there cannot be any incumbent duties. The laws reſpecting woman, which I mean to diſcuſs in a future part, make an ab- furd unit of a man and his wife ; and then, by the ea- fy tranſition of only conſidering him as reſponſible, the is reduced to a mere cypher. The being who diſcharges the duties of its ſtation is independent; and, ſpeaking of women at large, their firſt duty is to themſelves as rational creatures, and the next, in point of importance, as citizens, is that, which includes ſo many, of a mother. The rank in life which diſpenſes with their fulfilling this duty, neceffarily de- S grades 206 VINDICATION OF THE grades them by making them mere dolls. Or, ſhould they turn to ſomething more important than merely fit- ting drapery upon a fmooth block, their ininds are on- ly occupied by ſome ſoft platonic attachment; or, the actual management of an intrigue may keep their thoughts in motion ; for when they neglect domeſtic duties, they have it not in their power to take the field and march and counter-march like ſoldiers, or wrangle in the fenate to keep their faculties from rufting. I know that as a proof of the inferiority of the ſex, Rouſſeau has exultingly exclaimed, How can they leave the nurſery for the camp ! -And the camp has by fome moraliſts been termed the ſchool of the moſt heroic vir- tues; though, I think, it would puzzle a keen cafuift to prove the reaſonableneſs of the greater number of wars that have dubbed heroes, I do not mean to conſider this queſtion critically ; becauſe, having frequently viewed theſe freaks of ambition as the firſt natural mode of ci- vilization, when the ground muſt be torn up, and the woods cleared by fire and ſword, I do not chooſe to call them peſts; but ſurely the preſent ſyſtem of war has lit- lle connection with virtue of any denomination, being rather the ſchool of fineſſe and effeminacy, than of forti- tude. Yet, if defenſive war, the only juftifiable war, in the preſent advanced ſtate of ſociety, where virtue can ſhew its face and ripen amidſt the rigours which purify the air on the mountain's top, were alone to be adopted as juſt and glorious, the true heroiſm of antiquity might again animate female boſoms.--But fair and ſoftly, gen- tle reader, male or female, do not alarm thyſelf, for though I have contraſted the character of a modern fol- dier with that of a civilized woman, I am not going to adviſe them to turn their diſtaff into a muſket, though I fincerely wiſh to ſee the bayonet converted into a pru- ning-hook. I only recreated an imagination, fatigued by contemplating the vices and follies which all proceed from RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 207 from a feculent ſtream of wealth that has muddied the pure rills of natural affection, by ſuppoſing that fociety will fome time or other be ſo conſtituted, that man muſt neceſſarily fulfil the duties of a citizen, or be deſpiſed, and that while he was employed in any of the depart- ments of civil life, his wife, alſo an active citizen, ſhould be equally intent to manage her family, educate her chil- dren, and affiſt her neighbours. But, to render her really virtuous and uſeful, ſhe muſt not, if the diſcharge her civil duties, want, individually, the protection of civil laws; ſhe muſt not be dependent on her huſband's bounty for her fubfiftence during his life, or ſupport after his death--for how can a being be generous who has nothing of its own? or, virtuous, who is not free? The wife, in the preſent ſtate of things. who is faithful to her huſband, and neither fuckles nor educates her children, ſcarcely deſerves the name of a wife, and has no right to that of a citizen. But take a- way natural rights, and there is of courſe an end of du- ties. Women thus infallibly become only the wanton fo- lace of men, when they are ſo weak in mind and body, that they cannot exert themſelves, unleſs to purſue fome frothy pleaſure, or to invent fome frivolous falhion. What can be a more melancholy ſight to a thinking mind, than to look into the numerous carriages that drive helter-ſkelter about this metropolis in a morning full of pale-faced creatures who are flying from them- ſelves. I have often wiſhed, with Dr. Johnſon, to place ſome of them in a little ſhop with half a dozen children looking up to their languid countenances for ſupport. I am much miſtaken, if fome latent vigour would not foon give health and ſpirit to their eyes, and ſome lines drawn by the exerciſe of reaſon on the blank cheeks, which before were only undulated by dimples, might re- ſtore lolt dignity to the character, or rather enable it to attain the true dignity of its nature. Virtue is not to be acquired S 2 208 VINDICATION OF THE acquired even by ſpeculation, much leſs by the negative fupineneſs that wealth naturally generates. Beſides, when poverty is more diſgraceful than even vice, is not morality cut to the quick? Still to avoid mif- conftru&ion, though I conſider that women in the com- mon walks of life are called to fulfil the duties of wives and mothers, by religion and reaſon, I cannot help la- menting that women of a ſuperior caſt have not a road open by which they can purſue more extenſive plans of uſefulneſs and independence. I may excite laughter, by dropping an hint, which I mean to purſue, ſome fu- ture time, for I really think that women ought to have repreſentatives, inſtead of being arbitrarily governed without having any direct ſhare allowed them in the de- liberations of government. But, as the whole ſyſtem of repreſentation is now, in this country, only a convenient handle for deſpotiſm, they need not complain, for they are as well repreſented as a numerous claſs of hard working mechanics, who pay for the ſupport of royalty when they can ſcarcely ftop their children's mouths with bread. How are they repreſented whoſe very ſweat ſupports the ſplendid ftud of an heir apparent, or varnishes the chariot of ſome fe- male favourite who looks down on ſhame? Taxes on the very neceflaries of life, enable an endleſs tribe of idle princes and princeſſes to paſs with ſtupid pomp before a gaping crowd, who almoſt worſhip the very parade which coſts them ſo dear. This is mere gothic gran- deur, ſomething like the barbarous uſeleſs parade of hav- ing ſentinels on horſeback at Whitehall, which I could never view without a mixture of contempt and indigna- tion. How ſtrangely muſt the mind be fophiſticated when this ſort of ſtate impreſſes it! But, till theſe monuments of folly are levelled by virtue, Gimilar follies will leaven the whole maſs. For the ſame character, in fome de- gree, will prevail in the aggregate of ſociety : and the refinements RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 209 refinements of luxury, or the vicious repinings of envi- ous poverty, will equally banith virtue from fociety, conſidered as the characteriſtic of that ſociety, or only allow it to appear as one of the ſtripes of the harlequin coat, worn by the civilized man. In the ſuperior ranks of life, every duty is done by deputies, as if duties could ever be waved, and the vain pleaſures which conſequent idleneſs forces the rich to purſue, appear fo enticing to the next rank, that the nu- merous ſcramblers for wealth facrifice every thing to tread on their heels. The moſt ſacred truſts are then conſidered as finecures, becauſe they were procured by intereſt, and only fought to enable a man to keep good company. Women, in particular, all want to be ladies. Which is ſimply to have nothing to do, but liſtleſsly to go they ſcarcely care where, for they cannot tell whar. But what have women to do in ſociety? I may be alk- ed, but to loiter with eaſy grace; furely you would not condemn them all to ſuckle fools and chronicle ſmall beer! No. Women might certainly ſtudy the art of healing, and be phyſicians as well as nurſes. And mid- wifery, decency ſeems to allot to them, though I am a- fraid the word midwife, in our dictionaries, will ſoon give place to accoucheur, and one proof of the former delica- cy of the fex be effaced from the language. They might, alſo, ſtudy policics, and ſettle their be- nevolence on the broadeſt baſis; for the reading of hif- tory will ſcarcely be more uſeful than the peruſal of ro- mances, if read as mere biography ; if the character of the times, the political improvements, arts, &c. be not obferved. In thort, if it be not confidered as the hiſto- Ty of man ; and not of particular men, who filled a niche in the temple of fame, and dropped into the black rolling ſtream of time, that filently ſweeps all before it, into the fhapeleſs void called-eternity.--For thape, can it be called, that ſhape hath none;' S 3 Buſineſs 210 VINDICATION OF THE Buſineſs of various kinds, they might likewiſe purfae, if they were educated in a more orderly manner, which might ſave many from common and legal proſtitution. Women would not then marry for a ſupport, as men ac- cept of places under government,and neglect the implied duties; nor would an attempt to earn their own fubfift- ence, a moft laudable one! ſink them almoſt to the le- vel of thoſe poor abandoned creatures who live by prof. titution. For are not milliners and mantua-makers reck- oned the next claſs? The few employments open to wo- men, ſo far from being liberal, are menial : and when a fuperior education enables them to take charge of the edu- cation of children as governelles, they are not treated like the tutors of fons, though even clerical tutors are not al- ways treated in a manner calculated to render them re- ſpectable in the eyes of their pupils, to ſay nothing of the private comfort of the individual. But, as women educated like gentlewomen are never deſigned for the hu- iniliating ſituation which neceſſity ſometimes forces them to fill; theſe fituations are conſidered in the light of a de. gradation; and they know little of the human heart, who need to be told, that nothing ſo painfully ſharpens the ſenſibility as ſuch a fall in life. Some of theſe women might be reſtrained from mar- rying by a proper ſpirit or delicacy, and others may not have had it in their power to eſcape in this pitiful way from ſervitude ; is not that government then very de- fective, and very unmindful of the happineſs of one half of its members, that does not provide for honeſt, inde- pendent women, by encouraging them to fill reſpectable itations ? But in order to render their private virtue a public benefit, they muſt have a civil exiſtence in the itate, married or lingle ; elſe we thall continually fee fome worthy woman, whoſe fenfibility has been render- ed painfully acute by undeſerved contempt, droop like the lily broken down by a plow ſhare. RIGHTS OF WOMAN 211 It is a melancholy truth; yet ſuch is the bleffed ef- fect of civilization! the moſt reſpectable women are the moſt oppreſſed ; and, unleſs they have underſtandings far ſuperior to the common run of underſtandings, taking in both ſexes, they muſt, from being treated like con- temptible beings, become contemptible. How many women thus waſte life away, the prey of diſcontent, who might have practiſed as phyſicians, regulated a farm, ma- naged a ſhop, and ſtood erect, ſupported by their own in- duitry, inſtead of hanging their heads ſurcharged with the dew of ſenſibility, that conſumes the beauty to which it at firſt gave luſtre; nay, I doubt whether pity and love are ſo near akin as poets feign, for I have ſeldom ſeen much compaſſion excited by the helpleſſneſs of females, unleſs they were fair; then, perhaps, pity was the ſoft handmaid of love, or the harbinger of luſt. How much more reſpectable is the woman who earns her own bread by fulfilling any duty, than the moſt ac- compliſhed beauty!-beauty did I ſay?-fo fenſible am I of the beauty of moral lovelineſs, or the harmonious. propriety, that attunes the paſſions of a well-regulated mind, that I bluſh at making the compariſon; yet I figh to think how few. women aim at attaining this rea. fpectability by withdrawing from the giddy whirl of plea- fure, or the indolent calm that ftupifies the good fort of women it fucks in. Proud of their weakneſs, however, they muſt always be protected, guarded from care, and all the rough toils that dignify the mind.-If this be the fiat of fate, if they will make themſelves infignificant and contemptible, ſweetly to walte • life away,' let them not expect to be valued when their beauty fades, for it is the fate of the faireſt flowers to be admired and pulled to pieces by the careleſs hand that plucked them. In how many ways do I wiſh, from the pureſt benevolence, to impreſs this truth ſex ; yet I fear that they will not liſten to a truth that dear bought experience has brought home to many on iny an. 212 VINDICATION OF THE an agitated bofom, nor willingly reſign the privileges of rank and ſex for the privileges of humanity, to which thoſe have no claim who do not diſcharge its duties. Thoſe writers are particularly uſeful, in my opinion, who make man feel for man, independent of the ſtation he fills, or the drapery of factitious ſentiments. I then would fain convince reaſonable men of the importance of ſome of my remarks, and prevail on them to weigh diſpaſſionately the whole tenor of my obſervations. - I appeal to their underſtandings; and, as a fellow-crea- ture claim, in the name of my fex, ſome intereſt in their hearts. I entreat them to allilt to emancipate their com- panion to make her a help, meet for thein! Would men but generouſly ſnap our chains, and be content with rational fellowſhip inſtead of flavith obe- dience, they would find us more obſervant daughters, more affectionate fiſters, more faithful wives, more rea- fonable mothers in a word, better citizens. We ſhould then love them with true affection, becauſe we ſhould learn to reſpect ourſelves; and the peace of mind of a worthy man would not be interrupted by the idle vani- ty of his wife, nor his babes ſent to neltle in a ſtrange boſom, having never found a home in their mother's. beefood." くいくい​く​・・・ 人人​人人 ​С НА Р. X. Parental affection. PAR ARENTAL affection is, perhaps, the blindeſt mo- , like the French*, two terms to diſtinguith the purſuit of a natural and reafonable deſire, from the ignorant calcu- lations of weakneſs. Parents often love their children in the moſt brutal manner, and ſacrifice every relative duty * L'amour propre. L'amour de ſoi meme. RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 273 duty to promote their advancement in the world.--TO promote, ſuch is the perverſity, of unprincipled prejudi- ces, the future welfare of the very beings whoſe preſent exiſtence they imbitter by the moſt deſpotic ſtretch of power. Power, in fact, is ever true to its vital princi- ple, for in every ſhape it would reign without controul or inquiry. Its throne is built acroſs a dark abyſs, which no eye muſt dare to explore, left the baſeleſs fabric ſhould totter under inveſtigation. Obedience, uncondi- tional obedience, is the catch-word of tyrants of every deſcription, and to render aſſurance doubly ſure,' one kind of deſpotili ſupports another. Tyrants would have cauſe to tremble if reaſon were to become the rule of duty in any of the relations of life, for the light might ſpread till perfect day appeared. And when it did appear, how would men ſmile at the light of the bug- bears at which they ſtarted during the night of ignorance, or the twilight of timid inquiry. Parental affection, indeed, in many minds, is but a: pretext to tyrannize where it can be done with impunity, for only good and wiſe men are content with the reſpect that will bear diſcuſſion. Convinced that they have a right to what they inſiſt on, they do not fear reaſon, or dread the ſifting of ſubjects that recur to natural juſtice : becauſe they firmly believe that the inore enlightened the human mind becomes, the deeper root will juſt and fimple principles take. They do not reſt in expedients, or grant that what is metaphyſically true can be practi- cally falſe; but diſdaining the ſhifts of the moment they calmly wait till time, fanctioning innovation, ſilences the hífs of ſelfiſhneſs or envy. If the power of reflecting on the paſt, and darting the keen eye of contemplation into futurity, be the grand privilege of man, it muſt be granted that ſome people en- joy this prerogative in a very limited degree. Every thing now appears to them wrong; and not able to diſ- tinguiſh the poſlible from the monſtrous, they fear where ne 214 VINDICATION OF THE no fear ſhould find a place, running from the light of reaſon, as it it were a firebrand; yet the limits of the poſſible have never been defined to ſtop the ſturdy inno- vator's hand, Woman, however, a ſlave in every fituation to preju- dice, feldom exerts enlightened maternal affection ; for ſh: either neglects her children, or ſpoils them by im- proper indulgence. Beſides, the affection of ſome wo- inen for their children is, as I have before termed it, fre- quently very brutiſh: for it eradicates every ſpark of hu- manity. Juſtice, fruth, every thing is facrificed by theſe Rebekah's, and for the ſake of their own children they violate the moſt ſacred duties, forgetting the common relationſhip that binds the whole family on earth toge- ther. Yet, reaſon feems to ſay, that they who ſuffer one duty, or affection, to ſwallow up the reſt, have not ſuffi- cient heart or mind to fulfil that one conſcientiouſly. It then loſes the venerable aſpect of a duty, and aſſumes the fantaſtic form of a whiin. As the care of children in their infancy is one of the grand duties annexed to the female character by nature, this duty would afford many forcible arguments for ſtrengthening the female underſtanding, if it were pro- perly conſidered. The formation of the mind muſt be begun very early, and the temper, in particular, requires the moſt judici- ous attention--an attention which women cannot pay who only love their children becauſe they are their chil- dren, and ſeek no further for the foundation of their duty, than in the feelings of the moment. It is this want of reaſon in their affections which makes women ſo often run into extremes, and either be the moſt fond or moſt careleſs and unnatural mothers. To be a good mother—a woman muſt have fenſe, and that independence of mind which few women pof- ſeſs who are taught to depend entirely on their huſbands. Meek wives are, in general, fooliſh mothers; wanting their RICHTS OF WOMAN. 215 their children to love them beft, and take their part, in ſecret, againſt the father, who is held up as a ſcarecrow. If they are to be puniſhed, though they have offended the mother, the father muſt inflict the puniſhment; he muſt be the judge of all diſputes: but I ſhall more fully diſ- cuſs this ſubject when I treat of private education, I now only mean to inbít, that unleſs the underſtanding of woman be enlarged, and her character rendered more firm, by being allowed to govern her own conduct, ſhe will never have ſufficient ſenſe or command of temper to manage her children properly. Her parental affection, indeed, ſcarcely deſerves the name, when it does not lead her to fuckle her children, becauſe the diſcharge of this duty is equally calculated to inſpire maternal and filial affection : and it is the indiſpenſable duty of men and women to fulfil the duties which give birth to affections that are the fureſt preſervatives againſt vice. Natural affection as it is termed, I believe to a very faint tie, affections muſt grow out of the habitual exerciſe of a mutual fympathy ; and what ſympathy does a mother exerciſe who fends her babe to a nurſe, and only takes it from a nurſe to ſend it to a ſchool? In the exerciſe of their maternal feelings providence has furniſhed women with a natural ſubſtitute for love, when the lover becomes only a friend and mutual con- fidence takes place of overſtrained admiration-- a child then gently twiſts the relaxing cord, and a mutual care produces a mutual ſympathy.—But a child, though a pledge of affection, will not enliven it, if both father and mother are content to transfer the charge to hirelings; for they who do their duty by proxy ſhould not murmur if they miſs the reward of duty-parental affection produc- es filial duty. CHAP. 215 VINDICATION OF THE С НА Р. XI. Duty to Parents. THERE ſeems to be an indolent propenſity in man , and to place every duty on an arbitrary foundation. The rights of kings are deduced in a direct line from the King of kings ; and that of parents from our firſt parent. Why do we thus go back for principles that ſhould always reft on the ſame baſe, and have the ſame weight to-day that they had a thouſand years ago-and not a jot more? If parents diſcharge their duty they have a Itrong hold and ſacred claim on the gratitude of their children ; but few parents are willing to receive the refpe&ful affection of their offspring on ſuch terms. They demand blind obedience, becauſe they do not me- rit a reaſonable ſervice : and to render theſe demands of weakneſs and ignorance more binding, a miſterious fanc- tity is ſpread round the moſt arbitrary principle ; for what other name can be given to the blind duty of obey- ing vicious or weak beings merely becauſe they obeyed a powerful inſtinct ? The ſimple definition of the reciprocal duty, which naturally ſubſiſts between parent and child, may be giv- en in a few words: The parent who pays proper atten- tion to helpleſs infancy has a right to require the ſame attention when the feebleneſs of age come upon himn. But to fubjugate a rational being to the mere will of a- nother, after he is of age to anſwer to ſociety for his own conduct, is a moſt cruel and undue ſtretch of power, and perhaps, as injurious to morality, as thoſe religious ſyſteins which do not allow right and wrong to have any exiſtence, but in the Divine will. I never knew a parent who had paid more than com- mon attention to his children, diſregarded* ; on the con- * Dr. Johnſon makes the ſame obſervation. trary, RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 217 trary, the early habit of relying almoſt implicitly on the spinion of a reſpected parent is not eaſily thook, even when matured reaſon convinces the child that his father is not the wiſeft man in the world. This weakneſs, for a weakneſs it is, though the epithet amiable may be tacked to it, a reaſonable man muít íteel himſelf againſt; for the abſurd duty, too often inculcated, of obeying a parent only on account of his being a parent, ſhackles the mind, and prepares it for a llavith fubmiflion to any power but reaſon. I diſtinguiſh between the natural and accidental duty due to parents. The parent who ſedulouſly endeavours to form the heart and enlarge the underſtanding of his child, has given that dignity to the diſcharge of a duty, common to the whole animal world, that only reaſon can give. This is the parental affection of humanity, and leaves inſtinc- tive natural affection far behind. Such a parent acquires all the rights of the moſt ſacred friendſhip, and his ad- vice, even when his child is advanced in life, demands Serious confideration. With reſpect to marriage, though after one and twen- ty a parent ſeems to have no right to withhold his con- fent on any account; yet twenty years of ſolicitude call for a return, and the ſon ought, at leaſt, to promiſe not to marry for two or three years, ſhould the object of his choice not entirely meet with the approbation of his firſt friend. But, reſpect for parents is, generally ſpeaking, a much more debaſing principle; it is only a ſelfiſh reſpect for property. The father who is blindly obeyed, is obeyed from ſheer weakneſs, or from motives that degrade the kuman character. A great proportion of the miſery that wanders, in hi- deous forms around the world, is allowed to riſe from the negligence of parents; and ſtill theſe are the people who are moſt tenacious of what they terın a natural T right 213 VINDICATION OF THE right, though it be ſubverſive of the birth-right of man, the right of acting according to the dire&tion of his own reaſon. I have already very frequently had occaſion to obſerve, that vicious or indolent people are always eager to pro- fit by enforcing arbitrary privileges; and, generally, in the ſame proportion as they neglect the diſcharge of the duties which alone render the privileges reaſonable. This is at the bottom a dictate of common ſenſe, or the inſtinct of ſelf-defence, peculiar to ignorant weakneſs; jefembling that inſtinct, which makes a fiſh muddy the water it ſwims in to elude its enemy, inſtead of boldly facing it in the clear ſtream. From the clear ſtream of argument, indeed, the fup- porters of preſcription, of every denomination, fly; and, iaking refuge in the darkneſs, which, in the language of fublime poety, has been fuppofed to ſurround the throne of Omnipotence, they dare to demand that implicit re- fpect which is only due to His unſearchable ways. But, let me not be thought prefumptuous, the darkneſs which hides our God from us, only reſpects ſpeculative truths --it never obſcures moral ones, they thine clearly, for God is light, and never, by the conftitution of our na- ture, requires the diſcharge of a duty, the reaſonableneſs of which does not beam on us when we open our eyes. The indolent parent of high rank may, it is true, ex- torta ſhew of reſpect from his child, and females on the continent are particularly ſubject to the views of their families, who never think of conſulting their inclinati- on, or providing for the comfort of the poor victims of their pride. The conſequence is notorious, theſe du- tiful daughters become adultereſſes, and neglect the edu- cation of their children, from whom they, in their turn, exact the ſame kind of obedience. Females, it is true, in all countries, are too much un- der the dominion of their parents; and few parents think of addreſſing their children in the following manner, though KIGHTS OF WOMAN. 219 though it is in this reaſonable way that Heaven ſeems to command the whole human race. It is your intereſt to obey me till you can judge for yourſelf; and the Almigh- ty Father of all has implanted an affection in me to ſerve as a guard to you whilſt your reaſon is unfolding; but when your mind arrives at maturity, you muſt only obey me, or rather reſpect my opinions, ſo far as they coincide with the light that is breaking in on your own mind. A laviſh bondage to parents cramps every faculty of the mind; and Mr. Locke very judiciouſly obſerves, that if the mind be curbed and humbled too much in children ; if their fpirits be abaſed and broken much by too ſtrict an hand over them; they loſe all their vigour and induſtry. This ſtrict hand may in ſome degree account for the weakneſs of women, for girls, from va- rious cauſes, are more kept down by their parents, in every ſenſe of the word, than boys. The duty expected from them is, like all the duties arbitrarily impoſed on women, more from a ſenſe of propriety, more out of reſpect for decorum than reaſon; and thus taught lla- viſhly to ſubmit to their parents, they are prepared for the ſlavery of marriage. I may be told that a number of women are not ſlaves in the marriage ſtate. True, but they then become tyrants; for it is not rational freedom, but a lawleſs kind of power, reſembling the authority exerciſed by the favourites of abſolute monarchs, which they obtain by debaſing means. I do not, likewiſe, dream of infinuating that either boys or girls are always flaves, I only inſiſt that when they are obliged to fubmit to authority blindly, their faculties are weakened, and their tempers rendered imperious or abject. I alſo la- ment that parents indolently availing themſelves of a ſup- poſed privilege, damp the firſt faint glimmering of reafon rendering at the ſame time the duty, which they are ſo anxious to enforce, an erapty naine ; becauſe they will not let it reſt on the only baſis on which a duty can reſt ſecurely: for unleſs it be founded on knowledge, it T 2 cannot 220 VINDICATION OF THE cannot gain fufficient ſtrength to reſiſt the ſqualls of paf fon, or the filent fapping of ſelf-love. But it is not the parents who have given the ſureſt proof of their affec- tion for their children, or, to ſpeak more properly, who by fulfilling their duty, have allowed a natural parental affe&tion to take root in their hearts, the child of exerciſ- ed ſympathy and reaſon, and not the over-weening off- ſpring of ſelfiſh pride, who moſt vehemently inſiſt on their children ſubmitting to their will merely becauſe it is their will. On the contrary, the parents who ſets a: good example, patiently lets that example work; and it feldom fails to produce its natural effect--filial reſpect. Children cannot be taught too early to ſubmit to rea- fon, the true definition of that neceſſity, which Rouſſeau infifted on, without defining it; for to ſubmit to reaſon, is to ſubmit to the nature of things, and to that God, who formed them ſo, to promote our real intereſt. Why ſhould the minds of children be warped as they juſt begin to expand, only to favour the indolence of pa- sents, who inſiſt on a privilege without being willing to pay the price fixed by nature? I have before had occa- fion to obſerve, that a right always includes a duty, and I think it may, likewiſe, fairly be inferred, that they forfeit the right, who do not fulfil the duty. It is eaſier, I grant, to command than reaſon ; but it does not follow from hence that children cannot com- prehend the reaſon why they are made to do certain things habitually; for, from a ſteady adherence to a few Simple principles of conduct flows that falutary power which a judicious parent gradually gains over a child's mind. And this power becomes ſtrong indeed, if tem- pered by an even diſplay of affection brought home to the child's heart. For, I believe, as a general rule, it muſt be allowed that the affection which we inſpire al- ways reſembles that we cultirate; ſo that natural affec- tions, which have been ſuppoſed almoſt diſtinct from reaſon, may be found more nearly connected with judg- ment RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 221 ment than is commonly allowed. Nay, as another proof of the neceflity of cultivating the female under- ſtanding, it is but juſt to obſerve, that the affections ſeem to have a kind of animal capricioufneſs when they merely reſide in the heart. It is the irregular exerciſe of parental authority that firſt injures the mind, and to theſe irregularities girls are more ſubject than boys. The will of thoſe who never allow their will to be diſputed, unleſs they happen to be in a good humour, when they relax proportionately, is almoſt always unreaſonable. To elude this arbitrary authority girls very early learn the leſſons which they af- terwards practiſe on their huſbands; for I have fre- quently ſeen a little ſharp-faced miſs rule a whole family, excepting that now and then mamma's angry will burit out of ſome accidental cloud ;-either her hair was ill drelfed*, or ſhe had lost more money at cards, the night before, than ſhe was willing to own to her huſband ; or ſome ſuch moral cauſe of anger. After obſerving fallies of this kind, I have been led into a melancholy train of reflection reſpecting females, concluding that when their firſt affection muſt lead them aftray, or make their duties claſh till they reſt on mere whims and cuſtoms, little can be expected from them as they advance in life. How indeed can an inſtructor remedy this evil? for to teach them virtue on any folid principle is to teach them to deſpiſe their parents. Chil- dren cannot, ought not, to be taught to make allowance for the faults of their parents, becauſe every ſuch allow- ance weakens the force of reaſon in their minds, and makes them ſtill more iudulgent to their own. It is * I myſelf heard a little girl once ſay to a ſervant, My mamma has been ſcolding me finely this morning, becauſe her hair was not dreſſed to pleaſe ber.' Though this re- mark was pert, it was juft. And what reſpect could a girl acquire for ſuch a parent without doing violence to reaſon? I 3 one VINDICATION OF THE one of the moſt fublime virtues of inaturity that leads us to be ſevere with reſpect to ourſelves, and forbearing to others; but children ſhould only be taught the ſimple virtues, for if they begin too early to make allowance for human paſſions and manners, they wear off the fine edge of the criterion by which they thould regulate their own, and become unjuit in the ſame proportion as they grow indulgent. The affections of children, and weak people, are al- ways ſelfiſh; they love others, becauſe others love them, and not on account of their virtues. Yet, till efteem and love are blended together in the firſt affection, and reaſon made the foundation of the firit duty, morality will ſtumble at the threſhold. But, till ſociety is very differently conſtituted, parents, I fear, will ſtill infilt on being obeyed, becauſe they will be obeyed, and conſtant- ly endeavour to feitle that power on a Divine right which will not bear the inveſtigation of reaſon. ༠བར•ནི་རིརི•ཛི་བནི ཐབརཚ» 人人​人人​人人​: C Η Α Ρ. XII. On national education. education will ever be very confined, and the pa- rent who really puts his own hand to the plow, will al- ways, in ſome degree, be diſappointed, till education be- come a grand national concern. A man cannot retire into a defert with his child, and if he did he could not bring himſelf back to childhood, and become the pro- per friend and play-fellow of an infant or youth. And when children are confined to the fociety of men and women, they very ſoon acquire that kind of premature manhood which ſtops the growth of every vigorous pow- er of mind or body. In order to open their faculties they RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 223 they ſhould be excited to think for themſelves ; and this can only be done by mixing a number of children toge- ther, and making them jointly purſue the ſame objects. A child very ſoon contracts a benumbing indolence of mind, which he has feldom fufficient vigour after- wards to thake off, when he only asks a queſtion inſtead of ſeeking for information, and then relies implicitly on the anſwer he receives. With his equals in age this could never be the caſe, and the ſubjects of inquiry, though they might be influenced, would not be entirely under the direction of men, who frequently damp, if not deſtroy, abilities, by bringing them forward too hal- tily: and too haſtily they will infallibly be brought for- ward, if the child be confined to the ſociety of a man, however ſagacious that man may be. Beſides, in youth the ſeeds of every affection ſhould be ſown, and the reſpectful regard, which is felt for a parent, is very different from the ſocial affections that are to conſtitute the happineſs of life as it advances. Of theſe equality is the baſis, and an intercourſe of ſen- timents unclogged by that obſervant feriouſneſs which prevents diſputation, though it may not enforce fubmif- fion. Let a child have ever ſuch an affection for his pa- rent, he will always languiſh to play and chat with chil- dren; and the very reſpect which he entertains, for fili- al eſteem always has a daſh of fear mixed with it, will, if it do not teach him cunning, at leaſt prevent him from pouring out the little ſecrets which firit open the heart to friendſhip and confidence, gradually leading to more expanfive benevolence. Added to this, he will never acquire that frank ingenuouſneſs of behaviour, which young people can only attain by being frequently in ſo- ciety where they dare to ſpeak what they think; neither afraid of being reproved for their preſumption, nor laughed at for their folly. Forcibly impreſſed by the reflections which the fight of ſchools, as they are at preſent conducted, naturally ſuggeſted, 224 VINDICATION OF THE ſuggeſted, I have formerly delivered my opinion rather warmly in favour of a private education, but further experience has led me to view the fubject in a different light. I ſtill, however, think ſchools, as they are now regulated, the hot-beds of vice and folly, and the know- ledge of human nature, ſuppoſed to be attained there, merely cunning ſelfiſhneſs. At ſchool boys become gluttons and flovens, and, in- ſtead of cultivating domeſtic affections, very early ruſh into the libertiniſm which deſtroys the conftitution be- fore it is formed; hardening the heart as it weakens the underſtanding. I ſhould, in fact, be averfe to boarding ſchools, if it were for no other reaſon than the unfettled ſtate of mind which the expectation of the vacations produce. On theſe the children's thoughts are fixed with eager anti- cipating hopes, for, at leaſt, to ſpeak with moderation, half of the time, and when they arrive they are ſpent in total diſſipation and beaſtly indulgence. But, on the contrary, when they are brought up at home, though they may purſue a plan of ſtudy in a more orderly manner than can be adopted when near a fourth part of the year is actually ſpent in idleneſs, and as much more in regret and anticipation ; yet they there acquire too high an opinion of their own importance, from be- ing allowed to tyrannize over ſervants, and from the anxiety expreſſed by moſt mothers, on the ſcore of man- ners, who, eager to teach the accompliſhments of a gen- tleman, ſtifle, in their birth, the virtues of a man. Thus brought into company when they ought to be ſeriouſly employed, and treated like men when they are ſtill boys, they become vain and effeminate. The only way to avoid two extremes equally injuri- ous to morality, would be to contrive ſome way of com- bining a public and private education. Thus to make make men citizens two natural ſteps might be taken, which ſeem directly to lead to the deſired point; for the domeſtic RISHTS OF WOMAN. 225 domeſtic affections, that firſt open the heart to the vari- ous modifications of humanity, would be cultivated, whilſt the children were nevertheleſs allowed to ſpend great part of their time, on terms of equality, with other children. I ſtill recolleet, with pleaſure, the country day ſchool; where a boy trudged in the inorning, wet or dry, carry- ing his books, and his dinner, if it were at a conſidera- ble diſtance; a ſervant did not then lead maſter by the hand, for, when he had once put on coat and breeches, he was allowed to thift for himſelf, and return alone in the evening to recount the feats of the day cloſe at the pa- rental knee. His father's houſe was his home, and was ever after fondly remembered ; nay, I appeal to fome fuperior men who were educated in this manner, whe- ther the recollection of ſome ſhady lane where they con- ned their leſſon ; or, of ſome ſtyle, where they ſat mak- ing a kite, or mending a bat, has not endeared their country to them? But, what boy ever recollected with pleaſure the years he ſpent in cloſe confinement, at an academy near Lon- don? unleſs, indeed, he ſhould, by chance, remember the poor ſcare-crow of an uther, whom he tormented ; or, the tartman, from whom he caught a cake, to devour it with the cattiſh appetite of ſelfiſhneſs. At boarding- ſchools of every deſcription, the relaxation of the junior boys is miſchief; and of the ſenior, vice. Beſides, in great ſchools, what can be more prejudicial to the moral character than the ſyſtem of tyranny and abject flavery which is eſtabliſhed amongſt the boys, to ſay nothing of the ſlavery to forms, which makes religion worſe than a farce ? For what good can be expected from the youth who receives the facrainent of the Lord's ſupper, to avoid forfeiting half a guinea, which he probably afterwards ſpends in ſome ſenſual manner? Half the employment of the youths is to elude the neceſſity of attending pub- lic worſhip; and well they may, for ſuch a conſtant re- petition 226 VINDICATION OF THE petition of the ſame thing muſt be a very irkſome re- ftraint on their natural vivacity. As theſe ceremonies have the moſt fatal effect on their morals, and as a ritual performed by the lips, when the heart and mind are far away, is not now ſtored up by our church as a bank to draw on for the fees of the poor fouls in purgatory, why should they not be aboliſhed ? But the fear of innovation, in this country, extends to every thing.--This is only a covert fear, the apprehen- five timidity of indolent flugs, who guard, by fliming it over, the ſnug place, which they conſider in the light of an hereditary eſtate; and eat, drink, and enjoy them- ſelves, inſtead of fulfilling the duties, excepting a few empty forms, for which it was endowed. Theſe are the people who moſt ſtrenuouſly inſiſt on the will of the founder being obſerved, crying out againſt all reforma- tion, as if it were a violation of juſtice. I am now al- luding particularly to the relicks of popery retained in our colleges, when the proteſtant members ſeem to be ſuch ſticklers for the eſtabliſhed church; but their zeal never makes them loſe ſight of the ſpoil of ignorance, which rapacious prieſts of ſuperſtitious memory have ſcraped together. No, wife in their generation, they ve- nerate the preſcriptive right of pofleffion, as a ſtrong hold, and ſtill let the ſluggih bell tingle to prayers, as during the days when the elevation of the hoit was fup- poſed to atone for the fins of the people, leſt one refor- mation ſhould lead to another, and the ſpirit kill the let- ter. Theſe Romiſh cuſtoins have the moſt baneful ef- fect on the morals of our clergy; for the idle vermin who two or three times a day perform in the moſt llo- venly manner a ſervice which they think uſeleſs, but call their duty, foon loſe a ſenſe of duty. At college, forced to attend or evade public worſhip, they acquire an habi- tual contempt for the very ſervice, the performance of which is to enable them to live in idleneſs. It is mum- bled over as an affair of bufineſs, as a ſtupid boy repeats his RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 227 his taſk, and frequently the college cant eſcapes from the preacher the moment after he has left the pulpit, and even whilſt he is eating the dinner which he earned in ſuch a diſhoneſt manner. Nothing, indeed, can be more irreverent than the cathedral ſervice as it is now performed in this country, nor does it contain a ſet of weaker men than thoſe who are the flaves of this childiſh routine. A diſguſting ſkeleton of the former ſtate is ſtill exhibited ; but all the folemnity that intereſted the imagination, if it did not purify the heart, is ſtripped off. The performance of high maſs on the continent muſt impreſs every mind, where a ſpark of fancy glows, with that awful melan- choly, that fublime tenderneſs, ſo near akin to devotion. I do not ſay that theſe devotional feelings are of more uſe, in a moral ſenſe, than any other emotion of taſte; but I contend that the theatrical pomp which gratifies our ſenſes, is to be preferred to the cold parade that in- fults the underſtanding without reaching the heart. Amongſt remarks on national education, ſuch obſer- vations cannot be miſplaced, eſpecially as the ſupporters of theſe eſtabliſhments, degenerated into puerilities, af- fect to be the champions of religion. Religion, pure ſource of comfort in this vale of tears! how haft thy clear feream been muddied by the dabblers, who have preſump- tuouſly endeavoured to confine in one narrow channel, the living waters that ever flow towards God—the ſub- lime ocean of exiſtence! What would life be without that peace which the love of God, when built on huma- nity, alone can impart? Every earthly affection turns back, at intervals, to prey upon the heart that feeds it; and the pureſt effufions of benevolence,often rudely damp- ed by man, muſt mount as a free will offering to Him who gave them birth, whoſe bright image they faintly reflect. In public ſchools, however, religion, confounded with irklome ceremonies and unreaſonable reſtraints, affumes the 228 INDICATION OF THE the moſt ungracious aſpect: not the ſober auſtere one that commands reſpect whilft it inſpires fear; but a ludicrous caſt, that ſerves to point a pun. For, in fact, moſt of the good ſtories and ſmart things which enliven the ſpi- rits that have been concentrated at whift, are manufac- tured out of the incidents to which the very men labour to give a droll turn who countenance the abuſe to live on the ſpoil. There is not, perhaps, in the kingdom, a more dog- matical, or luxurious ſet of men, than the pedantic ty- rants who refide in colleges and prefide at public ſchools. The vacations are equally injurious to the morals of the maſters and pupils, and the intercourſe, which the for- mer keep up with the nobility, introduces the ſame va- nity and extravagance into their families, which baniſh domeſtic duties and comforts from the lorldly manſi- on, whoſe ſtate is awkwardly aped on a ſmaller ſcale. The boys, who live at a great expence with the maſters and alliftants, are never domeſticated, though placed there for that purpoſe.; for, after a filent dinner, they ſwallow a haſty glaſs of wine, and retire to plan fome miſchie- vous trick, or to ridicule the perſon or manners of the very people they have juſt been cringing to, and whom they ought to conſider as the repreſentatives of their pa- rents. Can it then be a matter of ſurpriſe that boys become felfiſh and vicious who are thus fhut out from ſocial con- verſe? or that a mitre often graces the brow of one of thefe diligent paſtors? The defire of living in the ſame ſtyle, as the rank juſt above them, infects each individual and every claſs of peo- ple, and meanneſs is the concomitant of this ignoble am- bition, but thoſe profeflions are moſt debating whoſe ladder is patronage ; yet out of one of theſe profeſſions the tutors of youth are, in general chofen. But, can they be expected to inſpire independent ſentiments, whole conduct muſt be regulated by the cautious prudence that is ever on the watch for preferment? So RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 229 as So far, however, from thinking of the morals of boys, I have heard ſeveral maſters of ſchools argue, that they only undertook to teach Latin and Greek; and that they had fulfilled their duty, by ſending ſome good ſcholars to college. A few good ſcholars, I grant, may have been formed by emulation and diſcipline; but, to bring forward theſe clever boys, the health and morals of a number have been facrificed. The ſons of our gentry and wealthy com- moners are moſtly educated at theſe feininaries, and will any one pretend to affert that the majority, making every allowance, come under the deſcription of good ſcholars? It is not for the benefit of ſociety that a few brilliant men ſhould be brought forward at the expence of the mul- titude, It is true, that great men ſeem to ſtart up, great revolutions occur, at proper intervals, to reſtore or- der, and to blow aſide the clouds that thicken over the face of truth ; but let more reaſon and virtue prevail in fociety, and thoſe ſtrong winds would not be neceſſary. Public education, of every denomination, ſhould be di- rected to form citizens ; but if you wiſh to make good citizens, you muſt firſt exerciſe the affections of a fon and a brother. This is the only way to expand the heart; for public affections, as well as public virtues, muſt ever grow out of the private character, or they are merely me- teors that ſhoot athwart a dark ſky and diſappear as they are gazed at and admired. Few, I believe, have had much affection for mankind, who did not firſt love their parents, their brothers, fiſters, and even the domeſtic brutes, whom they firſt played with. The exerciſe of youthful ſympathies forms the mo- ral temparature ; and it is the recollection of theſe firſt affections and purſuits that gives life to thoſe that are af- terwards more under the direction of reaſon. In youth, the fondeſt friendſhips are formed, the genial juices mounting at the ſame time, kindly mix; or, rather the heart, tempered for the reception of friendihip, is aca U 230 VINDICATION OF THE cuſtomed to ſeek for pleaſure in ſomething more noble than the churliſh gratification of appetite. In order then to inſpire a love of home and domeſtic pleaſures, children ought to be educated at home, for ri- otous holidays only make them fond of home for their own fakes. Yet, the vacations, which do not foſter do- meſtic affections, continually diſturb the courſe of ſtudy, and render any plan of improvement abortive which in- cludes temperance; ſtill, were they aboliſhed, children would be entirely ſeparated from their parents, and I queſtion whether they would become better citizens by fa- crificing the preparatory affections, by deſtroying the force of relationships that render the marriage ſtate as ne- ceſſary as reſpectable. But, if a private education pro- duces ſelf-importance, or inſulates a man in his family, the evil is only ſhifted, not remedied. This train of reaſoning brings me back to a ſubject, on which I mean to dwell, the neceſſity of eſtabliſhing proper day-ſchools. But, theſe ſhould be national eſtabliſhments, for whilft ſchool maſters are dependent on the caprice of parents little exertion can be expected from them, more than is neceſſary to pleaſe ignorant people. Indeed, the necef- ſity of a maſter's giving the parents fome ſample of the boys abilities, which during the vacation is ſhewn to eve- ry viſitor*, is productive of more miſchief than would at firſt be ſuppoſed. For they are ſeldom done entirely, to ſpeak with moderation, by the child itſelf; thus the maf- ter countenances falſehood, or winds the poor machine up 10 ſome extraordinary exertion, that injures the wheels, and ſtops the progreſs of gradual improvement. The memory is loaded with unintelligible words, to make a fhew of, without the underſtanding's acquiring * I now particularly allude to the numerous academies in, and about London, and to the behuviour of the trading part of this great city. any RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 231 any diſtinet ideas : but only that education deſerves em- phatically to be termed cultivation of mind, which teach- es young people how to begin to think. The imagina- tion ſhould not be allowed to debauch the underſtanding before it gained ſtrength, or vanity will become the fore- runner of vice : for every way of exhibiting the acquire- ments of a child is injurious to its moral character. How much time is loſt in teaching them to recite what they do not underſtand? whilſt, ſeated on benches, all in their beſt array, the mammas liften with aſtoniſh- ment to the parrot-like prattle, uttered in folemn cadenc- es, with all the pomp of ignorance and folly. Such ex- hibitions only ſerve to ſtrike the ſpreading fibres of va- nity through the whole mind; for they neither teach children to ſpeak fluently, nor behave gracefully. So far from it, that theſe frivolous purſuits might comprehen- fively be termed the ſtudy of affectation ; for we now rarely ſee a ſimple, baſhful boy, though few people of taſte were ever diſguſted by that awkward ſheepiſhneſs fo natural to the age, which ſchools and an early intro- duction into ſociety, have changed into impudence and apiſh grimace. Yet, how can theſe things be remediel whilft ſchool- maſters depend entirely on parents for a ſubſiſtence ; and, when ſo many rival ſchools hang out their lures, to catch the attention of vain fathers and mothers, whoſe parental affection only leads them to wiſh that their chil- dren ſhould out thine thoſe of their neighbours? Without great good luck, a fenfible, conſcientious man, would ſtarve before he could raiſe a ſchool, if he diſdained to bubble weak parents by practiſing the ſe- cret tricks of the craft. In the beſt regulated ſchools, however, where ſwarms are not crammed together, many bail habits muſt be ac- quired; but, at common ſchools, the body, heart, and underſtanding, are equally ſtunted, for parents are often only in queſt of the cheapeſt ſchool, and the maſter could U 2 not 232 VINDICATION OF THE not live, if he did not take a much greater number than he conld manage himfelf; nor will the ſcanty pittance, allowed for each child, permit him to hire ufhers fuffi- cient to aſliſt him in the diſcharge of the mechanical part of the buſineſs. Beſides, whatever appearance the houſe and garden may make, the children do not enjoy, the comfort of either, for they are continually reminded by irkſome reſtrictions that they are not at home, and the ſtate-rooms, garden, &c. muſt be kept in order for the recreation of the parents; who, of a Sunday, viſit the ſchool, and are impreſſed by the very parade that renders the fatuation of their children uncomfortable, With what diſguſt have I heard ſenſible women, for girls are more reſtrained and cowed than boys, ſpeak of the weariſome confinement, which they endured at fchool. Not allowed, perhaps, to ſtep out of one broad walk in a ſuperb garden, and obliged to pace with ſtea- dy deportment ſtupidly backwards and forwards, holding up their heads and turning out their toes, with ſhoulders braced back, inſtead of bounding, as nature directs to complete her own deſign, in the various attitudes fo con- ducive to health*. The pure animal ſpirits, which make * I remember a circumſtance that once came under my own obſervation, and raiſed my indignation. I went to vi- ſit a little boy at a ſchool where young children were prepared for a larger one. The maſter took me into the ſchool-room, &c. but whilft I walked down a broad gravel walk, I could not help obſerving that the graſs grew very luxuriantly on each ſide of me. I immediately aſked the child ſome queſti- ons, and found that the poor boys were not allowed to flir off the walk, and that the maſter ſometimes permitted ſheep to be turned in to crop the untrodden graſs. The tyrant of this domain uſed to fit by a window that overlooked the priſon yard, and one nook turning from it, where the unfortunate babes could ſport freely, he encloſed, and planted it with pota- teese RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 233 make both mind and body ſhoot out, and unfold the ten- der bloſſoins of hope, are turned four, and vented in vain wiſhes, or pert repinings, that contract the faculties and fpoil the temper; elſe they mount to the brain, and ſharpening the underſtanding before it gains proportion- able ſtrength, produce that pitiful cunnnig which diſ- gracefully characterizes the female mind -and I fear will ever characterize it whilſt women remain the ſlaves of power! The little reſpect the male world pay to chaſtity is, I am perfuaded, the grand fource of many of the phyſical and moral evils that torment mankind, as well as of the vices and follies that degrade and deſtroy women; yet at ſchool, boys infallibly loſe that decent balhfulneſs, which might have ripened into modeſty, at home, And what nafty indecent tricks do they alſo learn from each other, when a number of them pig together in the ſame bedchamber, not to ſpeak of the vices, which render the body weak, whilſt they effectually pre- vent the acquiſition of any delicacy of mind. The lit- tle attention paid to the cultivation of modeſty, amongſt men, produces great depravity in all the relationſhips of fociety; for, not only love-love that ought to purify the heart, and firſt call forth all the youthful powers, to prepare the man to difcharge the benevolent duties of life, is ſacrificed to premature luft ; but, all the focial affections are deadened by the ſelfiſh gratifications, which very early pollute the mind, and dry up the generous juices of the heart. In what an unnatural manner is innocence often violated ; and what ſerious conſequenc- es enſue to render private vices a public peſt. Beſides, an habit of perſonal order, which has more effect on the moral character, than is, in general, fuppoſed, can only be acquired at home, where that reſpectable reſerve is toes. The wife likewiſe wus equally anxious to keep the children in order, left they ſhould dirty or tear their clothes.. keps U 3 334 VINDICATION OF THE kept up which checks the familiarity, that ſinking into bcaftlineſs, undermines the affection it inſults. I have already animadverted on the bad habits which females acquire when they are ſhut up together; and, I think, that the obſervation may be extended to the oher ſex, till the natural inference is drawn which I have had in view throughout-hat to improve both ſexes they ought, not only in private families, but in public ſchools, to be educated together. If marriage be the cement of fociety, mankind ſhould all be educated after the ſame model, or the intercourſe of the ſexes will never deſerve the name of fellowſhip, nor will women ever fulfil the peculiar duties of their fex, till they become enlightened citizens, till they become free by being enabled to earn their own ſubfiltence, independent of men; in the ſame manner, I mean, to prevent miſconſtruction, as one man is independent of another. Nay, marriage will never be held ſacred till women, by being brought up with men, are prepared to be their companions rather than their miſtrelles ; for the inean doublings of cunning will ever render them contemptible, whilſt oppreffion ren- ders them vimid. So convinced am I of this truth, that I will venture to predict that virtue will never prevail in fociety till the virtues of both ſexes are founded on reaſon; and, till the affections common to both are al- lowed to gain their duc ſtrength by the diſcharge of mu- jual duties. Were buys and girls permitted to purfue the ſame ftu- dies tegether, thoſe graceful decencies might early be inculcated which produce modeſty without thoſe ſexual diſtinctions that taint the mind. Leilons of politenefs, and that formulary of decorum, which treads on the heels of falſehood, would be rendered oſeleſs by habitual pro- priety of behaviour. Not indeed, put on for vilitors like the courily robe of politeneſs, but the fober effect of cleanlineſs of mind. Wonld not this ſimple elegance of fincerity be a chaſte homage paid to domeſtic affections, far RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 235 far furpaſting the meretricious compliments that ſhine with falſe luſtre in the heartleſs intercourſe of faſhiona- ble life? But, till more underſtanding preponderate in fociety, there will ever be a want of heart and taſte, and the harlot's rouge will ſupply the place of that celeſtial fuffuſion which only virtuous affections can give to the face. Gallantry, and what is called love, may ſubfilt without ſimplicity of character ; but the inain pillars of friend thip, are reſpect and confidence-effeem is never founded on it cannot tell what! A taſte for the fine arts requires great cultivation ; but not more than a taſte for the virtuous affections ; and both ſuppoſe that enlargement of mind which opens ſo many ſources of mental pleaſure. Why do people hurry to noiſy ſcenes, and crowded circles ? I thould anſwer, becauſe they want activity of mind, becauſe they have not cheriſhed the virtues of the heart. They only, therefore, ſee and feel in the grofs, and continually pine after variety, finding every thing that is ſimple in- fipid. This argument may be carried further than philoſo- phers are aware of, for if nature deſtined woman, in par- ticular, for the diſcharge of dometic duties, the made her fufceptible of the attached affections in a great de- gree. Now women are notoriouſly fond of pleafure ; and, naturally muſt be ſo according to my definition, be- cauſe they cannot enter into the minutiæ of domeſtic taſte ; lacking judgment, the foundation of all taſte. For the underſtanding, in ſpite of ſenſual cavillers, re- ſerves to itſelf the privilege of conveying pure joy to the heart. With what a languid yawn have I ſeen an admirable poem thrown down, that a man of true taſte returns to, again and again with rapture; and, whilſt melody has almoſt ſuſpended reſpiration, a lady has aſked me where I bought my gown. I have ſeen alſo an eye glanced coldly over a moſt exquiſite picture, reſt, ſparkling with pleaſures 236 VINDICATION OF THE pleaſure, on a caricature rudely ſketched; and whilſt ſome terrific feature in nature has ſpread a fublime ſtill- neſs through my foul, I have been deſired to obſerve the pretty tricks of a lap dog, that my perverſe fare forced me to travel with. Is it ſurpriſing that fuch a taſteleſs being ſhould rather careſs this dog than her children? Or, that ſhe ſhould prefer the rant of flattery to the fim- ple accents of fincerity? To illuſtrate this remark I muſt be allowed to obſerve, that men of the firſt genius, and moſt cultivated minds, have appeared to have the higheſt reliſh for the ſimple beauties of nature; and they muſt have forcibly felt, what they have ſo well deſcribed, the charm, which na- tural affections, and unfophiſticated feelings ſpread round the human character. It is this power of looking into the heart, and reſponſively vibrating with each emotion, that enables the poet to perſonity each paflion, and the painter to ſketch with a pencil of fire. True taſte is ever the work of the underſtanding em- ployed in obſerving natural effects; and till women have more underſtanding, it is vain to expect them to poffefs domeſtic taſte. Their lively ſenſes will ever be at work to harden their hearts, and the emotions struck out of them will continue to be vivid and tranſitory, unleſs a proper education ſtores their minds with knowledge. It is the want of domeſtic taſte, and not the acquire- ment of knowledge, that takes women out of their fami- lies, and tears the finiling babe from the breaſt that ought to afford it nouriſhment. Women have been al- lowed to remain in ignorance, and flavih dependence, many, very many years, and ſtill we hear of nothing but their fondneſs of pleaſure and fway, their preference of rakes and ſoldiers, their childiſh attachment to toys, and the vanity that makes them value accoinpliſhments more than virtues. Hiſtory brings forward a fearful catalogue of the crimes which their cunning has produced, when the weak RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 237 weak flaves have had ſufficient addreſs to over-reach their maſters. In France, and in how many other countries, have men been the luxurious defpots, and women the crafty miniſters ? --Does this prove that ignorance and dependence domeſticate them? Is not their folly the by- word of the libertines, who relax in their fociety; and do not men of ſenſe continually lament that an immode- rate fondneſs for dreſs and diſlipation carries the mother of a family for ever from home. Their hearts have not been debauched by knowledge, nor their ininds led aſtray by ſcientific purſuits ; yet, they do not fulfil the peculi- ar duties which as women they are called upon by nature to fulfil. On the contrary, the ſtate of warfare which ſubſiſts between the ſexes, inakes them employ thofe wiles, that fruſtrate the more open deſigns of force. When, therefore, I call women ſlaves, I mean in a political and civil ſenſe; for, indirectly they obtain too much power, and are debaſed by their exertions to ob- lain illicit ſway. Let an enlightened nation *then try what effect rea- ſon would have to bring them back to nature, and their duty; and allowing them to ſhare the advantages of edu- cation and government with man, fee whether they will become better, as they grow wiſer and become free. They cannot be injured by the experiment; for it is not in the power of man to render them more inſignifi- cant than they are at preſent. To render this practicable, day ſchools, for particular ages, ſhould be eſtabliſhed by government, in which boys and girls might be educated together. The ſchool for the younger children, from five to nine years of age, ought to be abſolutely free and open to all claffest. A # France. + Treating this part of the ſubject, I have borrowed ſome hints from a very ſenſible pamphlet, written by the late bi- Joop of Autun on Public education. fufficient 238 VINDICATION OF THE fufficient number of maſters ſhould alſo be choſen by a felect committee, in each pariſh, to whom any complaint of negligence, &c. Inight be made, if ſigned by ſix of the children's parents. Uthers would then be unneceffary; for I believe ex- perience will ever prove that this kind of ſubordinate au- thority is particularly injurious to the morals of youth. What, indeed can tend to deprave the character more than outward ſubmiſſion and inward contempt? Yet how can boys be expected to treat an uther with reſpect, when the maſter ſeems to conſider him in the light of a ſervant, and almoſt to countenance the ridicule which be- comes the chief amuſement of boys during the play hours. But nothing of this kind could occur in an elementary day-ſchool, where boys and girls, the rich and poor, ſhould meet together. And to prevent any of the dif- tinctions of vanity, they ſhould be dreſſed alike, and all obliged to ſubmit to the fame diſcipline, or leave the ſchool. The fchool-room ought to be ſurrounded by a large piece of ground, in which the children might be uſefully exerciſed, for at this age they ſhould not be con- fined to any fedentary employment for more than an hour at a time. But theſe relaxations might all be rendered a part of elementary education, for many things improve and amuſe the ſenſes, when introduced as a kind of ſhow, to the principles of which, dryly laid down, children would turn a deaf ear. For inſtance, botany, mecha- nics, and aſtronomy. Reading, writing, arithmetic, na- tural hiſtory, and ſome ſimple experiments in natural phi- loſophy, might fill up the day, but theſe purſuits ſhould never encroach on gymnaſtic plays in the open air. The elements of religion, hiſtory, the hiſtory of man, and po- litics, might alſo be taught, by converſations, in the fo- cratic form. After the age of nine, girls and boys, intended for do- meſtic employments, or mechanical trades, ought to be removed to other ſchools, and receive inſtruction, in fome RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 239 fome meaſure appropriated to the deſtination of each in- dividual, the two ſexes being ſtill together in the mor- ning; but in the afternoon, the girls should attend a ſchool, where plain-work, mantua-making, milline- ry, &c. would be their employment. The young people of ſuperior abilities, or fortune, might now be taught in another ſchool, the dead and liv- ing languages, the elements of ſcience, and continue the ftudy of hiſtory and politics, on a more extenſive ſcale, which would not exclude polite literature. Girls and boys ſtill together? I hear ſome readers alk: yes. And I thould not fear any other conſequence than that ſome early attachment might take place, which, whilſt it had the beſt effect on the moral character of the young peo- ple, might not perfectly agree with the views of the pa- rents, for it will be a long time, I fear, before the world is fo enlightened that parents, only anxious to render their children virtuous, will let them chooſe companions for life for themſelves. Beſides, this would be a ſure way to promote early marriages, and from early marriages the moſt falutary phyſical and moral effects naturally flow. What a dif- ferent character does a married citizen aſſume from the ſelfiſh coxcomb, who lives, but for himſelf, and who is often afraid to marry left he ſhould not be able to live in a certain ſtyle. Great emergencies excepted, which would rarely occur in a ſociety of which equality was the baſis, a man can only be prepared to diſcharge the du- ties of public life, by the habitual practice of thoſe in- ferior ones which form the man. In this plan of education, the conſtitution of boys would not be entirely ruined by the early debaucheries, which now make men fo ſelfiſh, nor girls rendered weak and vain, by indolence, and frivolous purſuits. But, I preſuppoſe, that ſuch a degree of equality ſhould be eſta- bliſhed between the fexes as would ſhut out gallantry and coquetry, yet allow friendship and love to temper the heart for the diſcharge of higher duties. Theſe 240 VINDICATION OF THE Theſe would be ſchools of morality—and the happi- neſs of man, allowed to flow from the pure ſprings of duty and affection, what advances might not the human mind make ? Society can only be happy and free in pro- portion as it is virtuous; but the preſent diſtinctions, eſtablished in ſociety, corrode all private, and blaſt all public virtue. I have already inveighed againſt the cuſtom of con- fining girls to their needle, and ſhutting them out from all political and civil employments; for by thus narrow- ing their minds they are rendered unfit to fulfil the pecu- liar duties which nature has aſſigned them. Only employed about the little incidents of the day, they neceſſarily grow up cunning. My very foul has often fickened at obſerving the fly tricks practiſed by women to gain ſome fooliſh thing on which their filly hearts were ſet. Not allowed to diſpoſe of money, or call any thing their own, they learn to turn the market pen- ny; or ihould a huſband offend, by ſtaying from home, or give riſe to ſome emotions of jealouſy-a new gown, or any pretty bawble, ſmooths Juno's angry brow. But theſe littleneſſes would not degrade their character, if women were led to reſpect themſelves, if political and moral ſubjects were opened to them; and I will venture to affirm, that this is the only way to make them proper- ly attentive to their domeſtic duties.---An active mind embraces the whole circle of its duties, and finds time enough for all. It is not, I affert, a bold attempt to emu- late maſculine virtues ; it is not the enchantment of lite- rary purſuits, or the ſteady inveſtigation of ſcientific ſub- jects, that lead women aftray from duty. No, it is in- dolence and vanity—the love of pleaſure and the love of fway, that will reign paramount in an empty mind. I ſay empty emphatically, becauſe the education which women now receive ſcarcely deſerves the name. For the little knowledge that they are led to acquire, during the important years of youth, is merely relative to ac- compliſhments; RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 24-1 compliſhments; and accompliſhments without a bot- tom, for unleſs the underſtanding be cultivated, fuperfi- cial and monotonous is every grace. Like the charins of a made up face, they only Itrike the ſenſes in a crowd; but at home, wanting mind, they want variety. The conſequence is obvious; in gay ſcenes of diffipation we meet the artificial mind and face, for thoſe who fly from folitude dread, next to folitude, the domeſtic circle ; not having it in their power to amuſe or intereſt, they feel their own inſignificance, or find nothing to amuſe or intereſt themſelves. Beſides, what can be more indelicate than a girl's com- ing out in the faſhionable world? Which, in other words, is to bring to market a marriageable miſs, whoſe perſon is taken from one public place to another, rich- ly capariſoned. Yet, mixing in the giddy circle under reſtraint, theſe butterflies long to flutter at large, for the firſt affection of their ſouls is their own perſons, to which their attention has been called with the moſt fedulous care whilſt they were preparing for the periods that de- cides their fate in life. Inſtead of purſuing this idle routine, ſighing for taſteleſs ſhew, and heartleſs ſtate, with what dignity would the youths of both ſexes form attachments in the ſchools that I have curſorily pointed out; in which, as life advanced, dancing, muſic, and drawing, might be admitted as relaxations, for at theſe ſchools young people of fortune ought to remain, more or leſs till they were of age. Thoſe, who were defigned for particular profeffions, might attend, three or four mornings in the week, the ſchools appropriated for their immediate inſtruction. I only drop theſe obſervations at preſent, as hints ; rather, indeed, as an outline of the plan I mean, than a digeſted one; but I muſt add, that I highly approve of one regulation mentioned in the pampthlet * already al- * The Biſhop of Autun's. X luded 242 VINDICATION OF THE luded to, that of making the children and youths inde- pendent of the maſters reſpecting puniſhments. They ihould be tried by their peers, which would be an admi- rable method of fixing ſound principles of juſtice in the mind, and might have the happieſt effect on the temper, which is very early foured or irritated by tyranny, till it becomes peeviſhly cunning, or ferociouſly overbearing. My imagination darts forward with benevolent ter- your to greet theſe amiable and reſpectable groups, in ſpite of the ſneering of cold hearts, who are at liberty to utter, with frigid ſelf-importance, the damning epithet -romantic; the force of which I ſhall endeavour to blunt by repeating the words of an eloquent moralift. - • I know not whether the alluſions of a truly humane • heart, whoſe zeal renders every thing eaſy, is not pre- • ferable to that rough and repulſing reaſon, which al- * ways finds an indifference for the public good, the firſt • obſtacle to whatever would promote it.' I know that libertines will alſo exclaim, that woman would be unfexed by acquiring ſtrength of body and mind, and that beauty, ſoft bewitching beauty ! would no longer adorn the daughters of men! I am of a very different opinion, for I think that, on the contrary, we ſhould then ſee dignified beauty, and true grace; to produce which, many powerful phyſical and moral cauſ- es would concur.-Not relaxed beauty, it is true, nor the graces of helplellneſs; but ſuch as appears to make us reſpect the human body as a majeſtic pile fit to re- ceive a nobler inhabitant, in the relicks of antiquity. I do not forget the popular opinion that the Grecian ftatues were not modelled after nature. I mean, not according to the proportions of a particular man ; but that beautiful limbs and features were ſelected from vari- ous bodies to form a harmonious whole. This inight, in fome degree, be true. The fine ideal picture of an exalted imagination might be ſuperior to the materials which the painter found in nature, and thus it might with RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 243 ture. with propriety be termed rather the model of mankind than of a man. It was not, however, the mechanical ſelection of limbs and features; but the ebullition of an heated fancy that burit forth, and the fine ſenſes and en- larged underſtanding of the artiſt ſelected the folid mat- ter, which he drew into this glowing focus. I obſerved that it was not mechanical, becauſe a whole was produced-a model of that grand fimplicity, of hoſe concurring energies, which arreſt our attention and command our reverence. For only inſipid lifeleſs beau- ty is produced by a ſervile copy of even beautiful na- Yet, independent of theſe obſervations, I believe that the human form muſt have been far more beautiful than it is at preſent, becauſe extreme indolence, barba. rous ligatures and many cauſes, which forcibly act on it, in our luxurious ſtate of ſociety, did not retard its ex- panfion, or render it deformed. Exerciſe and cleanli- neſs appear to be not only the ſureft means of preſerving health, but of promoting beauty, the phyſical cauſes on- ly conſidered; yet, this is not ſufficient, moral ones muſt occur, or beauty will be merely of that ruſtic kind which blooms on the innocent, wholeſome, countenances of fome country people, whoſe minds have not been exer- ciſed. To render the perfon perfect, phyficaland moral beauty ought to be attained at the ſame time ; each lending and receiving force by the combination. Judg- ment muſt reſide on the brow, affection and fancy beam in the eye, and humanity curve the cheek, or vain is the Sparkling of the fineſt eye or the elegantly turned finiſh of the faireſt features ; whilſt in every motion that diſ- plays the active limbs and well-knit joints, grace and modeſty ſhould appear. But this fair aſſemblage is not to be brought together by chance; it is the reward of ex- ertions meet to ſupport each other; for judgment can only be acquired by reflection, affection by the diſcharge of duties, and humanity by the exerciſe of compaſſion to every living creature. X2 Humanity VINDICATION OF THE Humanity to animals ſhould be particularly inculcata ed as a part of national education, for it is not at preſent one of our national virtues. Tenderneſs for their hum- ble dumb domeſtics, ainongſt the lower claſs, is oftener to be found in a lavage than a civilized ſtate. For civi- lization prevents that intercourſe which creates affection in the rude hut, or mud cabin, and leads uncultivated minds who are only depraved by the refinements which prevail in the ſociety, where they are trodden under foot by the rich, to domineer over them to revenge the in- fults that they are obliged to bear from their fuperiors. This habitual cruelty is firſt caught at ſchool, where it is one of the rare ſports of the boys to torment the mi- ſerable brutes that fall in their way. The tranſition, as they grow up, from barbarity to brutes to domeſtic ty- ranny over wives, children, and ſervants, is very eaſy. Juſtice, or even benevolence, will not be a powerful {pring of action unleſs it be extended to the whole crea- tion; nay, I believe that it may be delivered as an axi- om, that thoſe who can ſee pain, unmoved, will foon learn to inflict it. The vulgar are ſwayed by preſent feelings, and the habits which they have accidentally acquired; but on partial feelings much dependence cannot be placed, though they be juſt; for, when they are not invigorated by reflection, cuſtom weakens them, till they are fcarce- lý felt. The ſympathies of our nature are ſtrengthened by pondering cogitations, and deadened by thoughtleſs uſe. Macbeth's heart fmote him more for one murder, the firſt, than for a hundred ſubſequent ones, which were neceffary to back it. But, when I uſed the epithet vul- gar, I did not mean to confine my remark to the poor, for partial humanity, founded on preſent ſenſations, or whim, is quite as conſpicuous, if not more fo, amongſt the rich. The lady who ſheds tears for the bird ſtarved in a fnare, and execrates the devils in the ſhapes of men, who goad RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 245 goad to madneſs the poor ox, or whip the patient aſs, tottering under a burden above its ſtrength, will, never- theleſs, keep her coachman and horſes whole hours wait- ing for her, when the ſharp froſt bites, or the rain beats againſt the well-cloſed windows which do not admit a breath of air to tell her how roughly the wind blows with- out. And the who takes her dogs to bed, and nurſes them, with a parade of ſenſibility, when fick, will ſuffer her babes to grow up crooked in a nurſery. This illuf- tration of my argument is drawn from a matter of fact. The woinan whom I allude to was handſome, reckoned very handſome, by thoſe who do not miſs the mind when the face is plump and fair ; but her underſtanding had not been led from female duties by literature, nor her in- nocence debauched by knowledge. No, ſhe was quite feminine, according to the maſculine acceptation of the word; and, fo far from loving theſe ſpoiled bruits that filled the place which her children ought to have occupi- ed, ſhe only liſped out a pretty mixture of French and Engliſh nonſenſe, to pleaſe the men who flocked round her. The wife, mother, and human creature, were all fwallowed up by the factitious character, which an im- proper education and the ſelfiſh vanity of beauty had pro- duced. I do not like to make a diftin&tion without a differ- ence, and I own that I have been as much diſguſted by the fine lady who took up her lap-dog to her bofom in- ſtead of her child; as by the ferocity of a man, who, beating his horſe declared, that he knew as well when he did wrong, as a Chriftian. This brood of folly ſhews how miſtaken they are who, if they allow women to leave their harams, do not cul- tivate their underſtandings, in order to plant virtues in their hearts. For had they ſenſe, they might acquire that domeſtic taſte which would lead them to love with reaſonable ſubordination their whole family, from the huſband to the houſe-dog; nor would they ever inſult humanity X 3 24:6 VINDICATION OF THE humanity in the perſon of the moſt menial ſervant by: paying more attention to the comfort of a brute, than to that of a fellow-creature. My obſervations on national education are obviouſly hints; but I principally wiſh to enforce the neceſſity of educating the ſexes together to perfect both, and of mak- ing children ſleep at home that they may learn to love home; yet to make private ſupport, inſtead of fmother- ing, public affections, they ſhould be ſent to ſchool to mix with a number of equals, for only by the joftlings of equality can we form a juſt opinion of ourſelves. To render mankind more virtuous, and happier of courſe, both ſexes muſt act from the ſame principle; but how can that be expected when only one is allowed to fee the reaſonableneſs of.it? To render alſo the ſocial compact truly equitable, and in order to ſpread thoſe en lightening principles, which alone can meliorate the fate of man, women muſt be allowed to found their virtue on knowledge, which is ſcarcely poflible unleſs they are educated by the ſame purſuits as men. For they are now made fo inferior by ignorance and low deſires, as not to deſerve to be ranked with them; or, by the ſerpentine wrigglings ofcunning they mount the tree of knowledge, and only acquire fufficient to lead men aftray. It is plain from the hiſtory of all nations, that women cannot be confined to merely domeſtic purſuits, for they will not fulfil family duties, unleſs their minds take a wider range, and whilſt they are kept in ignorance they become in the ſame proportion the flaves of pleaſure as they are the ſlaves of man. Nor can they be Nut out of great enterpriſes, though the narrowneſs of their minds often make them mar, what they are unable to compre- hend. The libertiniſm, and even the virtues of ſuperior men, will always give women, of fome deſcription, great pow- er over them; and theſe weak women, under the influ- ence of childiſh paflions and ſelfiih vanity, will throw a falfe RIGHTS OF WOMAN, 247 falſe light over the objects which the very men view with their eyes, who ought to enlighten their judgment. Men of fancy, and thoſe of fanguine characters who moſtly hold the helm of human affairs, in general, relax in the fociety of women ; and ſurely I need not cite to the moſt fuperficial reader of hiſtory, the numerous examples of vice and oppreſſion which the private intrigues of female favourites have produced; not to dwell on the miſchief that naturally ariſes from the blundering interpoſition of well-meaning folly. The power which vile and fooliſh, women have had over wiſe men, who poſſeſſed ſenſibili- ty, is notorious ; I ſhall only mention one inſtance. Who ever drew a more exalted female character than Rouſſeau ? though in the lump he conſtantly endeavour- ed to degrade the ſex. And why was he thus anxious ? Truly to juſtify to himſelf the affection which weakneſs and virtue had made him cheriſh for that fool Thereſa. He could not raiſe her to the common level of her fex; and therefore he laboured to bring woman down to her's. He found her a convenient humble companion, and pride made him determine to find ſome fuperior virtues in the being whom he choſe to live with; but did not her con- duct during his life, and after his death, clearly ſhew how grosſly he was miſtaken who called her a celeſtial inno- cent. Nay, in the bitterneſs of his heart, he himſelf Jaments, that when his bodily infirmities made him no longer treat her like a woman, ſhe ceaſed to have an af fection for him. And it was very natural that ſhe ſhould, for having ſo few ſentiments in common, when the ſex- ual tie was broken, what was to hold her ? To hold her affection whoſe fenfibility was confined to one ſex, nay, to one man, it requires ſenſe to turn ſenſibility into the broad channel of humanity; many women have not mind enough to have an affection for a woman, or a friendſhip for a man. But the ſexual weakneſs that makes woman depend on man for a fubfiftence, produces a kind of cat- tiſh affection which leads a wife to purr about her huſ- bard 248 VINDICATION OF THE band as ſhe would about any man who fed and careſſed her. Men are, however, often gratified by this kind of fond- neſs, which is confined in a beaſtly manner to themſelves, but ſhould they ever become more virtuous, they will wiſh to converſe at their fire-ſide with a friend, after they ceaſe to play with a miſtreſs. Beſides, underſtanding is neceſſary to give variety and intereſt to fenfual enjoyments, for low, indeed, in the intellectual ſcale, is the mind that can continue to love when neither virtue nor ſenſe give a human appearance to an animal appetite. But ſenſe will always preponder- ate; and if women are not, in general, brought more on a level with men, fome ſuperior women, like the Greek courtezans, will aſſemble the men of abilities around them, and draw from their families many citizens, who would have ſtayed at home had their wives had more fenſe, or the graces which reſult from the exerciſe of the underſtanding and fancy, the legitimate parents of talte. A woman of talents, if ſhe be not abſolutely ug- ly, will always obtain great power, raiſed by the weak- neſs of her fex; and in proportion as men acquire vir- tue and delicacy, by the exertion of reaſon, they will look for both in women, but they can only acquire them in the ſame way that men do. In France or Italy, have the women confined them- felves to domeſtic life? though they have not hitherto had a political exiſtence, yet, have they not illicitly had great ſway? corrupting themſelves and the men with whoſe palſions they played. In ſhort, in whatever light I view the fubject, reaſon and experience convince me that the only method of leading women to fulfil their pe- culiar duties, is to free them from all reſtraint by allow- ing them to participate the inherent rights of mankind. Make them free, and they will quickly become wiſe and virtuous, as man become more lo; for the improve- ment muſt be mutual, or the injuſtice which one half of the RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 249 she human race are obliged to ſubmit to, retorting on their oppreffors, the virtue of men will be worm-eaten by the infect whom he keeps under his feet. Let men take their choice, man and woman were made for each other, though not to become one being ; and if they will not improve women, they will deprave them! I ſpeak of the improvement and emancipation of the whole ſex, for I know that the behaviour of a few wo- men, who, by accident, or following a ſtrong bent of na- ture, have acquired a portion of knowledge ſuperior to that of the reſt of their ſex, has often been overbearing ; but there have been inſtances of women who, attaining knowledge, have not diſcarded modeſty, nor have they always pedantically appeared to deſpiſe the ignorance which they laboured to diſperſe in their own minds. The exclamations then which any advice reſpecting fe- male learning, commonly produces, eſpecially from pret- ty women, often ariſe from envy. When they chance to ſee that even the luſtre of their eyes, and the flippant ſportiveneſs of refined coquetry will not always ſecure them attention, during a whole evening, ſhould a woman of a more cultivated underſtanding endeavour to give a rational turn to the converſation, the common ſource of conſolation is, that ſuch women ſeldom get huſbands. What arts have I feen filly women uſe to interrupt by flirtation, a very fignificant word to deſcribe ſuch a ma- noeuvre, a rational converſation which made the men forget that they were pretty women. But, allowing what is very natural to man, that the poſſeſlion of rare abilities is really calculated to excite over-weening pride, diſguſting in both men and women -in what a ſtate of inferiority muſt the female facul- ties have ruſted when ſuch a ſmall portion of knowledge as thoſe women attained, who have ſneeringly been terin- ed learned women, could be fingular?--Sufficiently ſo to puff up the poffeffor, and excite envy in her contem- poraries, 250 VINDICATION OF THE poraries, and ſome of the other fex. Nay, has not a lit- tle rationality expoſed many women to the ſevereſt cen- fure? I advert to well known facts, for I have frequently heard women ridiculed, and every little weakneſs expofed, only becauſe they adopted the advice of ſome medical men, and deviated from the beaten track in their mode of treating their infants. I have actually heard this bar- barous averfion to innovation carried ſtill further, and a ſenſible woman ſtigmatized as an unnatural mother, who has thus been wiſely folicitous to preſerve the health of her children, when in the midſt of her care fhe has loſt one by ſome of the caſualties of infancy, which no prudence can ward off. Her acquaintance have ob- ſerved, that this was the conſequence of new-fangled no- tions--the new-fangled notions of eaſe and cleanlineſs. And thoſe who pretending to experience, though they have long adhered to prejudices that have, according to the opinion of the moſt fagacious phyſicians, thinned the human race, almoſt rejoiced at the diſaiter that gave a kind of ſanction to preſcription. Indeed, if it were only on this account, the national education of women is of the utmoſt importance, for what a number of human facrifices are made to that mo- loch prejudice! And in how many ways are children deſtroyed by the laciviouſneſs of man? The want of tural affection in many women, who are drawn from their duty by the admiration of men, and the ignorance of others, render the infancy of man a much more peril- ous ſtate than that of brutes; yet men are unwilling to place women in ſituations proper to enable them to ac- quire ſufficient underſtanding to know how even to nurſe the babes, So forcibly does this truth ſtrike me, that I would reſt the whole tendency of my reaſoning upon it, for whate- ver tends to incapacitate the maternal character,takes wo- man out of her ſphere, But na- RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 251 But is is vain to expect the preſent race of weak mo- thers either to take that reaſonable care of a child's bo- dy, which is neceſſary to lay the foundation of a good con- ftitution, fuppoſing that it do not ſuffer for the lins of its fathers; or to manage its temper ſo judiciouſly that the child will not have, as it grows up, to throw off all that its mother, its firſt inſtructor,direcly or indirectly taught, and unleſs the mind has uncommon vigour, womaniſh follies will ſtick to the character throughout life. The weakneſs of the mother will be viſited on the children! And whilſt women are educated to rely on their huſbands for judgment, this muſt ever be the conſequence, for there is no improving an underſtanding by halves, nor can any being act wiſely from imitation, becauſe in every circum- ftance of life there is a kind of individuality, which re- quires an exertion of judgment to modify general rules. The being who can think juftly in one track, will foon extend its intellectual empire; and ſhe who has ſuffici- ent judgment to manage her children, will not fubmit right or wrong, to her huſband, or patiently to the ſoci- al laws which make a nonentity of a wife. In public ſchools, women, to guard againſt the errors of ignorance, fhould be taught the elements of anatomy and medicine, not only to enable them to take proper care of their own health, but to make them rational nurſ. es of their infants, parents, and huſbands; for the bills of mortality are ſwe led by the blunders of ſelf-willed old women, who give noitrums of their own, without know- ing any thing of the human frame. It is likewiſe pro- per, only in a domeſtic view, to make women acquaint- ed with the anatomy of the mind, by allowing the ſexes to aſſociate together in every purſuit ; and by leading them to obſerve the progreſs of the human underſtand- ing in the improvement of the ſciences and arts; never forgetting ahe leience of morality, nor the ſtudy of the po- litical hiſtory of mankind. A man 252 VINDICATION OF THE A man has been termed a microcoſm ; and every fa- mily might alſo be called a ſtate. States, it is true, have moſtly been governed by arts that diſgrace the character of man; and the want of a juſt conſtitution, and equal laws, have ſo perplexed the notions of the worldly wiſe, that they more than queſtion the reaſonableneſs of con- tending for the rights of humanity. Thus morality, pol- luted in the national reſervoir, fends off ſtreams of vice to corrupt the conſtituent parts of the body politic; but fhould more noble, or rather, more juſt principles regu- late the laws, which ought to be the government of ſo- ciety, and not thoſe who execute them, duty might be- come the rule of private conduct. Beſides, by the exerciſe of their bodies and minds, wo- men would acquire that mental activity fo neceffary in the inaternal character, united with the fortitude that dif- tinguiſhes ſteadineſs of conduct from the obſtinate per- verleneſs of weakneſs. For it is dangerous to adviſe the indolent to be ſteady, becauſe they inſtantly become ri- gourous, and to ſave themſelves trouble, puniſh with fe- verity faults that the patient fortitude of reaſon might have prevented. But fortitude preſuppoſes ſtrength of mind to be acquired by indolent acquieſcence? by aſking adviſe inſtead of exerting the judgment ? by obeying through fear, inſtead of practiſing the forbearance, which we all land in need of ourſelves? The conclufion which I wiſh to draw is obvious; make women rational crea- tures, and free citizens, and they will quickly become good wives, and mothers; that is—if men do not ne- glect the duties of huſbands and fathers. Diſcuſing the advantages which a public and private education combined, as i have ſketched, might rationally be expected to produce, I have dwelt molt on ſuch as are particularly relative to the female world, becauſe I think the female world opprelfed ; yet the gangrene, which the vices engendered by oppreliion have produced, is not confined RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 253 .confined to the morbid part, but pervades ſociety at large: ſo that when I wiſh to ſee my ſex become more like moral agents, my heart bounds with the anticipati- on of the general diffuſion of that ſublime contentment which only morality can diffuſe. ・イ​・・・・・・・・ 人​・人​・人​･人​人​･人​･・・ С Н А Р. XIII. Some inſtances of the folly which the ignorance of women gene- rates; with concluding refleétions on the moral improve- ment that a revolution in female manners might naturally be expected to produce. HERE are many follies, in fome degree, peculiar to women: fins againſt reaſon of commiffion as well as of omiffion; but all flowing from ignorance or prejudice, I ſhall only point out ſuch as appear to be particularly injurious to their moral character. And in animadverting on them, I wiſh eſpecially to prove, that the weakneſs of mind and body, which men have en- deavoured, impelled by various motives, to perpetuate, prevents their diſcharging the peculiar duty of their ſex: for when weakneſs of body will not permit them to fuckle their children, and weakneſs of mind makes them ſpoil their tempers-is woman in a natural ſtate? SECT. 1. One glaring inſtance of the weakneſs which proceeds from ignorance, firſt claims attention, and calls for ſe- vere reproof. In this metropolis a number of lurking leeches infa- mouſly gain a ſubſiſtence by practiſing on the credulity of women, pretending to caſt nativities, to uſe the tech- nical word ; and many females who, proud of their rank Y and 254 VINDICATION OF THE and fortune, look down on the vulgar with ſovereign contempt, ſhew by this credulity, that the diſtinction is arbitrary, and that they have not ſufficiently cultivated their minds to riſe above vulgar prejudices. Women, becauſe they have not been led to conſider the knowledge of their duty as the one thing necefſary to know, or, to live in the preſent moment by the diſcharge of it, are ve- ry anxious to peep into futurity, to learn what they have to expect to render life intereſting, and to break the vacuum of ignorance. I muſt be allowed to expoftulate ſeriouſly with the ladies who follow theſe idle inventions ; for ladies, mil- treſſes of families, are not aſhamed to drive in their own carriages to the door of the cunning man*. And if any of them ſhould peruſe this work, I entreat thein to an- ſwer to their own hearts the following queſtions, not forgetting that they are in the preſence of God. Do you believe that there is but one God, and that he is powerful, wiſe, and good? Do you believe that all things were created by him, and that all beings are dependent on him? Do you rely on his wiſdom, ſo conſpicuous in his works, and in your own frame, and are you convinced that he has ordered all things which do not come under the cognizance of your ſenſes, in the ſame perfect har- mony, to fulfil his deſigns ? Do you acknowledge that the power of looking into futurity, and ſeeing things that are not, as if they were, is an attribute of the Creator ? And ſhould he, by an im- preffion on the minds of his creatures, think fit to im- part to them fome event hid in the fhades of time, yet * I once lived in the neighbourhood of one of theſe men, a handſome man, and ſaw with ſurpriſe and indignation, women, whoſe appearance and attendance beſpoke that rank in which females are ſuppoſed to receive a ſuperior education, flock to his doar. unborn, RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 255 unborn, to whom wonld the ſecret be revealed by im- mediate inſpiration? The opinion of ages will anſwer this queſtion-to reverend old men, to people diftin- guilhed for eminent piety. The oracles of old were thus delivered by prieſts dedi. cated to the ſervice of the God who was ſuppoféd to in- ſpire them. The glare of worldly pomp which fur- rounded theſe impoſtors, and the reſpect paid to them by artful politicians, who knew how to avail themſelves of this uſeful engine to bend the necks of the ſtrong un- der the dominion of the cunning, ſpread a ſacred myfte- rious veil of ſanctity over their lies and abominations. Impreſſed by ſuch folemn devotional parade, a Greek, or Roman lady might be excufed, if ſhe inquired of the oracle, when ſhe was anxious to pry into futurity, or in- quire about ſome dubious event: and her inquiries, however contrary to reaſon, could not be reckoned im- pious.-But, can the profeſſors of Chriſtianity ward off that imputation? Can a Chriſtian ſuppoſe that the fa- vourites of the moſt High, the highly favoured, would be obliged to lurk in diſguiſe, and practiſe the moſt difho- neſt tricks to cheat filly women out of the money-- which the poor cry for in vain? Say not that ſuch queſtions are an inſult to common ſenſe--for it is your own conduet, Oye fooliſh women! which throws an odium on your fex! And theſe reflec- tions ſhould make you ſhudder at your thoughtleſſneſs, and irrational devotion.--For I do not fuppoſe that all of you laid afide your religion, ſuch as it is, when you entered thoſe myſterious dwellings. Yet, as I have throughout fuppoſed myſelf talking to ignorant women for ignorant ye are in the moſt emphatical ſenſe of 24- word, it would be abſurd to reaſon with tore you egregious folly of deſiring to know what the 20 enable Wiſdom has concealed. Probably you would not underſtand mead, are greater tempt to thew you that it would be ab ? miracles Y 2 punity? Be 256 VINDICATION OF THE ent with the grand purpoſe of life, that of rendering hu- man creatures wife and virtuous: and that, were it fanctioned by God, it would diſturb the order eſtabliſh- ed in creation; and if it be not ſanctioned by God, do you expect to hear truth? Can events be foretold, events which have not yet affumed a body to become ſubject to mortal inſpection, can they be foreſeen by a vicious worldling, who pampers his appetites by preying on the fooliſh ones? Perhaps, however, you devoutly believe in the devil, and imagine to ſhift the queſtion, that he may affiſt his votaries; but, if really reſpecting the power of ſuch a being, an enemy to goodneſs and to God, can you go to church after having been under ſuch an obligation to him. From theſe deluſions to ftill more faſhionable decep. tions, practiſed by the whole tribe of magnetiſers, the tranſition is very natural. With reſpect to them, it is equally proper to aſk women a few queſtions. Do you know any thing of the conſtruction of the hu- man frame? If not, it is proper that you ſhould be told what every child ought to know, that when its admirable oeconomy has been diſturbed by intempe- rance or indolence, I ſpeak not of violent diſorders, but of chronical diſeaſes, it muſt be brought into a healthy ſtate again, by flow degrees, and if the functi- ons of life have not been materially injured, regimen, another word for temperance, air, exerciſe, and a few inedicines preſcribed by perſons who have ſtudied the human body, are the only human means, yet diſcovered, of recovering that ineſtimable bleſſing health, that will bear inveſtigation. Do you believe that theſe magnetiſers, who, by hocus a hal: ocus tricks, pretend to work a miracle, are delegated by d, or affifted by the folver of all theſe kind of difficul- women, i che devil. in which fem flock to his doar when they put to flight, as it is ſaid, diſor- bafilled the powers of medicine, work in conformity RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 257 conformity to the light of reaſon? Or do they effect theſe wonderful cures by ſupernatural aid? By a communication, an adept may anſwer, with the world of ſpirits. A noble privilege, it muſt be allow- ed. Some of the ancients mention familiar dæmons, who guarded them from danger by kindly intimating, we cannot gueſs in what manner, when any danger was nigh; or, pointed out what they ought to undertake. Yet the men who laid claim to this privilege, out of the order of nature, inſiſted that it was the reward or conſequence of fuperior temperance and piety. But the preſent work- ers of wonders are not raiſed above their fellows by fu- perior temperance or ſanctity. They do not cure for the love of God, but money. Theſe are the prieſts of quakery, though it be true they have not the convenient expedient of ſelling maffes for fouls in purgatory, nor churches were they can diſplay crutches, and inodels of limbs made found by a touch or a word. I am not converſant with the technical terms, nor initiated into the arcana, therefore I may ſpeak impro- perly ; but it is clear that men who will not conform to the law of reaſon, and earn a ſubſiſtence in an honeſt way, by degrees, are very fortunate in becoming acquaint- ed with ſuch obliging ſpirits. We cannot, indeed, give them credit for either great fagacity or goodneſs, elſe they would have choſen more noble inſtruments, when they wiſhed to ſhew themſelves the benevolent friends of man. It is, however, little ſhort of blafphemy to pretend to ſuch powers ! From the whole tenor of the diſpenfations of Provi- dence, it appears evident to fober reaſon, that certain vices produce certain effects, and can any one fo groff- ly inſult the wiſdom of God, as to fuppoſe that a mira- cle will be allowed to diſturb his general laws, to reſtore to health the intemperate and vicious, merely to enable them to purſue the ſame courſe with impunity? Be whole, and fin no more, ſaid Jeſus. And, are greater miracles Y3 258 VINDICATION OF THE miracles to be performed by thoſe who do not follow his footſteps, who healed the body to reach the mind? The mentioning of the name of Chriſt, after fuch vile importers, may diſpleaſe ſome of my readers--I reſpect their warmth ; but let them not forget that the follow- ers of theſe deluſions beas his name, and profeſs to be the diſciples of him, who ſaid, by their works we ſhould know who were the children of God or the ſervants of fin. I allow that it is eafier to touch the body of a ſaint, er to be magnetifed, than to reſtrain our appetites or go- vern our pallions; but health of boily or mind can only be recovered by theſe means, or we make the Supreme Judge partial and revengeful. Is he a man that he ſhould change, or puniſh out of sefentment. He the common father, wounds to heal, fays reaſon, and our irregularities producing certain con- fequences, we are forcibly thewn the nature of vice; that thus learning to know good from evil, by experience, we may hate one and love the other, in proportion to the wiſdom which we attain. The poifon contains the an- sidote ; and we either reforin our evil habits and ceaſe to lin againſt our own bodies, to uſe the forcible language of ſcripture, or a premature death, the punishment of fin, ſnaps the thread of life. Here an awful ſtop is put to our inquiries.-But, why fhould I conceal my ſentiments Confidering the attri- butes of God, I believe that whatever puniſhment may follow, will tend, like the anguiſh of diſeaſe, to ſhow the malignity of vice, for the purpoſe of reformation. Pou fitive puniſhinent appears ſo contrary to the nature of God, diſcoverable in all his works, and in our own rea- fon, that I could fooner believe that the Deity paid no attention to the conduct of men, than that he puniſhed without the benevolent deſign of reforming. To fuppofe only that an all-wife and powerful Being, as good as he is great, thonld create a being foreſeeing, that after fifty or fixty years of feverilh exiſtence, it would RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 299 would be plunged into never ending woe--is blafphemy. On what will the worm feed that is never to die?-On folly, an ignorance, ſay ye-I fhould bluſh indignantly at drawing the natural concluſion, could I inſert it, and with to withdraw myſelf from the wing of my God! --- On fuch a ſuppoſition, I ſpeak with reverence, he would be a confuming fire. We ſhould with, though vainly, to fly from his preſence when fear abforbed love, and darkneſs involved all his counfels! I know that many devout people boaſt of ſubmitting to the Will of God blindly, as to an arbitrary fceptre or rod, on the ſame principle as the Indians worſhip the de- vil. In other words, like people in the common con- cerns of life, they do homage to power, and cringe under the foot that can cruſh them. Rational religion on the con- trary, is a ſubmiſſion to the will of a being fu perfe&ly wiſe, that all he wills muſt be directed by the proper mo- tive--muſt be reafonable. And, if thus we reſpect God, can we give credit to the miſterious inſinuations, which inſults his laws? can we believe, though it ſhould ſtare us in the face, that he would work a miracle to authorize confuſion by fancti- oning an error! Yet we muſt either allow theſe impi- ous conclufions, or treat with contempt every promiſe to reſtore health to a diſeaſed body by fupernatural means, or to foretel the incidents that can only be fore- feen by God. SECT. 11. ANOTHER inſtance of that feminine weakneſs of cha Facter, often produced by a confined education, is a ro- mantic twilt of the mind, which has been very proper- ly termed ſentimental. Women, fubjected by ignorance to their ſenſations, and only taught to look for happineſs in love, refine on fenſual feelings, and adopt metaphyſical notions reſpect- ing 260 VINDICATION OF THE ing that paſſion, which lead them ſhamefully to neglect the duties of life, and frequently in the midſt of theſe ſublime refinements they plump into actual vice, Theſe are the women who are amuſed by the reve- ries of the ſtupid noveliſts, who, knowing little of human nature, work up ſtale tales, and deſcribe meretricious ſcenes, all retailed in a ſentimental jargon, which equal- ly tend to corrupt the taſte, and draw the heart alide from its daily duties. I do not mention the underſtand- ing, becauſe never having been exerciſed, its flumbering energies relt inactive, like the lurking particles of fire which are ſuppoſed univerſally to pervade matter. Females, in fact, denied all political privileges, and not allowed, as married women, excepting in criminal caſes, a civil exiſtence, have their attention naturally drawn from the intereſt of the whole community to that of the minute parts, though the private duty of any member of ſociety muſt be very imperfectly performed when not connected with the general good. The migh- ty buſineſs of female life is to pleaſe, and reſtrained from entering into more important concerns by political and civil oppreſſion, fentiments become events, and reflecti- on deepens what it ſhould, and would have effaced, if the underſtanding had been allowed to take a wider range. But, confined to triling employments, they naturally imbibe opinions which the only kind of reading calcu- lated to intereſt an innocent frivolous mind, inſpires. Unable to graſp any thing great, is it ſurpriſing that they find the reading of hiſtory a very dry taſk, and diſ- quiſitions addreſſed to the underſtanding intolerably te- dious, and almoſt unintelligible? Thus are they necef- farily dependent on the noveliſt for amuſement. Yet, when I exclaim againſt novels, I mean when contraſted with thoſe works which exerciſe the underſtanding and regulate the imagination. For any kind of reading I think better than leaving a blank ſtill a blank, becauſe the RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 261 the mind muſt receive a degree of enlargement and ob- tain a little ſtrength by a ſlight exertion of its thinking powers; beſides, even the productions that are only ad- dreſſed to the imagination, raiſe the reader a little above the groſs gratification of appetites, to which the mind has not given a fhade of delicacy. This obſervation is the reſult of experience; for I have known ſeveral notable women, and one in particu- lar, who was a very good woman-as good as ſuch a narrow mind would allow her to be, who took care that her daughters (three in number) ſhould never ſee a no- vel. As the was a woman of fortune and faſhion, they had various maſters to attend them, and a ſort of menial governeſs to watch their footſteps. From their maſters they learned how tables, chairs, &c. were called in French and Italian ; but as the few books thrown in their way were far above their capacities, or devotional. they neither acquired ideas nor fentiments, and paſſed their time when not compelled to repeat words, in dreſ- fing, quarrelling with each other, or converſing with their maids by ſtealth, till they were brought into com- pany as marriageable. Their mother, a widow, was buſy in the mean time in keeping up her connections, as ſhe termed a nume- rous acquaintance, left her girls ſhould want a proper in- troduction into the great world. And thefe young la- dies, with minds vulgar in every ſenſe of the word, and ſpoiled tempers, entered life puffed up with notions of their own conſequence, and looking down with con- tempt on thoſe who could not vie with them in dreſs and parade. With reſped to love, nature, or their nurſes, had tak- en care to teach them the phyſical ineaning of the word ; and, as they had few topics of converſation, and fewer refinements of ſentiment, they expreſſed their grofs wiſh- es not in very delicate phraſes, when they ſpoke freely, talking of matrimony. Coul 262 VINDICATION OF THE Could theſe girls have been injured by the peru fal of novels? I almoſt forgot a ſhade in the character of one of thein; ſhe affected a ſimplicity bordering on folly, and with a ſimper would utter the moſt immodeſt remarks and queſtions, the full meaning of which the had learn- ed whilſt ſecluded from the world, and afraid to ſpeak in her mother's preſence, who governed with a high hand: they were all educated, as ſhe prided herſelf, in a moſt exemplary manner; and read their chapters and pſalms before breakfaſt, never touching a filly novel. This is only one inſtance ; but I recollect many other women who, not, led by degrees to proper ſtudies, and not permitted to chooſe for themſelves, have indeed been overgrown children; or have obtained, by inixing in the world, a little of what is termed common ſenſe ; that is a diſtinct manner of ſeeing common occurrences, as they ſtand detached : but what deſerves the name of in- tellect, the power of gaining general or abſtract ideas, or even intermediate ones, was out of the queſtion. Their minds were quieſcent, and when they were not roufed by ſenſible objects and employments of that kind, they were low-ſpirited, would cry, or go to sleep. When, therefore, I adviſe my fex not to read fuch Alimſy works, it is to induce them to read ſomething fu- perior ; for I coincide in opinion with a fagacious man, who, having a daughter and niece under his care, pur- fued a very different plan with each. The niece, who had confiderable abilities, had, be- fore ſhe was left to his guardianſhip, been indulged in deſultory reading. Her he endeavoured to lead, and did lead to hiſtory and moral eſſays; but his daughter, whom a fond, weak mother had indulged, and who conſequent- ly was averſe to every thing like application, he allowed to read novels : and uſed to juſtify his conduct by ſaying, that if the ever attained a reliſh for reading them, le ſhould have ſome foundation to work upon; and that erroneous opinions were better than none at all. In RIGHTS OF WOMANWOM . 263 In fact the female mind has been ſo totally neglected, that knowledge was only to be acquired from this mud- dy fource, till from reading novels fome women of ſu- perior talents learned to deſpiſe them. The beſt method, I believe, that can be adopted to correct a fondneſs for novels is to ridicule them : not indiſcriminately, for then it would have little effect ; but, if a judicious perfon, with fome turn for humour, would read ſeveral to a young girl, and point out both by tones, and apt compariſons with pathetic incidents and heroic characters in hiſtory, how foolithly and ridi- culouſly they caricatured human nature, juſt opinions might be ſubſtituted inſtead of romantic ſentiments. In one reſpect, however, the majority of both ſexes refeinble, and equally ſhew a want of taſte and modeſty. Ignorant women, forced to be chaſte to preſerve their reputation, allow their imagination to revel in the unná- tural and meretricious ſcenes Iketched by the novel wri- ters of the day, flighting as inſipid the fober dignity and matronly graces of hiſtory*, whilſt men carry the ſame vitiated taſte into life, and fly for amuſement to the wan- ton, from the unfophiſticated charms of virtue and the grave reſpectability of ſenſe. Beſides, the reading of novels make women, and par- ticularly ladies of fathion, very fond of uſing Itrong ex- preſſions and ſuperlatives in converſation ; and though the dilipated artificial life which they lead prevents their cheriſhing any ſtrong legitimate pallion, the language of paſſion in affected tones tips for ever from their gib tongues, and every trifle produces thoſe phoſphoric burſts which only mimic in the dark the flame of pallion. * Z am not now alluding to that ſuperiority of mind which leads to the creation of ideul beauty, when life, ſurveyed with a penetrating eye, appears a tragi-comedy, in which little can be ſeen to ſatisfy the heart without the help of fancy. SECT. 264 VINDICATION OF THE SECT. III. IGNORANCE and the miſtaken cunning that nature ſharpens in weak heads as a principle of ſelf-preferva- tion, render women very fond of dreſs, and produce all the vanity which ſuch a fondneſs may naturally be ex- pected to generate, to the excluſion of emulation and humanity. I agree with Rouſſeau that the phyſical part of the art of pleaſing conſiſts in ornaments, and for that very rea- ſon I ſhould guard girls againſt the contagious fondneſs for dreſs, ſo common to weak women, that they may not reſt in the phyſical part. Yet, weak are the women who imagine that they can long pleaſe without the aid of the mind; or, in other words, without the moral art of pleaf- ing. But the moral art, if it be not a profanation to uſe the word art, when alluding to the grace which is an effect of virtue, and not the motive of action, is ne- ver to be found with ignorance; the ſportiveneſs of in- nocence, ſo pleaſing to refined libertines of both ſexes, is widely different in its eſſence from this ſuperior grace- fulneſs. A ſtrong inclination for external ornaments ever ap- pears in barbarous ſtates, only the men not the women adorn themſelves; for where women are allowed to be ſo far on a level with men, ſociety has advanced, at leaſt one ſtep to civilization. The attention to dreſs, therefore, which has been thought a ſexual propenſity, I think natural to mankind. But I ought to expreſs myſelf with more preciſion. When the mind is not fufficiently opened to take plea- fure in reflection, the body will be adorned with ſedulous care; and ambition will appear in tattooing or paint- ing it. So far is this firſt inclination carried, that even the hellith yoke of ſlavery cannot ſtifle the ſavage deſire of admiration which the black heroes inherit from both their RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 265 their parents, for all the hardly earned ſavings of a ſlave are commonly expended in a little tawdry finery. And I have ſeldom known a good male or female ſervant that was not particularly fond of dreſs. Their clothes were their riches ; and I argue from analogy, that the fond- neſs for dreſs, fo extravagant in females, ariſes from the fame cauſe-want of cultivation of mind. When men meet they converſe about buſineſs, politics, or literature; but, ſays Swift, how naturally do women apply their • hands to each others lappets and ruffles.' And very na- tural is it--for they have not any buſineſs to intereſt them, have not a taſte for literature, and they find politics dry, becauſe they have not acquired a love for mankind by turning their thoughts to the grand purſuits that exalt the human race, and promote general happineſs. Beſides, various are the paths to power and fame, which by accident or choice men purſue, and though they joſtle againſt each other, for men of the ſame profeſſion are feldom friends, yet there is a much greater number of their fellow-creatures with whom they never clath. But women are very differently fituated with reſpect to each other-for they are all rivals. Before marriage it is their buſineſs to pleaſe men ; and after, with a few exceptions, they follow the ſame ſcent with all the perſevering pertinacity of inftinct. Even virtuous women never forget their ſex in company, for they are for ever trying to make themſelves agreeable. A female beauty and a male wit, appear to be equally anx- ious to draw the attention of the company to themſelves; and the animoſity of contemporary wits is proverbial. Is it then ſurpriſing that when the ſole ambition of woman centres in beauty, and intereſt gives vanity addi- tional force, perpetual rivalſhips ſhould enſue? They are all running the ſame race, and would riſe above the vire tue of mortals, if they did not view each other with a ſuſpicious and even envious eye. An ininoderate fondneſs for dreſs, for pleaſure and for fway, are the paſſions of ſavages; the paſſions that occu. Z р 266 VINDICATION OF THE py thoſe uncivilized beings who have not yet extended the dominion of the mind, or even learned to think with the energy neceſſary to concatenate that abſtract train of thought which produces principles. And that women from their education and the preſent ſtate of civilized life, are in the ſame condition, cannot, I think be controvert- ed. To laugh at them then, or fatirize the follies of a being who is never to be allowed to act freely from the light of her own reaſon, is as abſurdas cruel ; for that they who are taught blindly to obey authority, will endeavour cunningly to elude it, is moſt natural and certain. Yet let it be proved that they ought to obey man im- plicitly, and I ſhall immediately agree that it is woman's duty to cultivate a fondneſs for dreſs, in order to pleaſe, and a propenſity to cunning for her own preſervation. The virtues, however, which are ſupported by igno- rance, muſt ever be wavering—the houſe built on land could not endure a ſtorm. It is almoſt unneceifary to draw the inference. If women are to be made virtuous by authority, which is a contradiction in terms, let them be immured in feraglios and watched with a jealous eye. Fear not that the iron will enter into their fouls-for the fouls that can bear ſuch treatment are made of yielding materials, juſt animated enough to give life to the body, • Matter too ſoft a laſting mark to bear, . And beſt diſtinguiſh'd by black brown or fair.' The moſt cruel wounds will of courſe foon heal, and they may ſtill people the world and dreſs to pleaſe man—all the purpoſes which certain celebrated writers have allow- ed that they were created to fulfil. SECT. IV. Women are ſuppoſed to poffefs more ſenſibility, and even humanity, than men, and their ſtrong attachments and inſtantaneous emotions of compaſſion are given as proofs; but the clinging affection of ignorance has fel- dom any thing noble in it, and may moſtly be reſolved into ſelfiſhneſs, as well as the affection of children and brutes. I have known many weak women whoſe ſenſi- bility RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 267 bility was entirely engroſſed by their huſbands ; and as for their humanity, it was very faint indeed, or rather it was only a tranſient emotion of compaſſion. “Humanity • does not confiſt in a ſqueamiſh ear,' ſays an eminent orator. • It belongs to the mind as well as the nerves.' But this kind of excluſive affection, though it degrade. the individual, ſhould not be brought forward, as a proof of the inferiority of the ſex, becauſe it is the natural con- ſequence of confined views: for even women of ſuperi- or ſenſe, having their attention turned to little employ- ments, and private plans, rarely riſe to heroiſm, unleſs when ſpurred on by love ; and love, as an heroic paſſion, like genius, appears but once in an age. I therefore a- gree with the moraliſt who allerts, that women have * ſeldom ſo much generoſity as men ;' and their narrow affections, to which juſtice and humanity are often facri- ficed, render the ſex apparently inferior, eſpecially as they are commonly inſpired by men ; but I contend that the heart would expand as the underſtanding gained ſtrength, if women were not depreſſed from their cradles. I know that a little ſenſibility, and great weakneſs will produce a ſtrong ſexual attachment, and that reaſon muſt cement friendſhip; conſequently, I allow that more friendſhip is to be found in the male than the female world, and that men have a higher ſenſe of juſtice. The excluſive affections of women ſeem indeed to reſemble Cato's moſt unjuſt love for his country. He wiſhed to cruſh Carthage, not to ſave Rome,but to promote its vain- glory; and in general, it is to ſimilar principles that huma- nity is facrificed, for genuine duties fupport each other. Beſides, how can women be juſt or generous, when they are the ſlaves of injuſtice. SECT. As the rearing of children, that is, the laying a foun- dation of found health both of body and mind in the riſing generation, has juſtly been inſiſted on as the peculiar del- tination of woman, the ignorance that incapacitates them muſt be contrary to the order of things. And I contend 22 that V. 268 VINDICATION OF THE that their minds can take in much more, and ought to do fo, or they will never become fenfible mothers. Many men attend to the breeding of horſes, and overlook the management of the ftable, who would, ſtrange want of ſenſe and feeling! think themſelves degraded by paying any attention to the nurſery ; yet, how many children are abſolutely murdered by the ignorance of women! But when they eſcape, and are neither deſtroyed by un- natural negligence nor blind fondneſs, how few are ma- Daged properly with reſpect to the infant mind! So that to break the ſpirit, allowed to become vicious at home, a child is fent to ſchool; and the methods taken there, which muſt be taken to keep a number of children in order, ſcatter the ſeeds of almoſt every vice in the foil thus forcibly torn up. I have ſometimes compared the ſtruggles of theſe poor children who ought never to have felt reſtraint, nor would, had they been always held in with an even hand, to the deſpairing plunges of a ſpirited filly, which I have ſeen breaking on a ſtrand : its feet ſinking deeper and deeper in the fand every time it endeavoured to throw its rider, till at laſt it fullenly ſubmitted. I have always found horſes, an animal I am attached to, very tractable when treated with humanity and ſteadi- neſs, ſo that I doubt whether the violent methods taken to break them, do not eſſentially injure them; I am, how- ever, certain that a child ſhould never be thus forcibly famed after it has injudiciouſly been allowed to run wild ; for every violation of juſtice and reaſon, in the treatment of children, weakens their reaſon. And, fo early do they catch a character, that the baſe of the moral character, experience leads me to infer, is fixed before their feventh year, the period during which women are allowed the ſole management of children. Afterwards it too often happens that half the buſineſs of education is to correct, and very imperfectly is it done, if done haſtily, the faults, which they would never have acquired if their mothers had had more underſtanding. One RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 269 One ſtriking inſtance of the folly of women mof not be omitted.-The manner in which they treat ſervants in the preſence of children, permitting them to ſuppoſe that they ought to wait on them, and bear their humours. A child ſhould always be made to receive alliſtance from a man or woman as a favour; and, as the firſt leſſon of in- dependence, they ſhould practically be taught, by the ex- ample of their mother, not to require that perſonal at- tendance, which it is an inſult to humanity to require, when in health ; and inſtead of being led to alliime airs of conſequence, a ſenſe of their own weakneſs ſhonld firſt make them feel the natural equality of man. Yet, how frequently have I indignantly heard ſervants imperiouſly called to put children to bed, and ſent away again and a- gain, becauſe maſter or miſs hung about mamma, to ſtay a little longer. Thus made flaviſhly to attend the little idol, all thoſe moſt diſguſting humours were exhibited which characterize a ſpoiled child. In ſhort, ſpeaking of the majority of mothers, they leave their children entirely to the care of ſervants; or, becauſe they are their children treat them as if they were little demi-gols, though I have always obfervel, that the women who thus idolize their children, feldom ſhew com- mon humanity to ſervants, or feel the leait tenderneſs for any children but their own. It is, however, theſe excluſive affections, and an indi- vidual manner of ſeeing things, produced by ignorance, which keeps women for ever at a ſtand, with reſpe&t to improvement, and make many of them dedicate their lives to their children only to weaken their bodies and ſpoil their tempers, fruſtrating alſo any plan of educati- on that a more rational father may adopt; for unleſs a mother concurs, the father who reſtrains will ever be conſidered as a tyrant. But, fulfilling the duties of a mother, a woman with a found conſtitution, may ſtill keep her perfon fcrupulouſ- ly neat, and aſliſt to maintain her family, if neceffary, or by reading and converſations with both ſexes, indir criminately, improve her mind. For nature has fo wiſe- ly, 270 VINDICATION OF THE For a ly ordered things, that did women fuckle their children, they would preſerve their own health, and there would be ſuch an interval between the birth of each child, that we ſhould feldom ſee a houſe full of babes. And did they purſue a plan of conduct, and not waſte their time in fol- lowing the faſhionable vagaries of dreſs, the management of their houſehold and children need not ſhut them out from literature,nor prevent their attaching themſelves to a ſcience, with that ſteady eye which ſtrengthens the mind, or practiſing one of the fine arts that cultivate the taſte. But, viſiting to diſplay finery, card-playing, and balls, riot to mention the idle buſtle of morning trilling, draw women from their duty to render them inſignificant, to render hem pleaſing, according to the preſent acceptati- on of the word, to every man, but their huſband. round of pleaſures in which the affections are not exer- cifed, cannot be ſaid to improve the underſtanding, though it be erroneoudly called ſeeing the world ; yet the heart is rendered cold and averſe to duty, by ſuch a ſenſe- leſs intercourſe, which becomes neceifary from habit even when it has ceaſed to amuſe, But, till more equality be eſtabliſhed in fociety, till ranks are confounded and women freed, we ſhall not fee that dignified domeſtic happineſs, the fimple grandeur of which cannot be reliſhed by ignorant or vitiated minds; nor will the important talk of education ever be properly Degm till the perfon of a woman is no longer preferred to her mind. For it would be as wife to expect corn from tares, or figs from thiſtles, as that a foolith ignorant woman ſhould be a good mother. SECT. It is not neceſſary to inform the fagacious reader, now I enter on my concluding reflections, that the diſcuſſion of this fubject merely conſiſts in opening a few ſimple principles, and clearing away the rubbiſh which obſcured them. But, as all readers are not fagacious, I muſt be allowed to add fome explanatory remarks to bring the fubject home to reaſon--to that ſluggith reaſon, which fi pinely takes opinions on truft, and obſtinately ſupports them to ſpare ittelf the labour of thinking. Moraliſts VI. RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 271 Moraliſts have unanimouſly agreed, that unleſs virtue be nurſed by liberty, it will never attain due ſtrength- and what they ſay of man I extend to mankind, indiſting that in all cafes morals muſt be fixed on immutable prin- ciples; and, that the being cannot be termed rational or virtnous, who obeys any authority, but that of reaſon. To render women truly uſeful inembers of ſociety, I argue that they thould be led, by having their underítand- ings cultivated on a lans ige ſcale, to acquire a rational af- fection for their country, founded on knowledge, becauſe it is obvious that we are liste intereſted about what we do notiunderitand. And to render this general know- ledge of due importance, I have en teavoured to thew chat private duties are never properly fulfilled unleſs the un- derſtanding enlarges the heart ; and that public virtue is only an aggregate of private. But, the diſtinctions efta- blihed in ſociety undermine both, by beating out the folid gold of virtue, till it becomes only the tinſel-cover- ing of vice; for whilſt wealth renders a man more re- fpectable than virtue, wealth will be fought before virtue; and, whilſt women's perfons are carelled, when a child- iihi fuper thews an abſence of mind--the mind will lie fallow. Yet, true voluptuouſneſs muſt proceed from the mind-for what can equal the fenfations produced by mutual affection, ſupported by mutual reſpeet? What are the cold, or feverith careffes of appetite, but fin em- bracing death, compared with the modeft overflowings of a pure heart and exalted imagination? Yes, let me tell the libertine of fancy when he deſpiſes underſtanding in woman--that the mind, which he diſregards, gives life to the enthuſiaſtic affection from which rapture, thort- lived as it is, alone can flow! And, that, without virtue, a ſexual attachment muit expire, like a tallow candle in the focket, creating intolerable diſguſt. To prove this, I need only obſerve, that men who have waited great part of their lives with women, and with whom they have fought for pleaſure with eager thirſt, entertain the mean- eit opinion of the ſex.-Virtue, true refiner of joy !--if fooliſh men were to fright thee from earth, in order to give 272 VINDICATION OF THE give looſe to all their appetites without a check-fome ſenſual wight of taſte would ſcale the heavens to invite thee back, to give a zelt to pleaſure! That women at preſent are by ignorance rendered fool- iſh on vicious, is, I think not to be diſputed ; and that the moll ſalutary effects tending to improve mankind, might be expected from a revolution in female manners, appears at leaſt, with a face of probability, to riſe out of the ob- ſervation. For as marriage has been termed the parent of thoſe endearing charisies which draw man from the brutal herd, the corrupting intercourſe that wealth, idle- neſs, and folly, produce between the fexes, is more uni- verſally injurious to morality, than all the other vices of mankind collectively conſidered. To alulterous luſt the moit ſacred duties are facrificed, becauſe before marriage men, by a promiſcuous intimacy with women, learned to conſider love as a ſelfiſh gratification-learned to le- parate it not only from eſteem, but from the afection merely built on habit, which mixes a little humanity with it. Juſtice and friendſhip are alſo ſet at defiance, and that purity of taſte is vitiated which would naturally lead a man to reliſh an artleſs diſplay of affection rather than affected airs. But that noble fimplicity of affection, which dares to appear unadorned, has few attractions for the libertine, though it be the charm, which by cementing the matrimonial tie, ſecures to the pledges of a warmer pallion the necesſary parental attention ; for children will never be properly educated till friendſhip ſubliſts between parents. Virtue flies from a houſe divided againſt itſelf and a whole legion of devils take up their refidence there. The affection of hurjands and wives cannot be pure when they have fo few ſentiments in common, and when fo little confidence is eſtabliſhed at home, as muſt be the cale when their purfuits are ſo different. That intimacy from which tenderneſs ſhould flow, will not, cannot ſub- filt between the vicious. Contending, therefore, that the ſexual diſtinction which men have fo warmly infifted upon, is arbitrary, I have dwelt on an obſervation, that ſeveral ſenſible men, with whom RIGHTS OF WOMAN. 273 whom I have converſed on the ſubject allowed to be well founded ; and it is ſimply this, that the little chaſtity to be found amongſt men, and conſequent diſregard of modeſty, tend to degrade both ſexes; and further, that the modeſty of women, characterized as ſuch, will often be only the artful veil of wantonneſs, inſtead of being the natural re- flection of purity, till modeſty be univerſally reſpected. From the tyranny of man, I firmly believe, the greater number of female follies proceeds; and the cunning, which I allow makes at preſent a part of their character, I likewiſe have repeatedly endeavoured to prove, is pro- duced by oppreffion. Were not diſſenters, for inſtance, a claſs of people, with ſtriet truth characterized as cunning? And may I not lay ſome ſtreſs on this fact to prove, that when any power but reaſon curbs the free ſpirit of man, diffimula- tion is practiſed, and the various fhifts of art are natural- ly called forth ? Great attention to decorum, which was carried to a degree of ſcrupulofity, and all that puerile buſtle about trifles aud conſequential folemnity, which Butler's caricature of a diſſenter, brings before the ima- gination, ſhaped their perſons as well as their minds in ihe mould of prim littleneſs. I ſpeak collectively, for I know how many ornaments to human nature have been enrolled amongſt ſectaries; yet, I affert, that the ſame narrow prejudice for their feet, which women have for their families, prevailed in the diffenting part of the com- munity, however worthy in other reſpects; and alſo that the ſame timid prudence, or headſtrong efforts, often diſ- graced the exertions of both. Oppreſſion thus formed many of the features of their character perfectly to coin- cide with that of the oppreſſed half of mankind; for is it not notorious that diffenters were, like women, fond of deliberating together, and aſking advice of each other, till by a complication of little contrivances, ſome lit:le end was brought about ? A ſimilar attention to preſerve their reputation was conſpicuous in the diffenting and fe- male world, and was produced by a ſimilar cauſe. Afferting 274 VINDICATION OF THE Aſſerting the rights which women in common with nien ought to contend for, I have not attempted to exte- nuate their faults; but to prove them to be the natural conſequence of their education and itation in fociety. If fo, it is reaſonable to fuppofe that they will change their character, and correct their vices and follies, when they are allowed to be free in a phyſical, moral, and civil ſenſe*. Let woman ſhare the rights and ſhe will emulate the virtues of man; for ſhe muſt grow more perfect when emancipated, or juſtify the authority that chains ſuch a weak being to her duty. If the latter, it will be expe- dient to open a freſh trade with Ruſſia for whips; a pre- fent which a father ſhould always make to his fon-in-law on his wedding day, that a huſband may keep his whole family in order by the ſame means; and without any vi- olation of juſtice reign, wielding this ceptre, fole maſter of his houſe, becauſe he is the only being in it who has reaſon: the divine, indefeaſible earthly ſovereignty breath- ed into man by the Maſter of the univerſe. Allowing this poſition, women have not any inherent rights to claim, and by the ſame rule, their duties vanilh, for rights and duties are inſeparable. Be juſt then, O ye men of underſtanding! and mark not more ſeverely what women do amiſs than the vicious tricks of the horſe or the aſs for whom ye provide proven- der, and allow her the privileges of ignorance, to whom ye deny the rights of reaſon,or ye will be worſe than Egypti- an taſk-maſters, expecting virtue where nature has not given underſtanding ! * I had further enlarged on the advantages which might be expeEted to reſult from an improvement in female manners, to- wards the general reformation of ſociety; but it appeared to me that ſuch reflections would more properly cloſe the laſt volume. THE END. CO N T E N T S. IIO Page. CHAP. I. The rights and involved duties of man- kind conſidered. 17. CHAP. II. The prevailing opinion of a ſexual charac- ter diſcuſſed. 27 CHAP. Ill. The ſame ſubject continued. 53 CHAP. IV. Obſervations on the ſtate of degradation to which women is reduced by various caufes. 74 CHAP. V. Animadverſions on ſome of the writers who have rendered women obječts of pity, bordering on contempt. CHAP. VÍ. The effect which an early aſſociation of ideas has upon the character. 163 CHAP. VII. Modeſty.—Comprehenſively conſidered, and not as a ſexual virtue. 171 CHAP. VIII. Morality undermined by ſexual notions of the importance of a good reputation. 186 CHAP. IX. Of the pernicious effects which ariſe from the unnatural diſtinctions eſtabliſhed in ſociety. 199 CHAP. X. Parental affection. CHAP. XI. Duty to parents. 215 CHAP. XII. On national education. CHAP. XIII. Some inſtances of the folly which the ignorance of women generates ; with concluding re- flections on the moral improvement that a revolu- tion in female manners may naturally be expected to produce. 253 212 222 releases olek Juſt Publiſhed, [Printed by William Gibbons] Price TEN SHILLINGS-To be had at all the principal Book-ſtores in the City; THE LADIES MAGAZINE; AND REPOSITORY OF ENTERTAINING KNOWLEDGE. 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