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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/19595-8.txt b/19595-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..131381d --- /dev/null +++ b/19595-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3248 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Essays on Various Subjects, by Hannah More + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Essays on Various Subjects + Principally Designed for Young Ladies + +Author: Hannah More + +Release Date: October 21, 2006 [EBook #19595] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ESSAYS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS *** + + + + +Produced by Audrey Longhurst, Melissa Er-Raqabi, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + +ESSAYS +FOR +YOUNG LADIES. + + + + +ESSAYS +ON +VARIOUS SUBJECTS, +Principally designed for +YOUNG LADIES. + + AS for you, I shall advise you in a few words: aspire only to + those virtues that are PECULIAR TO YOUR SEX; follow your natural + modesty, and think it your greatest commendation not to be talked + of one way or the other. + + _Oration of Pericles to the Athenian Women._ + + + + +LONDON: +Printed for J. WILKIE, in St. Paul's Church-Yard; +and T. CADELL, in the Strand. +MDCCLXXVII. + + + + +TO +MRS. MONTAGU. + + +MADAM, + +IF you were only one of the finest writers of your time, you would +probably have escaped the trouble of this address, which is drawn on +you, less by the lustre of your understanding, than by the amiable +qualities of your heart. + +AS the following pages are written with an humble but earnest wish, to +promote the interests of virtue, as far as the very limited abilities +of the author allow; there is, I flatter myself, a peculiar propriety in +inscribing them to you, Madam, who, while your works convey instruction +and delight to the best-informed of the other sex, furnish, by your +conduct, an admirable pattern of life and manners to your own. And I can +with truth remark, that those graces of conversation, which would be the +first praise of almost any other character, constitute but an inferior +part of yours. + + I am, MADAM, + With the highest esteem, + Your most obedient + Humble Servant, + +_Bristol_, HANNAH MORE. +_May 20, 1777._ + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +INTRODUCTION Page 1 +ON DISSIPATION 15 +ON CONVERSATION 37 +ON ENVY 63 +ON SENTIMENTAL CONNEXIONS 77 +ON TRUE AND FALSE MEEKNESS 107 +ON EDUCATION 123 +ON RELIGION 158 +MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS ON WIT 178 + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +IT is with the utmost diffidence that the following pages are submitted +to the inspection of the Public: yet, however the limited abilities of +the author may have prevented her from succeeding to her wish in the +execution of her present attempt, she humbly trusts that the uprightness +of her intention will procure it a candid and favourable reception. The +following little Essays are chiefly calculated for the younger part of +her own sex, who, she flatters herself, will not esteem them the less, +because they were written immediately for their service. She by no means +pretends to have composed a regular system of morals, or a finished plan +of conduct: she has only endeavoured to make a few remarks on such +circumstances as seemed to her susceptible of some improvement, and on +such subjects as she imagined were particularly interesting to young +ladies, on their first introduction into the world. She hopes they will +not be offended if she has occasionally pointed out certain qualities, +and suggested certain tempers, and dispositions, as _peculiarly +feminine_, and hazarded some observations which naturally arose from the +subject, on the different characters which mark the sexes. And here +again she takes the liberty to repeat that these distinctions cannot be +too nicely maintained; for besides those important qualities common to +both, each sex has its respective, appropriated qualifications, which +would cease to be meritorious, the instant they ceased to be +appropriated. Nature, propriety, and custom have prescribed certain +bounds to each; bounds which the prudent and the candid will never +attempt to break down; and indeed it would be highly impolitic to +annihilate distinctions from which each acquires excellence, and to +attempt innovations, by which both would be losers. + +WOMEN therefore never understand their own interests so little, as when +they affect those qualities and accomplishments, from the want of which +they derive their highest merit. "The _porcelain_ clay of human kind," +says an admired writer, speaking of the sex. Greater delicacy evidently +implies greater fragility; and this weakness, natural and moral, clearly +points out the necessity of a superior degree of caution, retirement, +and reserve. + +IF the author may be allowed to keep up the allusion of the poet, just +quoted, she would ask if we do not put the finest vases, and the +costliest images in places of the greatest security, and most remote +from any probability of accident, or destruction? By being so situated, +they find their protection in their weakness, and their safety in their +delicacy. This metaphor is far from being used with a design of placing +young ladies in a trivial, unimportant light; it is only introduced to +insinuate, that where there is more beauty, and more weakness, there +should be greater circumspection, and superior prudence. + +MEN, on the contrary, are formed for the more public exhibitions on the +great theatre of human life. Like the stronger and more substantial +wares, they derive no injury, and lose no polish by being always +exposed, and engaged in the constant commerce of the world. It is their +proper element, where they respire their natural air, and exert their +noblest powers, in situations which call them into action. They were +intended by Providence for the bustling scenes of life; to appear +terrible in arms, useful in commerce, shining in counsels. + +THE Author fears it will be hazarding a very bold remark, in the opinion +of many ladies, when she adds, that the female mind, in general, does +not appear capable of attaining so high a degree of perfection in +science as the male. Yet she hopes to be forgiven when she observes +also, that as it does not seem to derive the chief portion of its +excellence from extraordinary abilities of this kind, it is not at all +lessened by the imputation of not possessing them. It is readily +allowed, that the sex have lively imaginations, and those exquisite +perceptions of the beautiful and defective, which come under the +denomination of Taste. But pretensions to that strength of intellect, +which is requisite to penetrate into the abstruser walks of literature, +it is presumed they will readily relinquish. There are green pastures, +and pleasant vallies, where they may wander with safety to themselves, +and delight to others. They may cultivate the roses of imagination, and +the valuable fruits of morals and criticism; but the steeps of +Parnassus few, comparatively, have attempted to scale with success. +And when it is considered, that many languages, and many sciences, must +contribute to the perfection of poetical composition, it will appear +less strange. The lofty Epic, the pointed Satire, and the more daring +and successful flights of the Tragic Muse, seem reserved for the bold +adventurers of the other sex. + +NOR does this assertion, it is apprehended, at all injure the +interests of the women; they have other pretensions, on which to value +themselves, and other qualities much better calculated to answer their +particular purposes. We are enamoured of the soft strains of the +Sicilian and the Mantuan Muse, while, to the sweet notes of the +pastoral reed, they sing the Contentions of the Shepherds, the +Blessings of Love, or the innocent Delights of rural Life. Has it ever +been ascribed to them as a defect, that their Eclogues do not treat of +active scenes, of busy cities, and of wasting war? No: their simplicity +is their perfection, and they are only blamed when they have too little +of it. + +ON the other hand, the lofty bards who strung their bolder harps to +higher measures, and sung the _Wrath_ of _Peleus' Son_, and _Man's first +Disobedience_, have never been censured for want of sweetness and +refinement. The sublime, the nervous, and the masculine, characterise +their compositions; as the beautiful, the soft, and the delicate, mark +those of the others. Grandeur, dignity, and force, distinguish the one +species; ease, simplicity, and purity, the other. Both shine from their +native, distinct, unborrowed merits, not from those which are foreign, +adventitious, and unnatural. Yet those excellencies, which make up the +essential and constituent parts of poetry, they have in common. + +WOMEN have generally quicker perceptions; men have juster +sentiments.--Women consider how things may be prettily said; men how +they may be properly said.--In women, (young ones at least) speaking +accompanies, and sometimes precedes reflection; in men, reflection is +the antecedent.--Women speak to shine or to please; men, to convince or +confute.--Women admire what is brilliant; men what is solid.--Women +prefer an extemporaneous sally of wit, or a sparkling effusion of +fancy, before the most accurate reasoning, or the most laborious +investigation of facts. In literary composition, women are pleased with +point, turn, and antithesis; men with observation, and a just deduction +of effects from their causes.--Women are fond of incident, men of +argument.--Women admire passionately, men approve cautiously.--One sex +will think it betrays a want of feeling to be moderate in their +applause, the other will be afraid of exposing a want of judgment by +being in raptures with any thing.--Men refuse to give way to the +emotions they actually feel, while women sometimes affect to be +transported beyond what the occasion will justify. + +AS a farther confirmation of what has been advanced on the different +bent of the understanding in the sexes, it may be observed, that we have +heard of many female wits, but never of one female logician--of many +admirable writers of memoirs, but never of one chronologer.--In the +boundless and aėrial regions of romance, and in that fashionable species +of composition which succeeded it, and which carries a nearer +approximation to the manners of the world, the women cannot be excelled: +this imaginary soil they have a peculiar talent for cultivating, because +here, + + Invention labours more, and judgment less. + +THE merit of this kind of writing consists in the _vraisemblance_ to +real life as to the events themselves, with a certain elevation in the +narrative, which places them, if not above what is natural, yet above +what is common. It farther consists in the art of interesting the tender +feelings by a pathetic representation of those minute, endearing, +domestic circumstances, which take captive the soul before it has time +to shield itself with the armour of reflection. To amuse, rather than to +instruct, or to instruct indirectly by short inferences, drawn from a +long concatenation of circumstances, is at once the business of this +sort of composition, and one of the characteristics of female +genius[1]. + +IN short, it appears that the mind in each sex has some natural kind of +bias, which constitutes a distinction of character, and that the +happiness of both depends, in a great measure, on the preservation and +observance of this distinction. For where would be the superior pleasure +and satisfaction resulting from mixed conversation, if this difference +were abolished? If the qualities of both were invariably and exactly the +same, no benefit or entertainment would arise from the tedious and +insipid uniformity of such an intercourse; whereas considerable +advantages are reaped from a select society of both sexes. The rough +angles and asperities of male manners are imperceptibly filed, and +gradually worn smooth, by the polishing of female conversation, and the +refining of female taste; while the ideas of women acquire strength and +solidity, by their associating with sensible, intelligent, and +judicious men. + +ON the whole, (even if fame be the object of pursuit) is it not better +to succeed as women, than to fail as men? To shine, by walking +honourably in the road which nature, custom, and education seem to have +marked out, rather than to counteract them all, by moving awkwardly in a +path diametrically opposite? To be good originals, rather than bad +imitators? In a word, to be excellent women, rather than indifferent +men? + + +[1] THE author does not apprehend it makes against her GENERAL position, +that this nation can boast a female critic, poet, historian, linguist, +philosopher, and moralist, equal to most of the other sex. To these +particular instances others might be adduced; but it is presumed, that +they only stand as exceptions against the rule, without tending to +invalidate the rule itself. + + + + +ON +DISSIPATION. + + DOGLIE CERTE, ALLEGREZZE INCERTE! + PETRARCA. + + +AS an argument in favour of modern manners, it has been pleaded, that +the softer vices of Luxury and Dissipation, belong rather to gentle +and yielding tempers, than to such as are rugged and ferocious: that +they are vices which increase civilization, and tend to promote +refinement, and the cultivation of humanity. + +BUT this is an assertion, the truth of which the experience of all +ages contradicts. Nero was not less a tyrant for being a fiddler: He[2] +who wished the whole Roman people had but one neck, that he might +dispatch them at a blow, was himself the most debauched man in Rome; and +Sydney and Russel were condemned to bleed under the most barbarous, +though most dissipated and voluptuous, reign that ever disgraced the +annals of Britain. + +THE love of dissipation is, I believe, allowed to be the reigning evil +of the present day. It is an evil which many content themselves with +regretting, without seeking to redress. A dissipated life is censured +in the very act of dissipation, and prodigality of time is as gravely +declaimed against at the card table, as in the pulpit. + +THE lover of dancing censures the amusements of the theatre for their +dulness, and the gamester blames them both for their levity. She, whose +whole soul is swallowed up in "_opera extacies_" is astonished, that her +acquaintance can spend whole nights in preying, like harpies, on the +fortunes of their fellow-creatures; while the grave sober sinner, who +passes her pale and anxious vigils, in this fashionable sort of +pillaging, is no less surprised how the other can waste her precious +time in hearing sounds for which she has no taste, in a language she +does not understand. + +IN short, every one seems convinced, that the evil so much complained of +does really exist somewhere, though all are inwardly persuaded that it +is not with themselves. All desire a general reformation, but few will +listen to proposals of particular amendment; the body must be restored, +but each limb begs to remain as it is; and accusations which concern +all, will be likely to affect none. They think that sin, like matter, is +divisible, and that what is scattered among so many, cannot materially +affect any one; and thus individuals contribute separately to that evil +which they in general lament. + +THE prevailing manners of an age depend more than we are aware, or are +willing to allow, on the conduct of the women; this is one of the +principal hinges on which the great machine of human society turns. +Those who allow the influence which female graces have, in contributing +to polish the manners of men, would do well to reflect how great an +influence female morals must also have on their conduct. How much then +is it to be regretted, that the British ladies should ever sit down +contented to polish, when they are able to reform, to entertain, when +they might instruct, and to dazzle for an hour, when they are candidates +for eternity! + +UNDER the dispensation of Mahomet's law, indeed, these mental +excellencies cannot be expected, because the women are shut out from all +opportunities of instruction, and excluded from the endearing pleasures +of a delightful and equal society; and, as a charming poet sings, are +taught to believe, that + + For their inferior natures + Form'd to delight, and happy by delighting, + Heav'n has reserv'd no future paradise, + But bids them rove the paths of bliss, secure + Of total death, and careless of hereafter. + + IRENE. + +THESE act consistently in studying none but exterior graces, in +cultivating only personal attractions, and in trying to lighten the +intolerable burden of time, by the most frivolous and vain amusements. +They act in consequence of their own blind belief, and the tyranny of +their despotic masters; for they have neither the freedom of a present +choice, nor the prospect of a future being. + +BUT in this land of civil and religious liberty, where there is as +little despotism exercised over the minds, as over the persons of women, +they have every liberty of choice, and every opportunity of improvement; +and how greatly does this increase their obligation to be exemplary in +their general conduct, attentive to the government of their families, +and instrumental to the good order of society! + +SHE who is at a loss to find amusements at home, can no longer apologize +for her dissipation abroad, by saying she is deprived of the benefit +and the pleasure of books; and she who regrets being doomed to a state +of dark and gloomy ignorance, by the injustice, or tyranny of the men, +complains of an evil which does not exist. + +IT is a question frequently in the mouths of illiterate and dissipated +females--"What good is there in reading? To what end does it conduce?" +It is, however, too obvious to need insisting on, that unless perverted, +as the best things may be, reading answers many excellent purposes +beside the great leading one, and is perhaps the safest remedy for +dissipation. She who dedicates a portion of her leisure to useful +reading, feels her mind in a constant progressive state of +improvement, whilst the mind of a dissipated woman is continually +losing ground. An active spirit rejoiceth, like the sun, to run his +daily course, while indolence, like the dial of Ahaz, goes backwards. +The advantages which the understanding receives from polite literature, +it is not here necessary to enumerate; its effects on the moral +temper is the present object of consideration. The remark may perhaps be +thought too strong, but I believe it is true, that next to religious +influences, an habit of study is the most probable preservative of the +virtue of young persons. Those who cultivate letters have rarely a +strong passion for promiscuous visiting, or dissipated society; +study therefore induces a relish for domestic life, the most desirable +temper in the world for women. Study, as it rescues the mind from an +inordinate fondness for gaming, dress, and public amusements, is an +oeconomical propensity; for a lady may read at much less expence than +she can play at cards; as it requires some application, it gives the +mind an habit of industry; as it is a relief against that mental +disease, which the French emphatically call _ennui_, it cannot fail of +being beneficial to the temper and spirits, I mean in the moderate +degree in which ladies are supposed to use it; as an enemy to indolence, +it becomes a social virtue; as it demands the full exertion of our +talents, it grows a rational duty; and when directed to the knowledge of +the Supreme Being, and his laws, it rises into an act of religion. + +THE rage for reformation commonly shews itself in a violent zeal for +suppressing what is wrong, rather than in a prudent attention to +establish what is right; but we shall never obtain a fair garden merely +by rooting up weeds, we must also plant flowers; for the natural +richness of the soil we have been clearing will not suffer it to lie +barren, but whether it shall be vainly or beneficially prolific, depends +on the culture. What the present age has gained on one side, by a more +enlarged and liberal way of thinking, seems to be lost on the other, by +excessive freedom and unbounded indulgence. Knowledge is not, as +heretofore, confined to the dull cloyster, or the gloomy college, but +disseminated, to a certain degree, among both sexes and almost all +ranks. The only misfortune is, that these opportunities do not seem to +be so wisely improved, or turned to so good an account as might be +wished. Books of a pernicious, idle, and frivolous sort, are too much +multiplied, and it is from the very redundancy of them that true +knowledge is so scarce, and the habit of dissipation so much +increased. + +IT has been remarked, that the prevailing character of the present age +is not that of gross immorality: but if this is meant of those in the +higher walks of life, it is easy to discern, that there can be but +little merit in abstaining from crimes which there is but little +temptation to commit. It is however to be feared, that a gradual +defection from piety, will in time draw after it all the bad +consequences of more active vice; for whether mounds and fences are +suddenly destroyed by a sweeping torrent, or worn away through gradual +neglect, the effect is equally destructive. As a rapid fever and a +consuming hectic are alike fatal to our natural health, so are flagrant +immorality and torpid indolence to our moral well-being. + +THE philosophical doctrine of the slow recession of bodies from the +sun, is a lively image of the reluctance with which we first abandon +the light of virtue. The beginning of folly, and the first entrance on a +dissipated life cost some pangs to a well-disposed heart; but it is +surprising to see how soon the progress ceases to be impeded by +reflection, or slackened by remorse. For it is in moral as in natural +things, the motion in minds as well as bodies is accelerated by a nearer +approach to the centre to which they are tending. If we recede slowly at +first setting out, we advance rapidly in our future course; and to have +begun to be wrong, is already to have made a great progress. + +A CONSTANT habit of amusement relaxes the tone of the mind, and renders +it totally incapable of application, study, or virtue. Dissipation not +only indisposes its votaries to every thing useful and excellent, but +disqualifies them for the enjoyment of pleasure itself. It softens the +soul so much, that the most superficial employment becomes a labour, and +the slightest inconvenience an agony. The luxurious Sybarite must have +lost all sense of real enjoyment, and all relish for true gratification, +before he complained that he could not sleep, because the rose leaves +lay double under him. + +LUXURY and dissipation, soft and gentle as their approaches are, and +silently as they throw their silken chains about the heart, enslave it +more than the most active and turbulent vices. The mightiest conquerors +have been conquered by these unarmed foes: the flowery setters are +fastened, before they are felt. The blandishments of Circe were more +fatal to the mariners of Ulysses, than the strength of Polypheme, or +the brutality of the Lęstrigons. Hercules, after he had cleansed the +Augean stable, and performed all the other labours enjoined him by +Euristheus, found himself a slave to the softnesses of the heart; and +he, who wore a club and a lion's skin in the cause of virtue, +condescended to the most effeminate employments to gratify a criminal +weakness. Hannibal, who vanquished mighty nations, was himself overcome +by the love of pleasure; and he who despised cold, and want, and danger, +and death on the Alps, was conquered and undone by the dissolute +indulgences of Capua. + +BEFORE the hero of the most beautiful and virtuous romance that ever was +written, I mean Telemachus, landed on the island of Cyprus, he +unfortunately lost his prudent companion, Mentor, in whom wisdom is so +finely personified. At first he beheld with horror the wanton and +dissolute manners of the voluptuous inhabitants; the ill effects of +their example were not immediate: he did not fall into the commission +of glaring enormities; but his virtue was secretly and imperceptibly +undermined, his heart was softened by their pernicious society; and the +nerve of resolution was slackened: he every day beheld with diminished +indignation the worship which was offered to Venus; the disorders of +luxury and prophaneness became less and less terrible, and the +infectious air of the country enfeebled his courage, and relaxed his +principles. In short, he had ceased to love virtue long before he +thought of committing actual vice; and the duties of a manly piety were +burdensome to him, before he was so debased as to offer perfumes, and +burn incense on the altar of the licentious goddess[3]. + +"LET us crown ourselves with rosebuds before they be withered," said +Solomon's libertine. Alas! he did not reflect that they withered in the +very gathering. The roses of pleasure seldom last long enough to adorn +the brow of him who plucks them; for they are the only roses which do +not retain their sweetness after they have lost their beauty. + +THE heathen poets often pressed on their readers the necessity of +considering the shortness of life, as an incentive to pleasure and +voluptuousness; lest the season for indulging in them should pass +unimproved. The dark and uncertain notions, not to say the absolute +disbelief, which they entertained of a future state, is the only apology +that can be offered for this reasoning. But while we censure their +tenets, let us not adopt their errors; errors which would be infinitely +more inexcusable in us, who, from the clearer views which revelation has +given us, shall not have their ignorance or their doubts to plead. It +were well if we availed ourselves of that portion of their precept, +which inculcates the improvement of every moment of our time, but not +like them to dedicate the moments so redeemed to the pursuit of sensual +and perishable pleasures, but to the securing of those which are +spiritual in their nature, and eternal in their duration. + +IF, indeed, like the miserable[4] beings imagined by Swift, with a view +to cure us of the irrational desire after immoderate length of days, we +were condemned to a wretched earthly immortality, we should have an +excuse for spending some portion of our time in dissipation, as we +might then pretend, with some colour of reason, that we proposed, at a +distant period, to enter on a better course of action. Or if we never +formed any such resolution, it would make no material difference to +beings, whose state was already unalterably fixed. But of the scanty +portion of days assigned to our lot, not one should be lost in weak +and irresolute procrastination. + +THOSE who have not yet determined on the side of vanity, who, like +Hercules, (before he knew the queen of Lydia, and had learnt to spin) +have not resolved on their choice between VIRTUE and PLEASURE, may +reflect, that it is still in their power to imitate that hero in his +noble choice, and in his virtuous rejection. They may also reflect with +grateful triumph, that Christianity furnishes them with a better guide +than the tutor of Alcides, and with a surer light than the doctrines of +pagan philosophy. + +IT is far from my design severely to condemn the innocent pleasures of +life: I would only beg leave to observe, that those which are criminal +should never be allowed; and that even the most innocent will, by +immoderate use, soon cease to be so. + +THE women of this country were not sent into the world to shun society, +but to embellish it; they were not designed for wilds and solitudes, but +for the amiable and endearing offices of social life. They have useful +stations to fill, and important characters to sustain. They are of a +religion which does not impose penances, but enjoins duties; a religion +of perfect purity, but of perfect benevolence also. A religion which +does not condemn its followers to indolent seclusion from the world, but +assigns them the more dangerous, though more honourable province, of +living uncorrupted in it. In fine, a religion, which does not direct +them to fly from the multitude, that they may do nothing, but which +positively forbids them to follow a multitude to do evil. + + +[2] The Emperor Caligula. + +[3] NOTHING can be more admirable than the manner in which this allegory +is conducted; and the whole work, not to mention its images, machinery, +and other poetical beauties, is written in the very finest strain of +morality. In this latter respect it is evidently superior to the works +of the ancients, the moral of which is frequently tainted by the +grossness of their mythology. Something of the purity of the Christian +religion may be discovered even in Fenelon's heathens, and they catch a +tincture of piety in passing through the hands of that amiable prelate. + +[4] The Struldbrugs. See Voyage to Laputa. + + + + +THOUGHTS +ON +CONVERSATION. + + +IT has been advised, and by very respectable authorities too, that in +conversation women should carefully conceal any knowledge or learning +they may happen to possess. I own, with submission, that I do not +see either the necessity or propriety of this advice. For if a young +lady has that discretion and modesty, without which all knowledge is +little worth, she will never make an ostentatious parade of it, because +she will rather be intent on acquiring more, than on displaying what she +has. + +I AM at a loss to know why a young female is instructed to exhibit, in +the most advantageous point of view, her skill in music, her singing, +dancing, taste in dress, and her acquaintance with the most fashionable +games and amusements, while her piety is to be anxiously concealed, and +her knowledge affectedly disavowed, lest the former should draw on her +the appellation of an enthusiast, or the latter that of a pedant. + +IN regard to knowledge, why should she for ever affect to be on her +guard, lest she should be found guilty of a small portion of it? She +need be the less solicitous about it, as it seldom proves to be so very +considerable as to excite astonishment or admiration: for, after all the +acquisitions which her talents and her studies have enabled her to make, +she will, generally speaking, be found to have less of what is called +_learning_, than a common school-boy. + +IT would be to the last degree presumptuous and absurd, for a young +woman to pretend to give the _ton_ to the company; to interrupt the +pleasure of others, and her own opportunity of improvement, by talking +when she ought to listen; or to introduce subjects out of the common +road, in order to shew her own wit, or expose the want of it in others: +but were the sex to be totally silent when any topic of literature +happens to be discussed in their presence, conversation would lose +much of its vivacity, and society would be robbed of one of its most +interesting charms. + +HOW easily and effectually may a well-bred woman promote the most useful +and elegant conversation, almost without speaking a word! for the modes +of speech are scarcely more variable than the modes of silence. The +silence of listless ignorance, and the silence of sparkling +intelligence, are perhaps as separately marked, and as distinctly +expressed, as the same feelings could have been by the most +unequivocal language. A woman, in a company where she has the least +influence, may promote any subject by a profound and invariable +attention, which shews that she is pleased with it, and by an +illuminated countenance, which proves she understands it. This obliging +attention is the most flattering encouragement in the world to men of +sense and letters, to continue any topic of instruction or entertainment +they happen to be engaged in: it owed its introduction perhaps to +accident, the best introduction in the world for a subject of ingenuity, +which, though it could not have been formally proposed without pedantry, +may be continued with ease and good humour; but which will be frequently +and effectually stopped by the listlessness, inattention, or +whispering of silly girls, whose weariness betrays their ignorance, and +whose impatience exposes their ill-breeding. A polite man, however +deeply interested in the subject on which he is conversing, catches at +the slightest hint to have done: a look is a sufficient intimation, and +if a pretty simpleton, who sits near him, seems _distraite_, he puts an +end to his remarks, to the great regret of the reasonable part of the +company, who perhaps might have gained more improvement by the +continuance of such a conversation, than a week's reading would have +yielded them; for it is such company as this, that give an edge to each +other's wit, "as iron sharpeneth iron." + +THAT silence is one of the great arts of conversation is allowed by +Cicero himself, who says, there is not only an art but even an eloquence +in it. And this opinion is confirmed by a great modern[5], in the +following little anecdote from one of the ancients. + +WHEN many Grecian philosophers had a solemn meeting before the +ambassador of a foreign prince, each endeavoured to shew his parts by +the brilliancy of his conversation, that the ambassador might have +something to relate of the Grecian wisdom. One of them, offended, no +doubt, at the loquacity of his companions, observed a profound silence; +when the ambassador, turning to him, asked, "But what have you to say, +that I may report it?" He made this laconic, but very pointed reply: +"Tell your king, that you have found one among the Greeks who knew how +to be silent." + +THERE is a quality infinitely more intoxicating to the female mind than +knowledge--this is Wit, the most captivating, but the most dreaded of +all talents: the most dangerous to those who have it, and the most +feared by those who have it not. Though it is against all the rules, yet +I cannot find in my heart to abuse this charming quality. He who is +grown rich without it, in safe and sober dulness, shuns it as a disease, +and looks upon poverty as its invariable concomitant. The moralist +declaims against it as the source of irregularity, and the frugal +citizen dreads it more than bankruptcy itself, for he considers it as +the parent of extravagance and beggary. The Cynic will ask of what use +it is? Of very little perhaps: no more is a flower garden, and yet it is +allowed as an object of innocent amusement and delightful recreation. A +woman, who possesses this quality, has received a most dangerous +present, perhaps not less so than beauty itself: especially if it be not +sheathed in a temper peculiarly inoffensive, chastised by a most +correct judgment, and restrained by more prudence than falls to the +common lot. + +THIS talent is more likely to make a woman vain than knowledge; for as +Wit is the immediate property of its possessor, and learning is only +an acquaintance with the knowledge of other people, there is much more +danger, that we should be vain of what is our own, than of what we +borrow. + +BUT Wit, like learning, is not near so common a thing as is imagined. +Let not therefore a young lady be alarmed at the acuteness of her own +wit, any more than at the abundance of her own knowledge. The great +danger is, lest she should mistake pertness, flippancy, or imprudence, +for this brilliant quality, or imagine she is witty, only because she +is indiscreet. This is very frequently the case, and this makes the name +of wit so cheap, while its real existence is so rare. + +LEST the flattery of her acquaintance, or an over-weening opinion of her +own qualifications, should lead some vain and petulant girl into a false +notion that she has a great deal of wit, when she has only a redundancy +of animal spirits, she may not find it useless to attend to the +definition of this quality, by one who had as large a portion of it, as +most individuals could ever boast: + + 'Tis not a tale, 'tis not a jest, + Admir'd with laughter at a feast, + Nor florid talk, which can that title gain, + The proofs of wit for ever must remain. + Neither can that have any place, + At which a virgin hides her face; + Such dross the fire must purge away; 'tis just, + The author blush there, where the reader must. + + COWLEY. + +BUT those who actually possess this rare talent, cannot be too +abstinent in the use of it. It often makes admirers, but it never makes +friends; I mean, where it is the predominant feature; and the +unprotected and defenceless state of womanhood calls for friendship more +than for admiration. She who does not desire friends has a sordid and +insensible soul; but she who is ambitious of making every man her +admirer, has an invincible vanity and a cold heart. + +BUT to dwell only on the side of policy, a prudent woman, who has +established the reputation of some genius will sufficiently maintain +it, without keeping her faculties always on the stretch to say _good +things_. Nay, if reputation alone be her object, she will gain a more +solid one by her forbearance, as the wiser part of her acquaintance will +ascribe it to the right motive, which is, not that she has less wit, but +that she has more judgment. + +THE fatal fondness for indulging a spirit of ridicule, and the injurious +and irreparable consequences which sometimes attend the _too prompt +reply_, can never be too seriously or too severely condemned. Not to +offend, is the first step towards pleasing. To give pain is as much an +offence against humanity, as against good breeding; and surely it is as +well to abstain from an action because it is sinful, as because it is +impolite. In company, young ladies would do well before they speak, to +reflect, if what they are going to say may not distress some worthy +person present, by wounding them in their persons, families, connexions, +or religious opinions. If they find it will touch them in either of +these, I should advise them to suspect, that what they were going to say +is not so _very_ good a thing as they at first imagined. Nay, if even it +was one of those bright ideas, which _Venus has imbued with a fifth part +of her nectar_, so much greater will be their merit in suppressing it, +if there was a probability it might offend. Indeed, if they have the +temper and prudence to make such a previous reflection, they will be +more richly rewarded by their own inward triumph, at having suppressed +a lively but severe remark, than they could have been with the +dissembled applauses of the whole company, who, with that complaisant +deceit, which good breeding too much authorises, affect openly to admire +what they secretly resolve never to forgive. + +I HAVE always been delighted with the story of the little girl's +eloquence, in one of the Children's Tales, who received from a friendly +fairy the gift, that at every word she uttered, pinks, roses, diamonds, +and pearls, should drop from her mouth. The hidden moral appears to be +this, that it was the sweetness of her temper which produced this pretty +fanciful effect: for when her malicious sister desired the same gift +from the good-natured tiny Intelligence, the venom of her own heart +converted it into poisonous and loathsome reptiles. + +A MAN of sense and breeding will sometimes join in the laugh, which has +been raised at his expence by an ill-natured repartee; but if it was +very cutting, and one of those shocking sort of truths, which as they +can scarcely be pardoned even in private, ought never to be uttered in +public, he does not laugh because he is pleased, but because he wishes +to conceal how much he is hurt. As the sarcasm was uttered by a lady, so +far from seeming to resent it, he will be the first to commend it; but +notwithstanding that, he will remember it as a trait of malice, when the +whole company shall have forgotten it as a stroke of wit. Women are so +far from being privileged by their sex to say unhandsome or cruel +things, that it is this very circumstance which renders them more +intolerable. When the arrow is lodged in the heart, it is no relief to +him who is wounded to reflect, that the hand which shot it was a fair +one. + +MANY women, when they have a favourite point to gain, or an earnest wish +to bring any one over to their opinion, often use a very disingenuous +method: they will state a case ambiguously, and then avail themselves of +it, in whatever manner shall best answer their purpose; leaving your +mind in a state of indecision as to their real meaning, while they +triumph in the perplexity they have given you by the unfair conclusions +they draw, from premises equivocally stated. They will also frequently +argue from exceptions instead of rules, and are astonished when you are +not willing to be contented with a prejudice, instead of a reason. + +IN a sensible company of both sexes, where women are not restrained by +any other reserve than what their natural modesty imposes; and where the +intimacy of all parties authorises the utmost freedom of communication; +should any one inquire what were the general sentiments on some +particular subject, it will, I believe, commonly happen, that the +ladies, whose imaginations have kept pace with the narration, have +anticipated its end, and are ready to deliver their sentiments on it as +soon as it is finished. While some of the male hearers, whose minds were +busied in settling the propriety, comparing the circumstances, and +examining the consistencies of what was said, are obliged to pause and +discriminate, before they think of answering. Nothing is so +embarrassing as a variety of matter, and the conversation of women is +often more perspicuous, because it is less laboured. + +A MAN of deep reflection, if he does not keep up an intimate commerce +with the world, will be sometimes so entangled in the intricacies of +intense thought, that he will have the appearance of a confused and +perplexed expression; while a sprightly woman will extricate herself +with that lively and "rash dexterity," which will almost always please, +though it is very far from being always right. It is easier to confound +than to convince an opponent; the former may be effected by a turn that +has more happiness than truth in it. Many an excellent reasoner, well +skilled in the theory of the schools, has felt himself discomfited by a +reply, which, though as wide of the mark, and as foreign to the +question as can be conceived, has disconcerted him more than the most +startling proposition, or the most accurate chain of reasoning could +have done; and he has borne the laugh of his fair antagonist, as well as +of the whole company, though he could not but feel, that his own +argument was attended with the fullest demonstration: so true is it, +that it is not always necessary to be right, in order to be applauded. + +BUT let not a young lady's vanity be too much elated with this false +applause, which is given, not to her merit, but to her sex: she has not +perhaps gained a victory, though she may be allowed a triumph; and it +should humble her to reflect, that the tribute is paid, not to her +strength but her weakness. It is worth while to discriminate between +that applause, which is given from the complaisance of others, and that +which is paid to our own merit. + +WHERE great sprightliness is the natural bent of the temper, girls +should endeavour to habituate themselves to a custom of observing, +thinking, and reasoning. I do not mean, that they should devote +themselves to abstruse speculation, or the study of logic; but she who +is accustomed to give a due arrangement to her thoughts, to reason +justly and pertinently on common affairs, and judiciously to deduce +effects from their causes, will be a better logician than some of those +who claim the name, because they have studied the art: this is being +"learned without the rules;" the best definition, perhaps, of that sort +of literature which is properest for the sex. That species of +knowledge, which appears to be the result of reflection rather than of +science, sits peculiarly well on women. It is not uncommon to find a +lady, who, though she does not know a rule of Syntax, scarcely ever +violates one; and who constructs every sentence she utters, with more +propriety than many a learned dunce, who has every rule of Aristotle by +heart, and who can lace his own thread-bare discourse with the golden +shreds of Cicero and Virgil. + +IT has been objected, and I fear with some reason, that female +conversation is too frequently tinctured with a censorious spirit, and +that ladies are seldom apt to discover much tenderness for the errors of +a fallen sister. + + If it be so, it is a grievous fault. + +NO arguments can justify, no pleas can extenuate it. To insult over the +miseries of an unhappy creature is inhuman, not to compassionate them +is unchristian. The worthy part of the sex always express themselves +humanely on the failings of others, in proportion to their own +undeviating goodness. + +AND here I cannot help remarking, that young women do not always +carefully distinguish between running into the error of detraction, and +its opposite extreme of indiscriminate applause. This proceeds from the +false idea they entertain, that the direct contrary to what is wrong +must be right. Thus the dread of being only suspected of one fault makes +them actually guilty of another. The desire of avoiding the imputation +of envy, impels them to be insincere; and to establish a reputation for +sweetness of temper and generosity, they affect sometimes to speak of +very indifferent characters with the most extravagant applause. With +such, the hyperbole is a favourite figure; and every degree of +comparison but the superlative is rejected, as cold and inexpressive. +But this habit of exaggeration greatly weakens their credit, and +destroys the weight of their opinion on other occasions; for people very +soon discover what degree of faith is to be given both to their judgment +and veracity. And those of real merit will no more be flattered by that +approbation, which cannot distinguish the value of what it praises, than +the celebrated painter must have been at the judgment passed on his +works by an ignorant spectator, who, being asked what he thought of such +and such very capital but very different pieces, cried out in an +affected rapture, "All alike! all alike!" + +IT has been proposed to the young, as a maxim of supreme wisdom, to +manage so dexterously in conversation, as to appear to be well +acquainted with subjects, of which they are totally ignorant; and this, +by affecting silence in regard to those, on which they are known to +excel.--But why counsel this disingenuous fraud? Why add to the +numberless arts of deceit, this practice of deceiving, as it were, on a +settled principle? If to disavow the knowledge they really have be a +culpable affectation, then certainly to insinuate an idea of their +skill, where they are actually ignorant, is a most unworthy artifice. + +BUT of all the qualifications for conversation, humility, if not the +most brilliant, is the safest, the most amiable, and the most feminine. +The affectation of introducing subjects, with which others are +unacquainted, and of displaying talents superior to the rest of the +company, is as dangerous as it is foolish. + +There are many, who never can forgive another for being more agreeable +and more accomplished than themselves, and who can pardon any offence +rather than an eclipsing merit. Had the nightingale in the fable +conquered his vanity, and resisted the temptation of shewing a fine +voice, he might have escaped the talons of the hawk. The melody of his +singing was the cause of his destruction; his merit brought him into +danger, and his vanity cost him his life. + + +[5] Lord Bacon. + + + + +ON +ENVY. + + Envy came next, Envy with squinting eyes, + Sick of a strange disease, his neighbour's health; + Best then he lives when any better dies, + Is never poor but in another's wealth: + On best mens harms and griefs he feeds his fill, + Else his own maw doth eat with spiteful will, + Ill must the temper be, where diet is so ill. + + FLETCHER'S PURPLE ISLAND. + + +"ENVY, (says Lord Bacon) has no holidays." There cannot perhaps be a +more lively and striking description of the miserable state of mind +those endure, who are tormented with this vice. A spirit of emulation +has been supposed to be the source of the greatest improvements; and +there is no doubt but the warmest rivalship will produce the most +excellent effects; but it is to be feared, that a perpetual state of +contest will injure the temper so essentially, that the mischief will +hardly be counterbalanced by any other advantages. Those, whose progress +is the most rapid, will be apt to despise their less successful +competitors, who, in return, will feel the bitterest resentment against +their more fortunate rivals. Among persons of real goodness, this +jealousy and contempt can never be equally felt, because every +advancement in piety will be attended with a proportionable increase of +humility, which will lead them to contemplate their own improvements +with modesty, and to view with charity the miscarriages of others. + +WHEN an envious man is melancholy, one may ask him, in the words of +Bion, what evil has befallen himself, or what good has happened to +another? This last is the scale by which he principally measures his +felicity, and the very smiles of his friends are so many deductions from +his own happiness. The wants of others are the standard by which he +rates his own wealth, and he estimates his riches, not so much by his +own possessions, as by the necessities of his neighbours. + +WHEN the malevolent intend to strike a very deep and dangerous stroke of +malice, they generally begin the most remotely in the world from the +subject nearest their hearts. They set out with commending the object of +their envy for some trifling quality or advantage, which it is scarcely +worth while to possess: they next proceed to make a general +profession of their own good-will and regard for him: thus artfully +removing any suspicion of their design, and clearing all obstructions +for the insidious stab they are about to give; for who will suspect them +of an intention to injure the object of their peculiar and professed +esteem? The hearer's belief of the fact grows in proportion to the +seeming reluctance with which it is told, and to the conviction he has, +that the relater is not influenced by any private pique, or personal +resentment; but that the confession is extorted from him sorely +against his inclination, and purely on account of his zeal for truth. + +ANGER is less reasonable and more sincere than envy.--Anger breaks out +abruptly; envy is a great prefacer--anger wishes to be understood at +once: envy is fond of remote hints and ambiguities; but, obscure as its +oracles are, it never ceases to deliver them till they are perfectly +comprehended:--anger repeats the same circumstances over again; envy +invents new ones at every fresh recital--anger gives a broken, vehement, +and interrupted narrative; envy tells a more consistent and more +probable, though a falser tale--anger is excessively imprudent, for it +is impatient to disclose every thing it knows; envy is discreet, for it +has a great deal to hide--anger never consults times or seasons; envy +waits for the lucky moment, when the wound it meditates may be made the +most exquisitely painful, and the most incurably deep--anger uses more +invective; envy does more mischief--simple anger soon runs itself out of +breath, and is exhausted at the end of its tale; but it is for that +chosen period that envy has treasured up the most barbed arrow in its +whole quiver--anger puts a man out of himself: but the truly malicious +generally preserve the appearance of self-possession, or they could +not so effectually injure.--The angry man sets out by destroying his +whole credit with you at once, for he very frankly confesses his +abhorrence and detestation of the object of his abuse; while the envious +man carefully suppresses all his own share in the affair.--The angry +man defeats the end of his resentment, by keeping _himself_ continually +before your eyes, instead of his enemy; while the envious man artfully +brings forward the object of his malice, and keeps himself out of +sight.--The angry man talks loudly of his own wrongs; the envious of his +adversary's injustice.--A passionate person, if his resentments are +not complicated with malice, divides his time between sinning and +sorrowing; and, as the irascible passions cannot constantly be at +work, his heart may sometimes get a holiday.--Anger is a violent act, +envy a constant habit--no one can be always angry, but he may be always +envious:--an angry man's enmity (if he be generous) will subside when +the object of his resentment becomes unfortunate; but the envious man +can extract food from his malice out of calamity itself, if he finds his +adversary bears it with dignity, or is pitied or assisted in it. The +rage of the passionate man is totally extinguished by the death of his +enemy; but the hatred of the malicious is not buried even in the grave +of his rival: he will envy the good name he has left behind him; he will +envy him the tears of his widow, the prosperity of his children, the +esteem of his friends, the praises of his epitaph--nay the very +magnificence of his funeral. + +"THE ear of jealousy heareth all things," (says the wise man) frequently +I believe more than is uttered, which makes the company of persons +infected with it still more dangerous. + +WHEN you tell those of a malicious turn, any circumstance that has +happened to another, though they perfectly know of whom you are +speaking, they often affect to be at a loss, to forget his name, or to +misapprehend you in some respect or other; and this merely to have an +opportunity of slily gratifying their malice by mentioning some unhappy +defect or personal infirmity he labours under; and not contented "to +tack his every error to his name," they will, by way of farther +explanation, have recourse to the faults of his father, or the +misfortunes of his family; and this with all the seeming simplicity and +candor in the world, merely for the sake of preventing mistakes, and to +clear up every doubt of his identity.--If you are speaking of a lady, +for instance, they will perhaps embellish their inquiries, by asking if +you mean her, whose great grandfather was a bankrupt, though she has the +vanity to keep a chariot, while others who are much better born walk on +foot; or they will afterwards recollect, that you may possibly mean +her cousin, of the same name, whose mother was suspected of such or +such an indiscretion, though the daughter had the luck to make her +fortune by marrying, while her betters are overlooked. + +TO _hint at a fault_, does more mischief than speaking out; for whatever +is left for the imagination to finish, will not fail to be overdone: +every hiatus will be more then filled up, and every pause more than +supplied. There is less malice, and less mischief too, in telling a +man's name than the initials of it; as a worthier person may be involved +in the most disgraceful suspicions by such a dangerous ambiguity. + +IT is not uncommon for the envious, after having attempted to deface the +fairest character so industriously, that they are afraid you will begin +to detect their malice, to endeavour to remove your suspicions +effectually, by assuring you, that what they have just related is only +the popular opinion; they themselves can never believe things are so bad +as they are said to be; for their part, it is a rule with them always to +hope the best. It is their way never to believe or report ill of any +one. They will, however, mention the story in all companies, that they +may do their friend the service of protesting their disbelief of it. +More reputations are thus hinted away by false friends, than are openly +destroyed by public enemies. An _if_, or a _but_, or a mortified look, +or a languid defence, or an ambiguous shake of the head, or a hasty word +affectedly recalled, will demolish a character more effectually, than +the whole artillery of malice when openly levelled against it. + +IT is not that envy never praises--No, that would be making a public +profession of itself, and advertising its own malignity; whereas the +greatest success of its efforts depends on the concealment of their end. +When envy intends to strike a stroke of Machiavelian policy, it +sometimes affects the language of the most exaggerated applause; though +it generally takes care, that the subject of its panegyric shall be a +very indifferent and common character, so that it is well aware none of +its praises will stick. + +IT is the unhappy nature of envy not to be contented with positive +misery, but to be continually aggravating its own torments, by comparing +them with the felicities of others. The eyes of envy are perpetually +fixed on the object which disturbs it, nor can it avert them from it, +though to procure itself the relief of a temporary forgetfulness. On +seeing the innocence of the first pair, + + Aside the devil turn'd, + For Envy, yet with jealous leer malign, + Eyed them askance. + +As this enormous sin chiefly instigated the revolt, and brought on the +ruin of the angelic spirits, so it is not improbable, that it will be a +principal instrument of misery in a future world, for the envious to +compare their desperate condition with the happiness of the children of +God; and to heighten their actual wretchedness by reflecting on what +they have lost. + +PERHAPS envy, like lying and ingratitude, is practised with more +frequency, because it is practised with impunity; but there being no +human laws against these crimes, is so far from an inducement to commit +them, that this very consideration would be sufficient to deter the wise +and good, if all others were ineffectual; for of how heinous a nature +must those sins be, which are judged above the reach of human +punishment, and are reserved for the final justice of God himself! + + + + +ON THE +DANGER +OF +SENTIMENTAL OR ROMANTIC +CONNEXIONS. + + +AMONG the many evils which prevail under the sun, the abuse of words is +not the least considerable. By the influence of time, and the perversion +of fashion, the plainest and most unequivocal may be so altered, as to +have a meaning assigned them almost diametrically opposite to their +original signification. + +THE present age may be termed, by way of distinction, the age of +sentiment, a word which, in the implication it now bears, was unknown to +our plain ancestors. Sentiment is the varnish of virtue to conceal the +deformity of vice; and it is not uncommon for the same persons to make a +jest of religion, to break through the most solemn ties and engagements, +to practise every art of latent fraud and open seduction, and yet to +value themselves on speaking and writing _sentimentally_. + +BUT this refined jargon, which has infested letters and tainted morals, +is chiefly admired and adopted by _young ladies_ of a certain turn, who +read _sentimental books_, write _sentimental letters_, and contract +_sentimental friendships_. + +ERROR is never likely to do so much mischief as when it disguises its +real tendency, and puts on an engaging and attractive appearance. Many a +young woman, who would be shocked at the imputation of an intrigue, is +extremely flattered at the idea of a sentimental connexion, though +perhaps with a dangerous and designing man, who, by putting on this mask +of plausibility and virtue, disarms her of her prudence, lays her +apprehensions asleep, and involves her in misery; misery the more +inevitable because unsuspected. For she who apprehends no danger, will +not think it necessary to be always upon her guard; but will rather +invite than avoid the ruin which comes under so specious and so fair a +form. + +SUCH an engagement will be infinitely dearer to her vanity than an +avowed and authorised attachment; for one of these sentimental lovers +will not scruple very seriously to assure a credulous girl, that her +unparalleled merit entitles her to the adoration of the whole world, and +that the universal homage of mankind is nothing more than the +unavoidable tribute extorted by her charms. No wonder then she should be +easily prevailed on to believe, that an individual is captivated by +perfections which might enslave a million. But she should remember, that +he who endeavours to intoxicate her with adulation, intends one day most +effectually to humble her. For an artful man has always a secret design +to pay himself in future for every present sacrifice. And this +prodigality of praise, which he now appears to lavish with such +thoughtless profusion, is, in fact, a sum oeconomically laid out to +supply his future necessities: of this sum he keeps an exact estimate, +and at some distant day promises himself the most exorbitant interest +for it. If he has address and conduct, and, the object of his pursuit +much vanity, and some sensibility, he seldom fails of success; for so +powerful will be his ascendancy over her mind, that she will soon adopt +his notions and opinions. Indeed, it is more than probable she +possessed most of them before, having gradually acquired them in her +initiation into the sentimental character. To maintain that character +with dignity and propriety, it is necessary she should entertain the +most elevated ideas of disproportionate alliances, and disinterested +love; and consider fortune, rank, and reputation, as mere chimerical +distinctions and vulgar prejudices. + +THE lover, deeply versed in all the obliquities of fraud, and skilled to +wind himself into every avenue of the heart which indiscretion has left +unguarded, soon discovers on which side it is most accessible. He +avails himself of this weakness by addressing her in a language +exactly consonant to her own ideas. He attacks her with her own weapons, +and opposes rhapsody to sentiment--He professes so sovereign a +contempt for the paltry concerns of money, that she thinks it her duty +to reward him for so generous a renunciation. Every plea he artfully +advances of his own unworthiness, is considered by her as a fresh +demand which her gratitude must answer. And she makes it a point of +honour to sacrifice to him that fortune which he is too noble to regard. +These professions of humility are the common artifice of the vain, and +these protestations of generosity the refuge of the rapacious. And among +its many smooth mischiefs, it is one of the sure and successful frauds +of sentiment, to affect the most frigid indifference to those external +and pecuniary advantages, which it is its great and real object to +obtain. + +A SENTIMENTAL girl very rarely entertains any doubt of her personal +beauty; for she has been daily accustomed to contemplate it herself, and +to hear of it from others. She will not, therefore, be very solicitous +for the confirmation of a truth so self-evident; but she suspects, that +her pretensions to understanding are more likely to be disputed, and, +for that reason, greedily devours every compliment offered to those +perfections, which are less obvious and more refined. She is persuaded, +that men need only open their eyes to decide on her beauty, while it +will be the most convincing proof of the taste, sense, and elegance of +her admirer, that he can discern and flatter those qualities in her. A +man of the character here supposed, will easily insinuate himself into +her affections, by means of this latent but leading foible, which may be +called the guiding clue to a sentimental heart. He will affect to +overlook that beauty which attracts common eyes, and ensnares common +hearts, while he will bestow the most delicate praises on the beauties +of her mind, and finish the climax of adulation, by hinting that she is +superior to it. + + And when he tells her she hates flattery, + She says she does, being then most flatter'd. + +BUT nothing, in general, can end less delightfully than these sublime +attachments, even where no acts of seduction were ever practised, but +they are suffered, like mere sublunary connexions, to terminate in the +vulgar catastrophe of marriage. That wealth, which lately seemed to be +looked on with ineffable contempt by the lover, now appears to be the +principal attraction in the eyes of the husband; and he, who but a few +short weeks before, in a transport of sentimental generosity, wished her +to have been a village maid, with no portion but her crook and her +beauty, and that they might spend their days in pastoral love and +innocence, has now lost all relish for the Arcadian life, or any other +life in which she must be his companion. + +ON the other hand, she who was lately + + An angel call'd, and angel-like ador'd, + +is shocked to find herself at once stripped of all her celestial +attributes. This late divinity, who scarcely yielded to her sisters of +the sky, now finds herself of less importance in the esteem of the man +she has chosen, than any other mere mortal woman. No longer is she +gratified with the tear of counterfeited passion, the sigh of +dissembled rapture, or the language of premeditated adoration. No +longer is the altar of her vanity loaded with the oblations of +fictitious fondness, the incense of falsehood, or the sacrifice of +flattery.--Her apotheosis is ended!--She feels herself degraded from the +dignities and privileges of a goddess, to all the imperfections, +vanities, and weaknesses of a slighted woman, and a neglected wife. +Her faults, which were so lately overlooked, or mistaken for virtues, +are now, as Cassius says, set in a note-book. The passion, which was +vowed eternal, lasted only a few short weeks; and the indifference, +which was so far from being included in the bargain, that it was not so +much as suspected, follows them through the whole tiresome journey of +their insipid, vacant, joyless existence. + +THUS much for the _completion_ of the sentimental history. If we trace +it back to its beginning, we shall find that a damsel of this cast had +her head originally turned by pernicious reading, and her insanity +confirmed by imprudent friendships. She never fails to select a beloved +_confidante_ of her own turn and humour, though, if she can help it, not +quite so handsome as herself. A violent intimacy ensues, or, to speak +the language of sentiment, an intimate union of souls immediately takes +place, which is wrought to the highest pitch by a secret and voluminous +correspondence, though they live in the same street, or perhaps in the +same house. This is the fuel which principally feeds and supplies the +dangerous flame of sentiment. In this correspondence the two friends +encourage each other in the falsest notions imaginable. They represent +romantic love as the great important business of human life, and +describe all the other concerns of it as too low and paltry to merit the +attention of such elevated beings, and fit only to employ the daughters +of the plodding vulgar. In these letters, family affairs are +misrepresented, family secrets divulged, and family misfortunes +aggravated. They are filled with vows of eternal amity, and +protestations of never-ending love. But interjections and quotations are +the principal embellishments of these very sublime epistles. Every +panegyric contained in them is extravagant and hyperbolical, and every +censure exaggerated and excessive. In a favourite, every frailty is +heightened into a perfection, and in a foe degraded into a crime. The +dramatic poets, especially the most tender and romantic, are quoted in +almost every line, and every pompous or pathetic thought is forced to +give up its natural and obvious meaning, and with all the violence of +misapplication, is compelled to suit some circumstance of imaginary woe +of the fair transcriber. Alicia is not too mad for her heroics, nor +Monimia too mild for her soft emotions. + +FATHERS _have flinty hearts_ is an expression worth an empire, and is +always used with peculiar emphasis and enthusiasm. For a favourite topic +of these epistles is the groveling spirit and sordid temper of the +parents, who will be sure to find no quarter at the hands of their +daughters, should they presume to be so unreasonable as to direct their +course of reading, interfere in their choice of friends, or interrupt +their very important correspondence. But as these young ladies are +fertile in expedients, and as their genius is never more agreeably +exercised than in finding resources, they are not without their secret +exultation, in case either of the above interesting events should +happen, as they carry with them a certain air of tyranny and persecution +which is very delightful. For a prohibited correspondence is one of the +great incidents of a sentimental life, and a letter clandestinely +received, the supreme felicity of a sentimental lady. + +NOTHING can equal the astonishment of these soaring spirits, when their +plain friends or prudent relations presume to remonstrate with them on +any impropriety in their conduct. But if these worthy people happen to +be somewhat advanced in life, their contempt is then a little softened +by pity, at the reflection that such very antiquated poor creatures +should pretend to judge what is fit or unfit for ladies of their great +refinement, sense, and reading. They consider them as wretches utterly +ignorant of the sublime pleasures of a delicate and exalted passion; +as tyrants whose authority is to be contemned, and as spies whose +vigilance is to be eluded. The prudence of these worthy friends they +term suspicion, and their experience dotage. For they are persuaded, +that the face of things has so totally changed since their parents were +young, that though they might then judge tolerably for themselves, yet +they are now (with all their advantages of knowledge and observation) by +no means qualified to direct their more enlightened daughters; who, if +they have made a great progress in the sentimental walk, will no more +be influenced by the advice of their mother, than they would go abroad +in her laced pinner or her brocade suit. + +BUT young people never shew their folly and ignorance more +conspicuously, than by this over-confidence in their own judgment, and +this haughty disdain of the opinion of those who have known more days. +Youth has a quickness of apprehension, which it is very apt to mistake +for an acuteness of penetration. But youth, like cunning, though very +conceited, is very short-sighted, and never more so than when it +disregards the instructions of the wife, and the admonitions of the +aged. The same vices and follies influenced the human heart in their +day, which influence it now, and nearly in the same manner. One who +well knew the world and its various vanities, has said, "The thing which +hath been, it is that which shall be, and that which is done is that +which shall be done, and there is no new thing under the sun." + +IT is also a part of the sentimental character, to imagine that none but +the young and the beautiful have any right to the pleasures of society, +of even to the common benefits and blessings of life. Ladies of this +turn also affect the most lofty disregard for useful qualities and +domestic virtues; and this is a natural consequence: for as this sort of +sentiment is only a weed of idleness, she who is constantly and usefully +employed, has neither leisure nor propensity to cultivate it. + +A SENTIMENTAL lady principally values herself on the enlargement of her +notions, and her liberal way of thinking. This superiority of soul +chiefly manifests itself in the contempt of those minute delicacies and +little decorums, which, trifling as they may be thought, tend at once to +dignify the character, and to restrain the levity of the younger part of +the sex. + +PERHAPS the error here complained of, originates in mistaking +_sentiment_ and _principle_ for each other. Now I conceive them to be +extremely different. Sentiment is the virtue of _ideas_, and principle +the virtue of _action_. Sentiment has its seat in the head, principle in +the heart. Sentiment suggests fine harangues and subtile distinctions; +principle conceives just notions, and performs good actions in +consequence of them. Sentiment refines away the simplicity of truth and +the plainness of piety; and, as a celebrated wit[6] has remarked of his +no less celebrated contemporary, gives us virtue in words and vice in +deeds. Sentiment may be called the Athenian, who _knew_ what was right, +and principle the Lacedemonian who _practised_ it. + +BUT these qualities will be better exemplified by an attentive +consideration of two admirably drawn characters of Milton, which are +beautifully, delicately, and distinctly marked. These are, Belial, who +may not improperly be called the _Demon of Sentiment_; and Abdiel, who +may be termed the _Angel of Principle_. + +SURVEY the picture of Belial, drawn by the sublimest hand that ever held +the poetic pencil. + + A fairer person lost not heav'n; he seem'd + For dignity compos'd, and high exploit, + But all was false and hollow, tho' his tongue + Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear + The better reason, to perplex and dash + Maturest counsels, for his thoughts were low, + To vice industrious, but to nobler deeds + Tim'rous and slothful; yet he pleas'd the ear. + + PARADISE LOST, B. II. + +HERE is a lively and exquisite representation of art, subtilty, wit, +fine breeding and polished manners: on the whole, of a very accomplished +and sentimental spirit. + +NOW turn to the artless, upright, and unsophisticated Abdiel, + + Faithful found + Among the faithless, faithful only he + Among innumerable false, unmov'd, + Unshaken, unseduc'd, unterrified; + His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal. + Nor number, nor example with him wrought + To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind, + Though single. + + BOOK V. + +BUT it is not from these descriptions, just and striking as they are, +that their characters are so perfectly known, as from an examination of +their conduct through the remainder of this divine work: in which it is +well worth while to remark the consonancy of their actions, with what +the above pictures seem to promise. It will also be observed, that the +contrast between them is kept up throughout, with the utmost exactness +of delineation, and the most animated strength of colouring. On a +review it will be found, that Belial _talked_ all, and Abdiel _did_ all. +The former, + + With words still cloath'd in reason's guise, + Counsel'd ignoble ease, and peaceful sloth, + Not peace. + + BOOK II. + +IN Abdiel you will constantly find the eloquence of action. When tempted +by the rebellious angels, with what _retorted scorn_, with what honest +indignation he deserts their multitudes, and retreats from their +contagious society! + + All night the dreadless angel unpursued + Through heaven's wide champain held his way. + + BOOK VI. + +NO wonder he was received with such acclamations of joy by the celestial +powers, when there was + + But one, + Yes, of so many myriads fall'n, but one + Return'd not lost. + + IBID. + +AND afterwards, in a close contest with the arch fiend, + + A noble stroke he lifted high + On the proud crest of Satan. + + IBID. + +WHAT was the effect of this courage of the vigilant and active seraph? + + Amazement seiz'd + The rebel throne, but greater rage to see + Thus foil'd their mightiest. + +ABDIEL had the superiority of Belial as much in the warlike combat, as +in the peaceful counsels. + + Nor was it ought but just, + That he who in debate of truth had won, + Shou'd win in arms, in both disputes alike + Victor. + +BUT notwithstanding I have spoken with some asperity against sentiment +as opposed to principle, yet I am convinced, that true genuine +sentiment, (not the sort I have been describing) may be so connected +with principle, as to bestow on it its brightest lustre, and its most +captivating graces. And enthusiasm is so far from being disagreeable, +that a portion of it is perhaps indispensably necessary in an engaging +woman. But it must be the enthusiasm of the heart, not of the senses. It +must be the enthusiasm which grows up with a feeling mind, and is +cherished by a virtuous education; not that which is compounded of +irregular passions, and artificially refined by books of unnatural +fiction and improbable adventure. I will even go so far as to assert, +that a young woman cannot have any real greatness of soul, or true +elevation of principle, if she has not a tincture of what the vulgar +would call Romance, but which persons of a certain way of thinking will +discern to proceed from those fine feelings, and that charming +sensibility, without which, though a woman may be worthy, yet she can +never be amiable. + +BUT this dangerous merit cannot be too rigidly watched, as it is very +apt to lead those who possess it into inconveniencies from which less +interesting characters are happily exempt. Young women of strong +sensibility may be carried by the very amiableness of this temper into +the most alarming extremes. Their tastes are passions. They love and +hate with all their hearts, and scarcely suffer themselves to feel a +reasonable preference before it strengthens into a violent attachment. + +WHEN an innocent girl of this open, trusting, tender heart, happens to +meet with one of her own sex and age, whose address and manners are +engaging, she is instantly seized with an ardent desire to commence a +friendship with her. She feels the most lively impatience at the +restraints of company, and the decorums of ceremony. She longs to be +alone with her, longs to assure her of the warmth of her tenderness, +and generously ascribes to the fair stranger all the good qualities she +feels in her own heart, or rather all those which she has met with in +her reading, dispersed in a variety of heroines. She is persuaded, that +her new friend unites them all in herself, because she carries in her +prepossessing countenance the promise of them all. How cruel and how +censorious would this inexperienced girl think her mother was, who +should venture to hint, that the agreeable unknown had defects in her +temper, or exceptions in her character. She would mistake these hints of +discretion for the insinuations of an uncharitable disposition. At first +she would perhaps listen to them with a generous impatience, and +afterwards with a cold and silent disdain. She would despise them as the +effect of prejudice, misrepresentation, or ignorance. The more +aggravated the censure, the more vehemently would she protest in secret, +that her friendship for this dear injured creature (who is raised much +higher in her esteem by such injurious suspicions) shall know no bounds, +as she is assured it can know no end. + +YET this trusting confidence, this honest indiscretion, is, at this +early period of life as amiable as it is natural; and will, if wisely +cultivated, produce, at its proper season, fruits infinitely more +valuable than all the guarded circumspection of premature, and therefore +artificial, prudence. Men, I believe, are seldom struck with these +sudden prepossessions in favour of each other. They are not so +unsuspecting, nor so easily led away by the predominance of fancy. They +engage more warily, and pass through the several stages of acquaintance, +intimacy, and confidence, by slower gradations; but women, if they are +sometimes deceived in the choice of a friend, enjoy even then an higher +degree of satisfaction than if they never trusted. For to be always clad +in the burthensome armour of suspicion is more painful and inconvenient, +than to run the hazard of suffering now and then a transient injury. + +BUT the above observations only extend to the young and the +inexperienced; for I am very certain, that women are capable of as +faithful and as durable friendship as any of the other sex. They can +enter not only into all the enthusiastic tenderness, but into all the +solid fidelity of attachment. And if we cannot oppose instances of equal +weight with those of Nysus and Euryalus, Theseus and Pirithous, Pylades +and Orestes, let it be remembered, that it is because the recorders of +those characters were men, and that the very existence of them is merely +poetical. + + +[6] See Voltaire's Prophecy concerning Rousseau. + + + + +ON +TRUE AND FALSE +MEEKNESS. + + +A LOW voice and soft address are the common indications of a well-bred +woman, and should seem to be the natural effects of a meek and quiet +spirit; but they are only the outward and visible signs of it: for they +are no more meekness itself, than a red coat is courage, or a black one +devotion. + +YET nothing is more common than to mistake the sign for the thing +itself; nor is any practice more frequent than that of endeavouring to +acquire the exterior mark, without once thinking to labour after the +interior grace. Surely this is beginning at the wrong end, like +attacking the symptom and neglecting the disease. To regulate the +features, while the soul is in tumults, or to command the voice while +the passions are without restraint, is as idle as throwing odours into +a stream when the source is polluted. + +THE _sapient king_, who knew better than any man the nature and the +power of beauty, has assured us, that the temper of the mind has a +strong influence upon the features: "Wisdom maketh the face to shine," +says that exquisite judge; and surely no part of wisdom is more likely +to produce this amiable effect, than a placid serenity of soul. + +IT will not be difficult to distinguish the true from the artificial +meekness. The former is universal and habitual, the latter, local and +temporary. Every young female may keep this rule by her, to enable her +to form a just judgment of her own temper: if she is not as gentle to +her chambermaid as she is to her visitor, she may rest satisfied that +the spirit of gentleness is not in her. + +WHO would not be shocked and disappointed to behold a well-bred young +lady, soft and engaging as the doves of Venus, displaying a thousand +graces and attractions to win the hearts of a large company, and the +instant they are gone, to see her look mad as the Pythian maid, and all +the frightened graces driven from her furious countenance, only because +her gown was brought home a quarter of an hour later than she expected, +or her ribbon sent half a shade lighter or darker than she ordered? + +ALL men's characters are said to proceed from their servants; and this +is more particularly true of ladies: for as their situations are more +domestic, they lie more open to the inspection of their families, to +whom their real characters are easily and perfectly known; for they +seldom think it worth while to practise any disguise before those, +whose good opinion they do not value, and who are obliged to submit to +their most insupportable humours, because they are paid for it. + +AMONGST women of breeding, the exterior of gentleness is so uniformly +assumed, and the whole manner is so perfectly level and _uni_, that it +is next to impossible for a stranger to know any thing of their true +dispositions by conversing with them, and even the very features are so +exactly regulated, that physiognomy, which may sometimes be trusted +among the vulgar, is, with the polite, a most lying science. + +A VERY termagant woman, if she happens also to be a very artful one, +will be conscious she has so much to conceal, that the dread of +betraying her real temper will make her put on an over-acted softness, +which, from its very excess, may be distinguished from the natural, by a +penetrating eye. That gentleness is ever liable to be suspected for the +counterfeited, which is so excessive as to deprive people of the +proper use of speech and motion, or which, as Hamlet says, makes them +lisp and amble, and nick-name God's creatures. + +THE countenance and manners of some very fashionable persons may be +compared to the inscriptions on their monuments, which speak nothing but +good of what is within; but he who knows any thing of the world, or of +the human heart, will no more trust to the courtesy, than he will depend +on the epitaph. + +AMONG the various artifices of factitious meekness, one of the most +frequent and most plausible, is that of affecting to be always equally +delighted with all persons and all characters. The society of these +languid beings is without confidence, their friendship without +attachment, and their love without affection, or even preference. This +insipid mode of conduct may be safe, but I cannot think it has either +taste, sense, or principle in it. + +THESE uniformly smiling and approving ladies, who have neither the noble +courage to reprehend vice, nor the generous warmth to bear their honest +testimony in the cause of virtue, conclude every one to be ill-natured +who has any penetration, and look upon a distinguishing judgment as want +of tenderness. But they should learn, that this discernment does not +always proceed from an uncharitable temper, but from that long +experience and thorough knowledge of the world, which lead those who +have it to scrutinize into the conduct and disposition of men, before +they trust entirely to those fair appearances, which sometimes veil the +most insidious purposes. + +WE are perpetually mistaking the qualities and dispositions of our own +hearts. We elevate our failings into virtues, and qualify our vices into +weaknesses: and hence arise so many false judgments respecting +meekness. Self-ignorance is at the root of all this mischief. Many +ladies complain that, for their part, their spirit is so meek they can +bear nothing; whereas, if they spoke truth, they would say, their spirit +is so high and unbroken that they can bear nothing. Strange! to plead +their meekness as a reason why they cannot endure to be crossed, and +to produce their impatience of contradiction as a proof of their +gentleness! + +MEEKNESS, like most other virtues, has certain limits, which it no +sooner exceeds than it becomes criminal. Servility of spirit is not +gentleness but weakness, and if allowed, under the specious appearances +it sometimes puts on, will lead to the most dangerous compliances. She +who hears innocence maligned without vindicating it, falsehood +asserted without contradicting it, or religion prophaned without +resenting it, is not gentle but wicked. + +TO give up the cause of an innocent, injured friend, if the popular cry +happens to be against him, is the most disgraceful weakness. This was +the case of Madame de Maintenon. She loved the character and admired the +talents of Racine; she caressed him while he had no enemies, but +wanted the greatness of mind, or rather the common justice, to protect +him against their resentment when he had; and her favourite was +abandoned to the suspicious jealousy of the king, when a prudent +remonstrance might have preserved him.--But her tameness, if not +absolute connivance in the great massacre of the protestants, in whose +church she had been bred, is a far more guilty instance of her weakness; +an instance which, in spite of all her devotional zeal and incomparable +prudence, will disqualify her from shining in the annals of good women, +however she may be entitled to figure among the great and the +fortunate. Compare her conduct with that of her undaunted and pious +countryman and contemporary, Bougi, who, when Louis would have prevailed +on him to renounce his religion for a commission or a government, +nobly replied, "If I could be persuaded to betray my God for a marshal's +staff, I might betray my king for a bribe of much less consequence." + +MEEKNESS is imperfect, if it be not both active and passive; if it +will not enable us to subdue our own passions and resentments, as well +as qualify us to bear patiently the passions and resentments of +others. + +BEFORE we give way to any violent emotion of anger, it would perhaps be +worth while to consider the value of the object which excites it, and to +reflect for a moment, whether the thing we so ardently desire, or so +vehemently resent, be really of as much importance to us, as that +delightful tranquillity of soul, which we renounce in pursuit of it. If, +on a fair calculation, we find we are not likely to get as much as we +are sure to lose, then, putting all religious considerations out of the +question, common sense and human policy will tell us, we have made a +foolish and unprofitable exchange. Inward quiet is a part of one's self; +the object of our resentment may be only a matter of opinion; and, +certainly, what makes a portion of our actual happiness ought to be too +dear to us, to be sacrificed for a trifling, foreign, perhaps imaginary +good. + +THE most pointed satire I remember to have read, on a mind enslaved by +anger, is an observation of Seneca's. "Alexander (said he) had two +friends, Clitus and Lysimachus; the one he exposed to a lion, the other +to himself: he who was turned loose to the beast escaped, but Clitus was +murdered, for he was turned loose to an angry man." + +A PASSIONATE woman's happiness is never in her own keeping: it is the +sport of accident, and the slave of events. It is in the power of her +acquaintance, her servants, but chiefly of her enemies, and all her +comforts lie at the mercy of others. So far from being willing to learn +of him who was meek and lowly, she considers meekness as the want of a +becoming spirit, and lowliness as a despicable and vulgar meanness. And +an imperious woman will so little covet the ornament of a meek and +quiet spirit, that it is almost the only ornament she will not be +solicitous to wear. But resentment is a very expensive vice. How dearly +has it cost its votaries, even from the sin of Cain, the first offender +in this kind! "It is cheaper (says a pious writer) to forgive, and save +the charges." + +IF it were only for mere human reasons, it would turn to a better +account to be patient; nothing defeats the malice of an enemy like a +spirit of forbearance; the return of rage for rage cannot be so +effectually provoking. True gentleness, like an impenetrable armour, +repels the most pointed shafts of malice: they cannot pierce through +this invulnerable shield, but either fall hurtless to the ground, or +return to wound the hand that shot them. + +A MEEK spirit will not look out of itself for happiness, because it +finds a constant banquet at home; yet, by a sort of divine alchymy, it +will convert all external events to its own profit, and be able to +deduce some good, even from the most unpromising: it will extract +comfort and satisfaction from the most barren circumstances: "It will +suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock." + +BUT the supreme excellence of this complacent quality is, that it +naturally disposes the mind where it resides, to the practice of every +other that is amiable. Meekness may be called the pioneer of all the +other virtues, which levels every obstruction, and smooths every +difficulty that might impede their entrance, or retard their progress. + +THE peculiar importance and value of this amiable virtue may be farther +seen in its permanency. Honours and dignities are transient, beauty and +riches frail and fugacious, to a proverb. Would not the truly wise, +therefore, wish to have some one possession, which they might call +their own in the severest exigencies? But this wish can only be +accomplished by acquiring and maintaining that calm and absolute +self-possession, which, as the world had no hand in giving, so it +cannot, by the most malicious exertion of its power, take away. + + + + +THOUGHTS +ON THE +CULTIVATION +OF THE +HEART AND TEMPER +IN THE +EDUCATION OF DAUGHTERS. + + +I HAVE not the foolish presumption to imagine, that I can offer any +thing new on a subject, which has been so successfully treated by many +learned and able writers. I would only, with all possible deference, +beg leave to hazard a few short remarks on that part of the subject of +education, which I would call the _education of the heart_. I am well +aware, that this part also has not been less skilfully and forcibly +discussed than the rest, though I cannot, at the same time, help +remarking, that it does not appear to have been so much adopted into +common practice. + +IT appears then, that notwithstanding the great and real improvements, +which have been made in the affair of female education, and +notwithstanding the more enlarged and generous views of it, which +prevail in the present day, that there is still a very material defect, +which it is not, in general, enough the object of attention to remove. +This defect seems to consist in this, that too little regard is paid to +the dispositions of the _mind_, that the indications of the _temper_ are +not properly cherished, nor the affections of the _heart_ sufficiently +regulated. + +IN the first education of girls, as far as the customs which fashion +establishes are right, they should undoubtedly be followed. Let the +exterior be made a considerable object of attention, but let it not be +the principal, let it not be the only one.--Let the graces be +industriously cultivated, but let them not be cultivated at the expence +of the virtues.--Let the arms, the head, the whole person be carefully +polished, but let not the heart be the only portion of the human +anatomy, which shall be totally overlooked. + +THE neglect of this cultivation seems to proceed as much from a bad +taste, as from a false principle. The generality of people form their +judgment of education by slight and sudden appearances, which is +certainly a wrong way of determining. Music, dancing, and languages, +gratify those who teach them, by perceptible and almost immediate +effects; and when there happens to be no imbecillity in the pupil, nor +deficiency in the matter, every superficial observer can, in some +measure, judge of the progress.--The effects of most of these +accomplishments address themselves to the senses; and there are more who +can see and hear, than there are who can judge and reflect. + +PERSONAL perfection is not only more obvious, it is also more rapid; and +even in very accomplished characters, elegance usually precedes +principle. + +BUT the heart, that natural seat of evil propensities, that little +troublesome empire of the passions, is led to what is right by slow +motions and imperceptible degrees. It must be admonished by reproof, and +allured by kindness. Its liveliest advances are frequently impeded by +the obstinacy of prejudice, and its brightest promises often obscured by +the tempests of passion. It is slow in its acquisition of virtue, and +reluctant in its approaches to piety. + +THERE is another reason, which proves this mental cultivation to be more +important, as well as more difficult, than any other part of education. +In the usual fashionable accomplishments, the business of acquiring them +is almost always getting forwards, and one difficulty is conquered +before another is suffered to shew itself; for a prudent teacher will +level the road his pupil is to pass, and smooth the inequalities which +might retard her progress. + +BUT in morals, (which should be the great object constantly kept in +view) the talk is far more difficult. The unruly and turbulent desires +of the heart are not so obedient; one passion will start up before +another is suppressed. The subduing Hercules cannot cut off the heads +so often as the prolific Hydra can produce them, nor fell the stubborn +Antęus so fast as he can recruit his strength, and rise in vigorous and +repeated opposition. + +IF all the accomplishments could be bought at the price of a single +virtue, the purchase would be infinitely dear! And, however startling +it may sound, I think it is, notwithstanding, true, that the labours of +a good and wise mother, who is anxious for her daughter's most important +interests, will _seem_ to be at variance with those of her instructors. +She will doubtless rejoice at her progress in any polite art, but she +will rejoice with trembling:--humility and piety form the solid and +durable basis, on which she wishes to raise the superstructure of the +accomplishments, while the accomplishments themselves are frequently of +that unsteady nature, that if the foundation is not secured, in +proportion as the building is enlarged, it will be overloaded and +destroyed by those very ornaments, which were intended to embellish, +what they have contributed to ruin. + +THE more ostensible qualifications should be carefully regulated, or +they will be in danger of putting to flight the modest train of +retreating virtues, which cannot safely subsist before the bold eye of +public observation, or bear the bolder tongue of impudent and audacious +flattery. A tender mother cannot but feel an honest triumph, in +contemplating those excellencies in her daughter which deserve applause, +but she will also shudder at the vanity which that applause may excite, +and at those hitherto unknown ideas which it may awaken. + +THE master, it is his interest, and perhaps his duty, will naturally +teach a girl to set her improvements in the most conspicuous point of +light. SE FAIRE VALOIR is the great principle industriously inculcated +into her young heart, and seems to be considered as a kind of +fundamental maxim in education. It is however the certain and effectual +seed, from which a thousand yet unborn vanities will spring. This +dangerous doctrine (which yet is not without its uses) will be +counteracted by the prudent mother, not in so many words, but by a +watchful and scarcely perceptible dexterity. Such an one will be more +careful to have the talents of her daughter _cultivated_ than +_exhibited_. + +ONE would be led to imagine, by the common mode of female education, +that life consisted of one universal holiday, and that the only contest +was, who should be best enabled to excel in the sports and games that +were to be celebrated on it. Merely ornamental accomplishments will but +indifferently qualify a woman to perform the _duties_ of life, though it +is highly proper she should possess them, in order to furnish the +_amusements_ of it. But is it right to spend so large a portion of life +without some preparation for the business of living? A lady may speak a +little French and Italian, repeat a few passages in a theatrical tone, +play and sing, have her dressing-room hung with her own drawings, and +her person covered with her own tambour work, and may, notwithstanding, +have been very _badly educated_. Yet I am far from attempting to +depreciate the value of these qualifications: they are most of them not +only highly becoming, but often indispensably necessary, and a polite +education cannot be perfected without them. But as the world seems to be +very well apprised of their importance, there is the less occasion to +insist on their utility. Yet, though well-bred young women should learn +to dance, sing, recite and draw, the end of a good education is not that +they may become dancers, singers, players or painters: its real object +is to make them good daughters, good wives, good mistresses, good +members of society, and good christians. The above qualifications +therefore are intended to _adorn_ their _leisure_, not to _employ_ their +_lives_; for an amiable and wise woman will always have something better +to value herself on, than these advantages, which, however captivating, +are still but subordinate parts of a truly excellent character. + +BUT I am afraid parents themselves sometimes contribute to the error of +which I am complaining. Do they not often set a higher value on those +acquisitions which are calculated to attract observation, and catch the +eye of the multitude, than on those which are valuable, permanent, and +internal? Are they not sometimes more solicitous about the opinion of +others, respecting their children, than about the real advantage and +happiness of the children themselves? To an injudicious and superficial +eye, the best educated girl may make the least brilliant figure, as she +will probably have less flippancy in her manner, and less repartee in +her expression; and her acquirements, to borrow bishop Sprat's idea, +will be rather _enamelled than embossed_. But her merit will be known, +and acknowledged by all who come near enough to discern, and have taste +enough to distinguish. It will be understood and admired by the man, +whose happiness she is one day to make, whose family she is to govern, +and whose children she is to educate. He will not seek for her in the +haunts of dissipation, for he knows he shall not find her there; but +he will seek for her in the bosom of retirement, in the practice of +every domestic virtue, in the exertion of every amiable accomplishment, +exerted in the shade, to enliven retirement, to heighten the endearing +pleasures of social intercourse, and to embellish the narrow but +charming circle of family delights. To this amiable purpose, a truly +good and well educated young lady will dedicate her more elegant +accomplishments, instead of exhibiting them to attract admiration, or +depress inferiority. + +YOUNG girls, who have more vivacity than understanding, will often make +a sprightly figure in conversation. But this agreeable talent for +entertaining others, is frequently dangerous to themselves, nor is it by +any means to be desired or encouraged very early in life. This +immaturity of wit is helped on by frivolous reading, which will produce +its effect in much less time than books of solid instruction; for the +imagination is touched sooner than the understanding; and effects are +more rapid as they are more pernicious. Conversation should be the +_result_ of education, not the _precursor_ of it. It is a golden fruit, +when suffered to grow gradually on the tree of knowledge; but if +precipitated by forced and unnatural means, it will in the end become +vapid, in proportion as it is artificial. + +THE best effects of a careful and religious education are often very +remote: they are to be discovered in future scenes, and exhibited in +untried connexions. Every event of life will be putting the heart into +fresh situations, and making demands on its prudence, its firmness, its +integrity, or its piety. Those whose business it is to form it, can +foresee none of these situations; yet, as far as human wisdom will +allow, they must enable it to provide for them all, with an humble +dependence on the divine assistance. A well-disciplined soldier must +learn and practise all his evolutions, though he does not know on what +service his leader may command him, by what foe he shall be attacked, +nor what mode of combat the enemy may use. + +ONE great art of education consists in not suffering the feelings to +become too acute by unnecessary awakening, nor too obtuse by the want +of exertion. The former renders them the source of calamity, and totally +ruins the temper; while the latter blunts and debases them, and produces +a dull, cold, and selfish spirit. For the mind is an instrument, which, +if wound too high, will lose its sweetness, and if not enough strained, +will abate of its vigour. + +HOW cruel is it to extinguish by neglect or unkindness, the precious +sensibility of an open temper, to chill the amiable glow of an ingenuous +soul, and to quench the bright flame of a noble and generous spirit! +These are of higher worth than all the documents of learning, of dearer +price than all the advantages, which can be derived from the most +refined and artificial mode of education. + +BUT sensibility and delicacy, and an ingenuous temper, make no part of +education, exclaims the pedagogue--they are reducible to no class--they +come under no article of instruction--they belong neither to languages +nor to music.--What an error! They _are_ a part of education, and of +infinitely more value, + + Than all their pedant discipline e'er knew. + +It is true, they are ranged under no class, but they are superior to +all; they are of more esteem than languages or music, for they are the +language of the heart, and the music of the according passions. Yet +this sensibility is, in many instances, so far from being cultivated, +that it is not uncommon to see those who affect more than usual +sagacity, cast a smile of supercilious pity, at any indication of a +warm, generous, or enthusiastic temper in the lively and the young; as +much as to say, "they will know better, and will have more discretion +when they are older." But every appearance of amiable simplicity, or of +honest shame, _Nature's hasty conscience_, will be dear to sensible +hearts; they will carefully cherish every such indication in a young +female; for they will perceive that it is this temper, wisely +cultivated, which will one day make her enamoured of the loveliness of +virtue, and the beauty of holiness: from which she will acquire a taste +for the doctrines of religion, and a spirit to perform the duties of it. +And those who wish to make her ashamed of this charming temper, and +seek to dispossess her of it, will, it is to be feared, give her +nothing better in exchange. But whoever reflects at all, will easily +discern how carefully this enthusiasm is to be directed, and how +judiciously its redundances are to be lopped away. + +PRUDENCE is not natural to children; they can, however, substitute art +in its stead. But is it not much better that a girl should discover the +faults incident to her age, than conceal them under this dark and +impenetrable veil? I could almost venture to assert, that there is +something more becoming in the very errors of nature, where they are +undisguised, than in the affectation of virtue itself, where the reality +is wanting. And I am so far from being an admirer of prodigies, that I +am extremely apt to suspect them; and am always infinitely better +pleased with Nature in her more common modes of operation. The precise +and premature wisdom, which some girls have cunning enough to assume, +is of a more dangerous tendency than any of their natural failings can +be, as it effectually covers those secret bad dispositions, which, if +they displayed themselves, might be rectified. The hypocrisy of +assuming virtues which are not inherent in the heart, prevents the +growth and disclosure of those real ones, which it is the great end of +education to cultivate. + +BUT if the natural indications of the temper are to be suppressed and +stifled, where are the diagnostics, by which the state of the mind is to +be known? The wise Author of all things, who did nothing in vain, +doubtless intended them as symptoms, by which to judge of the diseases +of the heart; and it is impossible diseases should be cured before +they are known. If the stream be so cut off as to prevent communication, +or so choked up as to defeat discovery, how shall we ever reach the +source, out of which are the issues of life? + +THIS cunning, which, of all the different dispositions girls discover, +is most to be dreaded, is increased by nothing so much as by fear. If +those about them express violent and unreasonable anger at every trivial +offence, it will always promote this temper, and will very frequently +create it, where there was a natural tendency to frankness. The +indiscreet transports of rage, which many betray on every slight +occasion, and the little distinction they make between venial errors and +premeditated crimes, naturally dispose a child to conceal, what she does +not however care to suppress. Anger in one will not remedy the faults of +another; for how can an instrument of sin cure sin? If a girl is kept in +a state of perpetual and slavish terror, she will perhaps have artifice +enough to conceal those propensities which she knows are wrong, or those +actions which she thinks are most obnoxious to punishment. But, +nevertheless, she will not cease to indulge those propensities, and to +commit those actions, when she can do it with impunity. + +GOOD _dispositions_, of themselves, will go but a very little way, +unless they are confirmed into good _principles_. And this cannot be +effected but by a careful course of religious instruction, and a +patient and laborious cultivation of the moral temper. + +BUT, notwithstanding girls should not be treated with unkindness, nor +the first openings of the passions blighted by cold severity; yet I am +of opinion, that young females should be accustomed very early in life +to a certain degree of restraint. The natural cast of character, and the +moral distinctions between the sexes, should not be disregarded, even in +childhood. That bold, independent, enterprising spirit, which is so much +admired in boys, should not, when it happens to discover itself in the +other sex, be encouraged, but suppressed. Girls should be taught to +give up their opinions betimes, and not pertinaciously to carry on a +dispute, even if they should know themselves to be in the right. I do +not mean, that they should be robbed of the liberty of private judgment, +but that they should by no means be encouraged to contract a contentious +or contradictory turn. It is of the greatest importance to their future +happiness, that they should acquire a submissive temper, and a +forbearing spirit: for it is a lesson which the world will not fail to +make them frequently practise, when they come abroad into it, and they +will not practise it the worse for having learnt it the sooner. These +early restraints, in the limitation here meant, are so far from being an +effect of cruelty, that they are the most indubitable marks of +affection, and are the more meritorious, as they are severe trials of +tenderness. But all the beneficial effects, which a mother can expect +from this watchfulness, will be entirely defeated, if it is practised +occasionally, and not habitually, and if it ever appears to be used to +gratify caprice, ill-humour, or resentment. + +THOSE who have children to educate ought to be extremely patient: it is +indeed a labour of love. They should reflect, that extraordinary talents +are neither essential to the well-being of society, nor to the +happiness of individuals. If that had been the case, the beneficent +Father of the universe would not have made them so rare. For it is as +easy for an Almighty Creator to produce a Newton, as an ordinary man; +and he could have made those powers common which we now consider as +wonderful, without any miraculous exertion of his omnipotence, if the +existence of many Newtons had been necessary to the perfection of his +wise and gracious plan. + +SURELY, therefore, there is more piety, as well as more sense, in +labouring to improve the talents which children actually have, than in +lamenting that they do not possess supernatural endowments or angelic +perfections. A passage of Lord Bacon's furnishes an admirable +incitement for endeavouring to carry the amiable and christian grace of +charity to its farthest extent, instead of indulging an over-anxious +care for more brilliant but less important acquisitions. "The desire of +power in excess (says he) caused the angels to fall; the desire of +knowledge in excess caused man to fall; but in charity is no excess, +neither can men nor angels come into danger by it." + +A GIRL who has docility will seldom be found to want understanding +enough for all the purposes of a social, a happy, and an useful life. +And when we behold the tender hope of fond and anxious love, blasted by +disappointment, the defect will as often be discovered to proceed from +the neglect or the error of cultivation, as from the natural temper; and +those who lament the evil, will sometimes be found to have occasioned +it. + +IT is as injudicious for parents to set out with too sanguine a +dependence on the merit of their children, as it is for them to be +discouraged at every repulse. When their wishes are defeated in this or +that particular instance, where they had treasured up some darling +expectation, this is so far from being a reason for relaxing their +attention, that it ought to be an additional motive for redoubling it. +Those who hope to do a great deal, must not expect to do every thing. If +they know any thing of the malignity of sin, the blindness of prejudice, +or the corruption of the human heart, they will also know, that that +heart will always remain, after the very best possible education, full +of infirmity and imperfection. Extraordinary allowances, therefore, must +be made for the weakness of nature in this its weakest state. After much +is done, much will remain to do, and much, very much, will still be left +undone. For this regulation of the passions and affections cannot be +the work of education alone, without the concurrence of divine grace +operating on the heart. Why then should parents repine, if their efforts +are not always crowned with immediate success? They should consider, +that they are not educating cherubims and seraphims, but men and women; +creatures, who at their best estate are altogether vanity: how little +then can be expected from them in the weakness and imbecillity of +infancy! I have dwelt on this part of the subject the longer, because I +am certain that many, who have set out with a warm and active zeal, have +cooled on the very first discouragement, and have afterwards almost +totally remitted their vigilance, through a criminal kind of despair. + +GREAT allowances must be made for a profusion of gaiety, loquacity, and +even indiscretion in children, that there may be animation enough left +to supply an active and useful character, when the first fermentation of +the youthful passions is over, and the redundant spirits shall come +to subside. + +IF it be true, as a consummate judge of human nature has observed, + + That not a vanity is given in vain, + +it is also true, that there is scarcely a single passion, which may +not be turned to some good account, if prudently rectified, and +skilfully turned into the road of some neighbouring virtue. It cannot be +violently bent, or unnaturally forced towards an object of a totally +opposite nature, but may be gradually inclined towards a correspondent +but superior affection. Anger, hatred, resentment, and ambition, the +most restless and turbulent passions which shake and distract the +human soul, may be led to become the most active opposers of sin, after +having been its most successful instruments. Our anger, for instance, +which can never be totally subdued, may be made to turn against +ourselves, for our weak and imperfect obedience--our hatred, against +every species of vice--our ambition, which will not be discarded, may be +ennobled: it will not change its name, but its object: it will despise +what it lately valued, nor be contented to grasp at less than +immortality. + +THUS the joys, fears, hopes, desires, all the passions and affections, +which separate in various currents from the soul, will, if directed into +their proper channels, after having fertilised wherever they have +flowed, return again to swell and enrich the parent source. + +THAT the very passions which appear the most uncontroulable and +unpromising, may be intended, in the great scheme of Providence, to +answer some important purpose, is remarkably evidenced in the character +and history of Saint Paul. A remark on this subject by an ingenious old +Spanish writer, which I will here take the liberty to translate, will +better illustrate my meaning. + +"TO convert the bitterest enemy into the most zealous advocate, is the +work of God for the instruction of man. Plutarch has observed, that the +medical science would be brought to the utmost perfection, when poison +should be converted into physic. Thus, in the mortal disease of Judaism +and idolatry, our blessed Lord converted the adder's venom of Saul +the persecutor, into that cement which made Paul the chosen vessel. +That manly activity, that restless ardor, that burning zeal for the law +of his fathers, that ardent thirst for the blood of Christians, did the +Son of God find necessary in the man who was one day to become the +defender of his suffering people.[7]" + +TO win the passions, therefore, over to the cause of virtue, answers a +much nobler end than their extinction would possibly do, even if that +could be effected. But it is their nature never to observe a neutrality; +they are either rebels or auxiliaries, and an enemy subdued is an ally +obtained. If I may be allowed to change the allusion so soon, I would +say, that the passions also resemble fires, which are friendly and +beneficial when under proper direction, but if suffered to blaze without +restraint, they carry devastation along with them, and, if totally +extinguished, leave the benighted mind in a state of cold and +comfortless inanity. + +BUT in speaking of the usefulness of the passions, as instruments of +virtue, _envy_ and _lying_ must always be excepted: these, I am +persuaded, must either go on in still progressive mischief, or else be +radically cured, before any good can be expected from the heart which +has been infected with them. For I never will believe that envy, though +passed through all the moral strainers, can be refined into a +virtuous emulation, or lying improved into an agreeable turn for +innocent invention. Almost all the other passions may be made to take +an amiable hue; but these two must either be totally extirpated, or be +always contented to preserve their original deformity, and to wear their +native black. + + +[7] Obras de Quevedo, vida de San Pablo Apostol. + + + + +ON THE +IMPORTANCE OF RELIGION +TO THE +FEMALE CHARACTER. + + +VARIOUS are the reasons why the greater part of mankind cannot apply +themselves to arts or letters. Particular studies are only suited to the +capacities of particular persons. Some are incapable of applying to +them from the delicacy of their sex, some from the unsteadiness of +youth, and others from the imbecillity of age. Many are precluded by the +narrowness of their education, and many by the straitness of their +fortune. The wisdom of God is wonderfully manifested in this happy and +well-ordered diversity, in the powers and properties of his creatures; +since by thus admirably suiting the agent to the action, the whole +scheme of human affairs is carried on with the most agreeing and +consistent oeconomy, and no chasm is left for want of an object to +fill it, exactly suited to its nature. + +BUT in the great and universal concern of religion, both sexes, and all +ranks, are equally interested. The truly catholic spirit of christianity +accommodates itself, with an astonishing condescension, to the +circumstances of the whole human race. It rejects none on account of +their pecuniary wants, their personal infirmities, or their intellectual +deficiencies. No superiority of parts is the least recommendation, nor +is any depression of fortune the smallest objection. None are too wise +to be excused from performing the duties of religion, nor are any too +poor to be excluded from the consolations of its promises. + +IF we admire the wisdom of God, in having furnished different degrees of +intelligence, so exactly adapted to their different destinations, and in +having fitted every part of his stupendous work, not only to serve its +own immediate purpose, but also to contribute to the beauty and +perfection of the whole: how much more ought we to adore that goodness, +which has perfected the divine plan, by appointing one wide, +comprehensive, and universal means of salvation: a salvation, which all +are invited to partake; by a means which all are capable of using; which +nothing but voluntary blindness can prevent our comprehending, and +nothing but wilful error can hinder us from embracing. + +THE Muses are coy, and will only be wooed and won by some +highly-favoured suitors. The Sciences are lofty, and will not stoop to +the reach of ordinary capacities. But "Wisdom (by which the royal +preacher means piety) is a loving spirit: she is easily seen of them +that love her, and found of all such as seek her." Nay, she is so +accessible and condescending, "that she preventeth them that desire +her, making herself first known unto them." + +WE are told by the same animated writer, "that Wisdom is the breath of +the power of God." How infinitely superior, in grandeur and sublimity, +is this description to the origin of the _wisdom_ of the heathens, as +described by their poets and mythologists! In the exalted strains of the +Hebrew poetry we read, that "Wisdom is the brightness of the everlasting +light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and the image of his +goodness." + +THE philosophical author of _The Defence of Learning_ observes, that +knowledge has something of venom and malignity in it, when taken without +its proper corrective, and what that is, the inspired Saint Paul +teaches us, by placing it as the immediate antidote: _Knowledge puffeth +up, but charity edifieth._ Perhaps, it is the vanity of human wisdom, +unchastised by this correcting principle, which has made so many +infidels. It may proceed from the arrogance of a self-sufficient pride, +that some philosophers disdain to acknowledge their belief in a being, +who has judged proper to conceal from them the infinite wisdom of his +counsels; who, (to borrow the lofty language of the man of Uz) refused +to consult them when he laid the foundations of the earth, when he shut +up the sea with doors, and made the clouds the garment thereof. + +A MAN must be an infidel either from pride, prejudice, or bad education: +he cannot be one unawares or by surprise; for infidelity is not +occasioned by sudden impulse or violent temptation. He may be hurried by +some vehement desire into an immoral action, at which he will blush in +his cooler moments, and which he will lament as the sad effect of a +spirit unsubdued by religion; but infidelity is a calm, considerate act, +which cannot plead the weakness of the heart, or the seduction of the +senses. Even good men frequently fail in their duty through the +infirmities of nature, and the allurements of the world; but the infidel +errs on a plan, on a settled and deliberate principle. + +BUT though the minds of men are sometimes fatally infected with this +disease, either through unhappy prepossession, or some of the other +causes above mentioned; yet I am unwilling to believe, that there is in +nature so monstrously incongruous a being, as a _female infidel_. The +least reflexion on the temper, the character, and the education of +women, makes the mind revolt with horror from an idea so improbable, and +so unnatural. + +MAY I be allowed to observe, that, in general, the minds of girls seem +more aptly prepared in their early youth for the reception of serious +impressions than those of the other sex, and that their less exposed +situations in more advanced life qualify them better for the +preservation of them? The daughters (of good parents I mean) are often +more carefully instructed in their religious duties, than the sons, and +this from a variety of causes. They are not so soon sent from under the +paternal eye into the bustle of the world, and so early exposed to the +contagion of bad example: their hearts are naturally more flexible, +soft, and liable to any kind of impression the forming hand may stamp +on them; and, lastly, as they do not receive the same classical +education with boys, their feeble minds are not obliged at once to +receive and separate the precepts of christianity, and the documents of +pagan philosophy. The necessity of doing this perhaps somewhat weakens +the serious impressions of young men, at least till the understanding +is formed, and confuses their ideas of piety, by mixing them with so +much heterogeneous matter. They only casually read, or hear read, the +scriptures of truth, while they are obliged to learn by heart, construe +and repeat the poetical fables of the less than human gods of the +ancients. And as the excellent author of _The Internal Evidence of the +Christian Religion_ observes, "Nothing has so much contributed to +corrupt the true spirit of the christian institution, as that partiality +which we contract, in our earliest education, for the manners of pagan +antiquity." + +GIRLS, therefore, who do _not_ contract this early partiality, ought to +have a clearer notion of their religious duties: they are not obliged, +at an age when the judgment is so weak, to distinguish between the +doctrines of Zeno, of Epicurus, and of Christ; and to embarrass their +minds with the various morals which were taught in the _Porch_, in the +_Academy_, and on the _Mount_. + +IT is presumed, that these remarks cannot possibly be so +misunderstood, as to be construed into the least disrespect to +literature, or a want of the highest reverence for a learned education, +the basis of all elegant knowledge: they are only intended, with all +proper deference, to point out to young women, that however inferior +their advantages of acquiring a knowledge of the belles-lettres are to +those of the other sex; yet it depends on themselves not to be +surpassed in this most important of all studies, for which their +abilities are equal, and their opportunities, perhaps, greater. + +BUT the mere exemption from infidelity is so small a part of the +religious character, that I hope no one will attempt to claim any merit +from this negative sort of goodness, or value herself merely for not +being the very worst thing she possibly can be. Let no mistaken girl +fancy she gives a proof of her wit by her want of piety, or that a +contempt of things serious and sacred will exalt her understanding, or +raise her character even in the opinion of the most avowed male +infidels. For one may venture to affirm, that with all their profligate +ideas, both of women and of religion, neither Bolingbroke, Wharton, +Buckingham, nor even _Lord Chesterfield himself_, would have esteemed a +woman the more for her being irreligious. + +WITH whatever ridicule a polite freethinker may affect to treat religion +himself, he will think it necessary his wife should entertain +different notions of it. He may pretend to despise it as a matter of +opinion, depending on creeds and systems; but, if he is a man of sense, +he will know the value of it, as a governing principle, which is to +influence her conduct and direct her actions. If he sees her +unaffectedly sincere in the practice of her religious duties, it will be +a secret pledge to him, that she will be equally exact in fulfilling the +conjugal; for he can have no reasonable dependance on her attachment to +_him_, if he has no opinion of her fidelity to GOD; for she who neglects +first duties, gives but an indifferent proof of her disposition to fill +up inferior ones; and how can a man of any understanding (whatever his +own religious professions may be) trust that woman with the care of +his family, and the education of his children, who wants herself the +best incentive to a virtuous life, the belief that she is an accountable +creature, and the reflection that she has an immortal soul? + +CICERO spoke it as the highest commendation of Cato's character, that he +embraced philosophy, not for the sake of _disputing_ like a philosopher, +but of _living_ like one. The chief purpose of christian knowledge is to +promote the great end of a christian life. Every rational woman should, +no doubt, be able to give a reason of the hope that is in her; but this +knowledge is best acquired, and the duties consequent on it best +performed, by reading books of plain piety and practical devotion, and +not by entering into the endless feuds, and engaging in the unprofitable +contentions of partial controversialists. Nothing is more unamiable than +the narrow spirit of party zeal, nor more disgusting than to hear a +woman deal out judgments, and denounce vengeance against any one, who +happens to differ from her in some opinion, perhaps of no real +importance, and which, it is probable, she may be just as wrong in +rejecting, as the object of her censure is in embracing. A furious and +unmerciful female bigot wanders as far beyond the limits prescribed to +her sex, as a Thalestris or a Joan d'Arc. Violent debate has made as few +converts as the sword, and both these instruments are particularly +unbecoming when wielded by a female hand. + +BUT, though no one will be frightened out of their opinions, yet they +may be persuaded out of them: they may be touched by the affecting +earnestness of serious conversation, and allured by the attractive +beauty of a consistently serious life. And while a young woman ought to +dread the name of a wrangling polemic, it is her duty to aspire after +the honourable character of a sincere Christian. But this dignified +character she can by no means deserve, if she is ever afraid to avow her +principles, or ashamed to defend them. A profligate, who makes it a +point to ridicule every thing which comes under the appearance of formal +instruction, will be disconcerted at the spirited yet modest rebuke of a +pious young woman. But there is as much efficacy in the manner of +reproving prophaneness, as in the words. If she corrects it with +moroseness, she defeats the effect of her remedy, by her unskilful +manner of administring it. If, on the other hand, she affects to defend +the insulted cause of God, in a faint tone of voice, and studied +ambiguity of phrase, or with an air of levity, and a certain +expression of pleasure in her eyes, which proves she is secretly +delighted with what she pretends to censure, she injures religion much +more than he did who publickly prophaned it; for she plainly indicates, +either that she does not believe, or respect what she professes. The +other attacked it as an open foe; she betrays it as a false friend. No +one pays any regard to the opinion of an avowed enemy; but the desertion +or treachery of a professed friend, is dangerous indeed! + +IT is a strange notion which prevails in the world, that religion only +belongs to the old and the melancholy, and that it is not worth while to +pay the least attention to it, while we are capable of attending to any +thing else. They allow it to be proper enough for the clergy, whose +business it is, and for the aged, who have not spirits for any business +at all. But till they can prove, that none except the clergy and the +aged _die_, it must be confessed, that this is most wretched +reasoning. + +GREAT injury is done to the interests of religion, by placing it in a +gloomy and unamiable light. It is sometimes spoken of, as if it would +actually make a handsome woman ugly, or a young one wrinkled. But can +any thing be more absurd than to represent the beauty of holiness as the +source of deformity? + +THERE are few, perhaps, so entirely plunged in business, or absorbed in +pleasure, as not to intend, at some future time, to set about a +religious life in good earnest. But then they consider it as a kind of +_dernier ressort_, and think it prudent to defer flying to this +disagreeable refuge, till they have no relish left for any thing else. +Do they forget, that to perform this great business well requires all +the strength of their youth, and all the vigour of their unimpaired +capacities? To confirm this assertion, they may observe how much the +slightest indisposition, even in the most active season of life, +disorders every faculty, and disqualifies them for attending to the most +ordinary affairs: and then let them reflect how little able they will be +to transact the most important of all business, in the moment of +excruciating pain, or in the day of universal debility. + +WHEN the senses are palled with excessive gratification; when the eye +is tired with seeing, and the ear with hearing; when the spirits are so +sunk, that the _grasshopper is become a burthen_, how shall the blunted +apprehension be capable of understanding a new science, or the worn-out +heart be able to relish a new pleasure? + +TO put off religion till we have lost all taste for amusement; to refuse +listening to the "voice of the charmer," till our enfeebled organs can +no longer listen to the voice of "singing men and singing women," and +not to devote our days to heaven till we have "no pleasure in them" +ourselves, is but an ungracious offering. And it is a wretched sacrifice +to the God of heaven, to present him with the remnants of decayed +appetites, and the leavings of extinguished passions. + + + + +MISCELLANEOUS +OBSERVATIONS +ON +GENIUS, TASTE, GOOD +SENSE, &c.[8] + + +GOOD _sense_ is as different from _genius_ as perception is from +invention; yet, though distinct qualities, they frequently subsist +together. It is altogether opposite to _wit_, but by no means +inconsistent with it. It is not science, for there is such a thing as +unlettered good sense; yet, though it is neither wit, learning, nor +genius, it is a substitute for each, where they do not exist, and the +perfection of all where they do. + +Good sense is so far from deserving the appellation of _common sense_, +by which it is frequently called, that it is perhaps one of the rarest +qualities of the human mind. If, indeed, this name is given it in +respect to its peculiar suitableness to the purposes of common life, +there is great propriety in it. Good sense appears to differ from taste +in this, that taste is an instantaneous decision of the mind, a sudden +relish of what is beautiful, or disgust at what is defective, in an +object, without waiting for the slower confirmation of the judgment. +Good sense is perhaps that confirmation, which establishes a suddenly +conceived idea, or feeling, by the powers of comparing and reflecting. +They differ also in this, that taste seems to have a more immediate +reference to arts, to literature, and to almost every object of the +senses; while good sense rises to moral excellence, and exerts its +influence on life and manners. Taste is fitted to the perception and +enjoyment of whatever is beautiful in art or nature: Good sense, to the +improvement of the conduct, and the regulation of the heart. + +YET the term good sense, is used indiscriminately to express either a +finished taste for letters, or an invariable prudence in the affairs of +life. It is sometimes applied to the most moderate abilities, in which +case, the expression is certainly too strong; and at others to the +most shining, when it is as much too weak and inadequate. A sensible man +is the usual, but unappropriated phrase, for every degree in the scale +of understanding, from the sober mortal, who obtains it by his decent +demeanor and solid dullness, to him whose talents qualify him to rank +with a Bacon, a Harris, or a Johnson. + +GENIUS is the power of invention and imitation. It is an incommunicable +faculty: no art or skill of the possessor can bestow the smallest +portion of it on another: no pains or labour can reach the summit of +perfection, where the seeds of it are wanting in the mind; yet it is +capable of infinite improvement where it actually exists, and is +attended with the highest capacity of communicating instruction, as well +as delight to others. + +IT is the peculiar property of genius to strike out great or beautiful +things: it is the felicity of good sense not to do absurd ones. Genius +breaks out in splendid sentiments and elevated ideas; good sense +confines its more circumscribed, but perhaps more useful walk, within +the limits of prudence and propriety. + + The poet's eye in a fine frenzy rolling, + Doth glance from heaven to earth, from earth to heaven; + And, as imagination bodies forth + The forms of things unknown, the poet's pen + Turns them to shape, and gives to airy nothing + A local habitation and a name. + +THIS is perhaps the finest picture of human genius that ever was drawn +by a human pencil. It presents a living image of a creative imagination, +or a power of inventing things which have no actual existence. + +WITH superficial judges, who, it must be confessed, make up the +greater part of the mass of mankind, talents are only liked or +understood to a certain degree. Lofty ideas are above the reach of +ordinary apprehensions: the vulgar allow those who possess them to be +in a somewhat higher state of mind than themselves; but of the vast gulf +which separates them, they have not the least conception. They +acknowledge a superiority, but of its extent they neither know the +value, nor can conceive the reality. It is true, the mind, as well as +the eye, can take in objects larger than itself; but this is only true +of great minds: for a man of low capacity, who considers a consummate +genius, resembles one, who seeing a column for the first time, and +standing at too great a distance to take in the whole of it, concludes +it to be flat. Or, like one unacquainted with the first principles of +philosophy, who, finding the sensible horizon appear a plain surface, +can form no idea of the spherical form of the whole, which he does not +see, and laughs at the account of antipodes, which he cannot comprehend. + +WHATEVER is excellent is also rare; what is useful is more common. How +many thousands are born qualified for the coarse employments of life, +for one who is capable of excelling in the fine arts! yet so it ought +to be, because our natural wants are more numerous, and more +importunate, than the intellectual. + +WHENEVER it happens that a man of distinguished talents has been drawn +by mistake, or precipitated by passion, into any dangerous +indiscretion; it is common for those whose coldness of temper has +supplied the place, and usurped the name of prudence, to boast of their +own steadier virtue, and triumph in their own superior caution; only +because they have never been assailed by a temptation strong enough to +surprise them into error. And with what a visible appropriation of the +character to themselves, do they constantly conclude, with a cordial +compliment to _common sense_! They point out the beauty and usefulness +of this quality so forcibly and explicitly, that you cannot possibly +mistake whose picture they are drawing with so flattering a pencil. The +unhappy man whose conduct has been so feelingly arraigned, perhaps acted +from good, though mistaken motives; at least, from motives of which his +censurer has not capacity to judge: but the event was unfavourable, nay +the action might be really wrong, and the vulgar maliciously take the +opportunity of this single indiscretion, to lift themselves nearer on a +level with a character, which, except in this instance, has always +thrown them at the most disgraceful and mortifying distance. + +THE elegant Biographer of Collins, in his affecting apology for that +unfortunate genius, remarks, "That the gifts of imagination bring the +heaviest task on the vigilance of reason; and to bear those faculties +with unerring rectitude, or invariable propriety, requires a degree of +firmness, and of cool attention, which does not always attend the higher +gifts of the mind; yet difficult as Nature herself seems to have +rendered the task of regularity to genius, it is the supreme consolation +of dullness, and of folly to point with gothic triumph to those +excesses which are the overflowing of faculties they never enjoyed." + +WHAT the greater part of the world mean by common sense, will be +generally found, on a closer enquiry, to be art, fraud, or selfishness! +That sort of saving prudence which makes men extremely attentive to +their own safety, or profit; diligent in the pursuit of their own +pleasures or interests; and perfectly at their ease as to what becomes +of the rest of mankind. Furies, where their own property is concerned, +philosophers when nothing but the good of others is at stake, and +perfectly resigned under all calamities but their own. + +WHEN we see so many accomplished wits of the present age, as remarkable +for the decorum of their lives, as for the brilliancy of their writings, +we may believe, that, next to principle, it is owing to their _good +sense_, which regulates and chastises their imaginations. The vast +conceptions which enable a true genius to ascend the sublimest heights, +may be so connected with the stronger passions, as to give it a +natural tendency to fly off from the strait line of regularity; till +good sense, acting on the fancy, makes it gravitate powerfully towards +that virtue which is its proper centre. + +ADD to this, when it is considered with what imperfection the Divine +Wisdom has thought fit to stamp every thing human, it will be found, +that excellence and infirmity are so inseparably wound up in each other, +that a man derives the soreness of temper, and irritability of nerve, +which make him uneasy to others, and unhappy in himself, from those +exquisite feelings, and that elevated pitch of thought, by which, as the +apostle expresses it on a more serious occasion, he is, as it were, +out of the body. + +It is not astonishing, therefore, when THE spirit is carried away by the +magnificence of its own ideas, + + Not touch'd but rapt, not waken'd but inspir'd, + +that the frail body, which is the natural victim of pain, disease, and +death, should not always be able to follow the mind in its aspiring +flights, but should be as imperfect as if it belonged only to an +ordinary soul. + +BESIDES, might not Providence intend to humble human pride, by +presenting to our eyes so mortifying a view of the weakness and +infirmity of even his best work? Perhaps man, who is already but a +little lower than the angels, might, like the revolted spirits, totally +have shaken off obedience and submission to his Creator, had not God +wisely tempered human excellence with a certain consciousness of its own +imperfection. But though this inevitable alloy of weakness may +frequently be found in the best characters, yet how can that be the +source of triumph and exaltation to any, which, if properly weighed, +must be the deepest motive of humiliation to all? A good-natured man +will be so far from rejoicing, that he will be secretly troubled, +whenever he reads that the greatest Roman moralist was tainted with +avarice, and the greatest British philosopher with venality. + +IT is remarked by Pope, in his Essay on Criticism, that, + + Ten censure wrong for one who writes amiss. + +But I apprehend it does not therefore follow that to judge, is more +difficult than to write. If this were the case, the critic would be +superior to the poet, whereas it appears to be directly the contrary. +"The critic, (says the great champion of Shakespeare,) but fashions the +body of a work, the poet must add the soul, which gives force and +direction to its actions and gestures." It should seem that the reason +why so many more judge wrong, than write ill, is because the number of +readers is beyond all proportion greater than the number of writers. +Every man who reads, is in some measure a critic, and, with very common +abilities, may point out real faults and material errors in a very well +written book; but it by no means follows that he is able to write any +thing comparable to the work which he is capable of censuring. And +unless the numbers of those who write, and of those who judge, were more +equal, the calculation seems not to be quite fair. + +A CAPACITY for relishing works of genius is the indubitable sign of a +good taste. But if a proper disposition and ability to enjoy the +compositions of others, entitle a man to the claim of reputation, it is +still a far inferior degree of merit to his who can invent and produce +those compositions, the bare disquisition of which gives the critic no +small share of fame. + +THE president of the royal academy in his admirable _Discourse_ on +_imitation_, has set the folly of depending on unassisted genius, in +the clearest light; and has shewn the necessity of adding the +knowledge of others, to our own native powers, in his usual striking and +masterly manner. "The mind, says he, is a barren soil, is a soil soon +exhausted, and will produce no crop, or only one, unless it be +continually fertilized, and enriched with foreign matter." + +YET it has been objected that study is a great enemy to originality; but +even if this were true, it would perhaps be as well that an author +should give us the ideas of still better writers, mixed and +assimilated with the matter in his own mind, as those crude and +undigested thoughts which he values under the notion that they are +original. The sweetest honey neither tastes of the rose, the +honeysuckle, nor the carnation, yet it is compounded of the very +essence of them all. + +IF in the other fine arts this accumulation of knowledge is necessary, +it is indispensably so in poetry. It is a fatal rashness for any one to +trust too much to their own stock of ideas. He must invigorate them by +exercise, polish them by conversation, and increase them by every +species of elegant and virtuous knowledge, and the mind will not fail to +reproduce with interest those seeds, which are sown in it by study and +observation. Above all, let every one guard against the dangerous +opinion that he knows enough: an opinion that will weaken the energy and +reduce the powers of the mind, which, though once perhaps vigorous and +effectual, will be sunk to a state of literary imbecility, by cherishing +vain and presumptuous ideas of its own independence. + +FOR instance, it may not be necessary that a poet should be deeply +skilled in the Linnęan system; but it must be allowed that a general +acquaintance with plants and flowers will furnish him with a delightful +and profitable species of instruction. He is not obliged to trace Nature +in all her nice and varied operations, with the minute accuracy of a +Boyle, or the laborious investigation of a Newton; but his _good sense_ +will point out to him that no inconsiderable portion of philosophical +knowledge is requisite to the completion of his literary character. The +sciences are more independent, and require little or no assistance +from the graces of poetry; but poetry, if she would charm and instruct, +must not be so haughty; she must be contented to borrow of the sciences, +many of her choicest allusions, and many of her most graceful +embellishments; and does it not magnify the character of true poesy, +that she includes within herself all the scattered graces of every +separate art? + +THE rules of the great masters in criticism may not be so necessary to +the forming a good taste, as the examination of those original mines +from whence they drew their treasures of knowledge. + +THE three celebrated Essays on the Art of Poetry do not teach so much +by their laws as by their examples; the dead letter of their rules is +less instructive than the living spirit of their verse. Yet these rules +are to a young poet, what the study of logarithms is to a young +mathematician; they do not so much contribute to form his judgment, as +afford him the satisfaction of convincing him that he is right. They do +not preclude the difficulty of the operation; but at the conclusion of +it, furnish him with a fuller demonstration that he has proceeded on +proper principles. When he has well studied the masters in whose +schools the first critics formed themselves, and fancies he has caught a +spark of their divine Flame, it may be a good method to try his own +compositions by the test of the critic rules, so far indeed as the +mechanism of poetry goes. If the examination be fair and candid, this +trial, like the touch of Ithuriel's spear, will detect every latent +error, and bring to light every favourite failing. + +GOOD taste always suits the measure of its admiration to the merit of +the composition it examines. It accommodates its praises, or its +censure, to the excellence of a work, and appropriates it to the nature +of it. General applause, or indiscriminate abuse, is the sign of a +vulgar understanding. There are certain blemishes which the judicious +and good-natured reader will candidly overlook. But the false sublime, +the tumour which is intended for greatness, the distorted figure, the +puerile conceit, and the incongruous metaphor, these are defects for +which scarcely any other kind of merit can atone. And yet there may be +more hope of a writer (especially if he be a a young one), who is now +and then guilty of some of these faults, than of one who avoids them +all, not through judgment, but feebleness, and who, instead of deviating +into error is continually falling short of excellence. The meer absence +of error implies that moderate and inferior degree of merit with which a +cold heart and a phlegmatic taste will be better satisfied than with the +magnificent irregularities of exalted spirits. It stretches some minds +to an uneasy extension to be obliged to attend to compositions +superlatively excellent; and it contracts liberal souls to a painful +narrowness to descend to books of inferior merit. A work of capital +genius, to a man of an ordinary mind, is the bed of Procrustes to one of +a short stature, the man is too little to fill up the space assigned +him, and undergoes the torture in attempting it: and a moderate, or low +production to a man of bright talents, is the punishment inflicted by +Mezentius; the living spirit has too much animation to endure patiently +to be in contact with a dead body. + +TASTE sesms to be a sentiment of the soul which gives the bias to +opinion, for we feel before we reflect. Without this sentiment, all +knowledge, learning and opinion, would be cold, inert materials, whereas +they become active principles when stirred, kindled, and inflamed by +this animating quality. + +THERE is another feeling which is called Enthusiasm. The enthusiasm of +sensible hearts is so strong, that it not only yields to the impulse +with which striking objects act on it, but such hearts help on the +effect by their own sensibility. In a scene where Shakespeare and +Garrick give perfection to each other, the feeling heart does not merely +accede to the delirium they occasion: it does more, it is enamoured of +it, it solicits the delusion, it sues to be deceived, and grudgingly +cherishes the sacred treasure of its feelings. The poet and performer +concur in carrying us + + Beyond this visible diurnal sphere, + +they bear us aloft in their airy course with unresisted rapidity, if +they meet not with any obstruction from the coldness of our own +feelings. Perhaps, only a few fine spirits can enter into the detail of +their writing and acting; but the multitude do not enjoy less acutely, +because they are not able philosophically to analyse the sources of +their joy or sorrow. If the others have the advantage of judging, these +have at least the privilege of feeling: and it is not from complaisance +to a few leading judges, that they burst into peals of laughter, or melt +into delightful agony; their hearts decide, and that is a decision from +which there lies no appeal. It must however be confessed, that the +nicer separations of character, and the lighter and almost imperceptible +shades which sometimes distinguish them, will not be intimately +relished, unless there be a consonancy of taste as well as feeling in +the spectator; though where the passions are principally concerned, +the profane vulgar come in for a larger portion of the universal +delight, than critics and connoisseurs are willing to allow them. + +YET enthusiasm, though the natural concomitant of genius, is no more +genius itself, than drunkenness is cheerfulness; and that enthusiasm +which discovers itself on occasions not worthy to excite it, is the mark +of a wretched judgment and a false taste. + +NATURE produces innumerable objects: to imitate them, is the province of +Genius; to direct those imitations, is the property of Judgment; to +decide on their effects, is the business of Taste. For Taste, who sits +as supreme judge on the productions of Genius, is not satisfied when she +merely imitates Nature: she must also, says an ingenious French writer, +imitate _beautiful_ Nature. It requires no less judgment to reject than +to choose, and Genius might imitate what is vulgar, under pretence that +it was natural, if Taste did not carefully point out those objects which +are most proper for imitation. It also requires a very nice discernment +to distinguish verisimilitude from truth; for there is a truth in Taste +nearly as conclusive as demonstration in mathematics. + +GENIUS, when in the full impetuosity of its career, often touches on the +very brink of error; and is, perhaps, never so near the verge of the +precipice, as when indulging its sublimest flights. It is in those +great, but dangerous moments, that the curb of vigilant judgment is most +wanting: while safe and sober Dulness observes one tedious and insipid +round of tiresome uniformity, and steers equally clear of eccentricity +and of beauty. Dulness has few redundancies to retrench, few +luxuriancies to prune, and few irregularities to smooth. These, though +errors, are the errors of Genius, for there is rarely redundancy without +plenitude, or irregularity without greatness. The excesses of Genius +may easily be retrenched, but the deficiencies of Dulness can never be +supplied. + +THOSE who copy from others will doubtless be less excellent than those +who copy from Nature. To imitate imitators, is the way to depart too far +from the great original herself. The latter copies of an engraving +retain fainter and fainter traces of the subject, to which the earlier +impressions bore so strong a resemblance. + +IT seems very extraordinary, that it should be the most difficult thing +in the world to be natural, and that it should be harder to hit off the +manners of real life, and to delineate such characters as we converse +with every day, than to imagine such as do not exist. But caricature is +much easier than an exact outline, and the colouring of fancy less +difficult than that of truth. + +PEOPLE do not always know what taste they have, till it is awakened by +some corresponding object; nay, genius itself is a fire, which in many +minds would never blaze, if not kindled by some external cause. + +NATURE, that munificent mother, when she bestows the power of judging, +accompanies it with the capacity of enjoying. The judgment, which is +clear sighted, points out such objects as are calculated to inspire +love, and the heart instantaneously attaches itself to whatever is +lovely. + +IN regard to literary reputation, a great deal depends on the state of +learning in the particular age or nation, in which an author lives. In a +dark and ignorant period, moderate knowledge will entitle its +possessor to a considerable share of fame; whereas, to be +distinguished in a polite and lettered age, requires striking parts and +deep erudition. + +WHEN a nation begins to emerge from a state of mental darkness, and to +strike out the first rudiments of improvement, it chalks out a few +strong but incorrect sketches, gives the rude out-lines of general art, +and leaves the filling up to the leisure of happier days, and the +refinement of more enlightened times. Their drawing is a rude _Sbozzo_, +and their poetry wild minstrelsy. + +PERFECTION of taste is a point which a nation no sooner reaches, than it +overshoots; and it is more difficult to return to it, after having +passed it, than it was to attain when they fell short of it. Where the +arts begin to languish after having flourished, they seldom indeed fall +back to their original barbarism, but a certain feebleness of exertion +takes place, and it is more difficult to recover them from this dying +languor to their proper strength, than it was to polish them from their +former rudeness; for it is a less formidable undertaking to refine +barbarity, than to stop decay: the first may be laboured into elegance, +but the latter will rarely be strengthened into vigour. + +TASTE exerts itself at first but feebly and imperfectly: it is +repressed and kept back by a crowd of the most discouraging +prejudices: like an infant prince, who, though born to reign, yet holds +an idle sceptre, which he has not power to use, but is obliged to see +with the eyes, and hear through the ears of other men. + +A WRITER of correct taste will hardly ever go out of his way, even in +search of embellishment: he will study to attain the best end by the +most natural means; for he knows that what is not natural cannot be +beautiful, and that nothing can be beautiful out of its own place; for +an improper situation will convert the most striking beauty into a +glaring defect. When by a well-connected chain of ideas, or a judicious +succession of events, the reader is snatched to "Thebes or Athens," +what can be more impertinent than for the poet to obstruct the operation +of the passion he has just been kindling, by introducing a conceit +which contradicts his purpose, and interrupts his business? Indeed, we +cannot be transported, even in idea, to those places, if the poet does +not manage so adroitly as not to make us sensible of the journey: the +instant we feel we are travelling, the writer's art fails, and the +delirium is at an end. + +PROSERPINE, says Ovid, would have been restored to her mother Ceres, +had not Ascalaphus seen her stop to gather a golden apple, when the +terms of her restoration were, that she should taste nothing. A story +pregnant with instruction for lively writers, who by neglecting the main +business, and going out of the way for false gratifications, lose sight +of the end they should principally keep in view. It was this false taste +that introduced the numberless _concetti_, which disgrace the brightest +of the Italian poets; and this is the reason, why the reader only feels +short and interrupted snatches of delight in perusing the brilliant but +unequal compositions of Ariosto, instead of that unbroken and +undiminished pleasure, which he constantly receives from Virgil, from +Milton, and generally from Tasso. The first-mentioned Italian is the +Atalanta, who will interrupt the most eager career, to pick up the +glittering mischief, while the Mantuan and the British bards, like +Hippomenes, press on warm in the pursuit, and unseduced by temptation. + +A WRITER of real taste will take great pains in the perfection of his +style, to make the reader believe that he took none at all. The writing +which appears to be most easy, will be generally found to be least +imitable. The most elegant verses are the most easily retained, they +fasten themselves on the memory, without its making any effort to +preserve them, and we are apt to imagine, that what is remembered with +ease, was written without difficulty. + +To conclude; Genius is a rare and precious gem, of which few know the +worth; it is fitter for the cabinet of the connoisseur, than for the +commerce of mankind. Good sense is a bank-bill, convenient for change, +negotiable at all times, and current in all places. It knows the value +of small things, and considers that an aggregate of them makes up the +sum of human affairs. It elevates common concerns into matters of +importance, by performing them in the best manner, and at the most +suitable season. Good sense carries with it the idea of equality, while +Genius is always suspected of a design to impose the burden of +superiority; and respect is paid to it with that reluctance which always +attends other imposts, the lower orders of mankind generally repining +most at demands, by which they are least liable to be affected. + +AS it is the character of Genius to penetrate with a lynx's beam into +unfathomable abysses and uncreated worlds, and to see what is _not_, +so it is the property of good sense to distinguish perfectly, and judge +accurately what really _is_. Good sense has not so piercing an eye, but +it has as clear a sight: it does not penetrate so deeply, but as far as +it _does_ see, it discerns distinctly. Good sense is a judicious +mechanic, who can produce beauty and convenience out of suitable means; +but Genius (I speak with reverence of the immeasurable distance) bears +some remote resemblance to the divine architect, who produced perfection +of beauty without any visible materials, _who spake, and it was +created_; who said, _Let it be, and it was_. + + +[8] THE Author begs leave to offer an apology for introducing this +Essay, which, she fears, may be thought foreign to her purpose. But she +hopes that her earnest desire of exciting a taste for literature in +young ladies, (which encouraged her to hazard the following remarks) +will not OBSTRUCT her general design, even if it does not actually +PROMOTE it. + + +THE END. + + +Transcriber's Note: +Two small typos have been corrected. + + + + +_Lately published by the same Author_, + + +ODE TO DRAGON, Mr. GARRICK'S +House-Dog at Hampton. Price 6d. + + +SIR ELDRED OF THE BOWER, and the +BLEEDING ROCK. Legendary +Tales. Price 2s. 6d. +Printed for T. Cadell in the Strand. + + +The Sixth Edition of +The SEARCH after HAPPINESS. A +Pastoral Drama. Price 1s. 6d. + + +The Third Edition of +The INFLEXIBLE CAPTIVE. A Tragedy. +Price 1s. 6d. +Printed for T. Cadell, in the Strand; and J. +Wilkie, in St. Paul's Church-Yard. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Essays on Various Subjects, by Hannah More + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ESSAYS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS *** + +***** This file should be named 19595-8.txt or 19595-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/5/9/19595/ + +Produced by Audrey Longhurst, Melissa Er-Raqabi, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Essays on Various Subjects + Principally Designed for Young Ladies + +Author: Hannah More + +Release Date: October 21, 2006 [EBook #19595] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ESSAYS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS *** + + + + +Produced by Audrey Longhurst, Melissa Er-Raqabi, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="tnote"> +<p><i><b>Transcriber's Note:</b> +Two small typos have been corrected. The margins have been made very large to approximate the layout of the original.</i></p> +<p><i>If you prefer to read this text with a regular 's' instead of the long 's' used in the original, please click <a href="#Transcribers_Note"><b>this link</b></a>.</i> +</p></div> + +<hr style="width: 95%;" /> + +<h1>ESSAYS<br /> +<span class="smcap">for</span><br /> +YOUNG LADIES.</h1> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 286px;"> +<img src="images/p005.png" width="286" height="448" +alt="dedication page 1" title="dedication page 1" /> +</div> + +<p><br /></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 290px;"> +<img src="images/p006.png" width="290" height="448" +alt="dedication page 2" title="dedication page 2" /> +</div> + +<h2>ESSAYS<br /> +<span class="smcap">on</span><br /> +VARIOUS SUBJECTS,<br /> +Principally deſigned for<br /> +YOUNG LADIES.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">As</span> for you, I ſhall adviſe you in a few words: aſpire +only to thoſe virtues that are <span class="smcap">peculiar to +your sex</span>; follow your natural modeſty, and think +it your greateſt commendation not to be talked of one +way or the other.</p> + +<p class="right"><i>Oration of Pericles to the Athenian Women.</i></p></div> + +<hr style="width: 95%;" /> + +<p class="center">LONDON:<br /> +Printed for <span class="smcap">J. Wilkie</span>, in St. Paul's Church-Yard;<br /> +and <span class="smcap">T. Cadell</span>, in the Strand.<br /> +MDCCLXXVII. +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 95%;" /> + + +<h2> +<span class="smcap">to</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Mrs</span>. MONTAGU.<br /> +</h2> + + +<div class="margin2"><p> MADAM,</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">If</span> you were only one of the fineſt +writers of your time, you would +probably have eſcaped the trouble of +this addreſs, which is drawn on you, +leſs by the luſtre of your underſtanding, +than by the amiable qualities of your +heart.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">As</span> the following pages are written +with an humble but earneſt wiſh, to +promote the intereſts of virtue, as far +as the very limited abilities of the author +allow; there is, I flatter myself, +a peculiar propriety in inſcribing them +to you, Madam, who, while your +works convey inſtruction and delight +to the beſt-informed of the other ſex, +furniſh, by your conduct, an admirable +pattern of life and manners to +your own. And I can with truth remark, +that thoſe graces of converſation, +which would be the firſt praiſe of almoſt +any other character, conſtitute +but an inferior part of yours.</p></div> + + + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">I am,<span class="smcap"> Madam</span>,</span><br /> +<span class="i2">With the higheſt eſteem,</span><br /> +<span class="i6">Your moſt obedient</span><br /> +<span class="i10">Humble Servant,</span> +</div> + + +<div class="stanza"> +<br /><span class="i4"><i>Briſtol</i>, +<span class="smcap"> Hannah More</span>.</span><br /> +<span class="i2"><i>May 20, 1777.</i></span> +</div> +</div> + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS.</h2> + + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents."> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap"><a href="#INTRODUCTION">introduction</a></span></td><td align='right'>Page 1</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_15">on dissipation</a></span></td><td align='right'>15</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_37">on conversation</a></span></td><td align='right'>37</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_63">on envy</a></span></td><td align='right'>63</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_77">on sentimental connexions</a></span></td><td align='right'>77</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_107">on true and false meekness</a></span></td><td align='right'>107</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_123">on education</a></span></td><td align='right'>123</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_158">on religion</a></span></td><td align='right'>158</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_178">miscellaneous thoughts on wit</a></span></td><td align='right'>178</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[p 1]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="INTRODUCTION" id="INTRODUCTION"></a>INTRODUCTION.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is with the utmoſt diffidence +that the following pages are ſubmitted +to the inſpection of the +Public: yet, however the limited abilities +of the author may have prevented +her from ſucceeding to her wiſh in the +execution of her preſent attempt, ſhe +humbly truſts that the uprightneſs of +her intention will procure it a candid +and favourable reception. The following +little Eſſays are chiefly calculated +for the younger part of her own<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[p 2]</a></span> +ſex, who, ſhe flatters herſelf, will not +eſteem them the leſs, becauſe they were +written immediately for their ſervice. +She by no means pretends to have +compoſed a regular ſyſtem of morals, +or a finiſhed plan of conduct: ſhe has +only endeavoured to make a few remarks +on ſuch circumſtances as ſeemed +to her ſuſceptible of ſome improvement, +and on ſuch ſubjects as ſhe imagined +were particularly intereſting to +young ladies, on their firſt introduction +into the world. She hopes they +will not be offended if ſhe has occaſionally +pointed out certain qualities, +and ſuggeſted certain tempers, and +diſpoſitions, as <i>peculiarly feminine</i>, and +hazarded ſome obſervations which naturally +aroſe from the ſubject, on the +different characters which mark the +ſexes. And here again ſhe takes the +liberty to repeat that theſe diſtinctions<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[p 3]</a></span> +cannot be too nicely maintained; for +beſides thoſe important qualities common +to both, each ſex has its reſpective, +appropriated qualifications, which +would ceaſe to be meritorious, the inſtant +they ceaſed to be appropriated. +Nature, propriety, and cuſtom have +preſcribed certain bounds to each; +bounds which the prudent and the +candid will never attempt to break +down; and indeed it would be highly +impolitic to annihilate diſtinctions from +which each acquires excellence, and +to attempt innovations, by which both +would be loſers.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Women</span> therefore never underſtand +their own intereſts ſo little, as when +they affect thoſe qualities and accompliſhments, +from the want of which +they derive their higheſt merit. "The +<i>porcelain</i> clay of human kind," ſays<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[p 4]</a></span> +an admired writer, ſpeaking of the ſex. +Greater delicacy evidently implies +greater fragility; and this weakneſs, natural +and moral, clearly points out the +neceſſity of a ſuperior degree of caution, +retirement, and reſerve.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">If</span> the author may be allowed to +keep up the alluſion of the poet, juſt +quoted, ſhe would aſk if we do not +put the fineſt vaſes, and the coſtlieſt +images in places of the greateſt ſecurity, +and moſt remote from any probability +of accident, or deſtruction? +By being ſo ſituated, they find their +protection in their weakneſs, and their +ſafety in their delicacy. This metaphor +is far from being uſed with a deſign +of placing young ladies in a trivial, +unimportant light; it is only +introduced to inſinuate, that where +there is more beauty, and more weakneſs,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[p 5]</a></span> +there ſhould be greater circumſpection, +and ſuperior prudence.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Men</span>, on the contrary, are formed +for the more public exhibitions on the +great theatre of human life. Like the +ſtronger and more ſubſtantial wares, +they derive no injury, and loſe no +poliſh by being always expoſed, and +engaged in the conſtant commerce of +the world. It is their proper element, +where they reſpire their natural air, +and exert their nobleſt powers, in +ſituations which call them into action. +They were intended by Providence for +the buſtling ſcenes of life; to appear +terrible in arms, uſeful in commerce, +ſhining in counſels.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Author fears it will be hazarding +a very bold remark, in the opinion +of many ladies, when ſhe adds,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[p 6]</a></span> +that the female mind, in general, does +not appear capable of attaining ſo +high a degree of perfection in ſcience +as the male. Yet ſhe hopes to be forgiven +when ſhe obſerves alſo, that as +it does not ſeem to derive the chief +portion of its excellence from extraordinary +abilities of this kind, it is +not at all leſſened by the imputation of +not poſſeſſing them. It is readily allowed, +that the ſex have lively imaginations, +and thoſe exquiſite perceptions +of the beautiful and defective, +which come under the denomination of +Taſte. But pretenſions to that ſtrength +of intellect, which is requiſite to penetrate +into the abſtruſer walks of literature, +it is preſumed they will readily +relinquiſh. There are green paſtures, +and pleaſant vallies, where they +may wander with ſafety to themſelves, +and delight to others. They may cultivate<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[p 7]</a></span> +the roſes of imagination, and the +valuable fruits of morals and criticiſm; +but the steepſ of Parnaſſus few, +comparatively, have attempted to ſcale +with ſucceſs. And when it is conſidered, +that many languages, and many +ſciences, muſt contribute to the perfection +of poetical compoſition, it will +appear leſs ſtrange. The lofty Epic, +the pointed Satire, and the more daring +and ſucceſsful flights of the Tragic +Muſe, ſeem reſerved for the bold adventurers +of the other ſex.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Nor</span> does this aſſertion, it is apprehended, +at all injure the intereſts of +the women; they have other pretenſions, +on which to value themſelves, +and other qualities much better calculated +to anſwer their particular purpoſes. +We are enamoured of the ſoft +ſtrains of the Sicilian and the Mantuan<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[p 8]</a></span> +Muſe, while, to the ſweet notes of the +paſtoral reed, they ſing the Contentions +of the Shepherds, the Bleſſings of +Love, or the innocent Delights of rural +Life. Has it ever been aſcribed to +them as a defect, that their Eclogues +do not treat of active ſcenes, of buſy +cities, and of waſting war? No: +their ſimplicity is their perfection, and +they are only blamed when they have +too little of it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">On</span> the other hand, the lofty bards +who ſtrung their bolder harps to higher +meaſures, and ſung the <i>Wrath</i> of <i>Peleus' +Son</i>, and <i>Man's firſt Diſobedience</i>, +have never been cenſured for want +of ſweetneſs and refinement. The ſublime, +the nervous, and the maſculine, +characteriſe their compoſitions; as the +beautiful, the ſoft, and the delicate, +mark thoſe of the others. Grandeur,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[p 9]</a></span> +dignity, and force, diſtinguiſh the one +ſpecies; eaſe, ſimplicity, and purity, +the other. Both ſhine from their native, +diſtinct, unborrowed merits, not +from thoſe which are foreign, adventitious, +and unnatural. Yet thoſe excellencies, +which make up the eſſential +and conſtituent parts of poetry, they +have in common.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Women</span> have generally quicker perceptions; +men have juſter ſentiments.—Women +conſider how things may +be prettily ſaid; men how they may +be properly ſaid.—In women, (young +ones at leaſt) ſpeaking accompanies, +and ſometimes precedes reflection; in +men, reflection is the antecedent.—Women +ſpeak to ſhine or to pleaſe; +men, to convince or confute.—Women +admire what is brilliant; men +what is ſolid.—Women prefer an extemporaneous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[p 10]</a></span> +ſally of wit, or a ſparkling +effuſion of fancy, before the moſt +accurate reaſoning, or the moſt laborious +inveſtigation of facts. In literary +compoſition, women are pleaſed +with point, turn, and antitheſis; men +with obſervation, and a juſt deduction +of effects from their cauſes.—Women +are fond of incident, men of +argument.—Women admire paſſionately, +men approve cautiouſly.—One ſex +will think it betrays a want of feeling +to be moderate in their applauſe, +the other will be afraid of expoſing a +want of judgment by being in raptures +with any thing.—Men refuſe to +give way to the emotions they actually +feel, while women ſometimes affect +to be tranſported beyond what +the occaſion will juſtify.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[p 11]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">As</span> a farther confirmation of what +has been advanced on the different +bent of the underſtanding in the +ſexes, it may be obſerved, that we +have heard of many female wits, but +never of one female logician—of many +admirable writers of memoirs, but never +of one chronologer.—In the boundleſs +and aërial regions of romance, and +in that faſhionable ſpecies of compoſition +which ſucceeded it, and which +carries a nearer approximation to the +manners of the world, the women +cannot be excelled: this imaginary +ſoil they have a peculiar talent for cultivating, +becauſe here,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Invention labours more, and judgment leſs.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> merit of this kind of writing +conſiſts in the <i>vraiſemblance</i> to real +life as to the events themſelves, with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[p 12]</a></span> +a certain elevation in the narrative, +which places them, if not above what +is natural, yet above what is common. +It farther conſiſts in the art of intereſting +the tender feelings by a pathetic +repreſentation of thoſe minute, endearing, +domeſtic circumſtances, which +take captive the ſoul before it has +time to ſhield itſelf with the armour +of reflection. To amuſe, rather than +to inſtruct, or to inſtruct indirectly by +ſhort inferences, drawn from a long +concatenation of circumſtances, is at +once the buſineſs of this ſort of compoſition, +and one of the characteriſtics +of female genius<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[p 13]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">In</span> ſhort, it appears that the mind +in each ſex has ſome natural kind of +bias, which conſtitutes a diſtinction of +character, and that the happineſs of +both depends, in a great meaſure, on +the preſervation and obſervance of +this diſtinction. For where would be +the ſuperior pleaſure and ſatiſfaction +reſulting from mixed converſation, if +this difference were aboliſhed? If the +qualities of both were invariably and +exactly the ſame, no benefit or entertainment +would ariſe from the tedious +and inſipid uniformity of ſuch an intercourſe; +whereas conſiderable advantages +are reaped from a ſelect ſociety +of both ſexes. The rough angles +and aſperities of male manners +are imperceptibly filed, and gradually +worn ſmooth, by the poliſhing of female +converſation, and the refining of +female taſte; while the ideas of wo<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[p 14]</a></span>men +acquire ſtrength and ſolidity, by +their aſſociating with ſenſible, intelligent, +and judicious men.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">On</span> the whole, (even if fame be the +object of purſuit) is it not better to +ſucceed as women, than to fail as men? +To ſhine, by walking honourably in +the road which nature, cuſtom, and +education ſeem to have marked out, +rather than to counteract them all, by +moving awkwardly in a path diametrically +oppoſite? To be good originals, +rather than bad imitators? In a +word, to be excellent women, rather +than indifferent men?</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[p 15]</a></span></p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> <span class="smcap">The</span> author does not apprehend it makes againſt +her <span class="smcap">general</span> poſition, that this nation can boaſt a +female critic, poet, hiſtorian, linguiſt, philoſopher, +and moraliſt, equal to moſt of the other ſex. To theſe +particular inſtances others might be adduced; but it +is preſumed, that they only ſtand as exceptions againſt +the rule, without tending to invalidate the rule itſelf. +</p></div> + + + + +<h2><br /><br /> +ON<br /> +DISSIPATION.<br /> +</h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><small>DOGLIE CERTE, ALLEGREZZE INCERTE!</small><br /></span> +<span class="i14"><small>PETRARCA.</small><br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">As</span> an argument in favour of modern +manners, it has been pleaded, +that the softer vices of Luxury +and Diſſipation, belong rather to gentle +and yielding tempers, than to +such as are rugged and ferocious: that +they are vices which increaſe civili<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[p 16]</a></span>zation, +and tend to promote refinement, +and the cultivation of humanity.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> this is an aſſertion, the truth +of which the experience of all ages +contradicts. Nero was not leſs a tyrant +for being a fiddler: He<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> who +wiſhed the whole Roman people had +but one neck, that he might diſpatch +them at a blow, was himſelf the moſt +debauched man in Rome; and Sydney +and Ruſſel were condemned to bleed +under the moſt barbarous, though moſt +diſſipated and voluptuous, reign that +ever diſgraced the annals of Britain.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> love of diſſipation is, I believe, +allowed to be the reigning evil of the +preſent day. It is an evil which many<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[p 17]</a></span> +content themſelves with regretting, +without ſeeking to redreſs. A diſſipated +life is cenſured in the very act +of diſſipation, and prodigality of time +is as gravely declaimed againſt at the +card table, as in the pulpit.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> lover of dancing cenſures the +amuſements of the theatre for their +dulneſs, and the gameſter blames them +both for their levity. She, whoſe whole +ſoul is ſwallowed up in "<i>opera extacies</i>" +is aſtoniſhed, that her acquaintance +can ſpend whole nights in preying, +like harpies, on the fortunes of +their fellow-creatures; while the grave +ſober ſinner, who paſſes her pale and +anxious vigils, in this faſhionable ſort +of pillaging, is no leſs ſurpriſed how +the other can waſte her precious time +in hearing ſounds for which ſhe has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[p 18]</a></span> +no taſte, in a language ſhe does not +underſtand.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">In</span> ſhort, every one ſeems convinced, +that the evil ſo much complained of +does really exiſt ſomewhere, though all +are inwardly perſuaded that it is not +with themſelves. All deſire a general +reformation, but few will liſten to propoſals +of particular amendment; the +body muſt be reſtored, but each limb +begs to remain as it is; and accuſations +which concern all, will be likely to affect +none. They think that ſin, like +matter, is diviſible, and that what is +ſcattered among so many, cannot materially +affect any one; and thus individuals +contribute ſeparately to that +evil which they in general lament.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> prevailing manners of an age +depend more than we are aware, or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[p 19]</a></span> +are willing to allow, on the conduct +of the women; this is one of the principal +hinges on which the great machine +of human ſociety turns. Thoſe +who allow the influence which female +graces have, in contributing to poliſh +the manners of men, would do well +to reflect how great an influence female +morals muſt alſo have on their +conduct. How much then is it to be +regretted, that the Britiſh ladies ſhould +ever ſit down contented to poliſh, when +they are able to reform, to entertain, +when they might inſtruct, and to dazzle +for an hour, when they are candidates +for eternity!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Under</span> the diſpenſation of Mahomet's +law, indeed, theſe mental excellencies +cannot be expected, becauſe +the women are ſhut out from all opportunities +of inſtruction, and excluded<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[p 20]</a></span> +from the endearing pleaſures of a delightful +and equal ſociety; and, as +a charming poet ſings, are taught to +believe, that</p> + + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">For their inferior natures<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Form'd to delight, and happy by delighting,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Heav'n has reſerv'd no future paradiſe,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But bids them rove the paths of bliſs, ſecure<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of total death, and careleſs of hereafter.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i16"><span class="smcap">Irene</span>.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">These</span> act conſiſtently in ſtudying +none but exterior graces, in cultivating +only perſonal attractions, and in +trying to lighten the intolerable burden +of time, by the moſt frivolous +and vain amuſements. They act in +conſequence of their own blind belief, +and the tyranny of their deſpotic +maſters; for they have neither the freedom +of a preſent choice, nor the proſpect +of a future being.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[p 21]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> in this land of civil and religious +liberty, where there is as little +deſpotiſm exerciſed over the minds, +as over the perſons of women, they +have every liberty of choice, and every +opportunity of improvement; and how +greatly does this increaſe their obligation +to be exemplary in their general +conduct, attentive to the government +of their families, and inſtrumental +to the good order of ſociety!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">She</span> who is at a loſs to find amuſements +at home, can no longer apologize +for her diſſipation abroad, by +ſaying ſhe is deprived of the benefit +and the pleaſure of books; and ſhe +who regrets being doomed to a ſtate +of dark and gloomy ignorance, by the +injuſtice, or tyranny of the men, complains +of an evil which does not +exiſt.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[p 22]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is a queſtion frequently in the +mouths of illiterate and diſſipated females—"What +good is there in reading? +To what end does it conduce?" +It is, however, too obvious to need inſiſting +on, that unleſs perverted, as +the beſt things may be, reading anſwers +many excellent purpoſes beſide +the great leading one, and is perhaps +the ſafeſt remedy for diſſipation. She +who dedicates a portion of her leiſure +to uſeful reading, feels her mind in a +conſtant progreſſive ſtate of improvement, +whilſt the mind of a diſſipated +woman is continually loſing ground. +An active ſpirit rejoiceth, like the ſun, +to run his daily courſe, while indolence, +like the dial of Ahaz, goes +backwards. The advantages which +the underſtanding receives from polite +literature, it is not here neceſſary to +enumerate; its effects on the moral<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[p 23]</a></span> +temper is the preſent object of conſideration. +The remark may perhaps be +thought too ſtrong, but I believe it +is true, that next to religious influences, +an habit of ſtudy is the moſt +probable preſervative of the virtue of +young perſons. Thoſe who cultivate +letters have rarely a ſtrong paſſion for +promiſcuous viſiting, or diſſipated ſociety; +ſtudy therefore induces a reliſh +for domeſtic life, the moſt deſirable +temper in the world for women. Study, +as it reſcues the mind from an +inordinate fondneſs for gaming, dreſs, +and public amuſements, is an [oe]conomical +propenſity; for a lady may +read at much leſs expence than ſhe can +play at cards; as it requires ſome application, +it gives the mind an habit +of induſtry; as it is a relief againſt +that mental diſeaſe, which the French +emphatically call <i>ennui</i>, it cannot fail<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[p 24]</a></span> +of being beneficial to the temper and +ſpirits, I mean in the moderate degree +in which ladies are ſuppoſed to uſe it; +as an enemy to indolence, it becomes a +ſocial virtue; as it demands the full +exertion of our talents, it grows a rational +duty; and when directed to the +knowledge of the Supreme Being, and +his laws, it riſes into an act of religion.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> rage for reformation commonly +ſhews itſelf in a violent zeal for ſuppreſſing +what is wrong, rather than in +a prudent attention to eſtabliſh what is +right; but we ſhall never obtain a fair +garden merely by rooting up weeds, +we muſt alſo plant flowers; for the +natural richneſs of the ſoil we have +been clearing will not ſuffer it to lie +barren, but whether it ſhall be vainly +or beneficially prolific, depends on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[p 25]</a></span> +culture. What the preſent age has +gained on one ſide, by a more enlarged +and liberal way of thinking, ſeems to +be loſt on the other, by exceſſive freedom +and unbounded indulgence. Knowledge +is not, as heretofore, confined +to the dull cloyſter, or the gloomy +college, but diſſeminated, to a certain +degree, among both ſexes and +almoſt all ranks. The only miſfortune +is, that theſe opportunities do +not ſeem to be ſo wiſely improved, or +turned to ſo good an account as might +be wiſhed. Books of a pernicious, +idle, and frivolous ſort, are too much +multiplied, and it is from the very +redundancy of them that true knowledge +is ſo ſcarce, and the habit of +diſſipation ſo much increaſed.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> has been remarked, that the prevailing +character of the preſent age is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[p 26]</a></span> +not that of groſs immorality: but if +this is meant of thoſe in the higher +walks of life, it is eaſy to diſcern, +that there can be but little merit in +abſtaining from crimes which there is +but little temptation to commit. It +is however to be feared, that a gradual +defection from piety, will in +time draw after it all the bad conſequences +of more active vice; for whether +mounds and fences are ſuddenly +deſtroyed by a ſweeping torrent, or +worn away through gradual neglect, +the effect is equally deſtructive. As +a rapid fever and a conſuming hectic +are alike fatal to our natural health, ſo +are flagrant immorality and torpid indolence +to our moral well-being.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> philoſophical doctrine of the +ſlow receſſion of bodies from the ſun, +is a lively image of the reluctance with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[p 27]</a></span> +which we firſt abandon the light of +virtue. The beginning of folly, and +the firſt entrance on a diſſipated life +coſt ſome pangs to a well-diſpoſed +heart; but it is ſurpriſing to ſee how +ſoon the progreſs ceaſes to be impeded +by reflection, or ſlackened by remorſe. +For it is in moral as in natural things, +the motion in minds as well as bodies +is accelerated by a nearer approach to +the centre to which they are tending. +If we recede ſlowly at firſt ſetting out, +we advance rapidly in our future +courſe; and to have begun to be +wrong, is already to have made a great +progreſs.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A constant</span> habit of amuſement +relaxes the tone of the mind, and renders +it totally incapable of application, +ſtudy, or virtue. Diſſipation not only +indiſpoſes its votaries to every thing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[p 28]</a></span> +uſeful and excellent, but diſqualifies +them for the enjoyment of pleaſure itſelf. +It ſoftens the ſoul ſo much, that +the moſt ſuperficial employment becomes +a labour, and the ſlighteſt inconvenience +an agony. The luxurious +Sybarite muſt have loſt all ſenſe of +real enjoyment, and all reliſh for true +gratification, before he complained +that he could not ſleep, becauſe the +roſe leaves lay double under him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Luxury</span> and diſſipation, ſoft and +gentle as their approaches are, and +ſilently as they throw their ſilken +chains about the heart, enſlave it more +than the moſt active and turbulent vices. +The mightieſt conquerors have been +conquered by theſe unarmed foes: the +flowery ſetters are faſtened, before they +are felt. The blandiſhments of Circe +were more fatal to the mariners of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[p 29]</a></span> +Ulyſſes, than the ſtrength of Polypheme, +or the brutality of the Læſtrigons. +Hercules, after he had +cleanſed the Augean ſtable, and performed +all the other labours enjoined +him by Euriſtheus, found himſelf a +ſlave to the ſoftneſſes of the heart; +and he, who wore a club and a lion's +ſkin in the cauſe of virtue, condeſcended +to the moſt effeminate employments +to gratify a criminal weakneſs. +Hannibal, who vanquiſhed mighty +nations, was himſelf overcome by the +love of pleaſure; and he who deſpiſed +cold, and want, and danger, and death +on the Alps, was conquered and undone +by the diſſolute indulgences of +Capua.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Before</span> the hero of the moſt beautiful +and virtuous romance that ever +was written, I mean Telemachus,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[p 30]</a></span> +landed on the iſland of Cyprus, he unfortunately +loſt his prudent companion, +Mentor, in whom wiſdom is ſo +finely perſonified. At firſt he beheld +with horror the wanton and diſſolute +manners of the voluptuous inhabitants; +the ill effects of their example were +not immediate: he did not fall into +the commiſſion of glaring enormities; +but his virtue was ſecretly and imperceptibly +undermined, his heart was +ſoftened by their pernicious ſociety; +and the nerve of reſolution was ſlackened: +he every day beheld with diminiſhed +indignation the worſhip which +was offered to Venus; the diſorders of +luxury and prophaneneſs became leſs +and leſs terrible, and the infectious +air of the country enfeebled his courage, +and relaxed his principles. In +ſhort, he had ceaſed to love virtue +long before he thought of committing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[p 31]</a></span> +actual vice; and the duties of a manly +piety were burdenſome to him, before +he was ſo debaſed as to offer perfumes, +and burn incenſe on the altar of the +licentious goddeſs<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a>.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Let</span> us crown ourſelves with roſebuds +before they be withered," ſaid +Solomon's libertine. Alas! he did not +reflect that they withered in the very +gathering. The roſes of pleaſure ſeldom +laſt long enough to adorn the brow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[p 32]</a></span> +of him who plucks them; for they are +the only roſes which do not retain their +ſweetneſs after they have loſt their +beauty.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> heathen poets often preſſed on +their readers the neceſſity of conſidering +the ſhortneſs of life, as an incentive +to pleaſure and voluptuouſneſs; +leſt the ſeaſon for indulging in them +ſhould paſs unimproved. The dark +and uncertain notions, not to ſay the +abſolute diſbelief, which they entertained +of a future ſtate, is the only +apology that can be offered for this +reaſoning. But while we cenſure their +tenets, let us not adopt their errors; +errors which would be infinitely more +inexcuſable in us, who, from the +clearer views which revelation has +given us, ſhall not have their ignorance +or their doubts to plead. It<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[p 33]</a></span> +were well if we availed ourſelves of +that portion of their precept, which +inculcates the improvement of every +moment of our time, but not like them +to dedicate the moments ſo redeemed +to the purſuit of ſenſual and periſhable +pleaſures, but to the ſecuring of thoſe +which are ſpiritual in their nature, and +eternal in their duration.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">If</span>, indeed, like the miſerable<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> beings +imagined by Swift, with a view to +cure us of the irrational deſire after +immoderate length of days, we were +condemned to a wretched earthly immortality, +we ſhould have an excuſe +for ſpending ſome portion of our time +in diſſipation, as we might then pretend, +with ſome colour of reaſon, that +we propoſed, at a diſtant period, to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[p 34]</a></span> +enter on a better courſe of action. Or +if we never formed any ſuch reſolution, +it would make no material difference +to beings, whoſe ſtate was already unalterably +fixed. But of the ſcanty +portion of days aſſigned to our lot, not +one ſhould be loſt in weak and irreſolute +procraſtination.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Those</span> who have not yet determined +on the ſide of vanity, who, like Hercules, +(before he knew the queen of +Lydia, and had learnt to ſpin) have +not reſolved on their choice between +<span class="smcap">virtue</span> and <span class="smcap">pleasure</span>, may reflect, +that it is ſtill in their power to imitate +that hero in his noble choice, and in +his virtuous rejection. They may alſo +reflect with grateful triumph, that +Chriſtianity furniſhes them with a better +guide than the tutor of Alcides,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[p 35]</a></span> +and with a ſurer light than the doctrines +of pagan philoſophy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is far from my deſign ſeverely to +condemn the innocent pleaſures of life: +I would only beg leave to obſerve, +that thoſe which are criminal ſhould +never be allowed; and that even the +moſt innocent will, by immoderate +uſe, ſoon ceaſe to be ſo.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> women of this country were +not ſent into the world to ſhun +ſociety, but to embelliſh it; they +were not deſigned for wilds and ſolitudes, +but for the amiable and endearing +offices of ſocial life. They have +uſeful ſtations to fill, and important +characters to ſuſtain. They are of a +religion which does not impoſe penances, +but enjoins duties; a religion +of perfect purity, but of perfect bene<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[p 36]</a></span>volence +alſo. A religion which does +not condemn its followers to indolent +ſecluſion from the world, but aſſigns +them the more dangerous, though +more honourable province, of living +uncorrupted in it. In fine, a religion, +which does not direct them to fly from +the multitude, that they may do nothing, +but which poſitively forbids +them to follow a multitude to do evil.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[p 37]</a></span></p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> The Emperor Caligula.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> <span class="smcap">Nothing</span> can be more admirable than the manner +in which this allegory is conducted; and the +whole work, not to mention its images, machinery, +and other poetical beauties, is written in the very +fineſt ſtrain of morality. In this latter reſpect it is +evidently ſuperior to the works of the ancients, the +moral of which is frequently tainted by the groſſneſs +of their mythology. Something of the purity of the +Chriſtian religion may be diſcovered even in Fenelon's +heathens, and they catch a tincture of piety +in paſſing through the hands of that amiable prelate.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> The Struldbrugs. See Voyage to Laputa.</p></div> + + + + +<h2><br /><br /> +THOUGHTS<br /> +ON<br /> +CONVERSATION.<br /> +</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> has been adviſed, and by very +reſpectable authorities too, that in +converſation women ſhould carefully +conceal any knowledge or learning +they may happen to poſſeſs. I own, +with ſubmiſſion, that I do not ſee either +the neceſſity or propriety of this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[p 38]</a></span> +advice. For if a young lady has that +diſcretion and modeſty, without which +all knowledge is little worth, ſhe will +never make an oſtentatious parade of +it, becauſe ſhe will rather be intent on +acquiring more, than on diſplaying +what ſhe has.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">I am</span> at a loſs to know why a young +female is inſtructed to exhibit, in the +moſt advantageous point of view, her +ſkill in muſic, her ſinging, dancing, +taſte in dreſs, and her acquaintance +with the moſt faſhionable games and +amuſements, while her piety is to be +anxiouſly concealed, and her knowledge +affectedly diſavowed, leſt the former +ſhould draw on her the appellation of +an enthuſiaſt, or the latter that of a +pedant.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[p 39]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">In</span> regard to knowledge, why ſhould +ſhe for ever affect to be on her guard, +leſt ſhe ſhould be found guilty of a +ſmall portion of it? She need be the +leſs ſolicitous about it, as it ſeldom +proves to be ſo very conſiderable as to +excite aſtoniſhment or admiration: for, +after all the acquiſitions which her +talents and her ſtudies have enabled +her to make, ſhe will, generally ſpeaking, +be found to have leſs of what is +called <i>learning</i>, than a common ſchool-boy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> would be to the laſt degree preſumptuous +and abſurd, for a young +woman to pretend to give the <i>ton</i> to the +company; to interrupt the pleaſure of +others, and her own opportunity of +improvement, by talking when ſhe +ought to liſten; or to introduce ſubjects +out of the common road, in or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[p 40]</a></span>der +to ſhew her own wit, or expoſe +the want of it in others: but were the +ſex to be totally ſilent when any topic +of literature happens to be diſcuſſed in +their preſence, converſation would loſe +much of its vivacity, and ſociety would +be robbed of one of its moſt intereſting +charms.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">How</span> eaſily and effectually may a +well-bred woman promote the moſt +uſeful and elegant converſation, almoſt +without ſpeaking a word! for the modes +of ſpeech are ſcarcely more variable than +the modes of ſilence. The ſilence of +liſtleſs ignorance, and the ſilence of +ſparkling intelligence, are perhaps as +ſeparately marked, and as diſtinctly +expreſſed, as the ſame feelings could +have been by the moſt unequivocal +language. A woman, in a company +where ſhe has the leaſt influence, may<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[p 41]</a></span> +promote any ſubject by a profound +and invariable attention, which ſhews +that ſhe is pleaſed with it, and by an +illuminated countenance, which proves +ſhe underſtands it. Thiſ obliging attention +iſ the most flattering encouragement +in the world to men of ſenſe and +letters, to continue any topic of inſtruction +or entertainment they happen +to be engaged in: it owed its introduction +perhaps to accident, the beſt +introduction in the world for a ſubject +of ingenuity, which, though it could +not have been formally propoſed without +pedantry, may be continued with +eaſe and good humour; but which +will be frequently and effectually ſtopped +by the liſtleſſneſs, inattention, or +whiſpering of ſilly girls, whoſe wearineſs +betrays their ignorance, and whoſe +impatience expoſes their ill-breeding. +A polite man, however deeply inte<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[p 42]</a></span>reſted +in the ſubject on which he is +converſing, catches at the ſlighteſt hint +to have done: a look is a ſufficient +intimation, and if a pretty ſimpleton, +who ſits near him, ſeems <i>diſtraite</i>, he +puts an end to his remarks, to the +great regret of the reaſonable part of +the company, who perhaps might have +gained more improvement by the continuance +of ſuch a converſation, than +a week's reading would have yielded +them; for it is ſuch company as this, +that give an edge to each other's wit, +"as iron ſharpeneth iron."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">That</span> ſilence is one of the great arts +of converſation is allowed by Cicero +himſelf, who ſays, there is not only an +art but even an eloquence in it. And +this opinion is confirmed by a great modern<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a>, +in the following little anecdote +from one of the ancients.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[p 43]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> many Grecian philoſophers +had a ſolemn meeting before the ambaſſador +of a foreign prince, each endeavoured +to ſhew his parts by the +brilliancy of his converſation, that the +ambaſſador might have ſomething to +relate of the Grecian wiſdom. One of +them, offended, no doubt, at the loquacity +of his companions, obſerved a +profound ſilence; when the ambaſſador, +turning to him, aſked, "But what +have you to ſay, that I may report it?" +He made this laconic, but very pointed +reply: "Tell your king, that you have +found one among the Greeks who +knew how to be ſilent."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">There</span> is a quality infinitely more +intoxicating to the female mind than +knowledge—this is Wit, the moſt captivating, +but the moſt dreaded of all +talents: the moſt dangerous to thoſe<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[p 44]</a></span> +who have it, and the moſt feared by +thoſe who have it not. Though it is +againſt all the rules, yet I cannot find +in my heart to abuſe this charming +quality. He who is grown rich without +it, in ſafe and ſober dulneſs, ſhuns +it as a diſeaſe, and looks upon poverty +as its invariable concomitant. The +moraliſt declaims againſt it as the +ſource of irregularity, and the frugal +citizen dreads it more than bankruptcy +itſelf, for he conſiders it as the parent +of extravagance and beggary. The +Cynic will aſk of what uſe it is? Of +very little perhaps: no more is a +flower garden, and yet it is allowed as +an object of innocent amuſement and +delightful recreation. A woman, who +poſſeſſes this quality, has received a +moſt dangerous preſent, perhaps not +leſs ſo than beauty itſelf: eſpecially if +it be not ſheathed in a temper peculi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[p 45]</a></span>arly +inoffenſive, chaſtiſed by a moſt +correct judgment, and reſtrained by +more prudence than falls to the common +lot.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">This</span> talent is more likely to make +a woman vain than knowledge; for as +Wit is the immediate property of its +poſſeſſor, and learning is only an acquaintance +with the knowledge of other +people, there is much more danger, +that we ſhould be vain of what is our +own, than of what we borrow.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> Wit, like learning, is not near +ſo common a thing as is imagined. +Let not therefore a young lady be +alarmed at the acuteneſs of her own +wit, any more than at the abundance +of her own knowledge. The great +danger is, leſt ſhe ſhould miſtake pertneſs, +flippancy, or imprudence, for this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[p 46]</a></span> +brilliant quality, or imagine ſhe is +witty, only becauſe ſhe is indiſcreet. +This is very frequently the caſe, and +this makes the name of wit ſo cheap, +while its real exiſtence is ſo rare.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lest</span> the flattery of her acquaintance, +or an over-weening opinion of +her own qualifications, ſhould lead +ſome vain and petulant girl into a falſe +notion that ſhe has a great deal of wit, +when ſhe has only a redundancy of +animal ſpirits, ſhe may not find it uſeleſs +to attend to the definition of this +quality, by one who had as large a +portion of it, as moſt individuals could +ever boaſt:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">'Tis not a tale, 'tis not a jeſt,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Admir'd with laughter at a feaſt,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor florid talk, which can that title gain,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The proofs of wit for ever muſt remain.<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Neither can that have any place,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">At which a virgin hides her face;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Such droſs the fire muſt purge away; 'tis juſt,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The author bluſh there, where the reader muſt.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Cowley</span>.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[p 47]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> thoſe who actually poſſeſs this +rare talent, cannot be too abſtinent in +the uſe of it. It often makes admirers, +but it never makes friends; I mean, +where it is the predominant feature; +and the unprotected and defenceleſs +ſtate of womanhood calls for friendſhip +more than for admiration. She +who does not deſire friends has a ſordid +and inſenſible ſoul; but ſhe who +is ambitious of making every man her +admirer, has an invincible vanity and +a cold heart.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> to dwell only on the ſide of +policy, a prudent woman, who has +eſtabliſhed the reputation of ſome ge<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[p 48]</a></span>nius +will ſufficiently maintain it, without +keeping her faculties always on +the ſtretch to ſay <i>good things</i>. Nay, +if reputation alone be her object, ſhe +will gain a more ſolid one by her forbearance, +as the wiſer part of her acquaintance +will aſcribe it to the right +motive, which is, not that ſhe has leſs +wit, but that ſhe has more judgment.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> fatal fondneſs for indulging a +ſpirit of ridicule, and the injurious and +irreparable conſequences which ſometimes +attend the <i>too prompt reply</i>, can +never be too ſeriouſly or too ſeverely +condemned. Not to offend, is the firſt +ſtep towards pleaſing. To give pain +is as much an offence againſt humanity, +as againſt good breeding; and +ſurely it is as well to abſtain from an +action becauſe it is ſinful, as becauſe +it is impolite. In company, young<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[p 49]</a></span> +ladies would do well before they ſpeak, +to reflect, if what they are going to +ſay may not diſtreſs ſome worthy perſon +preſent, by wounding them in +their perſons, families, connexions, or +religious opinions. If they find it +will touch them in either of theſe, I +ſhould adviſe them to ſuſpect, that +what they were going to ſay is not +ſo <i>very</i> good a thing as they at firſt +imagined. Nay, if even it was one of +thoſe bright ideas, which <i>Venus has imbued +with a fifth part of her nectar</i>, ſo +much greater will be their merit in +ſuppreſſing it, if there was a probability +it might offend. Indeed, if they +have the temper and prudence to make +ſuch a previous reflection, they will be +more richly rewarded by their own inward +triumph, at having ſuppreſſed +a lively but ſevere remark, than they +could have been with the diſſembled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[p 50]</a></span> +applauſes of the whole company, who, +with that complaiſant deceit, which +good breeding too much authoriſes, +affect openly to admire what they ſecretly +reſolve never to forgive.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">I have</span> always been delighted with +the ſtory of the little girl's eloquence, +in one of the Children's Tales, who received +from a friendly fairy the gift, +that at every word ſhe uttered, pinks, +roſes, diamonds, and pearls, ſhould +drop from her mouth. The hidden +moral appears to be this, that it was +the ſweetneſs of her temper which produced +this pretty fanciful effect: for +when her malicious ſiſter deſired the +ſame gift from the good-natured tiny +Intelligence, the venom of her own +heart converted it into poiſonous and +loathſome reptiles.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[p 51]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A man</span> of ſenſe and breeding will +ſometimes join in the laugh, which has +been raiſed at his expence by an ill-natured +repartee; but if it was very +cutting, and one of thoſe ſhocking ſort +of truths, which as they can ſcarcely +be pardoned even in private, ought +never to be uttered in public, he does +not laugh becauſe he is pleaſed, but +becauſe he wiſhes to conceal how much +he is hurt. As the ſarcaſm was uttered +by a lady, ſo far from ſeeming to reſent +it, he will be the firſt to commend +it; but notwithſtanding that, he will +remember it as a trait of malice, when +the whole company ſhall have forgotten +it as a ſtroke of wit. Women are +ſo far from being privileged by their +ſex to ſay unhandſome or cruel things, +that it is this very circumſtance which +renders them more intolerable. When +the arrow is lodged in the heart, it is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[p 52]</a></span> +no relief to him who is wounded to +reflect, that the hand which ſhot it +was a fair one.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Many</span> women, when they have a +favourite point to gain, or an earneſt +wiſh to bring any one over to their opinion, +often uſe a very diſingenuous +method: they will ſtate a caſe ambiguouſly, +and then avail themſelves of +it, in whatever manner ſhall beſt anſwer +their purpoſe; leaving your mind in +a ſtate of indeciſion as to their real +meaning, while they triumph in the +perplexity they have given you by the +unfair concluſions they draw, from premiſes +equivocally ſtated. They will +alſo frequently argue from exceptions +inſtead of rules, and are aſtoniſhed +when you are not willing to be contented +with a prejudice, inſtead of a +reaſon.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[p 53]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">In</span> a ſenſible company of both ſexes, +where women are not reſtrained by +any other reſerve than what their natural +modeſty impoſes; and where the +intimacy of all parties authoriſes the +utmoſt freedom of communication; +ſhould any one inquire what were the +general ſentiments on ſome particular +ſubject, it will, I believe, commonly +happen, that the ladies, whoſe imaginations +have kept pace with the narration, +have anticipated its end, and are +ready to deliver their ſentiments on it +as ſoon as it is finiſhed. While ſome +of the male hearers, whoſe minds were +buſied in ſettling the propriety, comparing +the circumſtances, and examining +the conſiſtencies of what was ſaid, +are obliged to pauſe and diſcriminate, +before they think of anſwering. Nothing +is ſo embarraſſing as a variety of +matter, and the converſation of women<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[p 54]</a></span> +is often more perſpicuous, becauſe it +is leſs laboured.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A man</span> of deep reflection, if he does +not keep up an intimate commerce +with the world, will be ſometimes ſo +entangled in the intricacies of intenſe +thought, that he will have the appearance +of a confuſed and perplexed expreſſion; +while a ſprightly woman will +extricate herſelf with that lively and +"raſh dexterity," which will almoſt +always pleaſe, though it is very far +from being always right. It is eaſier +to confound than to convince an opponent; +the former may be effected by +a turn that has more happineſs than +truth in it. Many an excellent reaſoner, +well ſkilled in the theory of the +ſchools, has felt himſelf diſcomfited +by a reply, which, though as wide of +the mark, and as foreign to the que<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[p 55]</a></span>ſtion +as can be conceived, has diſconcerted +him more than the moſt ſtartling +propoſition, or the moſt accurate +chain of reaſoning could have done; +and he has borne the laugh of his fair +antagoniſt, as well as of the whole +company, though he could not but +feel, that his own argument was attended +with the fulleſt demonſtration: +ſo true is it, that it is not always neceſſary +to be right, in order to be applauded.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> let not a young lady's vanity +be too much elated with this falſe applauſe, +which is given, not to her +merit, but to her ſex: ſhe has not perhaps +gained a victory, though ſhe may +be allowed a triumph; and it ſhould +humble her to reflect, that the tribute +is paid, not to her ſtrength but her +weakneſs. It is worth while to diſcri<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[p 56]</a></span>minate +between that applauſe, which +is given from the complaiſance of +others, and that which is paid to our +own merit.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Where</span> great ſprightlineſs is the natural +bent of the temper, girls ſhould +endeavour to habituate themſelves to +a cuſtom of obſerving, thinking, and +reaſoning. I do not mean, that they +ſhould devote themſelves to abſtruſe +ſpeculation, or the ſtudy of logic; but +ſhe who is accuſtomed to give a due +arrangement to her thoughts, to reaſon +juſtly and pertinently on common +affairs, and judiciouſly to deduce effects +from their cauſes, will be a better +logician than ſome of thoſe who claim +the name, becauſe they have ſtudied +the art: this is being "learned without +the rules;" the beſt definition, +perhaps, of that ſort of literature which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[p 57]</a></span> +is propereſt for the ſex. That ſpecies +of knowledge, which appears to be the +reſult of reflection rather than of ſcience, +ſits peculiarly well on women. +It is not uncommon to find a lady, +who, though ſhe does not know a rule +of Syntax, ſcarcely ever violates one; +and who conſtructs every ſentence ſhe +utters, with more propriety than many +a learned dunce, who has every rule +of Ariſtotle by heart, and who can +lace his own thread-bare diſcourſe +with the golden ſhreds of Cicero and +Virgil.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> has been objected, and I fear +with ſome reaſon, that female converſation +is too frequently tinctured +with a cenſorious ſpirit, and that ladies +are ſeldom apt to diſcover much tenderneſs +for the errors of a fallen ſiſter.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[p 58]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If it be ſo, it is a grievous fault.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">No</span> arguments can juſtify, no pleas can +extenuate it. To inſult over the miſeries +of an unhappy creature is inhuman, +not to compaſſionate them is unchriſtian. +The worthy part of the +ſex always expreſs themſelves humanely +on the failings of others, in proportion +to their own undeviating goodneſs.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">And</span> here I cannot help remarking, +that young women do not always carefully +diſtinguiſh between running into +the error of detraction, and its oppoſite +extreme of indiſcriminate applauſe. +This proceedſ from the falſe idea they +entertain, that the direct contrary to +what is wrong muſt be right. Thus +the dread of being only ſuſpected of +one fault makes them actually guilty +of another. The deſire of avoiding<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[p 59]</a></span> +the imputation of envy, impels them +to be inſincere; and to eſtabliſh a +reputation for ſweetneſs of temper and +generoſity, they affect ſometimes to +ſpeak of very indifferent characters +with the moſt extravagant applauſe. +With ſuch, the hyperbole is a favourite +figure; and every degree of compariſon +but the ſuperlative is rejected, +as cold and inexpreſſive. But this +habit of exaggeration greatly weakens +their credit, and deſtroys the weight +of their opinion on other occaſions; +for people very ſoon diſcover what degree +of faith is to be given both to +their judgment and veracity. And +thoſe of real merit will no more be +flattered by that approbation, which +cannot diſtinguiſh the value of what +it praiſes, than the celebrated painter +muſt have been at the judgment paſſed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[p 60]</a></span> +on his works by an ignorant ſpectator, +who, being aſked what he thought of +ſuch and ſuch very capital but very +different pieces, cried out in an affected +rapture, "All alike! all alike!"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> has been propoſed to the young, +as a maxim of ſupreme wiſdom, to +manage ſo dexterouſly in converſation, +as to appear to be well acquainted +with ſubjects, of which they are totally +ignorant; and this, by affecting +ſilence in regard to thoſe, on which +they are known to excel.—But why +counſel this diſingenuous fraud? Why +add to the numberleſs arts of deceit, +this practice of deceiving, as it were, +on a ſettled principle? If to diſavow +the knowledge they really have be a +culpable affectation, then certainly to +inſinuate an idea of their ſkill, where<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[p 61]</a></span> +they are actually ignorant, is a moſt +unworthy artifice.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> of all the qualifications for +converſation, humility, if not the +moſt brilliant, is the ſafeſt, the moſt +amiable, and the moſt feminine. The +affectation of introducing ſubjects, +with which others are unacquainted, +and of diſplaying talents ſuperior to +the reſt of the company, is as dangerous +as it is fooliſh.</p> + +<p>There are many, who never can +forgive another for being more agreeable +and more accompliſhed than +themſelves, and who can pardon any +offence rather than an eclipſing merit. +Had the nightingale in the fable +conquered his vanity, and reſiſted +the temptation of ſhewing a fine voice,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[p 62]</a></span> +he might have eſcaped the talons of +the hawk. The melody of his ſinging +was the cauſe of his deſtruction; his +merit brought him into danger, and +his vanity coſt him his life.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a> +<a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Lord Bacon. +</p></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[p 63]</a></span></p> + + +<h2><br /><br /> +ON<br /> +ENVY.<br /> +</h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Envy came next, Envy with ſquinting eyes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sick of a ſtrange diſeaſe, his neighbour's health;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Beſt then he lives when any better dies,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Is never poor but in another's wealth:<br /></span> +<span class="i2">On beſt mens harms and griefs he feeds his fill,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Elſe his own maw doth eat with ſpiteful will,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ill muſt the temper be, where diet is ſo ill.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10"><span class="smcap">Fletcher's Purple Island</span>.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Envy</span>, (ſays Lord Bacon) has +no holidays." There cannot +perhaps be a more lively and ſtriking +deſcription of the miſerable ſtate of +mind thoſe endure, who are tormented<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[p 64]</a></span> +with this vice. A ſpirit of emulation +has been ſuppoſed to be the ſource of +the greateſt improvements; and there +is no doubt but the warmeſt rivalſhip +will produce the moſt excellent effects; +but it is to be feared, that a perpetual +ſtate of conteſt will injure the temper +ſo eſſentially, that the miſchief will +hardly be counterbalanced by any +other advantages. Thoſe, whoſe progreſs +is the moſt rapid, will be apt to +deſpiſe their leſs ſucceſſful competitors, +who, in return, will feel the bittereſt +reſentment againſt their more +fortunate rivals. Among perſons of +real goodneſs, this jealouſy and contempt +can never be equally felt, becauſe +every advancement in piety will +be attended with a proportionable increaſe +of humility, which will lead them +to contemplate their own improve<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[p 65]</a></span>ments +with modeſty, and to view +with charity the miſcarriages of others.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> an envious man is melancholy, +one may aſk him, in the words +of Bion, what evil has befallen himſelf, +or what good has happened to +another? This laſt is the ſcale by +which he principally meaſures his felicity, +and the very ſmiles of his friends +are ſo many deductions from his own +happineſs. The wants of others are +the ſtandard by which he rates his own +wealth, and he eſtimates his riches, +not ſo much by his own poſſeſſions, +as by the neceſſities of his neighbours.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> the malevolent intend to +ſtrike a very deep and dangerous +ſtroke of malice, they generally begin +the moſt remotely in the world from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[p 66]</a></span> +the ſubject neareſt their hearts. They +ſet out with commending the object +of their envy for ſome trifling quality +or advantage, which it is ſcarcely worth +while to poſſeſs: they next proceed to +make a general profeſſion of their own +good-will and regard for him: thus +artfully removing any ſuſpicion of +their deſign, and clearing all obſtructions +for the inſidious ſtab they are +about to give; for who will ſuſpect +them of an intention to injure the object +of their peculiar and profeſſed +eſteem? The hearer's belief of the +fact grows in proportion to the ſeeming +reluctance with which it is told, +and to the conviction he has, that the +relater is not influenced by any private +pique, or perſonal reſentment; but +that the confeſſion is extorted from him +ſorely againſt his inclination, and +purely on account of his zeal for truth.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[p 67]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Anger</span> is leſs reaſonable and more +ſincere than envy.—Anger breaks out +abruptly; envy is a great prefacer—anger +wiſhes to be underſtood at once: +envy is fond of remote hints and ambiguities; +but, obſcure as its oracles +are, it never ceaſes to deliver them till +they are perfectly comprehended:—anger +repeats the ſame circumſtances +over again; envy invents new ones at +every freſh recital—anger gives a +broken, vehement, and interrupted +narrative; envy tells a more conſiſtent +and more probable, though a falſer +tale—anger is exceſſively imprudent, +for it is impatient to diſcloſe every +thing it knows; envy is diſcreet, for +it has a great deal to hide—anger never +conſults times or ſeaſons; envy +waits for the lucky moment, when the +wound it meditates may be made the +moſt exquiſitely painful, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[p 68]</a></span> +moſt incurably deep—anger uſes more +invective; envy does more miſchief—ſimple +anger ſoon runs itſelf out of +breath, and is exhauſted at the end of +its tale; but it is for that choſen period +that envy has treaſured up the moſt +barbed arrow in its whole quiver—anger +puts a man out of himſelf: but +the truly malicious generally preſerve +the appearance of ſelf-poſſeſſion, or +they could not ſo effectually injure.—The +angry man ſets out by deſtroying +his whole credit with you at once, +for he very frankly confeſſes his abhorrence +and deteſtation of the object of +his abuſe; while the envious man carefully +ſuppreſſes all his own ſhare in +the affair.—The angry man defeats the +end of his reſentment, by keeping <i>himſelf</i> +continually before your eyes, inſtead +of his enemy; while the envious +man artfully brings forward the object<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[p 69]</a></span> +of his malice, and keeps himſelf out +of ſight.—The angry man talks loudly +of his own wrongs; the envious of his +adverſary's injuſtice.—A paſſionate perſon, +if his reſentments are not complicated +with malice, divides his time +between ſinning and ſorrowing; and, +as the iraſcible paſſions cannot conſtantly +be at work, his heart may ſometimes +get a holiday.—Anger is a violent +act, envy a conſtant habit—no one can +be always angry, but he may be always +envious:—an angry man's enmity +(if he be generous) will ſubſide when +the object of his reſentment becomes +unfortunate; but the envious man can +extract food from his malice out of calamity +itſelf, if he finds his adverſary +bears it with dignity, or is pitied or +aſſiſted in it. The rage of the paſſionate +man is totally extinguiſhed by +the death of his enemy; but the ha<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[p 70]</a></span>tred +of the malicious is not buried even +in the grave of his rival: he will envy +the good name he has left behind him; +he will envy him the tears of his widow, +the proſperity of his children, +the eſteem of his friends, the praiſes of +his epitaph—nay the very magnificence +of his funeral.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">The</span> ear of jealouſy heareth all +things," (ſays the wiſe man) frequently +I believe more than is uttered, which +makes the company of perſons infected +with it ſtill more dangerous.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> you tell thoſe of a malicious +turn, any circumſtance that has happened +to another, though they perfectly +know of whom you are ſpeaking, +they often affect to be at a loſs, +to forget his name, or to miſapprehend +you in ſome reſpect or other; and this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[p 71]</a></span> +merely to have an opportunity of ſlily +gratifying their malice by mentioning +ſome unhappy defect or perſonal infirmity +he labours under; and not contented +"to tack his every error to his +name," they will, by way of farther +explanation, have recourſe to the faults +of his father, or the miſfortunes of +his family; and this with all the ſeeming +ſimplicity and candor in the world, +merely for the ſake of preventing miſtakes, +and to clear up every doubt of +his identity.—If you are ſpeaking of a +lady, for inſtance, they will perhaps +embelliſh their inquiries, by aſking if +you mean her, whoſe great grandfather +was a bankrupt, though ſhe has the +vanity to keep a chariot, while others +who are much better born walk on +foot; or they will afterwards recollect, +that you may poſſibly mean her couſin, +of the ſame name, whoſe mother was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[p 72]</a></span> +ſuſpected of ſuch or ſuch an indiſcretion, +though the daughter had the luck +to make her fortune by marrying, +while her betters are overlooked.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">To</span> <i>hint at a fault</i>, does more miſchief +than ſpeaking out; for whatever +is left for the imagination to finiſh, +will not fail to be overdone: every +hiatus will be more then filled up, and +every pauſe more than ſupplied. There +is leſs malice, and leſs miſchief too, +in telling a man's name than the initials +of it; as a worthier perſon may +be involved in the moſt diſgraceful +ſuſpicions by ſuch a dangerous ambiguity.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is not uncommon for the envious, +after having attempted to deface +the faireſt character ſo induſtriouſly, +that they are afraid you will begin to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[p 73]</a></span> +detect their malice, to endeavour to +remove your ſuſpicions effectually, by +aſſuring you, that what they have juſt +related is only the popular opinion; +they themſelves can never believe +things are ſo bad as they are ſaid to +be; for their part, it is a rule with +them always to hope the beſt. It is +their way never to believe or report ill +of any one. They will, however, +mention the ſtory in all companies, +that they may do their friend the ſervice +of proteſting their diſbelief of it. +More reputations are thus hinted away +by falſe friends, than are openly deſtroyed +by public enemies. An <i>if</i>, or +a <i>but</i>, or a mortified look, or a languid +defence, or an ambiguous ſhake +of the head, or a haſty word affectedly +recalled, will demoliſh a character more +effectually, than the whole artillery of +malice when openly levelled againſt it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[p 74]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is not that envy never praiſes—No, +that would be making a public +profeſſion of itſelf, and advertiſing +its own malignity; whereas the greateſt +ſucceſs of its efforts depends on the +concealment of their end. When envy +intends to ſtrike a ſtroke of Machiavelian +policy, it ſometimes affects the +language of the moſt exaggerated applauſe; +though it generally takes care, +that the ſubject of its panegyric ſhall +be a very indifferent and common character, +ſo that it is well aware none of +its praiſes will ſtick.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is the unhappy nature of envy +not to be contented with poſitive miſery, +but to be continually aggravating +its own torments, by comparing +them with the felicities of others. +The eyes of envy are perpetually fixed +on the object which diſturbs it, nor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[p 75]</a></span> +can it avert them from it, though to +procure itſelf the relief of a temporary +forgetfulneſs. On ſeeing the innocence +of the firſt pair,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i14">Aſide the devil turn'd,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For Envy, yet with jealous leer malign,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Eyed them aſkance.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>As this enormous ſin chiefly inſtigated +the revolt, and brought on the +ruin of the angelic ſpirits, ſo it is not +improbable, that it will be a principal +inſtrument of miſery in a future world, +for the envious to compare their deſperate +condition with the happineſs of +the children of God; and to heighten +their actual wretchedneſs by reflecting +on what they have loſt.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Perhaps</span> envy, like lying and ingratitude, +is practiſed with more frequency, +becauſe it is practiſed with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[p 76]</a></span> +impunity; but there being no human +laws againſt theſe crimes, is ſo far from +an inducement to commit them, that +this very conſideration would be ſufficient +to deter the wiſe and good, if +all others were ineffectual; for of +how heinous a nature muſt thoſe ſins +be, which are judged above the reach +of human puniſhment, and are reſerved +for the final juſtice of God himſelf!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[p 77]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><br /><br /> +ON THE<br /> +DANGER<br /> +OF<br /> +SENTIMENTAL OR ROMANTIC<br /> +CONNEXIONS.<br /> +</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Among</span> the many evils which +prevail under the ſun, the abuſe +of words is not the leaſt conſiderable. +By the influence of time, and the perverſion +of faſhion, the plaineſt and +moſt unequivocal may be ſo altered,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[p 78]</a></span> +as to have a meaning aſſigned them almoſt +diametrically oppoſite to their +original ſignification.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> preſent age may be termed, by +way of diſtinction, the age of ſentiment, +a word which, in the implication +it now bears, was unknown to +our plain anceſtors. Sentiment is the +varniſh of virtue to conceal the deformity +of vice; and it is not uncommon +for the ſame perſons to make a jeſt of +religion, to break through the moſt +ſolemn ties and engagements, to practiſe +every art of latent fraud and open +ſeduction, and yet to value themſelves +on ſpeaking and writing <i>ſentimentally</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> this refined jargon, which has +infeſted letters and tainted morals, is +chiefly admired and adopted by <i>young +ladies</i> of a certain turn, who read <i>ſen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[p 79]</a></span>timental +books</i>, write <i>ſentimental letters</i>, +and contract <i>ſentimental friendſhips</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Error</span> is never likely to do ſo +much miſchief as when it diſguiſes its +real tendency, and puts on an engaging +and attractive appearance. Many +a young woman, who would be ſhocked +at the imputation of an intrigue, +is extremely flattered at the idea of a +ſentimental connexion, though perhaps +with a dangerous and deſigning man, +who, by putting on this maſk of plauſibility +and virtue, diſarms her of her +prudence, lays her apprehenſions aſleep, +and involves her in miſery; miſery +the more inevitable becauſe unſuſpected. +For ſhe who apprehends no danger, +will not think it neceſſary to be +always upon her guard; but will rather +invite than avoid the ruin which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[p 80]</a></span> +comes under ſo ſpecious and ſo fair a +form.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Such</span> an engagement will be infinitely +dearer to her vanity than an +avowed and authoriſed attachment; +for one of theſe ſentimental lovers will +not ſcruple very ſeriouſly to aſſure a credulous +girl, that her unparalleled merit +entitles her to the adoration of the +whole world, and that the univerſal +homage of mankind is nothing more +than the unavoidable tribute extorted +by her charms. No wonder then ſhe +ſhould be eaſily prevailed on to believe, +that an individual is captivated +by perfections which might enſlave a +million. But ſhe ſhould remember, +that he who endeavours to intoxicate +her with adulation, intends one day +moſt effectually to humble her. For +an artful man has always a ſecret de<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[p 81]</a></span>ſign +to pay himſelf in future for every +preſent ſacrifice. And this prodigality +of praiſe, which he now appears to +laviſh with ſuch thoughtleſs profuſion, +is, in fact, a ſum [oe]conomically laid +out to ſupply his future neceſſities: +of this ſum he keeps an exact eſtimate, +and at ſome diſtant day promiſes himſelf +the moſt exorbitant intereſt for it. +If he has addreſs and conduct, and, +the object of his purſuit much vanity, +and ſome ſenſibility, he ſeldom fails +of ſucceſs; for ſo powerful will be his +aſcendancy over her mind, that ſhe +will ſoon adopt his notions and opinions. +Indeed, it is more than probable +ſhe poſſeſſed moſt of them before, having +gradually acquired them in her +initiation into the ſentimental character. +To maintain that character with +dignity and propriety, it is neceſſary +ſhe ſhould entertain the moſt elevated<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[p 82]</a></span> +ideas of diſproportionate alliances, and +diſintereſted love; and conſider fortune, +rank, and reputation, as mere +chimerical diſtinctions and vulgar prejudices.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> lover, deeply verſed in all the +obliquities of fraud, and ſkilled to wind +himſelf into every avenue of the heart +which indiſcretion has left unguarded, +ſoon diſcovers on which ſide it is moſt +acceſſible. He avails himſelf of this +weakneſs by addreſſing her in a language +exactly conſonant to her own +ideas. He attacks her with her own +weapons, and oppoſes rhapſody to +ſentiment—He profeſſes ſo ſovereign +a contempt for the paltry concerns of +money, that ſhe thinks it her duty to +reward him for ſo generous a renunciation. +Every plea he artfully advances +of his own unworthineſs, is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[p 83]</a></span> +conſidered by her as a freſh demand +which her gratitude muſt anſwer. And +ſhe makes it a point of honour to ſacrifice +to him that fortune which he +is too noble to regard. Theſe profeſſions +of humility are the common artifice +of the vain, and theſe proteſtations +of generoſity the refuge of the +rapacious. And among its many +ſmooth miſchiefs, it is one of the ſure +and ſucceſſful frauds of ſentiment, to +affect the moſt frigid indifference to +thoſe external and pecuniary advantages, +which it is its great and real +object to obtain.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A sentimental</span> girl very rarely +entertains any doubt of her perſonal +beauty; for ſhe has been daily accuſtomed +to contemplate it herſelf, and +to hear of it from others. She will +not, therefore, be very ſolicitous for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[p 84]</a></span> +the confirmation of a truth ſo ſelf-evident; +but ſhe ſuſpects, that her +pretenſions to underſtanding are more +likely to be diſputed, and, for that +reaſon, greedily devours every compliment +offered to thoſe perfections, +which are leſs obvious and more refined. +She is perſuaded, that men +need only open their eyes to decide +on her beauty, while it will be the +moſt convincing proof of the taſte, +ſenſe, and elegance of her admirer, +that he can diſcern and flatter thoſe +qualities in her. A man of the character +here ſuppoſed, will eaſily inſinuate +himſelf into her affections, by +means of this latent but leading foible, +which may be called the guiding clue +to a ſentimental heart. He will affect +to overlook that beauty which attracts +common eyes, and enſnares common +hearts, while he will beſtow the moſt<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[p 85]</a></span> +delicate praiſes on the beauties of her +mind, and finiſh the climax of adulation, +by hinting that ſhe is ſuperior +to it.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">And when he tells her ſhe hates flattery,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She ſays ſhe does, being then moſt flatter'd.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> nothing, in general, can end leſs +delightfully than theſe ſublime attachments, +even where no acts of ſeduction +were ever practiſed, but they are +ſuffered, like mere ſublunary connexions, +to terminate in the vulgar cataſtrophe +of marriage. That wealth, +which lately ſeemed to be looked on +with ineffable contempt by the lover, +now appears to be the principal attraction +in the eyes of the huſband; +and he, who but a few ſhort weeks +before, in a tranſport of ſentimental +generoſity, wiſhed her to have been +a village maid, with no portion but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[p 86]</a></span> +her crook and her beauty, and that +they might ſpend their days in paſtoral +love and innocence, has now loſt all +reliſh for the Arcadian life, or any +other life in which ſhe muſt be his +companion.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">On</span> the other hand, ſhe who was +lately</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">An angel call'd, and angel-like ador'd,<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>is ſhocked to find herſelf at once ſtripped +of all her celeſtial attributes. This +late divinity, who ſcarcely yielded to +her ſiſters of the ſky, now finds herſelf +of leſs importance in the eſteem +of the man ſhe has choſen, than any +other mere mortal woman. No longer +is ſhe gratified with the tear of counterfeited +paſſion, the ſigh of diſſembled +rapture, or the language of premeditated +adoration. No longer is the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[p 87]</a></span> +altar of her vanity loaded with the oblations +of fictitious fondneſs, the incenſe +of falſehood, or the ſacrifice of +flattery.—Her apotheoſis is ended!—She +feels herſelf degraded from the +dignities and privileges of a goddeſs, +to all the imperfections, vanities, and +weakneſſes of a ſlighted woman, and +a neglected wife. Her faults, which +were ſo lately overlooked, or miſtaken +for virtues, are now, as Caſſius ſays, +ſet in a note-book. The paſſion, +which was vowed eternal, laſted only +a few ſhort weeks; and the indifference, +which was ſo far from being +included in the bargain, that it was +not ſo much as ſuſpected, follows them +through the whole tireſome journey of +their inſipid, vacant, joyleſs exiſtence.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Thus</span> much for the <i>completion</i> of the +ſentimental hiſtory. If we trace it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[p 88]</a></span> +back to its beginning, we ſhall find +that a damſel of this caſt had her head +originally turned by pernicious reading, +and her inſanity confirmed by +imprudent friendſhips. She never fails +to ſelect a beloved <i>confidante</i> of her +own turn and humour, though, if ſhe +can help it, not quite ſo handſome as +herſelf. A violent intimacy enſues, or, +to ſpeak the language of ſentiment, +an intimate union of ſouls immediately +takes place, which is wrought to the +higheſt pitch by a ſecret and voluminous +correſpondence, though they live +in the ſame ſtreet, or perhaps in the +ſame houſe. This is the fuel which +principally feeds and ſupplies the dangerous +flame of ſentiment. In this +correſpondence the two friends encourage +each other in the falſeſt notions +imaginable. They repreſent romantic +love as the great important buſine<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[p 89]</a></span>ſs +of human life, and deſcribe all the +other concerns of it as too low and +paltry to merit the attention of ſuch +elevated beings, and fit only to employ +the daughters of the plodding +vulgar. In theſe letters, family affairs +are miſrepreſented, family ſecrets divulged, +and family miſfortunes aggravated. +They are filled with vows +of eternal amity, and proteſtations of +never-ending love. But interjections +and quotations are the principal embelliſhments +of theſe very ſublime +epiſtles. Every panegyric contained +in them is extravagant and hyperbolical, +and every cenſure exaggerated +and exceſſive. In a favourite, every +frailty is heightened into a perfection, +and in a foe degraded into a crime. +The dramatic poets, eſpecially the +moſt tender and romantic, are quoted +in almoſt every line, and every pom<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[p 90]</a></span>pous +or pathetic thought is forced to +give up its natural and obvious meaning, +and with all the violence of miſapplication, +is compelled to ſuit ſome +circumſtance of imaginary woe of the +fair tranſcriber. Alicia is not too mad +for her heroics, nor Monimia too mild +for her ſoft emotions.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Fathers</span> <i>have flinty hearts</i> is an expreſſion +worth an empire, and is always +uſed with peculiar emphaſis and +enthuſiaſm. For a favourite topic of +theſe epiſtles is the groveling ſpirit +and ſordid temper of the parents, who +will be ſure to find no quarter at the +hands of their daughters, ſhould they +preſume to be ſo unreaſonable as to +direct their courſe of reading, interfere +in their choice of friends, or interrupt +their very important correſpondence. +But as theſe young ladies are fertile in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[p 91]</a></span> +expedients, and as their genius is never +more agreeably exerciſed than in +finding reſources, they are not without +their ſecret exultation, in caſe either +of the above intereſting events +ſhould happen, as they carry with +them a certain air of tyranny and perſecution +which is very delightful. For +a prohibited correſpondence is one of +the great incidents of a ſentimental life, +and a letter clandeſtinely received, the +ſupreme felicity of a ſentimental lady.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Nothing</span> can equal the aſtoniſhment +of theſe ſoaring ſpirits, when their +plain friends or prudent relations preſume +to remonſtrate with them on any +impropriety in their conduct. But if +theſe worthy people happen to be +ſomewhat advanced in life, their contempt +is then a little ſoftened by pity, +at the reflection that ſuch very anti<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[p 92]</a></span>quated +poor creatures ſhould pretend +to judge what is fit or unfit for ladies +of their great refinement, ſenſe, and +reading. They conſider them as wretches +utterly ignorant of the ſublime pleaſures +of a delicate and exalted paſſion; +as tyrants whoſe authority is to be contemned, +and as ſpies whoſe vigilance is +to be eluded. The prudence of theſe +worthy friends they term ſuſpicion, +and their experience dotage. For they +are perſuaded, that the face of things +has ſo totally changed ſince their parents +were young, that though they +might then judge tolerably for themſelves, +yet they are now (with all +their advantages of knowledge and +obſervation) by no means qualified to +direct their more enlightened daughters; +who, if they have made a great +progreſs in the ſentimental walk, will<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[p 93]</a></span> +no more be influenced by the advice +of their mother, than they would go +abroad in her laced pinner or her brocade +ſuit.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> young people never ſhew their +folly and ignorance more conſpicuouſly, +than by this over-confidence in +their own judgment, and this haughty +diſdain of the opinion of thoſe who +have known more days. Youth has +a quickneſs of apprehenſion, which it +is very apt to miſtake for an acuteneſs +of penetration. But youth, like cunning, +though very conceited, is very +ſhort-ſighted, and never more ſo than +when it diſregards the inſtructions of +the wife, and the admonitions of the +aged. The ſame vices and follies influenced +the human heart in their +day, which influence it now, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[p 94]</a></span> +nearly in the ſame manner. One who +well knew the world and its various +vanities, has ſaid, "The thing which +hath been, it is that which ſhall be, +and that which is done is that which +ſhall be done, and there is no new +thing under the ſun."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is alſo a part of the ſentimental +character, to imagine that none but +the young and the beautiful have any +right to the pleaſures of ſociety, of +even to the common benefits and bleſſings +of life. Ladies of this turn alſo +affect the moſt lofty diſregard for uſeful +qualities and domeſtic virtues; +and this is a natural conſequence: for +as this ſort of ſentiment is only a weed +of idleneſs, ſhe who is conſtantly and +uſefully employed, has neither leiſure +nor propenſity to cultivate it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[p 95]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A sentimental</span> lady principally +values herſelf on the enlargement of +her notions, and her liberal way of +thinking. This ſuperiority of ſoul +chiefly manifeſts itſelf in the contempt +of thoſe minute delicacies and little decorums, +which, trifling as they may +be thought, tend at once to dignify +the character, and to reſtrain the +levity of the younger part of the ſex.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Perhaps</span> the error here complained +of, originates in miſtaking <i>ſentiment</i> +and <i>principle</i> for each other. Now I +conceive them to be extremely different. +Sentiment is the virtue of <i>ideas</i>, +and principle the virtue of <i>action</i>. Sentiment +has its ſeat in the head, principle +in the heart. Sentiment ſuggeſts +fine harangues and ſubtile diſtinctions; +principle conceives juſt notions, and +performs good actions in conſequence<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[p 96]</a></span> +of them. Sentiment refines away the +ſimplicity of truth and the plainneſs +of piety; and, as a celebrated wit<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> has +remarked of his no leſs celebrated +contemporary, gives us virtue in words +and vice in deeds. Sentiment may be +called the Athenian, who <i>knew</i> what +was right, and principle the Lacedemonian +who <i>practiſed</i> it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> theſe qualities will be better +exemplified by an attentive conſideration +of two admirably drawn characters +of Milton, which are beautifully, +delicately, and diſtinctly marked. +Theſe are, Belial, who may not +improperly be called the <i>Demon of Sentiment</i>; +and Abdiel, who may be +termed the <i>Angel of Principle</i>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[p 97]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Survey</span> the picture of Belial, drawn +by the ſublimeſt hand that ever held +the poetic pencil.</p> + + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A fairer perſon loſt not heav'n; he ſeem'd<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For dignity compos'd, and high exploit,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But all was falſe and hollow, tho' his tongue<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dropt manna, and could make the worſe appear<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The better reaſon, to perplex and daſh<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Matureſt counſels, for his thoughts were low,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To vice induſtrious, but to nobler deeds<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Tim'rous and ſlothful; yet he pleas'd the ear.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12"><span class="smcap">Paradise Lost</span>, B. II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Here</span> is a lively and exquiſite repreſentation +of art, ſubtilty, wit, fine +breeding and poliſhed manners: on +the whole, of a very accompliſhed and +ſentimental ſpirit.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Now</span> turn to the artleſs, upright, +and unſophiſticated Abdiel,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[p 98]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12">Faithful found<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Among the faithleſs, faithful only he<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Among innumerable falſe, unmov'd,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Unſhaken, unſeduc'd, unterrified;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor number, nor example with him wrought<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To ſwerve from truth, or change his conſtant mind,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Though ſingle.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Book</span> V.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> it is not from theſe deſcriptions, +juſt and ſtriking as they are, that their +characters are ſo perfectly known, as +from an examination of their conduct +through the remainder of this divine +work: in which it is well worth while +to remark the conſonancy of their actions, +with what the above pictures +ſeem to promiſe. It will alſo be obſerved, +that the contraſt between them +is kept up throughout, with the utmoſt +exactneſs of delineation, and the +moſt animated ſtrength of colouring.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[p 99]</a></span> +On a review it will be found, that +Belial <i>talked</i> all, and Abdiel <i>did</i> all. +The former,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">With words ſtill cloath'd in reaſon's guiſe,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Counſel'd ignoble eaſe, and peaceful ſloth,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Not peace.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Book</span> II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">In</span> Abdiel you will conſtantly find +the eloquence of action. When tempted +by the rebellious angels, with what +<i>retorted ſcorn</i>, with what honeſt indignation +he deſerts their multitudes, and +retreats from their contagious ſociety!</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">All night the dreadleſs angel unpurſued<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Through heaven's wide champain held his way.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Book</span> VI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">No</span> wonder he was received with +ſuch acclamations of joy by the celeſtial +powers, when there was</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12">But one,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yes, of ſo many myriads fall'n, but one<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Return'd not loſt.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Ibid.</span><br /> +</span></div></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[p 100]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">And</span> afterwards, in a cloſe conteſt +with the arch fiend,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">A noble ſtroke he lifted high<br /></span> +<span class="i0">On the proud creſt of Satan.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Ibid.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">What</span> was the effect of this courage +of the vigilant and active ſeraph?</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">Amazement ſeiz'd<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The rebel throne, but greater rage to ſee<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thus foil'd their mightieſt.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Abdiel</span> had the ſuperiority of Belial +as much in the warlike combat, as +in the peaceful counſels.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">Nor was it ought but juſt,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That he who in debate of truth had won,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shou'd win in arms, in both diſputes alike<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Victor.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> notwithſtanding I have ſpoken +with ſome aſperity againſt ſentiment as +oppoſed to principle, yet I am con<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[p 101]</a></span>vinced, +that true genuine ſentiment, +(not the ſort I have been deſcribing) +may be ſo connected with principle, +as to beſtow on it its brighteſt luſtre, +and its moſt captivating graces. And +enthuſiaſm is ſo far from being diſagreeable, +that a portion of it is perhaps +indiſpenſably neceſſary in an engaging +woman. But it muſt be the +enthuſiaſm of the heart, not of the ſenſes. +It muſt be the enthuſiaſm which grows +up with a feeling mind, and is cheriſhed +by a virtuous education; not that which +is compounded of irregular paſſions, and +artificially refined by books of unnatural +fiction and improbable adventure. +I will even go ſo far as to aſſert, +that a young woman cannot have any +real greatneſs of ſoul, or true elevation +of principle, if ſhe has not a tincture +of what the vulgar would call Romance, +but which perſons of a certain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[p 102]</a></span> +way of thinking will diſcern to proceed +from thoſe fine feelings, and that +charming ſenſibility, without which, +though a woman may be worthy, yet +ſhe can never be amiable.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> this dangerous merit cannot be +too rigidly watched, as it is very apt +to lead thoſe who poſſeſs it into inconveniencies +from which leſs intereſting +characters are happily exempt. Young +women of ſtrong ſenſibility may be +carried by the very amiableneſs of this +temper into the moſt alarming extremes. +Their taſtes are paſſions. They +love and hate with all their hearts, and +ſcarcely ſuffer themſelves to feel a reaſonable +preference before it ſtrengthens +into a violent attachment.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> an innocent girl of this open, +truſting, tender heart, happens to meet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[p 103]</a></span> +with one of her own ſex and age, +whoſe addreſs and manners are engaging, +ſhe is inſtantly ſeized with an ardent +deſire to commence a friendſhip +with her. She feels the moſt lively +impatience at the reſtraints of company, +and the decorums of ceremony. +She longs to be alone with her, longs +to aſſure her of the warmth of her tenderneſs, +and generouſly aſcribes to +the fair ſtranger all the good qualities +ſhe feels in her own heart, or rather +all thoſe which ſhe has met with in her +reading, diſperſed in a variety of heroines. +She is perſuaded, that her new +friend unites them all in herſelf, becauſe +ſhe carries in her prepoſſeſſing +countenance the promiſe of them all. +How cruel and how cenſorious would +this inexperienced girl think her mother +was, who ſhould venture to hint, +that the agreeable unknown had de<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[p 104]</a></span>fects +in her temper, or exceptions in +her character. She would miſtake theſe +hints of diſcretion for the inſinuations +of an uncharitable diſpoſition. At firſt +ſhe would perhaps liſten to them with +a generous impatience, and afterwards +with a cold and ſilent diſdain. She +would deſpiſe them as the effect of +prejudice, miſrepreſentation, or ignorance. +The more aggravated the cenſure, +the more vehemently would ſhe +proteſt in ſecret, that her friendſhip +for this dear injured creature (who is +raiſed much higher in her eſteem by +ſuch injurious ſuſpicions) ſhall know +no bounds, as ſhe is aſſured it can +know no end.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Yet</span> this truſting confidence, this +honeſt indiſcretion, is, at this early period +of life as amiable as it is natural; +and will, if wiſely cultivated, produce,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[p 105]</a></span> +at its proper ſeaſon, fruits infinitely +more valuable than all the guarded +circumſpection of premature, and +therefore artificial, prudence. Men, I +believe, are ſeldom ſtruck with theſe +ſudden prepoſſeſſions in favour of each +other. They are not ſo unſuſpecting, +nor ſo eaſily led away by the predominance +of fancy. They engage more +warily, and paſs through the ſeveral +ſtages of acquaintance, intimacy, and +confidence, by ſlower gradations; but +women, if they are ſometimes deceived +in the choice of a friend, enjoy even +then an higher degree of ſatiſfaction +than if they never truſted. For to be +always clad in the burthenſome armour +of ſuſpicion is more painful and +inconvenient, than to run the hazard +of ſuffering now and then a tranſient +injury.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[p 106]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> the above obſervations only +extend to the young and the inexperienced; +for I am very certain, that +women are capable of as faithful and +as durable friendſhip as any of the +other ſex. They can enter not only +into all the enthuſiaſtic tenderneſs, +but into all the ſolid fidelity of attachment. +And if we cannot oppoſe inſtances +of equal weight with thoſe of +Nyſus and Euryalus, Theſeus and Pirithous, +Pylades and Oreſtes, let it be +remembered, that it is becauſe the recorders +of thoſe characters were men, +and that the very exiſtence of them is +merely poetical.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[p 107]</a></span></p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a> +<a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> See Voltaire's Prophecy concerning Rouſſeau. +</p></div> + + + + +<h2><br /><br /> +ON<br /> +TRUE AND FALSE<br /> +MEEKNESS.<br /> +</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">A low</span> voice and ſoft addreſs +are the common indications of +a well-bred woman, and ſhould ſeem +to be the natural effects of a meek +and quiet ſpirit; but they are only the +outward and viſible ſigns of it: for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[p 108]</a></span> +they are no more meekneſs itſelf, than +a red coat is courage, or a black one +devotion.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Yet</span> nothing is more common than +to miſtake the ſign for the thing itſelf; +nor is any practice more frequent than +that of endeavouring to acquire the +exterior mark, without once thinking +to labour after the interior grace. Surely +this is beginning at the wrong end, +like attacking the ſymptom and neglecting +the diſeaſe. To regulate the +features, while the ſoul is in tumults, +or to command the voice while the +paſſions are without reſtraint, is as idle +as throwing odours into a ſtream when +the ſource is polluted.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> <i>ſapient king</i>, who knew better +than any man the nature and the power +of beauty, has aſſured us, that the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[p 109]</a></span> +temper of the mind has a ſtrong influence +upon the features: "Wiſdom +maketh the face to ſhine," ſays that +exquiſite judge; and ſurely no part +of wiſdom is more likely to produce +this amiable effect, than a placid ſerenity +of ſoul.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> will not be difficult to diſtinguiſh +the true from the artificial meekneſs. +The former is univerſal and habitual, +the latter, local and temporary. Every +young female may keep this rule by +her, to enable her to form a juſt judgment +of her own temper: if ſhe is not +as gentle to her chambermaid as ſhe +is to her viſitor, ſhe may reſt ſatiſfied +that the ſpirit of gentleneſs is not in +her.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Who</span> would not be ſhocked and +diſappointed to behold a well-bred<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[p 110]</a></span> +young lady, ſoft and engaging as the +doves of Venus, diſplaying a thouſand +graces and attractions to win the hearts +of a large company, and the inſtant they +are gone, to ſee her look mad as the Pythian +maid, and all the frightened graces +driven from her furious countenance, +only becauſe her gown was brought +home a quarter of an hour later than +ſhe expected, or her ribbon ſent half +a ſhade lighter or darker than ſhe ordered?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">All</span> men's characters are ſaid to +proceed from their ſervants; and this +is more particularly true of ladies: for +as their ſituations are more domeſtic, +they lie more open to the inſpection +of their families, to whom their real +characters are eaſily and perfectly +known; for they ſeldom think it worth +while to practiſe any diſguiſe before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[p 111]</a></span> +thoſe, whoſe good opinion they do not +value, and who are obliged to ſubmit +to their moſt inſupportable humours, +becauſe they are paid for it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amongst</span> women of breeding, the +exterior of gentleneſs is ſo uniformly +aſſumed, and the whole manner is ſo +perfectly level and <i>uni</i>, that it is +next to impoſſible for a ſtranger to +know any thing of their true diſpoſitions +by converſing with them, and +even the very features are ſo exactly +regulated, that phyſiognomy, which +may ſometimes be truſted among the +vulgar, is, with the polite, a moſt +lying ſcience.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A very</span> termagant woman, if ſhe +happens alſo to be a very artful one, +will be conſcious ſhe has ſo much to +conceal, that the dread of betraying<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[p 112]</a></span> +her real temper will make her put on +an over-acted ſoftneſs, which, from its +very exceſs, may be diſtinguiſhed from +the natural, by a penetrating eye. That +gentleneſs is ever liable to be ſuſpected +for the counterfeited, which is ſo exceſſive +as to deprive people of the proper +uſe of ſpeech and motion, or +which, as Hamlet ſays, makes them +liſp and amble, and nick-name God's +creatures.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> countenance and manners of +ſome very faſhionable perſons may be +compared to the inſcriptions on their +monuments, which ſpeak nothing but +good of what is within; but he who +knows any thing of the world, or of +the human heart, will no more truſt +to the courteſy, than he will depend +on the epitaph.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[p 113]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Among</span> the various artifices of factitious +meekneſs, one of the moſt frequent +and moſt plauſible, is that of +affecting to be always equally delighted +with all perſons and all characters. The +ſociety of theſe languid beings is without +confidence, their friendſhip without +attachment, and their love without +affection, or even preference. This +inſipid mode of conduct may be ſafe, +but I cannot think it has either taſte, +ſenſe, or principle in it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">These</span> uniformly ſmiling and approving +ladies, who have neither the +noble courage to reprehend vice, nor +the generous warmth to bear their honeſt +teſtimony in the cauſe of virtue, +conclude every one to be ill-natured +who has any penetration, and look upon +a diſtinguiſhing judgment as want +of tenderneſs. But they ſhould learn,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[p 114]</a></span> +that this diſcernment does not always +proceed from an uncharitable temper, +but from that long experience and +thorough knowledge of the world, +which lead thoſe who have it to ſcrutinize +into the conduct and diſpoſition +of men, before they truſt entirely to +thoſe fair appearances, which ſometimes +veil the moſt inſidious purpoſes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">We</span> are perpetually miſtaking the +qualities and diſpoſitions of our own +hearts. We elevate our failings into +virtues, and qualify our vices into +weakneſſes: and hence ariſe ſo many +falſe judgments reſpecting meekneſs. +Self-ignorance is at the root of all this +miſchief. Many ladies complain that, +for their part, their ſpirit is ſo meek +they can bear nothing; whereas, if +they ſpoke truth, they would ſay, their +ſpirit is ſo high and unbroken that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[p 115]</a></span> +they can bear nothing. Strange! to +plead their meekneſs as a reaſon why +they cannot endure to be croſſed, and +to produce their impatience of contradiction +as a proof of their gentleneſs!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Meekness</span>, like moſt other virtues, +has certain limits, which it no ſooner +exceeds than it becomes criminal. Servility +of ſpirit is not gentleneſs but +weakneſs, and if allowed, under the +ſpecious appearances it ſometimes puts +on, will lead to the moſt dangerous +compliances. She who hears innocence +maligned without vindicating it, +falſehood aſſerted without contradicting +it, or religion prophaned without +reſenting it, is not gentle but wicked.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">To</span> give up the cauſe of an innocent, +injured friend, if the popular cry happens +to be againſt him, is the moſt<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[p 116]</a></span> +diſgraceful weakneſs. This was the +caſe of Madame de Maintenon. She +loved the character and admired the +talents of Racine; ſhe careſſed him +while he had no enemies, but wanted +the greatneſs of mind, or rather the +common juſtice, to protect him againſt +their reſentment when he had; and +her favourite was abandoned to the +ſuſpicious jealouſy of the king, when +a prudent remonſtrance might have +preſerved him.—But her tameneſs, if +not abſolute connivance in the great +maſſacre of the proteſtants, in whoſe +church ſhe had been bred, is a far +more guilty inſtance of her weakneſs; +an inſtance which, in ſpite of all her +devotional zeal and incomparable prudence, +will diſqualify her from ſhining +in the annals of good women, however +ſhe may be entitled to figure +among the great and the fortunate.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[p 117]</a></span> +Compare her conduct with that of her +undaunted and pious countryman and +contemporary, Bougi, who, when +Louis would have prevailed on him +to renounce his religion for a commiſſion +or a government, nobly replied, +"If I could be perſuaded to betray +my God for a marſhal's ſtaff, I +might betray my king for a bribe +of much leſs conſequence."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Meekness</span> is imperfect, if it be not +both active and paſſive; if it will not +enable us to ſubdue our own paſſions +and reſentments, as well as qualify us +to bear patiently the paſſions and reſentments +of others.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Before</span> we give way to any violent +emotion of anger, it would perhaps be +worth while to conſider the value of +the object which excites it, and to re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[p 118]</a></span>flect +for a moment, whether the thing +we ſo ardently deſire, or ſo vehemently +reſent, be really of as much importance +to us, as that delightful tranquillity +of ſoul, which we renounce in +purſuit of it. If, on a fair calculation, +we find we are not likely to get as +much as we are ſure to loſe, then, +putting all religious conſiderations out +of the queſtion, common ſenſe and +human policy will tell us, we have +made a fooliſh and unprofitable exchange. +Inward quiet is a part of +one's ſelf; the object of our reſentment +may be only a matter of opinion; and, +certainly, what makes a portion of +our actual happineſs ought to be too +dear to us, to be ſacrificed for a trifling, +foreign, perhaps imaginary good.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> moſt pointed ſatire I remember +to have read, on a mind enſlaved by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[p 119]</a></span> +anger, is an obſervation of Seneca's. +"Alexander (ſaid he) had two friends, +Clitus and Lyſimachus; the one he +expoſed to a lion, the other to himſelf: +he who was turned looſe to the +beaſt eſcaped, but Clitus was murdered, +for he was turned looſe to an +angry man."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A passionate</span> woman's happineſs +is never in her own keeping: it is the +ſport of accident, and the ſlave of +events. It is in the power of her acquaintance, +her ſervants, but chiefly +of her enemies, and all her comforts +lie at the mercy of others. So far +from being willing to learn of him +who was meek and lowly, ſhe conſiders +meekneſs as the want of a becoming +ſpirit, and lowlineſs as a deſpicable +and vulgar meanneſs. And an imperious +woman will ſo little covet the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[p 120]</a></span> +ornament of a meek and quiet ſpirit, +that it is almoſt the only ornament ſhe +will not be ſolicitous to wear. But reſentment +is a very expenſive vice. How +dearly has it coſt its votaries, even +from the ſin of Cain, the firſt offender +in this kind! "It is cheaper (ſays a +pious writer) to forgive, and ſave +the charges."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">If</span> it were only for mere human reaſons, +it would turn to a better account +to be patient; nothing defeats the malice +of an enemy like a ſpirit of forbearance; +the return of rage for rage +cannot be ſo effectually provoking. +True gentleneſs, like an impenetrable +armour, repels the moſt pointed ſhafts +of malice: they cannot pierce through +this invulnerable ſhield, but either fall +hurtleſs to the ground, or return to +wound the hand that ſhot them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[p 121]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A meek</span> ſpirit will not look out of itſelf +for happineſs, becauſe it finds a +conſtant banquet at home; yet, by a +ſort of divine alchymy, it will convert +all external events to its own profit, +and be able to deduce ſome good, even +from the moſt unpromiſing: it will extract +comfort and ſatiſfaction from the +moſt barren circumſtances: "It will +ſuck honey out of the rock, and oil +out of the flinty rock."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> the ſupreme excellence of this +complacent quality is, that it naturally +diſpoſes the mind where it reſides, to +the practice of every other that is amiable. +Meekneſs may be called the +pioneer of all the other virtues, which +levels every obſtruction, and ſmooths +every difficulty that might impede +their entrance, or retard their progreſs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[p 122]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> peculiar importance and value +of this amiable virtue may be farther +ſeen in its permanency. Honours and +dignities are tranſient, beauty and +riches frail and fugacious, to a proverb. +Would not the truly wiſe, +therefore, wiſh to have ſome one poſſeſſion, +which they might call their own +in the ſevereſt exigencies? But this +wiſh can only be accompliſhed by acquiring +and maintaining that calm and +abſolute ſelf-poſſeſſion, which, as the +world had no hand in giving, ſo it +cannot, by the moſt malicious exertion +of its power, take away.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[p 123]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><br /><br /> +THOUGHTS<br /> +<span class="smcap">on the</span><br /> +CULTIVATION<br /> +<span class="smcap">of the</span><br /> +HEART <span class="smcap">and</span> TEMPER<br /> +<span class="smcap">in the</span><br /> +EDUCATION <span class="smcap">of</span> DAUGHTERS.<br /> +</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">I have</span> not the fooliſh preſumption +to imagine, that I can offer +any thing new on a ſubject, which +has been ſo ſucceſſfully treated by +many learned and able writers. I would +only, with all poſſible deference, beg<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[p 124]</a></span> +leave to hazard a few ſhort remarks +on that part of the ſubject of education, +which I would call the <i>education +of the heart</i>. I am well aware, that +this part alſo has not been leſs ſkilfully +and forcibly diſcuſſed than the +reſt, though I cannot, at the ſame +time, help remarking, that it does +not appear to have been ſo much +adopted into common practice.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> appears then, that notwithſtanding +the great and real improvements, +which have been made in the affair +of female education, and notwithſtanding +the more enlarged and generous +views of it, which prevail in the preſent +day, that there is ſtill a very material +defect, which it is not, in general, +enough the object of attention to remove. +This defect ſeems to conſiſt +in this, that too little regard is paid<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[p 125]</a></span> +to the diſpoſitions of the <i>mind</i>, that +the indications of the <i>temper</i> are not +properly cheriſhed, nor the affections +of the <i>heart</i> ſufficiently regulated.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">In</span> the firſt education of girls, as +far as the cuſtoms which faſhion eſtabliſhes +are right, they ſhould undoubtedly +be followed. Let the exterior be +made a conſiderable object of attention, +but let it not be the principal, let it +not be the only one.—Let the graces +be induſtriouſly cultivated, but let +them not be cultivated at the expence +of the virtues.—Let the arms, the +head, the whole perſon be carefully +poliſhed, but let not the heart be the +only portion of the human anatomy, +which ſhall be totally overlooked.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> neglect of this cultivation ſeems +to proceed as much from a bad taſte,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[p 126]</a></span> +as from a falſe principle. The generality +of people form their judgment +of education by ſlight and ſudden appearances, +which is certainly a wrong +way of determining. Muſic, dancing, +and languages, gratify thoſe who teach +them, by perceptible and almoſt immediate +effects; and when there happens +to be no imbecillity in the pupil, nor +deficiency in the matter, every ſuperficial +obſerver can, in ſome meaſure, +judge of the progreſs.—The effects of +moſt of theſe accompliſhments addreſs +themſelves to the ſenſes; and there are +more who can ſee and hear, than there +are who can judge and reflect.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Personal</span> perfection is not only +more obvious, it is alſo more rapid; +and even in very accompliſhed characters, +elegance uſually precedes principle.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[p 127]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> the heart, that natural ſeat of +evil propenſities, that little troubleſome +empire of the paſſions, is led to +what is right by ſlow motions and imperceptible +degrees. It muſt be admoniſhed +by reproof, and allured by +kindneſs. Its livelieſt advances are +frequently impeded by the obſtinacy +of prejudice, and its brighteſt promiſes +often obſcured by the tempeſts +of paſſion. It is ſlow in its acquiſition +of virtue, and reluctant in its approaches +to piety.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">There</span> is another reaſon, which +proves this mental cultivation to be +more important, as well as more difficult, +than any other part of education. +In the uſual faſhionable accompliſhments, +the buſineſs of acquiring them +is almoſt always getting forwards, and +one difficulty is conquered before an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[p 128]</a></span>other +is ſuffered to ſhew itſelf; for a +prudent teacher will level the road his +pupil is to paſs, and ſmooth the inequalities +which might retard her progreſs.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> in morals, (which ſhould be +the great object conſtantly kept in +view) the talk is far more difficult. +The unruly and turbulent deſires of +the heart are not ſo obedient; one paſſion +will ſtart up before another is ſuppreſſed. +The ſubduing Hercules cannot +cut off the heads ſo often as the +prolific Hydra can produce them, nor +fell the ſtubborn Antæus ſo faſt as he +can recruit his ſtrength, and riſe in +vigorous and repeated oppoſition.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">If</span> all the accompliſhments could be +bought at the price of a ſingle virtue, +the purchaſe would be infinitely dear!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[p 129]</a></span> +And, however ſtartling it may ſound, +I think it is, notwithſtanding, true, +that the labours of a good and wiſe +mother, who is anxious for her daughter's +moſt important intereſts, will <i>ſeem</i> +to be at variance with thoſe of her inſtructors. +She will doubtleſs rejoice +at her progreſs in any polite art, but +ſhe will rejoice with trembling:—humility +and piety form the ſolid and +durable baſis, on which ſhe wiſhes to +raiſe the ſuperſtructure of the accompliſhments, +while the accompliſhments +themſelves are frequently of that unſteady +nature, that if the foundation +is not ſecured, in proportion as the +building is enlarged, it will be overloaded +and deſtroyed by thoſe very +ornaments, which were intended to +embelliſh, what they have contributed +to ruin.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[p 130]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> more oſtenſible qualifications +ſhould be carefully regulated, or they +will be in danger of putting to flight +the modeſt train of retreating virtues, +which cannot ſafely ſubſiſt before the +bold eye of public obſervation, or +bear the bolder tongue of impudent +and audacious flattery. A tender mother +cannot but feel an honeſt triumph, +in contemplating thoſe excellencies in +her daughter which deſerve applauſe, +but ſhe will alſo ſhudder at the vanity +which that applauſe may excite, and +at thoſe hitherto unknown ideas which +it may awaken.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> maſter, it is his intereſt, and +perhaps his duty, will naturally teach +a girl to ſet her improvements in the +moſt conſpicuous point of light. <span class="smcap">Se +faire valoir</span> is the great principle +induſtriouſly inculcated into her young<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[p 131]</a></span> +heart, and ſeems to be conſidered as +a kind of fundamental maxim in education. +It is however the certain and +effectual ſeed, from which a thouſand +yet unborn vanities will ſpring. This +dangerous doctrine (which yet is not +without its uſes) will be counteracted +by the prudent mother, not in ſo +many words, but by a watchful and +ſcarcely perceptible dexterity. Such +an one will be more careful to have +the talents of her daughter <i>cultivated</i> +than <i>exhibited</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">One</span> would be led to imagine, by +the common mode of female education, +that life conſiſted of one univerſal +holiday, and that the only conteſt +was, who ſhould be beſt enabled +to excel in the ſports and games that +were to be celebrated on it. Merely +ornamental accompliſhments will but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[p 132]</a></span> +indifferently qualify a woman to perform +the <i>duties</i> of life, though it is +highly proper ſhe ſhould poſſeſs them, +in order to furniſh the <i>amuſements</i> of +it. But is it right to ſpend ſo large +a portion of life without ſome preparation +for the buſineſs of living? A +lady may ſpeak a little French and +Italian, repeat a few paſſages in a theatrical +tone, play and ſing, have her +dreſſing-room hung with her own drawings, +and her perſon covered with her +own tambour work, and may, notwithſtanding, +have been very <i>badly +educated</i>. Yet I am far from attempting +to depreciate the value of theſe +qualifications: they are moſt of them +not only highly becoming, but often +indiſpenſably neceſſary, and a polite +education cannot be perfected without +them. But as the world ſeems to +be very well appriſed of their import<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[p 133]</a></span>ance, +there is the leſs occaſion to inſiſt +on their utility. Yet, though well-bred +young women ſhould learn to +dance, ſing, recite and draw, the end +of a good education is not that they +may become dancers, ſingers, players +or painters: its real object is to make +them good daughters, good wives, +good miſtreſſes, good members of ſociety, +and good chriſtians. The above +qualifications therefore are intended to +<i>adorn</i> their <i>leiſure</i>, not to <i>employ</i> their +<i>lives</i>; for an amiable and wiſe woman +will always have ſomething better to +value herſelf on, than theſe advantages, +which, however captivating, +are ſtill but ſubordinate parts of a truly +excellent character.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> I am afraid parents themſelves +ſometimes contribute to the error of +which I am complaining. Do they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[p 134]</a></span> +not often ſet a higher value on thoſe +acquiſitions which are calculated to +attract obſervation, and catch the eye +of the multitude, than on thoſe which +are valuable, permanent, and internal? +Are they not ſometimes more ſolicitous +about the opinion of others, reſpecting +their children, than about +the real advantage and happineſs of +the children themſelves? To an injudicious +and ſuperficial eye, the beſt +educated girl may make the leaſt brilliant +figure, as ſhe will probably have +leſs flippancy in her manner, and leſs +repartee in her expreſſion; and her acquirements, +to borrow biſhop Sprat's +idea, will be rather <i>enamelled than emboſſed</i>. +But her merit will be known, +and acknowledged by all who come +near enough to diſcern, and have taſte +enough to diſtinguiſh. It will be underſtood +and admired by the man,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[p 135]</a></span> +whoſe happineſs ſhe is one day to +make, whoſe family ſhe is to govern, +and whoſe children ſhe is to educate. +He will not ſeek for her in the haunts +of diſſipation, for he knows he ſhall +not find her there; but he will ſeek +for her in the boſom of retirement, in +the practice of every domeſtic virtue, +in the exertion of every amiable accompliſhment, +exerted in the ſhade, to +enliven retirement, to heighten the +endearing pleaſures of ſocial intercourſe, +and to embelliſh the narrow +but charming circle of family delights. +To this amiable purpoſe, a truly good +and well educated young lady will dedicate +her more elegant accompliſhments, +inſtead of exhibiting them to attract +admiration, or depreſs inferiority.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Young</span> girls, who have more vivacity +than underſtanding, will often<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[p 136]</a></span> +make a ſprightly figure in converſation. +But this agreeable talent for entertaining +others, is frequently dangerous to +themſelves, nor is it by any means to +be deſired or encouraged very early in +life. This immaturity of wit is helped +on by frivolous reading, which will +produce its effect in much leſs time +than books of ſolid inſtruction; for the +imagination is touched ſooner than the +underſtanding; and effects are more +rapid as they are more pernicious. +Converſation ſhould be the <i>reſult</i> of +education, not the <i>precurſor</i> of it. It +is a golden fruit, when ſuffered to +grow gradually on the tree of knowledge; +but if precipitated by forced +and unnatural means, it will in the +end become vapid, in proportion as it +is artificial.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[p 137]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> beſt effects of a careful and +religious education are often very remote: +they are to be diſcovered in +future ſcenes, and exhibited in untried +connexions. Every event of life will +be putting the heart into freſh ſituations, +and making demands on its +prudence, its firmneſs, its integrity, +or its piety. Thoſe whoſe buſineſs it +is to form it, can foreſee none of theſe +ſituations; yet, as far as human wiſdom +will allow, they muſt enable it +to provide for them all, with an humble +dependence on the divine aſſiſtance. +A well-diſciplined ſoldier muſt learn +and practiſe all his evolutions, though +he does not know on what ſervice his +leader may command him, by what +foe he ſhall be attacked, nor what +mode of combat the enemy may +uſe.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[p 138]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">One</span> great art of education conſiſts +in not ſuffering the feelings to become +too acute by unneceſſary awakening, +nor too obtuſe by the want of exertion. +The former renders them the ſource +of calamity, and totally ruins the temper; +while the latter blunts and debaſes +them, and produces a dull, cold, +and ſelfiſh ſpirit. For the mind is an +inſtrument, which, if wound too high, +will loſe its ſweetneſs, and if not +enough ſtrained, will abate of its vigour.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">How</span> cruel is it to extinguiſh by +neglect or unkindneſs, the precious +ſenſibility of an open temper, to chill +the amiable glow of an ingenuous ſoul, +and to quench the bright flame of a +noble and generous ſpirit! Theſe are +of higher worth than all the documents +of learning, of dearer price than all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[p 139]</a></span> +the advantages, which can be derived +from the moſt refined and artificial +mode of education.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> ſenſibility and delicacy, and an +ingenuous temper, make no part of +education, exclaims the pedagogue—they +are reducible to no claſs—they +come under no article of inſtruction—they +belong neither to languages nor +to muſic.—What an error! They <i>are</i> +a part of education, and of infinitely +more value,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Than all their pedant diſcipline e'er knew.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>It is true, they are ranged under no +claſs, but they are ſuperior to all; +they are of more eſteem than languages +or muſic, for they are the language of +the heart, and the muſic of the according +paſſions. Yet this ſenſibility is, +in many inſtances, ſo far from being<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[p 140]</a></span> +cultivated, that it is not uncommon +to ſee thoſe who affect more than uſual +ſagacity, caſt a ſmile of ſupercilious +pity, at any indication of a warm, +generous, or enthuſiaſtic temper in the +lively and the young; as much as to +ſay, "they will know better, and will +have more diſcretion when they are +older." But every appearance of +amiable ſimplicity, or of honeſt ſhame, +<i>Nature's haſty conſcience</i>, will be dear +to ſenſible hearts; they will carefully +cheriſh every ſuch indication in a +young female; for they will perceive +that it is this temper, wiſely cultivated, +which will one day make her +enamoured of the lovelineſs of virtue, +and the beauty of holineſs: from +which ſhe will acquire a taſte for the +doctrines of religion, and a ſpirit to +perform the duties of it. And thoſe +who wiſh to make her aſhamed of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[p 141]</a></span> +this charming temper, and ſeek to diſpoſſeſs +her of it, will, it is to be feared, +give her nothing better in exchange. +But whoever reflects at all, will eaſily +diſcern how carefully this enthuſiaſm +is to be directed, and how judiciouſly +its redundances are to be lopped +away.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Prudence</span> is not natural to children; +they can, however, ſubſtitute +art in its ſtead. But is it not much +better that a girl ſhould diſcover the +faults incident to her age, than conceal +them under this dark and impenetrable +veil? I could almoſt venture +to aſſert, that there is ſomething more +becoming in the very errors of nature, +where they are undiſguiſed, than in the +affectation of virtue itſelf, where the +reality is wanting. And I am ſo far +from being an admirer of prodigies,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[p 142]</a></span> +that I am extremely apt to ſuſpect +them; and am always infinitely better +pleaſed with Nature in her more common +modes of operation. The preciſe +and premature wiſdom, which ſome +girls have cunning enough to aſſume, +is of a more dangerous tendency than +any of their natural failings can be, +as it effectually covers thoſe ſecret bad +diſpoſitions, which, if they diſplayed +themſelves, might be rectified. The +hypocriſy of aſſuming virtues which +are not inherent in the heart, prevents +the growth and diſcloſure of thoſe real +ones, which it is the great end of education +to cultivate.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> if the natural indications of the +temper are to be ſuppreſſed and ſtifled, +where are the diagnoſtics, by which +the ſtate of the mind is to be known? +The wiſe Author of all things, who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[p 143]</a></span> +did nothing in vain, doubtleſs intended +them as ſymptoms, by which to +judge of the diſeaſes of the heart; +and it is impoſſible diſeaſes ſhould be +cured before they are known. If the +ſtream be ſo cut off as to prevent communication, +or ſo choked up as to +defeat diſcovery, how ſhall we ever +reach the ſource, out of which are the +iſſues of life?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">This</span> cunning, which, of all the +different diſpoſitions girls diſcover, is +moſt to be dreaded, is increaſed by +nothing ſo much as by fear. If thoſe +about them expreſs violent and unreaſonable +anger at every trivial offence, +it will always promote this temper, +and will very frequently create it, +where there was a natural tendency to +frankneſs. The indiſcreet tranſports +of rage, which many betray on every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[p 144]</a></span> +ſlight occaſion, and the little diſtinction +they make between venial errors +and premeditated crimes, naturally +diſpoſe a child to conceal, what ſhe +does not however care to ſuppreſs. +Anger in one will not remedy the faults +of another; for how can an inſtrument +of ſin cure ſin? If a girl is kept in +a ſtate of perpetual and ſlaviſh terror, +ſhe will perhaps have artifice enough +to conceal thoſe propenſities which +ſhe knows are wrong, or thoſe actions +which ſhe thinks are moſt obnoxious +to puniſhment. But, nevertheleſs, ſhe +will not ceaſe to indulge thoſe propenſities, +and to commit thoſe actions, +when ſhe can do it with impunity.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Good</span> <i>diſpoſitions</i>, of themſelves, will +go but a very little way, unleſs they +are confirmed into good <i>principles</i>. +And this cannot be effected but by a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[p 145]</a></span> +careful courſe of religious inſtruction, +and a patient and laborious cultivation +of the moral temper.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span>, notwithſtanding girls ſhould +not be treated with unkindneſs, nor +the firſt openings of the paſſions blighted +by cold ſeverity; yet I am of opinion, +that young females ſhould be +accuſtomed very early in life to a certain +degree of reſtraint. The natural +caſt of character, and the moral diſtinctions +between the ſexes, ſhould +not be diſregarded, even in childhood. +That bold, independent, enterpriſing +ſpirit, which is ſo much admired in +boys, ſhould not, when it happens to +diſcover itſelf in the other ſex, be encouraged, +but ſuppreſſed. Girls ſhould +be taught to give up their opinions +betimes, and not pertinaciouſly to carry +on a diſpute, even if they ſhould<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[p 146]</a></span> +know themſelves to be in the right. +I do not mean, that they ſhould be +robbed of the liberty of private judgment, +but that they ſhould by no +means be encouraged to contract a +contentious or contradictory turn. It +is of the greateſt importance to their +future happineſs, that they ſhould acquire +a ſubmiſſive temper, and a forbearing +ſpirit: for it is a leſſon which +the world will not fail to make them +frequently practiſe, when they come +abroad into it, and they will not practiſe +it the worſe for having learnt it +the ſooner. Theſe early reſtraints, in +the limitation here meant, are ſo far +from being an effect of cruelty, that +they are the moſt indubitable marks of +affection, and are the more meritorious, +as they are ſevere trials of tenderneſs. +But all the beneficial effects, which a +mother can expect from this watch<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[p 147]</a></span>fulneſs, +will be entirely defeated, if +it is practiſed occaſionally, and not +habitually, and if it ever appears to +be uſed to gratify caprice, ill-humour, +or reſentment.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Those</span> who have children to educate +ought to be extremely patient: +it is indeed a labour of love. They +ſhould reflect, that extraordinary talents +are neither eſſential to the well-being +of ſociety, nor to the happineſs +of individuals. If that had been the +caſe, the beneficent Father of the univerſe +would not have made them ſo +rare. For it is as eaſy for an Almighty +Creator to produce a Newton, as an +ordinary man; and he could have made +thoſe powers common which we now +conſider as wonderful, without any +miraculous exertion of his omnipotence, +if the exiſtence of many New<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[p 148]</a></span>tons +had been neceſſary to the perfection +of his wiſe and gracious plan.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Surely</span>, therefore, there is more +piety, as well as more ſenſe, in labouring +to improve the talents which children +actually have, than in lamenting +that they do not poſſeſs ſupernatural +endowments or angelic perfections. A +paſſage of Lord Bacon's furniſhes an +admirable incitement for endeavouring +to carry the amiable and chriſtian +grace of charity to its fartheſt extent, +inſtead of indulging an over-anxious +care for more brilliant but leſs important +acquiſitions. "The deſire of +power in exceſs (ſays he) cauſed the +angels to fall; the deſire of knowledge +in exceſs cauſed man to fall; +but in charity is no exceſs, neither +can men nor angels come into danger +by it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[p 149]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A girl</span> who has docility will ſeldom +be found to want underſtanding enough +for all the purpoſes of a ſocial, a happy, +and an uſeful life. And when +we behold the tender hope of fond +and anxious love, blaſted by diſappointment, +the defect will as often be +diſcovered to proceed from the neglect +or the error of cultivation, as from the +natural temper; and thoſe who lament +the evil, will ſometimes be found to +have occaſioned it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is as injudicious for parents to ſet +out with too ſanguine a dependence +on the merit of their children, as it is +for them to be diſcouraged at every +repulſe. When their wiſhes are defeated +in this or that particular inſtance, +where they had treaſured up +ſome darling expectation, this is ſo far +from being a reaſon for relaxing their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[p 150]</a></span> +attention, that it ought to be an additional +motive for redoubling it. Thoſe +who hope to do a great deal, muſt not +expect to do every thing. If they +know any thing of the malignity of +ſin, the blindneſs of prejudice, or the +corruption of the human heart, they +will alſo know, that that heart will always +remain, after the very beſt poſſible +education, full of infirmity and imperfection. +Extraordinary allowances, therefore, +muſt be made for the weakneſs +of nature in this its weakeſt ſtate. After +much is done, much will remain to +do, and much, very much, will ſtill +be left undone. For this regulation +of the paſſions and affections cannot +be the work of education alone, without +the concurrence of divine grace +operating on the heart. Why then +ſhould parents repine, if their efforts +are not always crowned with imme<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[p 151]</a></span>diate +ſucceſs? They ſhould conſider, +that they are not educating cherubims +and ſeraphims, but men and women; +creatures, who at their beſt eſtate are altogether +vanity: how little then can be +expected from them in the weakneſs +and imbecillity of infancy! I have dwelt +on this part of the ſubject the longer, +becauſe I am certain that many, who +have ſet out with a warm and active +zeal, have cooled on the very firſt +diſcouragement, and have afterwards +almoſt totally remitted their vigilance, +through a criminal kind of deſpair.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Great</span> allowances muſt be made +for a profuſion of gaiety, loquacity, +and even indiſcretion in children, that +there may be animation enough left to +ſupply an active and uſeful character, +when the firſt fermentation of the +youthful paſſions is over, and the re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[p 152]</a></span>dundant +ſpirits ſhall come to ſubſide.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">If</span> it be true, as a conſummate judge +of human nature has obſerved,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">That not a vanity is given in vain,<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>it is alſo true, that there is ſcarcely a +ſingle paſſion, which may not be turned +to ſome good account, if prudently +rectified, and ſkilfully turned into the +road of ſome neighbouring virtue. It +cannot be violently bent, or unnaturally +forced towards an object of a +totally oppoſite nature, but may be +gradually inclined towards a correſpondent +but ſuperior affection. Anger, +hatred, reſentment, and ambition, the +moſt reſtleſs and turbulent paſſions +which ſhake and diſtract the human +ſoul, may be led to become the moſt +active oppoſers of ſin, after having<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[p 153]</a></span> +been its moſt ſucceſſful inſtruments. +Our anger, for inſtance, which can +never be totally ſubdued, may be made +to turn againſt ourſelves, for our weak +and imperfect obedience—our hatred, +againſt every ſpecies of vice—our ambition, +which will not be diſcarded, +may be ennobled: it will not change +its name, but its object: it will deſpiſe +what it lately valued, nor be +contented to graſp at leſs than immortality.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Thus</span> the joys, fears, hopes, deſires, +all the paſſions and affections, which +ſeparate in various currents from the +ſoul, will, if directed into their proper +channels, after having fertiliſed +wherever they have flowed, return +again to ſwell and enrich the parent +ſource.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[p 154]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">That</span> the very paſſions which appear +the moſt uncontroulable and unpromiſing, +may be intended, in the great +ſcheme of Providence, to anſwer ſome +important purpoſe, is remarkably evidenced +in the character and hiſtory +of Saint Paul. A remark on this ſubject +by an ingenious old Spaniſh writer, +which I will here take the liberty +to tranſlate, will better illuſtrate my +meaning.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">To</span> convert the bittereſt enemy +into the moſt zealous advocate, is +the work of God for the inſtruction +of man. Plutarch has obſerved, +that the medical ſcience would be +brought to the utmoſt perfection, +when poiſon ſhould be converted +into phyſic. Thus, in the mortal +diſeaſe of Judaiſm and idolatry,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[p 155]</a></span> +our bleſſed Lord converted the adder's +venom of Saul the perſecutor, +into that cement which made Paul +the choſen veſſel. That manly activity, +that reſtleſs ardor, that +burning zeal for the law of his +fathers, that ardent thirſt for the +blood of Chriſtians, did the Son +of God find neceſſary in the man +who was one day to become the +defender of his ſuffering people.<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a>"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">To</span> win the paſſions, therefore, over +to the cauſe of virtue, anſwers a much +nobler end than their extinction would +poſſibly do, even if that could be effected. +But it is their nature never +to obſerve a neutrality; they are either +rebels or auxiliaries, and an +enemy ſubdued is an ally obtained.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[p 156]</a></span> +If I may be allowed to change the alluſion +ſo ſoon, I would ſay, that the +paſſions alſo reſemble fires, which are +friendly and beneficial when under proper +direction, but if ſuffered to blaze +without reſtraint, they carry devaſtation +along with them, and, if totally extinguiſhed, +leave the benighted mind +in a ſtate of cold and comfortleſs inanity.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> in ſpeaking of the uſefulneſs +of the paſſions, as inſtruments of virtue, +<i>envy</i> and <i>lying</i> muſt always be +excepted: theſe, I am perſuaded, muſt +either go on in ſtill progreſſive miſchief, +or elſe be radically cured, before +any good can be expected from +the heart which has been infected with +them. For I never will believe that +envy, though paſſed through all the +moral ſtrainers, can be refined into a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[p 157]</a></span> +virtuous emulation, or lying improved +into an agreeable turn for innocent invention. +Almoſt all the other paſſions +may be made to take an amiable +hue; but theſe two muſt either be totally +extirpated, or be always contented +to preſerve their original deformity, +and to wear their native black.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Obras de Quevedo, vida de San Pablo Apoſtol.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[p 158]</a></span></p></div> + + + + +<h2><br /><br /> +<span class="smcap">on the</span><br /> +IMPORTANCE <span class="smcap">of</span> RELIGION<br /> +<span class="smcap">to the</span><br /> +FEMALE CHARACTER.<br /> +</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Various</span> are the reaſons why +the greater part of mankind cannot +apply themſelves to arts or letters. +Particular ſtudies are only ſuited to +the capacities of particular perſons. +Some are incapable of applying to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[p 159]</a></span> +them from the delicacy of their ſex, +ſome from the unſteadineſs of youth, +and others from the imbecillity of age. +Many are precluded by the narrowneſs +of their education, and many by +the ſtraitneſs of their fortune. The +wiſdom of God is wonderfully manifeſted +in this happy and well-ordered +diverſity, in the powers and properties +of his creatures; ſince by thus admirably +ſuiting the agent to the action, +the whole ſcheme of human affairs is +carried on with the moſt agreeing and +conſiſtent [oe]conomy, and no chaſm is +left for want of an object to fill it, exactly +ſuited to its nature.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> in the great and univerſal concern +of religion, both ſexes, and all +ranks, are equally intereſted. The +truly catholic ſpirit of chriſtianity accommodates +itſelf, with an aſtoniſh<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[p 160]</a></span>ing +condeſcenſion, to the circumſtances +of the whole human race. It rejects +none on account of their pecuniary +wants, their perſonal infirmities, or +their intellectual deficiencies. No ſuperiority +of parts is the leaſt recommendation, +nor is any depreſſion of +fortune the ſmalleſt objection. None +are too wiſe to be excuſed from performing +the duties of religion, nor are +any too poor to be excluded from the +conſolations of its promiſes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">If</span> we admire the wiſdom of God, +in having furniſhed different degrees +of intelligence, ſo exactly adapted to +their different deſtinations, and in having +fitted every part of his ſtupendous work, +not only to ſerve its own immediate +purpoſe, but alſo to contribute to the +beauty and perfection of the whole: +how much more ought we to adore<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[p 161]</a></span> +that goodneſs, which has perfected the +divine plan, by appointing one wide, +comprehenſive, and univerſal means +of ſalvation: a ſalvation, which all +are invited to partake; by a means +which all are capable of uſing; which +nothing but voluntary blindneſs can +prevent our comprehending, and nothing +but wilful error can hinder us +from embracing.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Muſes are coy, and will only +be wooed and won by ſome highly-favoured +ſuitors. The Sciences are +lofty, and will not ſtoop to the reach +of ordinary capacities. But "Wiſdom +(by which the royal preacher +means piety) is a loving ſpirit: ſhe +is eaſily ſeen of them that love her, +and found of all ſuch as ſeek her." +Nay, ſhe is ſo acceſſible and condeſcending, +"that ſhe preventeth them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[p 162]</a></span> +that deſire her, making herſelf firſt +known unto them."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">We</span> are told by the ſame animated +writer, "that Wiſdom is the breath +of the power of God." How infinitely +ſuperior, in grandeur and ſublimity, +is this deſcription to the origin +of the <i>wiſdom</i> of the heathens, as deſcribed +by their poets and mythologiſts! +In the exalted ſtrains of the Hebrew +poetry we read, that "Wiſdom is the +brightneſs of the everlaſting light, +the unſpotted mirror of the power +of God, and the image of his goodneſs."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> philoſophical author of <i>The +Defence of Learning</i> obſerves, that +knowledge has ſomething of venom +and malignity in it, when taken without +its proper corrective, and what<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[p 163]</a></span> +that is, the inſpired Saint Paul teaches +us, by placing it as the immediate antidote: +<i>Knowledge puffeth up, but charity +edifieth.</i> Perhaps, it is the vanity +of human wiſdom, unchaſtiſed by this +correcting principle, which has made +ſo many infidels. It may proceed from +the arrogance of a ſelf-ſufficient pride, +that ſome philoſophers diſdain to acknowledge +their belief in a being, who +has judged proper to conceal from +them the infinite wiſdom of his counſels; +who, (to borrow the lofty language +of the man of Uz) refuſed to +conſult them when he laid the foundations +of the earth, when he ſhut up +the ſea with doors, and made the +clouds the garment thereof.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A man</span> muſt be an infidel either +from pride, prejudice, or bad education: +he cannot be one unawares or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[p 164]</a></span> +by ſurpriſe; for infidelity is not occaſioned +by ſudden impulſe or violent +temptation. He may be hurried by +ſome vehement deſire into an immoral +action, at which he will bluſh in his +cooler moments, and which he will +lament as the ſad effect of a ſpirit unſubdued +by religion; but infidelity is +a calm, conſiderate act, which cannot +plead the weakneſs of the heart, or +the ſeduction of the ſenſes. Even +good men frequently fail in their duty +through the infirmities of nature, and +the allurements of the world; but the +infidel errs on a plan, on a ſettled and +deliberate principle.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> though the minds of men are +ſometimes fatally infected with this +diſeaſe, either through unhappy prepoſſeſſion, +or ſome of the other cauſes +above mentioned; yet I am unwilling<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[p 165]</a></span> +to believe, that there is in nature ſo +monſtrouſly incongruous a being, as +a <i>female infidel</i>. The leaſt reflexion on +the temper, the character, and the +education of women, makes the mind +revolt with horror from an idea ſo improbable, +and ſo unnatural.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">May</span> I be allowed to obſerve, that, +in general, the minds of girls ſeem +more aptly prepared in their early +youth for the reception of ſerious +impreſſions than thoſe of the other ſex, +and that their leſs expoſed ſituations +in more advanced life qualify them +better for the preſervation of them? +The daughters (of good parents I +mean) are often more carefully inſtructed +in their religious duties, than +the ſons, and this from a variety of +cauſes. They are not ſo ſoon ſent +from under the paternal eye into the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[p 166]</a></span> +buſtle of the world, and ſo early expoſed +to the contagion of bad example: +their hearts are naturally more +flexible, ſoft, and liable to any kind +of impreſſion the forming hand may +ſtamp on them; and, laſtly, as they +do not receive the ſame claſſical education +with boys, their feeble minds +are not obliged at once to receive and +ſeparate the precepts of chriſtianity, +and the documents of pagan philoſophy. +The neceſſity of doing this perhaps +ſomewhat weakens the ſerious +impreſſions of young men, at leaſt till +the underſtanding is formed, and confuſes +their ideas of piety, by mixing +them with ſo much heterogeneous +matter. They only caſually read, or +hear read, the ſcriptures of truth, +while they are obliged to learn by +heart, conſtrue and repeat the poetical +fables of the leſs than human gods<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[p 167]</a></span> +of the ancients. And as the excellent author +of <i>The Internal Evidence of the Chriſtian +Religion</i> obſerves, "Nothing has +ſo much contributed to corrupt the +true ſpirit of the chriſtian inſtitution, +as that partiality which we contract, +in our earlieſt education, for the +manners of pagan antiquity."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Girls</span>, therefore, who do <i>not</i> contract +this early partiality, ought to +have a clearer notion of their religious +duties: they are not obliged, at an +age when the judgment is ſo weak, +to diſtinguiſh between the doctrines +of Zeno, of Epicurus, and of Christ; +and to embarraſs their minds with the +various morals which were taught in +the <i>Porch</i>, in the <i>Academy</i>, and on the +<i>Mount</i>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[p 168]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is preſumed, that theſe remarks +cannot poſſibly be ſo miſunderſtood, +as to be conſtrued into the leaſt diſreſpect +to literature, or a want of the +higheſt reverence for a learned education, +the baſis of all elegant knowledge: +they are only intended, with +all proper deference, to point out to +young women, that however inferior +their advantages of acquiring a knowledge +of the belles-lettres are to thoſe +of the other ſex; yet it depends on +themſelves not to be ſurpaſſed in this +moſt important of all ſtudies, for +which their abilities are equal, and +their opportunities, perhaps, greater.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> the mere exemption from infidelity +is ſo ſmall a part of the religious +character, that I hope no one +will attempt to claim any merit from +this negative ſort of goodneſs, or va<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[p 169]</a></span>lue +herſelf merely for not being the +very worſt thing ſhe poſſibly can be. +Let no miſtaken girl fancy ſhe gives +a proof of her wit by her want of piety, +or that a contempt of things ſerious +and ſacred will exalt her underſtanding, +or raiſe her character even in the +opinion of the moſt avowed male infidels. +For one may venture to affirm, +that with all their profligate ideas, +both of women and of religion, neither +Bolingbroke, Wharton, Buckingham, +nor even <i>Lord Cheſterfield himſelf</i>, would +have eſteemed a woman the more for +her being irreligious.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">With</span> whatever ridicule a polite +freethinker may affect to treat religion +himſelf, he will think it neceſſary his +wife ſhould entertain different notions +of it. He may pretend to deſpiſe it +as a matter of opinion, depending on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[p 170]</a></span> +creeds and ſyſtems; but, if he is a +man of ſenſe, he will know the value +of it, as a governing principle, which +is to influence her conduct and direct +her actions. If he ſees her unaffectedly +ſincere in the practice of her religious +duties, it will be a ſecret pledge +to him, that ſhe will be equally exact +in fulfilling the conjugal; for he can +have no reaſonable dependance on her +attachment to <i>him</i>, if he has no opinion +of her fidelity to <span class="smcap">God</span>; for ſhe +who neglects firſt duties, gives but an +indifferent proof of her diſpoſition to +fill up inferior ones; and how can a +man of any underſtanding (whatever +his own religious profeſſions may be) +truſt that woman with the care of his +family, and the education of his children, +who wants herſelf the beſt incentive +to a virtuous life, the belief +that ſhe is an accountable creature,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[p 171]</a></span> +and the reflection that ſhe has an immortal +ſoul?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Cicero</span> ſpoke it as the higheſt commendation +of Cato's character, that +he embraced philoſophy, not for the +ſake of <i>diſputing</i> like a philoſopher, +but of <i>living</i> like one. The chief purpoſe +of chriſtian knowledge is to promote +the great end of a chriſtian life. +Every rational woman ſhould, no +doubt, be able to give a reaſon of +the hope that is in her; but this knowledge +is beſt acquired, and the duties +conſequent on it beſt performed, by +reading books of plain piety and practical +devotion, and not by entering +into the endleſs feuds, and engaging +in the unprofitable contentions of partial +controverſialiſts. Nothing is more +unamiable than the narrow ſpirit of +party zeal, nor more diſguſting than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[p 172]</a></span> +to hear a woman deal out judgments, +and denounce vengeance againſt any +one, who happens to differ from her +in ſome opinion, perhaps of no real +importance, and which, it is probable, +ſhe may be juſt as wrong in rejecting, +as the object of her cenſure is +in embracing. A furious and unmerciful +female bigot wanders as far beyond +the limits preſcribed to her ſex, +as a Thaleſtris or a Joan d'Arc. Violent +debate has made as few converts +as the ſword, and both theſe inſtruments +are particularly unbecoming +when wielded by a female hand.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span>, though no one will be frightened +out of their opinions, yet they +may be perſuaded out of them: they +may be touched by the affecting earneſtneſs +of ſerious converſation, and +allured by the attractive beauty of a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[p 173]</a></span> +conſiſtently ſerious life. And while +a young woman ought to dread the +name of a wrangling polemic, it is her +duty to aſpire after the honourable +character of a ſincere Chriſtian. But +this dignified character ſhe can by no +means deſerve, if ſhe is ever afraid to +avow her principles, or aſhamed to +defend them. A profligate, who makes +it a point to ridicule every thing which +comes under the appearance of formal +inſtruction, will be diſconcerted at the +ſpirited yet modeſt rebuke of a pious +young woman. But there is as much +efficacy in the manner of reproving +prophaneneſs, as in the words. If ſhe +corrects it with moroſeneſs, ſhe defeats +the effect of her remedy, by her unſkilful +manner of adminiſtring it. If, +on the other hand, ſhe affects to defend +the inſulted cauſe of God, in a +faint tone of voice, and ſtudied ambi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[p 174]</a></span>guity +of phraſe, or with an air of levity, +and a certain expreſſion of pleaſure +in her eyes, which proves ſhe is +ſecretly delighted with what ſhe pretends +to cenſure, ſhe injures religion +much more than he did who publickly +prophaned it; for ſhe plainly indicates, +either that ſhe does not believe, or +reſpect what ſhe profeſſes. The other +attacked it as an open foe; ſhe betrays +it as a falſe friend. No one pays any +regard to the opinion of an avowed +enemy; but the deſertion or treachery +of a profeſſed friend, is dangerous indeed!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is a ſtrange notion which prevails +in the world, that religion only belongs +to the old and the melancholy, +and that it is not worth while to pay +the leaſt attention to it, while we are +capable of attending to any thing elſe.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[p 175]</a></span> +They allow it to be proper enough +for the clergy, whoſe buſineſs it +is, and for the aged, who have not +ſpirits for any buſineſs at all. But till +they can prove, that none except the +clergy and the aged <i>die</i>, it muſt be +confeſſed, that this is moſt wretched +reaſoning.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Great</span> injury is done to the intereſts +of religion, by placing it in a +gloomy and unamiable light. It is +ſometimes ſpoken of, as if it would +actually make a handſome woman ugly, +or a young one wrinkled. But can +any thing be more abſurd than to repreſent +the beauty of holineſs as the +ſource of deformity?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">There</span> are few, perhaps, ſo entirely +plunged in buſineſs, or abſorbed in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[p 176]</a></span> +pleaſure, as not to intend, at ſome +future time, to ſet about a religious +life in good earneſt. But then they +conſider it as a kind of <i>dernier reſſort</i>, +and think it prudent to defer flying to +this diſagreeable refuge, till they have +no reliſh left for any thing elſe. Do +they forget, that to perform this great +buſineſs well requires all the ſtrength +of their youth, and all the vigour of +their unimpaired capacities? To confirm +this aſſertion, they may obſerve +how much the ſlighteſt indiſpoſition, +even in the moſt active ſeaſon of +life, diſorders every faculty, and diſqualifies +them for attending to the +moſt ordinary affairs: and then let +them reflect how little able they will +be to tranſact the moſt important of +all buſineſs, in the moment of excruciating +pain, or in the day of univerſal +debility.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[p 177]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> the ſenſes are palled with +exceſſive gratification; when the eye +is tired with ſeeing, and the ear with +hearing; when the ſpirits are ſo ſunk, +that the <i>graſshopper is become a burthen</i>, +how ſhall the blunted apprehenſion be +capable of underſtanding a new ſcience, +or the worn-out heart be able to reliſh +a new pleaſure?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">To</span> put off religion till we have loſt +all taſte for amuſement; to refuſe liſtening +to the "voice of the charmer," +till our enfeebled organs can no longer +liſten to the voice of "ſinging men +and ſinging women," and not to +devote our days to heaven till we +have "no pleaſure in them" ourſelves, +is but an ungracious offering. And +it is a wretched ſacrifice to the God of +heaven, to preſent him with the remnants +of decayed appetites, and the +leavings of extinguiſhed paſſions.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[p 178]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><br /><br /> +MISCELLANEOUS<br /> +OBSERVATIONS<br /> +<span class="smcap">on</span><br /> +GENIUS, TASTE, GOOD<br /> +SENSE, &c. +<small><a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a><br /> +</small></h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Good</span> <i>ſenſe</i> is as different from +<i>genius</i> as perception is from invention; +yet, though diſtinct qualities,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[p 179]</a></span> +they frequently ſubſiſt together. It +is altogether oppoſite to <i>wit</i>, but by +no means inconſiſtent with it. It is +not ſcience, for there is ſuch a thing +as unlettered good ſenſe; yet, though +it is neither wit, learning, nor genius, +it is a ſubſtitute for each, where they +do not exiſt, and the perfection of all +where they do.</p> + +<p>Good ſenſe is ſo far from deſerving +the appellation of <i>common ſenſe</i>, by +which it is frequently called, that it is +perhaps one of the rareſt qualities of +the human mind. If, indeed, this +name is given it in reſpect to its peculiar +ſuitableneſs to the purpoſes of +common life, there is great propriety<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[p 180]</a></span> +in it. Good ſenſe appears to differ +from taſte in this, that taſte is an inſtantaneous +deciſion of the mind, a +ſudden reliſh of what is beautiful, or +diſguſt at what is defective, in an object, +without waiting for the ſlower +confirmation of the judgment. Good +ſenſe is perhaps that confirmation, +which eſtabliſhes a ſuddenly conceived +idea, or feeling, by the powers of +comparing and reflecting. They differ +alſo in this, that taſte ſeems to have +a more immediate reference to arts, +to literature, and to almoſt every object +of the ſenſes; while good ſenſe +riſes to moral excellence, and exerts +its influence on life and manners. Taſte +is fitted to the perception and enjoyment +of whatever is beautiful in art +or nature: Good ſenſe, to the improvement +of the conduct, and the regulation +of the heart.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[p 181]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Yet</span> the term good ſenſe, is uſed indiſcriminately +to expreſs either a finiſhed +taſte for letters, or an invariable +prudence in the affairs of life. It is +ſometimes applied to the moſt moderate +abilities, in which caſe, the expreſſion +is certainly too ſtrong; and at +others to the moſt ſhining, when it is +as much too weak and inadequate. A +ſenſible man is the uſual, but unappropriated +phraſe, for every degree in the +ſcale of underſtanding, from the ſober +mortal, who obtains it by his decent +demeanor and ſolid dullneſs, to him +whoſe talents qualify him to rank with +a Bacon, a Harris, or a Johnson.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Genius</span> is the power of invention +and imitation. It is an incommunicable +faculty: no art or ſkill of the +poſſeſſor can beſtow the ſmalleſt portion +of it on another: no pains or la<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[p 182]</a></span>bour +can reach the ſummit of perfection, +where the ſeeds of it are wanting +in the mind; yet it is capable of +infinite improvement where it actually +exiſts, and is attended with the higheſt +capacity of communicating inſtruction, +as well as delight to others.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is the peculiar property of genius +to ſtrike out great or beautiful things: +it is the felicity of good ſenſe not to do +abſurd ones. Genius breaks out in +ſplendid ſentiments and elevated ideas; +good ſenſe confines its more circumſcribed, +but perhaps more uſeful walk, +within the limits of prudence and propriety.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The poet's eye in a fine frenzy rolling,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Doth glance from heaven to earth, from earth to heaven;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And, as imagination bodies forth<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The forms of things unknown, the poet's pen<br /></span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[p 183]</a></span><span class="i0">Turns them to ſhape, and gives to airy nothing<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A local habitation and a name.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">This</span> is perhaps the fineſt picture of +human genius that ever was drawn by +a human pencil. It preſents a living +image of a creative imagination, or a +power of inventing things which have +no actual exiſtence.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">With</span> ſuperficial judges, who, it +muſt be confeſſed, make up the greater +part of the maſs of mankind, talents +are only liked or underſtood to a certain +degree. Lofty ideas are above +the reach of ordinary apprehenſions: +the vulgar allow thoſe who poſſeſs them +to be in a ſomewhat higher ſtate of +mind than themſelves; but of the vaſt +gulf which ſeparates them, they have +not the leaſt conception. They acknowledge +a ſuperiority, but of its +extent they neither know the value,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[p 184]</a></span> +nor can conceive the reality. It is +true, the mind, as well as the eye, +can take in objects larger than itſelf; +but this is only true of great minds: +for a man of low capacity, who conſiders +a conſummate genius, reſembles +one, who ſeeing a column for the firſt +time, and ſtanding at too great a diſtance +to take in the whole of it, concludes +it to be flat. Or, like one +unacquainted with the firſt principles +of philoſophy, who, finding the ſenſible +horizon appear a plain ſurface, +can form no idea of the ſpherical form +of the whole, which he does not ſee, +and laughs at the account of antipodes, +which he cannot comprehend.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whatever</span> is excellent is alſo rare; +what is uſeful is more common. How +many thouſands are born qualified for +the coarſe employments of life, for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[p 185]</a></span> +one who is capable of excelling in the +fine arts! yet ſo it ought to be, becauſe +our natural wants are more numerous, +and more importunate, than +the intellectual.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whenever</span> it happens that a man +of diſtinguiſhed talents has been drawn +by miſtake, or precipitated by paſſion, +into any dangerous indiſcretion; it is +common for thoſe whoſe coldneſs of +temper has ſupplied the place, and +uſurped the name of prudence, to +boaſt of their own ſteadier virtue, and +triumph in their own ſuperior caution; +only becauſe they have never been aſſailed +by a temptation ſtrong enough +to ſurpriſe them into error. And with +what a viſible appropriation of the character +to themſelves, do they conſtantly +conclude, with a cordial compliment +to <i>common ſense</i>! They point out the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[p 186]</a></span> +beauty and uſefulneſs of this quality +ſo forcibly and explicitly, that you +cannot poſſibly miſtake whoſe picture +they are drawing with ſo flattering a +pencil. The unhappy man whoſe conduct +has been ſo feelingly arraigned, +perhaps acted from good, though miſtaken +motives; at leaſt, from motives +of which his cenſurer has not capacity +to judge: but the event was unfavourable, +nay the action might be really +wrong, and the vulgar maliciouſly take +the opportunity of this ſingle indiſcretion, +to lift themſelves nearer on a +level with a character, which, except +in this inſtance, has always thrown +them at the moſt diſgraceful and mortifying +diſtance.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> elegant Biographer of Collins, +in his affecting apology for that unfortunate +genius, remarks, "That the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[p 187]</a></span> +gifts of imagination bring the heavieſt +taſk on the vigilance of reaſon; and +to bear thoſe faculties with unerring +rectitude, or invariable propriety, +requires a degree of firmneſs, and of +cool attention, which does not always +attend the higher gifts of the +mind; yet difficult as Nature herſelf +ſeems to have rendered the taſk of +regularity to genius, it is the ſupreme +conſolation of dullneſs, and +of folly to point with gothic triumph +to thoſe exceſſes which are the +overflowing of faculties they never +enjoyed."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">What</span> the greater part of the world +mean by common ſenſe, will be generally +found, on a cloſer enquiry, to be +art, fraud, or ſelfiſhneſs! That ſort of +ſaving prudence which makes men extremely +attentive to their own ſafety,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[p 188]</a></span> +or profit; diligent in the purſuit of +their own pleaſures or intereſts; and +perfectly at their eaſe as to what becomes +of the reſt of mankind. Furies, +where their own property is concerned, +philoſophers when nothing but the +good of others is at ſtake, and perfectly +reſigned under all calamities but +their own.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> we ſee ſo many accompliſhed +wits of the preſent age, as remarkable +for the decorum of their lives, as for +the brilliancy of their writings, we may +believe, that, next to principle, it is +owing to their <i>good ſenſe</i>, which regulates +and chaſtiſes their imaginations. +The vaſt conceptions which enable a +true genius to aſcend the ſublimeſt +heights, may be ſo connected with the +ſtronger paſſions, as to give it a natural +tendency to fly off from the ſtrait<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[p 189]</a></span> +line of regularity; till good ſenſe, acting +on the fancy, makes it gravitate +powerfully towards that virtue which +is its proper centre.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Add</span> to this, when it is conſidered +with what imperfection the Divine +Wiſdom has thought fit to ſtamp every +thing human, it will be found, that +excellence and infirmity are ſo inſeparably +wound up in each other, that a +man derives the ſoreneſs of temper, +and irritability of nerve, which make +him uneaſy to others, and unhappy in +himſelf, from thoſe exquiſite feelings, +and that elevated pitch of thought, by +which, as the apoſtle expreſſes it on a +more ſerious occaſion, he is, as it were, +out of the body.</p> + +<p>It is not aſtoniſhing, therefore, when +<span class="smcap">the</span> ſpirit is carried away by the magnificence +of its own ideas,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[p 190]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Not touch'd but rapt, not waken'd but inſpir'd,<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>that the frail body, which is the natural +victim of pain, diſeaſe, and death, +ſhould not always be able to follow +the mind in its aſpiring flights, but +ſhould be as imperfect as if it belonged +only to an ordinary ſoul.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Besides</span>, might not Providence intend +to humble human pride, by preſenting +to our eyes ſo mortifying a view of the +weakneſs and infirmity of even his beſt +work? Perhaps man, who is already +but a little lower than the angels, +might, like the revolted ſpirits, totally +have ſhaken off obedience and ſubmiſſion +to his Creator, had not God +wiſely tempered human excellence with +a certain conſciouſneſs of its own imperfection. +But though this inevitable +alloy of weakneſs may frequently be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[p 191]</a></span> +found in the beſt characters, yet how +can that be the ſource of triumph and +exaltation to any, which, if properly +weighed, muſt be the deepeſt motive +of humiliation to all? A good-natured +man will be ſo far from rejoicing, that +he will be ſecretly troubled, whenever he +reads that the greateſt Roman moraliſt +was tainted with avarice, and the +greateſt Britiſh philoſopher with venality.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is remarked by Pope, in his Eſſay +on Criticiſm, that,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ten cenſure wrong for one who writes amiſs.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But I apprehend it does not therefore +follow that to judge, is more difficult +than to write. If this were the caſe, +the critic would be ſuperior to the +poet, whereas it appears to be directly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[p 192]</a></span> +the contrary. "The critic, (ſays the +great champion of Shakeſpeare,) but +faſhions the body of a work, the poet +muſt add the ſoul, which gives force +and direction to its actions and geſtures." +It ſhould ſeem that the reaſon why ſo +many more judge wrong, than write +ill, is becauſe the number of readers +is beyond all proportion greater than +the number of writers. Every man +who reads, is in ſome meaſure a critic, +and, with very common abilities, may +point out real faults and material errors +in a very well written book; but +it by no means follows that he is able +to write any thing comparable to the +work which he is capable of cenſuring. +And unleſs the numbers of thoſe who +write, and of thoſe who judge, were +more equal, the calculation ſeems not +to be quite fair.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[p 193]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A capacity</span> for reliſhing works of +genius is the indubitable ſign of a good +taſte. But if a proper diſpoſition and +ability to enjoy the compoſitions of +others, entitle a man to the claim of +reputation, it is ſtill a far inferior degree +of merit to his who can invent and +produce thoſe compoſitions, the bare +diſquiſition of which gives the critic +no ſmall ſhare of fame.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> preſident of the royal academy +in his admirable <i>Diſcourſe</i> on <i>imitation</i>, +has ſet the folly of depending on unaſſiſted +genius, in the cleareſt light; and +has ſhewn the neceſſity of adding the +knowledge of others, to our own native +powers, in his uſual ſtriking and maſterly +manner. "The mind, ſays he, is a +barren ſoil, is a ſoil ſoon exhauſted, +and will produce no crop, or only +one, unleſs it be continually fertiliz<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[p 194]</a></span>ed, +and enriched with foreign matter."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Yet</span> it has been objected that ſtudy +is a great enemy to originality; but +even if this were true, it would perhaps +be as well that an author ſhould +give us the ideas of ſtill better writers, +mixed and aſſimilated with the matter +in his own mind, as thoſe crude and +undigeſted thoughts which he values +under the notion that they are original. +The ſweeteſt honey neither taſtes of the +roſe, the honeyſuckle, nor the carnation, +yet it is compounded of the very +eſſence of them all.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">If</span> in the other fine arts this accumulation +of knowledge is neceſſary, +it is indiſpenſably ſo in poetry. It is a +fatal raſhneſs for any one to truſt too +much to their own ſtock of ideas.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[p 195]</a></span> +He muſt invigorate them by exerciſe, +poliſh them by converſation, and increaſe +them by every ſpecies of elegant +and virtuous knowledge, and the mind +will not fail to reproduce with intereſt +thoſe ſeeds, which are ſown in it by +ſtudy and obſervation. Above all, +let every one guard againſt the dangerous +opinion that he knows enough: +an opinion that will weaken the energy +and reduce the powers of the mind, +which, though once perhaps vigorous +and effectual, will be ſunk to a ſtate +of literary imbecility, by cheriſhing +vain and preſumptuous ideas of its +own independence.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">For</span> inſtance, it may not be neceſſary +that a poet ſhould be deeply ſkilled in +the Linnæan ſyſtem; but it muſt be +allowed that a general acquaintance +with plants and flowers will furniſh<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[p 196]</a></span> +him with a delightful and profitable ſpecies +of inſtruction. He is not obliged to +trace Nature in all her nice and varied +operations, with the minute accuracy +of a Boyle, or the laborious inveſtigation +of a Newton; but his <i>good ſenſe</i> +will point out to him that no inconſiderable +portion of philoſophical knowledge +is requiſite to the completion of +his literary character. The ſciences +are more independent, and require +little or no aſſiſtance from the graces +of poetry; but poetry, if ſhe would +charm and inſtruct, muſt not be ſo +haughty; ſhe muſt be contented to +borrow of the ſciences, many of her +choiceſt alluſions, and many of her +moſt graceful embelliſhments; and does +it not magnify the character of true +poeſy, that ſhe includes within herſelf +all the ſcattered graces of every ſeparate +art?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[p 197]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> rules of the great maſters in +criticiſm may not be ſo neceſſary to +the forming a good taſte, as the examination +of thoſe original mines +from whence they drew their treaſures +of knowledge.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> three celebrated Eſſays on the +Art of Poetry do not teach ſo much +by their laws as by their examples; +the dead letter of their rules is leſs inſtructive +than the living ſpirit of their +verſe. Yet theſe rules are to a young +poet, what the ſtudy of logarithms is +to a young mathematician; they do +not ſo much contribute to form his +judgment, as afford him the ſatiſfaction +of convincing him that he is right. +They do not preclude the difficulty of +the operation; but at the concluſion of +it, furniſh him with a fuller demonſtration +that he has proceeded on pro<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[p 198]</a></span>per +principles. When he has well +ſtudied the maſters in whoſe ſchools +the firſt critics formed themſelves, and +fancies he has caught a ſpark of their +divine Flame, it may be a good method +to try his own compoſitions by +the teſt of the critic rules, ſo far indeed +as the mechaniſm of poetry goes. +If the examination be fair and candid, +this trial, like the touch of Ithuriel's +ſpear, will detect every latent error, and +bring to light every favourite failing.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Good</span> taſte always ſuits the meaſure +of its admiration to the merit of the +compoſition it examines. It accommodates +its praiſes, or its cenſure, to +the excellence of a work, and appropriates +it to the nature of it. General +applauſe, or indiſcriminate abuſe, is +the ſign of a vulgar underſtanding. +There are certain blemiſhes which the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[p 199]</a></span> +judicious and good-natured reader will +candidly overlook. But the falſe ſublime, +the tumour which is intended +for greatneſs, the diſtorted figure, the +puerile conceit, and the incongruous +metaphor, theſe are defects for which +ſcarcely any other kind of merit can +atone. And yet there may be more +hope of a writer (eſpecially if he be a +a young one), who is now and then +guilty of ſome of theſe faults, than of +one who avoids them all, not through +judgment, but feebleneſs, and who, +inſtead of deviating into error is continually +falling ſhort of excellence. +The meer abſence of error implies that +moderate and inferior degree of merit +with which a cold heart and a phlegmatic +taſte will be better ſatiſfied than +with the magnificent irregularities of +exalted ſpirits. It ſtretches ſome minds +to an uneaſy extenſion to be obliged<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[p 200]</a></span> +to attend to compoſitions ſuperlatively +excellent; and it contracts liberal ſouls +to a painful narrowneſs to deſcend to +books of inferior merit. A work of +capital genius, to a man of an ordinary +mind, is the bed of Procruſtes to one +of a ſhort ſtature, the man is too little +to fill up the ſpace aſſigned him, and +undergoes the torture in attempting +it: and a moderate, or low production +to a man of bright talents, is the puniſhment +inflicted by Mezentius; the +living ſpirit has too much animation to +endure patiently to be in contact with +a dead body.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Taste</span> seſms to be a ſentiment of +the ſoul which gives the bias to opinion, +for we feel before we reflect. Without +this ſentiment, all knowledge, learning +and opinion, would be cold, inert +materials, whereas they become active<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[p 201]</a></span> +principles when ſtirred, kindled, and +inflamed by this animating quality.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">There</span> is another feeling which is +called Enthuſiaſm. The enthuſiaſm +of ſenſible hearts is ſo ſtrong, that it +not only yields to the impulſe with +which ſtriking objects act on it, but +ſuch hearts help on the effect by their +own ſenſibility. In a ſcene where +Shakeſpeare and Garrick give perfection +to each other, the feeling heart +does not merely accede to the delirium +they occaſion: it does more, it is enamoured +of it, it ſolicits the deluſion, +it ſues to be deceived, and grudgingly +cheriſhes the ſacred treaſure of its feelings. +The poet and performer concur +in carrying us</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Beyond this viſible diurnal ſphere,<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>they bear us aloft in their airy +courſe with unreſiſted rapidity, if +they meet not with any obſtruction<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[p 202]</a></span> +from the coldneſs of our own feelings. +Perhaps, only a few fine ſpirits can +enter into the detail of their writing +and acting; but the multitude do not +enjoy leſs acutely, becauſe they are +not able philoſophically to analyſe the +ſources of their joy or ſorrow. If the +others have the advantage of judging, +theſe have at leaſt the privilege of +feeling: and it is not from complaiſance +to a few leading judges, that they +burſt into peals of laughter, or melt +into delightful agony; their hearts decide, +and that is a deciſion from which +there lies no appeal. It muſt however +be confeſſed, that the nicer ſeparations +of character, and the lighter +and almoſt imperceptible ſhades which +ſometimes diſtinguiſh them, will not +be intimately reliſhed, unleſs there be +a conſonancy of taſte as well as feeling +in the ſpectator; though where the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[p 203]</a></span> +paſſions are principally concerned, the +profane vulgar come in for a larger +portion of the univerſal delight, than +critics and connoiſſeurs are willing to +allow them.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Yet</span> enthuſiaſm, though the natural +concomitant of genius, is no more +genius itſelf, than drunkenneſs is cheerfulneſs; +and that enthuſiaſm which +diſcovers itſelf on occaſions not worthy +to excite it, is the mark of a wretched +judgment and a falſe taſte.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Nature</span> produces innumerable objects: +to imitate them, is the province +of Genius; to direct thoſe imitations, +is the property of Judgment; to decide +on their effects, is the buſineſs of Taſte. +For Taſte, who ſits as ſupreme judge +on the productions of Genius, is not +ſatiſfied when ſhe merely imitates Na<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[p 204]</a></span>ture: +ſhe muſt alſo, ſays an ingenious +French writer, imitate <i>beautiful</i> +Nature. It requires no leſs judgment +to reject than to chooſe, and Genius +might imitate what is vulgar, under +pretence that it was natural, if Taſte +did not carefully point out thoſe objects +which are moſt proper for imitation. +It alſo requires a very nice diſcernment +to diſtinguiſh veriſimilitude +from truth; for there is a truth in +Taſte nearly as concluſive as demonſtration +in mathematics.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Genius</span>, when in the full impetuoſity +of its career, often touches on the +very brink of error; and is, perhaps, +never ſo near the verge of the precipice, +as when indulging its ſublimeſt +flights. It is in thoſe great, but dangerous +moments, that the curb of +vigilant judgment is moſt wanting:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[p 205]</a></span> +while ſafe and ſober Dulneſs obſerves +one tedious and inſipid round of tireſome +uniformity, and ſteers equally +clear of eccentricity and of beauty. +Dulneſs has few redundancies to retrench, +few luxuriancies to prune, and +few irregularities to ſmooth. Theſe, +though errors, are the errors of Genius, +for there is rarely redundancy +without plenitude, or irregularity without +greatneſs. The exceſſes of Genius +may eaſily be retrenched, but the deficiencies +of Dulneſs can never be ſupplied.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Those</span> who copy from others will +doubtleſs be leſs excellent than thoſe +who copy from Nature. To imitate +imitators, is the way to depart too far +from the great original herſelf. The +latter copies of an engraving retain +fainter and fainter traces of the ſub<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[p 206]</a></span>ject, +to which the earlier impreſſions +bore ſo ſtrong a reſemblance.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> ſeems very extraordinary, that it +ſhould be the moſt difficult thing in +the world to be natural, and that it +ſhould be harder to hit off the manners +of real life, and to delineate ſuch characters +as we converſe with every day, +than to imagine ſuch as do not exiſt. +But caricature is much eaſier than an +exact outline, and the colouring of +fancy leſs difficult than that of truth.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">People</span> do not always know what taſte +they have, till it is awakened by ſome +correſponding object; nay, genius itſelf +is a fire, which in many minds +would never blaze, if not kindled by +ſome external cauſe.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Nature</span>, that munificent mother, +when ſhe beſtows the power of judg<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[p 207]</a></span>ing, +accompanies it with the capacity +of enjoying. The judgment, which +is clear ſighted, points out ſuch objects +as are calculated to inſpire love, and +the heart inſtantaneouſly attaches itſelf +to whatever is lovely.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">In</span> regard to literary reputation, a +great deal depends on the ſtate of +learning in the particular age or nation, +in which an author lives. In a +dark and ignorant period, moderate +knowledge will entitle its poſſeſſor to +a conſiderable ſhare of fame; whereas, +to be diſtinguiſhed in a polite and lettered +age, requires ſtriking parts and +deep erudition.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> a nation begins to emerge +from a ſtate of mental darkneſs, and to +ſtrike out the firſt rudiments of improvement, +it chalks out a few ſtrong<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[p 208]</a></span> +but incorrect ſketches, gives the rude +out-lines of general art, and leaves the +filling up to the leiſure of happier +days, and the refinement of more enlightened +times. Their drawing is a +rude <i>Sbozzo</i>, and their poetry wild +minſtrelſy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Perfection</span> of taſte is a point which +a nation no ſooner reaches, than it +overſhoots; and it is more difficult to +return to it, after having paſſed it, +than it was to attain when they fell +ſhort of it. Where the arts begin to +languiſh after having flouriſhed, they +ſeldom indeed fall back to their original +barbariſm, but a certain feebleneſs +of exertion takes place, and it is more +difficult to recover them from this +dying languor to their proper ſtrength, +than it was to poliſh them from their +former rudeneſs; for it is a leſs for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[p 209]</a></span>midable +undertaking to refine barbarity, +than to ſtop decay: the firſt may +be laboured into elegance, but the +latter will rarely be ſtrengthened into +vigour.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Taste</span> exerts itſelf at firſt but feebly +and imperfectly: it is repreſſed and kept +back by a crowd of the moſt diſcouraging +prejudices: like an infant +prince, who, though born to reign, +yet holds an idle ſceptre, which he has +not power to uſe, but is obliged to ſee +with the eyes, and hear through the +ears of other men.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A writer</span> of correct taſte will hardly +ever go out of his way, even in +ſearch of embelliſhment: he will ſtudy +to attain the beſt end by the moſt natural +means; for he knows that what +is not natural cannot be beautiful, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[p 210]</a></span> +that nothing can be beautiful out of +its own place; for an improper ſituation +will convert the moſt ſtriking +beauty into a glaring defect. When +by a well-connected chain of ideas, +or a judicious ſucceſſion of events, the +reader is ſnatched to "Thebes or +Athens," what can be more impertinent +than for the poet to obſtruct the +operation of the paſſion he has juſt +been kindling, by introducing a conceit +which contradicts his purpoſe, +and interrupts his buſineſs? Indeed, +we cannot be tranſported, even in +idea, to thoſe places, if the poet does +not manage ſo adroitly as not to make +us ſenſible of the journey: the inſtant +we feel we are travelling, the writer's +art fails, and the delirium is at an end.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Proserpine</span>, ſays Ovid, would have +been reſtored to her mother Ceres, had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[p 211]</a></span> +not Aſcalaphus ſeen her ſtop to gather +a golden apple, when the terms of her +reſtoration were, that ſhe ſhould taſte +nothing. A ſtory pregnant with inſtruction +for lively writers, who by +neglecting the main buſineſs, and going +out of the way for falſe gratifications, +loſe ſight of the end they ſhould +principally keep in view. It was this +falſe taſte that introduced the numberleſs +<i>concetti</i>, which diſgrace the brighteſt +of the Italian poets; and this is the +reaſon, why the reader only feels ſhort +and interrupted ſnatches of delight in +peruſing the brilliant but unequal +compoſitions of Arioſto, inſtead of +that unbroken and undiminiſhed pleaſure, +which he conſtantly receives from +Virgil, from Milton, and generally +from Taſſo. The firſt-mentioned Italian +is the Atalanta, who will interrupt +the moſt eager career, to pick up the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[p 212]</a></span> +glittering miſchief, while the Mantuan +and the Britiſh bards, like Hippomenes, +preſs on warm in the purſuit, +and unſeduced by temptation.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A writer</span> of real taſte will take +great pains in the perfection of his ſtyle, +to make the reader believe that he took +none at all. The writing which appears +to be moſt eaſy, will be generally +found to be leaſt imitable. The +moſt elegant verſes are the moſt eaſily +retained, they faſten themſelves on the +memory, without its making any effort +to preſerve them, and we are apt to imagine, +that what is remembered with +eaſe, was written without difficulty.</p> + +<p>To conclude; Genius is a rare and +precious gem, of which few know +the worth; it is fitter for the cabinet +of the connoiſſeur, than for the com<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[p 213]</a></span>merce +of mankind. Good ſenſe is a +bank-bill, convenient for change, negotiable +at all times, and current in +all places. It knows the value of +ſmall things, and conſiders that an +aggregate of them makes up the ſum +of human affairs. It elevates common +concerns into matters of importance, +by performing them in the beſt manner, +and at the moſt ſuitable ſeaſon. +Good ſenſe carries with it the idea of +equality, while Genius is always ſuſpected +of a deſign to impoſe the burden +of ſuperiority; and reſpect is paid to +it with that reluctance which always +attends other impoſts, the lower orders +of mankind generally repining +moſt at demands, by which they are +leaſt liable to be affected.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">As</span> it is the character of Genius to +penetrate with a lynx's beam into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[p 214]</a></span> +unfathomable abyſſes and uncreated +worlds, and to ſee what is <i>not</i>, ſo it +is the property of good ſenſe to diſtinguiſh +perfectly, and judge accurately +what really <i>is</i>. Good ſenſe has not ſo +piercing an eye, but it has as clear a +ſight: it does not penetrate ſo deeply, +but as far as it <i>does</i> ſee, it diſcerns +diſtinctly. Good ſenſe is a judicious +mechanic, who can produce beauty +and convenience out of ſuitable means; +but Genius (I ſpeak with reverence of +the immeaſurable diſtance) bears ſome +remote reſemblance to the divine architect, +who produced perfection of +beauty without any viſible materials, +<i>who ſpake, and it was created</i>; who +ſaid, <i>Let it be, and it was</i>.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> <span class="smcap">The</span> Author begs leave to offer an apology for +introducing this Eſſay, which, ſhe fears, may be thought +foreign to her purpoſe. But ſhe hopes that her earneſt +deſire of exciting a taſte for literature in young ladies, +(which encouraged her to hazard the following remarks) +will not <span class="smcap">obstruct</span> her general deſign, even if it does +not actually <span class="smcap">promote</span> it.</p></div> + + +<p class="center">THE END.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[p 215]</a></span></p> + + + + +<hr style="width: 95%;" /> + + +<p class="center"> +<i>Lately publiſhed by the ſame Author</i>,<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Ode To Dragon</span>, Mr. <span class="smcap">Garrick's</span><br /> +House-Dog at Hampton. Price 6d.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Sir Eldred of the Bower</span>, and the<br /> +<span class="smcap">Bleeding Rock</span>. Legendary<br /> +Tales. Price 2s. 6d.<br /> +Printed for T. Cadell in the Strand.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +The Sixth Edition of<br /> +The <span class="smcap">Search</span> after <span class="smcap">Happiness</span>. A<br /> +Pastoral Drama. Price 1s. 6d.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +The Third Edition of<br /> +The <span class="smcap">Inflexible Captive</span>. A Tragedy.<br /> +Price 1s. 6d.<br /> +Printed for T. Cadell, in the Strand; and J.<br /> +Wilkie, in St. Paul's Church-Yard.<br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 95%;" /> + + + + + + + + + + +<div class="tnote"><a name="Transcribers_Note" id="Transcribers_Note"></a> +<p><i><b>Transcriber's Note:</b> The following version of the book replaces the long s with a regular s.</i></p> +</div> + +<h1><a name="sESSAYS" id="sESSAYS"></a>ESSAYS<br /> +<span class="smcap">for</span><br /> +YOUNG LADIES.</h1> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 286px;"> +<img src="images/sp005.png" width="286" height="448" +alt="dedication page 1" title="dedication page 1" /> +</div> + +<p><br /></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 290px;"> +<img src="images/sp006.png" width="290" height="448" +alt="dedication page 2" title="dedication page 2" /> +</div> + +<h2>ESSAYS<br /> +<span class="smcap">on</span><br /> +VARIOUS SUBJECTS,<br /> +Principally designed for<br /> +YOUNG LADIES.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">As</span> for you, I shall advise you in a few words: aspire +only to those virtues that are <span class="smcap">peculiar to +your sex</span>; follow your natural modesty, and think +it your greatest commendation not to be talked of one +way or the other.</p> + +<p class="right"><i>Oration of Pericles to the Athenian Women.</i></p></div> + +<hr style="width: 95%;" /> + +<p class="center">LONDON:<br /> +Printed for <span class="smcap">J. Wilkie</span>, in St. Paul's Church-Yard;<br /> +and <span class="smcap">T. Cadell</span>, in the Strand.<br /> +MDCCLXXVII. +</p> + + + + +<hr style="width: 95%;" /> + + +<h2> +<span class="smcap">to</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Mrs</span>. MONTAGU.<br /> +</h2> + + +<div class="margin2"><p> MADAM,</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">If</span> you were only one of the finest +writers of your time, you would +probably have escaped the trouble of +this address, which is drawn on you, +less by the lustre of your understanding, +than by the amiable qualities of your +heart.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">As</span> the following pages are written +with an humble but earnest wish, to +promote the interests of virtue, as far +as the very limited abilities of the author +allow; there is, I flatter myself, +a peculiar propriety in inscribing them +to you, Madam, who, while your +works convey instruction and delight +to the best-informed of the other sex, +furnish, by your conduct, an admirable +pattern of life and manners to +your own. And I can with truth remark, +that those graces of conversation, +which would be the first praise of almost +any other character, constitute +but an inferior part of yours.</p></div> + + +<div class="margin"> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">I am, <span class="smcap">Madam</span>,</span><br /> +<span class="i2">With the highest esteem,</span><br /> +<span class="i6">Your most obedient</span><br /> +<span class="i10">Humble Servant,</span> + +</div> +</div> + +<div class="stanza"> +<br /><span class="i4"><i>Bristol</i>, +<span class="smcap"> Hannah More</span>.</span><br /> +<span class="i2"><i>May 20, 1777.</i></span> +</div> +</div> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="sCONTENTS" id="sCONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS.</h2> + + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents."> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap"><a href="#sINTRODUCTION">introduction</a></span></td><td align='right'>Page 1</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap"><a href="#sPage_15">on dissipation</a></span></td><td align='right'>15</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap"><a href="#sPage_37">on conversation</a></span></td><td align='right'>37</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap"><a href="#sPage_63">on envy</a></span></td><td align='right'>63</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap"><a href="#sPage_77">on sentimental connexions</a></span></td><td align='right'>77</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap"><a href="#sPage_107">on true and false meekness</a></span></td><td align='right'>107</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap"><a href="#sPage_123">on education</a></span></td><td align='right'>123</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap"><a href="#sPage_158">on religion</a></span></td><td align='right'>158</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap"><a href="#sPage_178">miscellaneous thoughts on wit</a></span></td><td align='right'>178</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_1" id="sPage_1">[p 1]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="sINTRODUCTION" id="sINTRODUCTION"></a>INTRODUCTION.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is with the utmost diffidence +that the following pages are submitted +to the inspection of the +Public: yet, however the limited abilities +of the author may have prevented +her from succeeding to her wish in the +execution of her present attempt, she +humbly trusts that the uprightness of +her intention will procure it a candid +and favourable reception. The following +little Essays are chiefly calculated +for the younger part of her own<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_2" id="sPage_2">[p 2]</a></span> +sex, who, she flatters herself, will not +esteem them the less, because they were +written immediately for their service. +She by no means pretends to have +composed a regular system of morals, +or a finished plan of conduct: she has +only endeavoured to make a few remarks +on such circumstances as seemed +to her susceptible of some improvement, +and on such subjects as she imagined +were particularly interesting to +young ladies, on their first introduction +into the world. She hopes they +will not be offended if she has occasionally +pointed out certain qualities, +and suggested certain tempers, and +dispositions, as <i>peculiarly feminine</i>, and +hazarded some observations which naturally +arose from the subject, on the +different characters which mark the +sexes. And here again she takes the +liberty to repeat that these distinctions<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_3" id="sPage_3">[p 3]</a></span> +cannot be too nicely maintained; for +besides those important qualities common +to both, each sex has its respective, +appropriated qualifications, which +would cease to be meritorious, the instant +they ceased to be appropriated. +Nature, propriety, and custom have +prescribed certain bounds to each; +bounds which the prudent and the +candid will never attempt to break +down; and indeed it would be highly +impolitic to annihilate distinctions from +which each acquires excellence, and +to attempt innovations, by which both +would be losers.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Women</span> therefore never understand +their own interests so little, as when +they affect those qualities and accomplishments, +from the want of which +they derive their highest merit. "The +<i>porcelain</i> clay of human kind," says<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_4" id="sPage_4">[p 4]</a></span> +an admired writer, speaking of the sex. +Greater delicacy evidently implies +greater fragility; and this weakness, natural +and moral, clearly points out the +necessity of a superior degree of caution, +retirement, and reserve.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">If</span> the author may be allowed to +keep up the allusion of the poet, just +quoted, she would ask if we do not +put the finest vases, and the costliest +images in places of the greatest security, +and most remote from any probability +of accident, or destruction? +By being so situated, they find their +protection in their weakness, and their +safety in their delicacy. This metaphor +is far from being used with a design +of placing young ladies in a trivial, +unimportant light; it is only +introduced to insinuate, that where +there is more beauty, and more weak<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_5" id="sPage_5">[p 5]</a></span>ness, +there should be greater circumspection, +and superior prudence.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Men</span>, on the contrary, are formed +for the more public exhibitions on the +great theatre of human life. Like the +stronger and more substantial wares, +they derive no injury, and lose no +polish by being always exposed, and +engaged in the constant commerce of +the world. It is their proper element, +where they respire their natural air, +and exert their noblest powers, in +situations which call them into action. +They were intended by Providence for +the bustling scenes of life; to appear +terrible in arms, useful in commerce, +shining in counsels.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Author fears it will be hazarding +a very bold remark, in the opinion +of many ladies, when she adds,<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_6" id="sPage_6">[p 6]</a></span> +that the female mind, in general, does +not appear capable of attaining so +high a degree of perfection in science +as the male. Yet she hopes to be forgiven +when she observes also, that as +it does not seem to derive the chief +portion of its excellence from extraordinary +abilities of this kind, it is +not at all lessened by the imputation of +not possessing them. It is readily allowed, +that the sex have lively imaginations, +and those exquisite perceptions +of the beautiful and defective, +which come under the denomination of +Taste. But pretensions to that strength +of intellect, which is requisite to penetrate +into the abstruser walks of literature, +it is presumed they will readily +relinquish. There are green pastures, +and pleasant vallies, where they +may wander with safety to themselves, +and delight to others. They may cul<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_7" id="sPage_7">[p 7]</a></span>tivate +the roses of imagination, and the +valuable fruits of morals and criticism; +but the steeps of Parnassus few, +comparatively, have attempted to scale +with success. And when it is considered, +that many languages, and many +sciences, must contribute to the perfection +of poetical composition, it will +appear less strange. The lofty Epic, +the pointed Satire, and the more daring +and successful flights of the Tragic +Muse, seem reserved for the bold adventurers +of the other sex.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Nor</span> does this assertion, it is apprehended, +at all injure the interests of +the women; they have other pretensions, +on which to value themselves, +and other qualities much better calculated +to answer their particular purposes. +We are enamoured of the soft +strains of the Sicilian and the Mantuan<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_8" id="sPage_8">[p 8]</a></span> +Muse, while, to the sweet notes of the +pastoral reed, they sing the Contentions +of the Shepherds, the Blessings of +Love, or the innocent Delights of rural +Life. Has it ever been ascribed to +them as a defect, that their Eclogues +do not treat of active scenes, of busy +cities, and of wasting war? No: +their simplicity is their perfection, and +they are only blamed when they have +too little of it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">On</span> the other hand, the lofty bards +who strung their bolder harps to higher +measures, and sung the <i>Wrath</i> of <i>Peleus' +Son</i>, and <i>Man's first Disobedience</i>, +have never been censured for want +of sweetness and refinement. The sublime, +the nervous, and the masculine, +characterise their compositions; as the +beautiful, the soft, and the delicate, +mark those of the others. Grandeur,<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_9" id="sPage_9">[p 9]</a></span> +dignity, and force, distinguish the one +species; ease, simplicity, and purity, +the other. Both shine from their native, +distinct, unborrowed merits, not +from those which are foreign, adventitious, +and unnatural. Yet those excellencies, +which make up the essential +and constituent parts of poetry, they +have in common.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Women</span> have generally quicker perceptions; +men have juster sentiments.—Women +consider how things may +be prettily said; men how they may +be properly said.—In women, (young +ones at least) speaking accompanies, +and sometimes precedes reflection; in +men, reflection is the antecedent.—Women +speak to shine or to please; +men, to convince or confute.—Women +admire what is brilliant; men +what is solid.—Women prefer an ex<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_10" id="sPage_10">[p 10]</a></span>temporaneous +sally of wit, or a sparkling +effusion of fancy, before the most +accurate reasoning, or the most laborious +investigation of facts. In literary +composition, women are pleased +with point, turn, and antithesis; men +with observation, and a just deduction +of effects from their causes.—Women +are fond of incident, men of +argument.—Women admire passionately, +men approve cautiously.—One sex +will think it betrays a want of feeling +to be moderate in their applause, +the other will be afraid of exposing a +want of judgment by being in raptures +with any thing.—Men refuse to +give way to the emotions they actually +feel, while women sometimes affect +to be transported beyond what +the occasion will justify.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_11" id="sPage_11">[p 11]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">As</span> a farther confirmation of what +has been advanced on the different +bent of the understanding in the +sexes, it may be observed, that we +have heard of many female wits, but +never of one female logician—of many +admirable writers of memoirs, but never +of one chronologer.—In the boundless +and aërial regions of romance, and +in that fashionable species of composition +which succeeded it, and which +carries a nearer approximation to the +manners of the world, the women +cannot be excelled: this imaginary +soil they have a peculiar talent for cultivating, +because here,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Invention labours more, and judgment less.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> merit of this kind of writing +consists in the <i>vraisemblance</i> to real +life as to the events themselves, with<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_12" id="sPage_12">[p 12]</a></span> +a certain elevation in the narrative, +which places them, if not above what +is natural, yet above what is common. +It farther consists in the art of interesting +the tender feelings by a pathetic +representation of those minute, endearing, +domestic circumstances, which +take captive the soul before it has +time to shield itself with the armour +of reflection. To amuse, rather than +to instruct, or to instruct indirectly by +short inferences, drawn from a long +concatenation of circumstances, is at +once the business of this sort of composition, +and one of the characteristics +of female genius<a name="sFNanchor_1_1" id="sFNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#sFootnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_13" id="sPage_13">[p 13]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">In</span> short, it appears that the mind +in each sex has some natural kind of +bias, which constitutes a distinction of +character, and that the happiness of +both depends, in a great measure, on +the preservation and observance of +this distinction. For where would be +the superior pleasure and satisfaction +resulting from mixed conversation, if +this difference were abolished? If the +qualities of both were invariably and +exactly the same, no benefit or entertainment +would arise from the tedious +and insipid uniformity of such an intercourse; +whereas considerable advantages +are reaped from a select society +of both sexes. The rough angles +and asperities of male manners +are imperceptibly filed, and gradually +worn smooth, by the polishing of female +conversation, and the refining of +female taste; while the ideas of wo<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_14" id="sPage_14">[p 14]</a></span>men +acquire strength and solidity, by +their associating with sensible, intelligent, +and judicious men.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">On</span> the whole, (even if fame be the +object of pursuit) is it not better to +succeed as women, than to fail as men? +To shine, by walking honourably in +the road which nature, custom, and +education seem to have marked out, +rather than to counteract them all, by +moving awkwardly in a path diametrically +opposite? To be good originals, +rather than bad imitators? In a +word, to be excellent women, rather +than indifferent men?</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_15" id="sPage_15">[p 15]</a></span></p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="sFootnote_1_1" id="sFootnote_1_1"></a><a href="#sFNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> <span class="smcap">The</span> author does not apprehend it makes against +her <span class="smcap">general</span> position, that this nation can boast a +female critic, poet, historian, linguist, philosopher, +and moralist, equal to most of the other sex. To these +particular instances others might be adduced; but it +is presumed, that they only stand as exceptions against +the rule, without tending to invalidate the rule itself. +</p></div> + + + + +<h2><br /><br /> +ON<br /> +DISSIPATION.<br /> +</h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><small>DOGLIE CERTE, ALLEGREZZE INCERTE!</small><br /></span> +<span class="i14"><small>PETRARCA.</small><br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">As</span> an argument in favour of modern +manners, it has been pleaded, +that the softer vices of Luxury +and Dissipation, belong rather to gentle +and yielding tempers, than to +such as are rugged and ferocious: that +they are vices which increase civili<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_16" id="sPage_16">[p 16]</a></span>zation, +and tend to promote refinement, +and the cultivation of humanity.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> this is an assertion, the truth +of which the experience of all ages +contradicts. Nero was not less a tyrant +for being a fiddler: He<a name="sFNanchor_2_2" id="sFNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#sFootnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> who +wished the whole Roman people had +but one neck, that he might dispatch +them at a blow, was himself the most +debauched man in Rome; and Sydney +and Russel were condemned to bleed +under the most barbarous, though most +dissipated and voluptuous, reign that +ever disgraced the annals of Britain.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> love of dissipation is, I believe, +allowed to be the reigning evil of the +present day. It is an evil which many<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_17" id="sPage_17">[p 17]</a></span> +content themselves with regretting, +without seeking to redress. A dissipated +life is censured in the very act +of dissipation, and prodigality of time +is as gravely declaimed against at the +card table, as in the pulpit.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> lover of dancing censures the +amusements of the theatre for their +dulness, and the gamester blames them +both for their levity. She, whose whole +soul is swallowed up in "<i>opera extacies</i>" +is astonished, that her acquaintance +can spend whole nights in preying, +like harpies, on the fortunes of +their fellow-creatures; while the grave +sober sinner, who passes her pale and +anxious vigils, in this fashionable sort +of pillaging, is no less surprised how +the other can waste her precious time +in hearing sounds for which she has<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_18" id="sPage_18">[p 18]</a></span> +no taste, in a language she does not +understand.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">In</span> short, every one seems convinced, +that the evil so much complained of +does really exist somewhere, though all +are inwardly persuaded that it is not +with themselves. All desire a general +reformation, but few will listen to proposals +of particular amendment; the +body must be restored, but each limb +begs to remain as it is; and accusations +which concern all, will be likely to affect +none. They think that sin, like +matter, is divisible, and that what is +scattered among so many, cannot materially +affect any one; and thus individuals +contribute separately to that +evil which they in general lament.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> prevailing manners of an age +depend more than we are aware, or<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_19" id="sPage_19">[p 19]</a></span> +are willing to allow, on the conduct +of the women; this is one of the principal +hinges on which the great machine +of human society turns. Those +who allow the influence which female +graces have, in contributing to polish +the manners of men, would do well +to reflect how great an influence female +morals must also have on their +conduct. How much then is it to be +regretted, that the British ladies should +ever sit down contented to polish, when +they are able to reform, to entertain, +when they might instruct, and to dazzle +for an hour, when they are candidates +for eternity!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Under</span> the dispensation of Mahomet's +law, indeed, these mental excellencies +cannot be expected, because +the women are shut out from all opportunities +of instruction, and excluded<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_20" id="sPage_20">[p 20]</a></span> +from the endearing pleasures of a delightful +and equal society; and, as +a charming poet sings, are taught to +believe, that</p> + + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">For their inferior natures<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Form'd to delight, and happy by delighting,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Heav'n has reserv'd no future paradise,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But bids them rove the paths of bliss, secure<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of total death, and careless of hereafter.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i16"><span class="smcap">Irene</span>.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">These</span> act consistently in studying +none but exterior graces, in cultivating +only personal attractions, and in +trying to lighten the intolerable burden +of time, by the most frivolous +and vain amusements. They act in +consequence of their own blind belief, +and the tyranny of their despotic +masters; for they have neither the freedom +of a present choice, nor the prospect +of a future being.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_21" id="sPage_21">[p 21]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> in this land of civil and religious +liberty, where there is as little +despotism exercised over the minds, +as over the persons of women, they +have every liberty of choice, and every +opportunity of improvement; and how +greatly does this increase their obligation +to be exemplary in their general +conduct, attentive to the government +of their families, and instrumental +to the good order of society!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">She</span> who is at a loss to find amusements +at home, can no longer apologize +for her dissipation abroad, by +saying she is deprived of the benefit +and the pleasure of books; and she +who regrets being doomed to a state +of dark and gloomy ignorance, by the +injustice, or tyranny of the men, complains +of an evil which does not +exist.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_22" id="sPage_22">[p 22]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is a question frequently in the +mouths of illiterate and dissipated females—"What +good is there in reading? +To what end does it conduce?" +It is, however, too obvious to need insisting +on, that unless perverted, as +the best things may be, reading answers +many excellent purposes beside +the great leading one, and is perhaps +the safest remedy for dissipation. She +who dedicates a portion of her leisure +to useful reading, feels her mind in a +constant progressive state of improvement, +whilst the mind of a dissipated +woman is continually losing ground. +An active spirit rejoiceth, like the sun, +to run his daily course, while indolence, +like the dial of Ahaz, goes +backwards. The advantages which +the understanding receives from polite +literature, it is not here necessary to +enumerate; its effects on the moral<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_23" id="sPage_23">[p 23]</a></span> +temper is the present object of consideration. +The remark may perhaps be +thought too strong, but I believe it +is true, that next to religious influences, +an habit of study is the most +probable preservative of the virtue of +young persons. Those who cultivate +letters have rarely a strong passion for +promiscuous visiting, or dissipated society; +study therefore induces a relish +for domestic life, the most desirable +temper in the world for women. Study, +as it rescues the mind from an +inordinate fondness for gaming, dress, +and public amusements, is an [oe]conomical +propensity; for a lady may +read at much less expence than she can +play at cards; as it requires some application, +it gives the mind an habit +of industry; as it is a relief against +that mental disease, which the French +emphatically call <i>ennui</i>, it cannot fail<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_24" id="sPage_24">[p 24]</a></span> +of being beneficial to the temper and +spirits, I mean in the moderate degree +in which ladies are supposed to use it; +as an enemy to indolence, it becomes a +social virtue; as it demands the full +exertion of our talents, it grows a rational +duty; and when directed to the +knowledge of the Supreme Being, and +his laws, it rises into an act of religion.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> rage for reformation commonly +shews itself in a violent zeal for suppressing +what is wrong, rather than in +a prudent attention to establish what is +right; but we shall never obtain a fair +garden merely by rooting up weeds, +we must also plant flowers; for the +natural richness of the soil we have +been clearing will not suffer it to lie +barren, but whether it shall be vainly +or beneficially prolific, depends on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_25" id="sPage_25">[p 25]</a></span> +culture. What the present age has +gained on one side, by a more enlarged +and liberal way of thinking, seems to +be lost on the other, by excessive freedom +and unbounded indulgence. Knowledge +is not, as heretofore, confined +to the dull cloyster, or the gloomy +college, but disseminated, to a certain +degree, among both sexes and +almost all ranks. The only misfortune +is, that these opportunities do +not seem to be so wisely improved, or +turned to so good an account as might +be wished. Books of a pernicious, +idle, and frivolous sort, are too much +multiplied, and it is from the very +redundancy of them that true knowledge +is so scarce, and the habit of +dissipation so much increased.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> has been remarked, that the prevailing +character of the present age is<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_26" id="sPage_26">[p 26]</a></span> +not that of gross immorality: but if +this is meant of those in the higher +walks of life, it is easy to discern, +that there can be but little merit in +abstaining from crimes which there is +but little temptation to commit. It +is however to be feared, that a gradual +defection from piety, will in +time draw after it all the bad consequences +of more active vice; for whether +mounds and fences are suddenly +destroyed by a sweeping torrent, or +worn away through gradual neglect, +the effect is equally destructive. As +a rapid fever and a consuming hectic +are alike fatal to our natural health, so +are flagrant immorality and torpid indolence +to our moral well-being.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> philosophical doctrine of the +slow recession of bodies from the sun, +is a lively image of the reluctance with<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_27" id="sPage_27">[p 27]</a></span> +which we first abandon the light of +virtue. The beginning of folly, and +the first entrance on a dissipated life +cost some pangs to a well-disposed +heart; but it is surprising to see how +soon the progress ceases to be impeded +by reflection, or slackened by remorse. +For it is in moral as in natural things, +the motion in minds as well as bodies +is accelerated by a nearer approach to +the centre to which they are tending. +If we recede slowly at first setting out, +we advance rapidly in our future +course; and to have begun to be +wrong, is already to have made a great +progress.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A constant</span> habit of amusement +relaxes the tone of the mind, and renders +it totally incapable of application, +study, or virtue. Dissipation not only +indisposes its votaries to every thing<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_28" id="sPage_28">[p 28]</a></span> +useful and excellent, but disqualifies +them for the enjoyment of pleasure itself. +It softens the soul so much, that +the most superficial employment becomes +a labour, and the slightest inconvenience +an agony. The luxurious +Sybarite must have lost all sense of +real enjoyment, and all relish for true +gratification, before he complained +that he could not sleep, because the +rose leaves lay double under him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Luxury</span> and dissipation, soft and +gentle as their approaches are, and +silently as they throw their silken +chains about the heart, enslave it more +than the most active and turbulent vices. +The mightiest conquerors have been +conquered by these unarmed foes: the +flowery setters are fastened, before they +are felt. The blandishments of Circe +were more fatal to the mariners of<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_29" id="sPage_29">[p 29]</a></span> +Ulysses, than the strength of Polypheme, +or the brutality of the Læstrigons. +Hercules, after he had +cleansed the Augean stable, and performed +all the other labours enjoined +him by Euristheus, found himself a +slave to the softnesses of the heart; +and he, who wore a club and a lion's +skin in the cause of virtue, condescended +to the most effeminate employments +to gratify a criminal weakness. +Hannibal, who vanquished mighty +nations, was himself overcome by the +love of pleasure; and he who despised +cold, and want, and danger, and death +on the Alps, was conquered and undone +by the dissolute indulgences of +Capua.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Before</span> the hero of the most beautiful +and virtuous romance that ever +was written, I mean Telemachus,<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_30" id="sPage_30">[p 30]</a></span> +landed on the island of Cyprus, he unfortunately +lost his prudent companion, +Mentor, in whom wisdom is so +finely personified. At first he beheld +with horror the wanton and dissolute +manners of the voluptuous inhabitants; +the ill effects of their example were +not immediate: he did not fall into +the commission of glaring enormities; +but his virtue was secretly and imperceptibly +undermined, his heart was +softened by their pernicious society; +and the nerve of resolution was slackened: +he every day beheld with diminished +indignation the worship which +was offered to Venus; the disorders of +luxury and prophaneness became less +and less terrible, and the infectious +air of the country enfeebled his courage, +and relaxed his principles. In +short, he had ceased to love virtue +long before he thought of committing<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_31" id="sPage_31">[p 31]</a></span> +actual vice; and the duties of a manly +piety were burdensome to him, before +he was so debased as to offer perfumes, +and burn incense on the altar of the +licentious goddess<a name="sFNanchor_3_3" id="sFNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#sFootnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a>.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Let</span> us crown ourselves with rosebuds +before they be withered," said +Solomon's libertine. Alas! he did not +reflect that they withered in the very +gathering. The roses of pleasure seldom +last long enough to adorn the brow<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_32" id="sPage_32">[p 32]</a></span> +of him who plucks them; for they are +the only roses which do not retain their +sweetness after they have lost their +beauty.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> heathen poets often pressed on +their readers the necessity of considering +the shortness of life, as an incentive +to pleasure and voluptuousness; +lest the season for indulging in them +should pass unimproved. The dark +and uncertain notions, not to say the +absolute disbelief, which they entertained +of a future state, is the only +apology that can be offered for this +reasoning. But while we censure their +tenets, let us not adopt their errors; +errors which would be infinitely more +inexcusable in us, who, from the +clearer views which revelation has +given us, shall not have their ignorance +or their doubts to plead. It<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_33" id="sPage_33">[p 33]</a></span> +were well if we availed ourselves of +that portion of their precept, which +inculcates the improvement of every +moment of our time, but not like them +to dedicate the moments so redeemed +to the pursuit of sensual and perishable +pleasures, but to the securing of those +which are spiritual in their nature, and +eternal in their duration.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">If</span>, indeed, like the miserable<a name="sFNanchor_4_4" id="sFNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#sFootnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> beings +imagined by Swift, with a view to +cure us of the irrational desire after +immoderate length of days, we were +condemned to a wretched earthly immortality, +we should have an excuse +for spending some portion of our time +in dissipation, as we might then pretend, +with some colour of reason, that +we proposed, at a distant period, to<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_34" id="sPage_34">[p 34]</a></span> +enter on a better course of action. Or +if we never formed any such resolution, +it would make no material difference +to beings, whose state was already unalterably +fixed. But of the scanty +portion of days assigned to our lot, not +one should be lost in weak and irresolute +procrastination.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Those</span> who have not yet determined +on the side of vanity, who, like Hercules, +(before he knew the queen of +Lydia, and had learnt to spin) have +not resolved on their choice between +<span class="smcap">virtue</span> and <span class="smcap">pleasure</span>, may reflect, +that it is still in their power to imitate +that hero in his noble choice, and in +his virtuous rejection. They may also +reflect with grateful triumph, that +Christianity furnishes them with a better +guide than the tutor of Alcides,<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_35" id="sPage_35">[p 35]</a></span> +and with a surer light than the doctrines +of pagan philosophy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is far from my design severely to +condemn the innocent pleasures of life: +I would only beg leave to observe, +that those which are criminal should +never be allowed; and that even the +most innocent will, by immoderate +use, soon cease to be so.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> women of this country were +not sent into the world to shun +society, but to embellish it; they +were not designed for wilds and solitudes, +but for the amiable and endearing +offices of social life. They have +useful stations to fill, and important +characters to sustain. They are of a +religion which does not impose penances, +but enjoins duties; a religion +of perfect purity, but of perfect bene<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_36" id="sPage_36">[p 36]</a></span>volence +also. A religion which does +not condemn its followers to indolent +seclusion from the world, but assigns +them the more dangerous, though +more honourable province, of living +uncorrupted in it. In fine, a religion, +which does not direct them to fly from +the multitude, that they may do nothing, +but which positively forbids +them to follow a multitude to do evil.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_37" id="sPage_37">[p 37]</a></span></p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="sFootnote_2_2" id="sFootnote_2_2"></a><a href="#sFNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> The Emperor Caligula.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="sFootnote_3_3" id="sFootnote_3_3"></a><a href="#sFNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> <span class="smcap">Nothing</span> can be more admirable than the manner +in which this allegory is conducted; and the +whole work, not to mention its images, machinery, +and other poetical beauties, is written in the very +finest strain of morality. In this latter respect it is +evidently superior to the works of the ancients, the +moral of which is frequently tainted by the grossness +of their mythology. Something of the purity of the +Christian religion may be discovered even in Fenelon's +heathens, and they catch a tincture of piety +in passing through the hands of that amiable prelate.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="sFootnote_4_4" id="sFootnote_4_4"></a><a href="#sFNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> The Struldbrugs. See Voyage to Laputa.</p></div> + + + + +<h2><br /><br /> +THOUGHTS<br /> +ON<br /> +CONVERSATION.<br /> +</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> has been advised, and by very +respectable authorities too, that in +conversation women should carefully +conceal any knowledge or learning +they may happen to possess. I own, +with submission, that I do not see either +the necessity or propriety of this<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_38" id="sPage_38">[p 38]</a></span> +advice. For if a young lady has that +discretion and modesty, without which +all knowledge is little worth, she will +never make an ostentatious parade of +it, because she will rather be intent on +acquiring more, than on displaying +what she has.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">I am</span> at a loss to know why a young +female is instructed to exhibit, in the +most advantageous point of view, her +skill in music, her singing, dancing, +taste in dress, and her acquaintance +with the most fashionable games and +amusements, while her piety is to be +anxiously concealed, and her knowledge +affectedly disavowed, lest the former +should draw on her the appellation of +an enthusiast, or the latter that of a +pedant.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_39" id="sPage_39">[p 39]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">In</span> regard to knowledge, why should +she for ever affect to be on her guard, +lest she should be found guilty of a +small portion of it? She need be the +less solicitous about it, as it seldom +proves to be so very considerable as to +excite astonishment or admiration: for, +after all the acquisitions which her +talents and her studies have enabled +her to make, she will, generally speaking, +be found to have less of what is +called <i>learning</i>, than a common school-boy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> would be to the last degree presumptuous +and absurd, for a young +woman to pretend to give the <i>ton</i> to the +company; to interrupt the pleasure of +others, and her own opportunity of +improvement, by talking when she +ought to listen; or to introduce subjects +out of the common road, in or<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_40" id="sPage_40">[p 40]</a></span>der +to shew her own wit, or expose +the want of it in others: but were the +sex to be totally silent when any topic +of literature happens to be discussed in +their presence, conversation would lose +much of its vivacity, and society would +be robbed of one of its most interesting +charms.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">How</span> easily and effectually may a +well-bred woman promote the most +useful and elegant conversation, almost +without speaking a word! for the modes +of speech are scarcely more variable than +the modes of silence. The silence of +listless ignorance, and the silence of +sparkling intelligence, are perhaps as +separately marked, and as distinctly +expressed, as the same feelings could +have been by the most unequivocal +language. A woman, in a company +where she has the least influence, may<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_41" id="sPage_41">[p 41]</a></span> +promote any subject by a profound +and invariable attention, which shews +that she is pleased with it, and by an +illuminated countenance, which proves +she understands it. This obliging attention +is the most flattering encouragement +in the world to men of sense and +letters, to continue any topic of instruction +or entertainment they happen +to be engaged in: it owed its introduction +perhaps to accident, the best +introduction in the world for a subject +of ingenuity, which, though it could +not have been formally proposed without +pedantry, may be continued with +ease and good humour; but which +will be frequently and effectually stopped +by the listlessness, inattention, or +whispering of silly girls, whose weariness +betrays their ignorance, and whose +impatience exposes their ill-breeding. +A polite man, however deeply inte<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_42" id="sPage_42">[p 42]</a></span>rested +in the subject on which he is +conversing, catches at the slightest hint +to have done: a look is a sufficient +intimation, and if a pretty simpleton, +who sits near him, seems <i>distraite</i>, he +puts an end to his remarks, to the +great regret of the reasonable part of +the company, who perhaps might have +gained more improvement by the continuance +of such a conversation, than +a week's reading would have yielded +them; for it is such company as this, +that give an edge to each other's wit, +"as iron sharpeneth iron."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">That</span> silence is one of the great arts +of conversation is allowed by Cicero +himself, who says, there is not only an +art but even an eloquence in it. And +this opinion is confirmed by a great modern<a name="sFNanchor_5_5" id="sFNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#sFootnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a>, +in the following little anecdote +from one of the ancients.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_43" id="sPage_43">[p 43]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> many Grecian philosophers +had a solemn meeting before the ambassador +of a foreign prince, each endeavoured +to shew his parts by the +brilliancy of his conversation, that the +ambassador might have something to +relate of the Grecian wisdom. One of +them, offended, no doubt, at the loquacity +of his companions, observed a +profound silence; when the ambassador, +turning to him, asked, "But what +have you to say, that I may report it?" +He made this laconic, but very pointed +reply: "Tell your king, that you have +found one among the Greeks who +knew how to be silent."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">There</span> is a quality infinitely more +intoxicating to the female mind than +knowledge—this is Wit, the most captivating, +but the most dreaded of all +talents: the most dangerous to those<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_44" id="sPage_44">[p 44]</a></span> +who have it, and the most feared by +those who have it not. Though it is +against all the rules, yet I cannot find +in my heart to abuse this charming +quality. He who is grown rich without +it, in safe and sober dulness, shuns +it as a disease, and looks upon poverty +as its invariable concomitant. The +moralist declaims against it as the +source of irregularity, and the frugal +citizen dreads it more than bankruptcy +itself, for he considers it as the parent +of extravagance and beggary. The +Cynic will ask of what use it is? Of +very little perhaps: no more is a +flower garden, and yet it is allowed as +an object of innocent amusement and +delightful recreation. A woman, who +possesses this quality, has received a +most dangerous present, perhaps not +less so than beauty itself: especially if +it be not sheathed in a temper peculi<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_45" id="sPage_45">[p 45]</a></span>arly +inoffensive, chastised by a most +correct judgment, and restrained by +more prudence than falls to the common +lot.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">This</span> talent is more likely to make +a woman vain than knowledge; for as +Wit is the immediate property of its +possessor, and learning is only an acquaintance +with the knowledge of other +people, there is much more danger, +that we should be vain of what is our +own, than of what we borrow.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> Wit, like learning, is not near +so common a thing as is imagined. +Let not therefore a young lady be +alarmed at the acuteness of her own +wit, any more than at the abundance +of her own knowledge. The great +danger is, lest she should mistake pertness, +flippancy, or imprudence, for this<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_46" id="sPage_46">[p 46]</a></span> +brilliant quality, or imagine she is +witty, only because she is indiscreet. +This is very frequently the case, and +this makes the name of wit so cheap, +while its real existence is so rare.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lest</span> the flattery of her acquaintance, +or an over-weening opinion of +her own qualifications, should lead +some vain and petulant girl into a false +notion that she has a great deal of wit, +when she has only a redundancy of +animal spirits, she may not find it useless +to attend to the definition of this +quality, by one who had as large a +portion of it, as most individuals could +ever boast:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">'Tis not a tale, 'tis not a jest,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Admir'd with laughter at a feast,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor florid talk, which can that title gain,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The proofs of wit for ever must remain.<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Neither can that have any place,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">At which a virgin hides her face;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Such dross the fire must purge away; 'tis just,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The author blush there, where the reader must.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Cowley</span>.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_47" id="sPage_47">[p 47]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> those who actually possess this +rare talent, cannot be too abstinent in +the use of it. It often makes admirers, +but it never makes friends; I mean, +where it is the predominant feature; +and the unprotected and defenceless +state of womanhood calls for friendship +more than for admiration. She +who does not desire friends has a sordid +and insensible soul; but she who +is ambitious of making every man her +admirer, has an invincible vanity and +a cold heart.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> to dwell only on the side of +policy, a prudent woman, who has +established the reputation of some ge<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_48" id="sPage_48">[p 48]</a></span>nius +will sufficiently maintain it, without +keeping her faculties always on +the stretch to say <i>good things</i>. Nay, +if reputation alone be her object, she +will gain a more solid one by her forbearance, +as the wiser part of her acquaintance +will ascribe it to the right +motive, which is, not that she has less +wit, but that she has more judgment.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> fatal fondness for indulging a +spirit of ridicule, and the injurious and +irreparable consequences which sometimes +attend the <i>too prompt reply</i>, can +never be too seriously or too severely +condemned. Not to offend, is the first +step towards pleasing. To give pain +is as much an offence against humanity, +as against good breeding; and +surely it is as well to abstain from an +action because it is sinful, as because +it is impolite. In company, young<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_49" id="sPage_49">[p 49]</a></span> +ladies would do well before they speak, +to reflect, if what they are going to +say may not distress some worthy person +present, by wounding them in +their persons, families, connexions, or +religious opinions. If they find it +will touch them in either of these, I +should advise them to suspect, that +what they were going to say is not +so <i>very</i> good a thing as they at first +imagined. Nay, if even it was one of +those bright ideas, which <i>Venus has imbued +with a fifth part of her nectar</i>, so +much greater will be their merit in +suppressing it, if there was a probability +it might offend. Indeed, if they +have the temper and prudence to make +such a previous reflection, they will be +more richly rewarded by their own inward +triumph, at having suppressed +a lively but severe remark, than they +could have been with the dissembled<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_50" id="sPage_50">[p 50]</a></span> +applauses of the whole company, who, +with that complaisant deceit, which +good breeding too much authorises, +affect openly to admire what they secretly +resolve never to forgive.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">I have</span> always been delighted with +the story of the little girl's eloquence, +in one of the Children's Tales, who received +from a friendly fairy the gift, +that at every word she uttered, pinks, +roses, diamonds, and pearls, should +drop from her mouth. The hidden +moral appears to be this, that it was +the sweetness of her temper which produced +this pretty fanciful effect: for +when her malicious sister desired the +same gift from the good-natured tiny +Intelligence, the venom of her own +heart converted it into poisonous and +loathsome reptiles.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_51" id="sPage_51">[p 51]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A man</span> of sense and breeding will +sometimes join in the laugh, which has +been raised at his expence by an ill-natured +repartee; but if it was very +cutting, and one of those shocking sort +of truths, which as they can scarcely +be pardoned even in private, ought +never to be uttered in public, he does +not laugh because he is pleased, but +because he wishes to conceal how much +he is hurt. As the sarcasm was uttered +by a lady, so far from seeming to resent +it, he will be the first to commend +it; but notwithstanding that, he will +remember it as a trait of malice, when +the whole company shall have forgotten +it as a stroke of wit. Women are +so far from being privileged by their +sex to say unhandsome or cruel things, +that it is this very circumstance which +renders them more intolerable. When +the arrow is lodged in the heart, it is<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_52" id="sPage_52">[p 52]</a></span> +no relief to him who is wounded to +reflect, that the hand which shot it +was a fair one.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Many</span> women, when they have a +favourite point to gain, or an earnest +wish to bring any one over to their opinion, +often use a very disingenuous +method: they will state a case ambiguously, +and then avail themselves of +it, in whatever manner shall best answer +their purpose; leaving your mind in +a state of indecision as to their real +meaning, while they triumph in the +perplexity they have given you by the +unfair conclusions they draw, from premises +equivocally stated. They will +also frequently argue from exceptions +instead of rules, and are astonished +when you are not willing to be contented +with a prejudice, instead of a +reason.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_53" id="sPage_53">[p 53]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">In</span> a sensible company of both sexes, +where women are not restrained by +any other reserve than what their natural +modesty imposes; and where the +intimacy of all parties authorises the +utmost freedom of communication; +should any one inquire what were the +general sentiments on some particular +subject, it will, I believe, commonly +happen, that the ladies, whose imaginations +have kept pace with the narration, +have anticipated its end, and are +ready to deliver their sentiments on it +as soon as it is finished. While some +of the male hearers, whose minds were +busied in settling the propriety, comparing +the circumstances, and examining +the consistencies of what was said, +are obliged to pause and discriminate, +before they think of answering. Nothing +is so embarrassing as a variety of +matter, and the conversation of women<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_54" id="sPage_54">[p 54]</a></span> +is often more perspicuous, because it +is less laboured.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A man</span> of deep reflection, if he does +not keep up an intimate commerce +with the world, will be sometimes so +entangled in the intricacies of intense +thought, that he will have the appearance +of a confused and perplexed expression; +while a sprightly woman will +extricate herself with that lively and +"rash dexterity," which will almost +always please, though it is very far +from being always right. It is easier +to confound than to convince an opponent; +the former may be effected by +a turn that has more happiness than +truth in it. Many an excellent reasoner, +well skilled in the theory of the +schools, has felt himself discomfited +by a reply, which, though as wide of +the mark, and as foreign to the que<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_55" id="sPage_55">[p 55]</a></span>stion +as can be conceived, has disconcerted +him more than the most startling +proposition, or the most accurate +chain of reasoning could have done; +and he has borne the laugh of his fair +antagonist, as well as of the whole +company, though he could not but +feel, that his own argument was attended +with the fullest demonstration: +so true is it, that it is not always necessary +to be right, in order to be applauded.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> let not a young lady's vanity +be too much elated with this false applause, +which is given, not to her +merit, but to her sex: she has not perhaps +gained a victory, though she may +be allowed a triumph; and it should +humble her to reflect, that the tribute +is paid, not to her strength but her +weakness. It is worth while to discri<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_56" id="sPage_56">[p 56]</a></span>minate +between that applause, which +is given from the complaisance of +others, and that which is paid to our +own merit.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Where</span> great sprightliness is the natural +bent of the temper, girls should +endeavour to habituate themselves to +a custom of observing, thinking, and +reasoning. I do not mean, that they +should devote themselves to abstruse +speculation, or the study of logic; but +she who is accustomed to give a due +arrangement to her thoughts, to reason +justly and pertinently on common +affairs, and judiciously to deduce effects +from their causes, will be a better +logician than some of those who claim +the name, because they have studied +the art: this is being "learned without +the rules;" the best definition, +perhaps, of that sort of literature which<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_57" id="sPage_57">[p 57]</a></span> +is properest for the sex. That species +of knowledge, which appears to be the +result of reflection rather than of science, +sits peculiarly well on women. +It is not uncommon to find a lady, +who, though she does not know a rule +of Syntax, scarcely ever violates one; +and who constructs every sentence she +utters, with more propriety than many +a learned dunce, who has every rule +of Aristotle by heart, and who can +lace his own thread-bare discourse +with the golden shreds of Cicero and +Virgil.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> has been objected, and I fear +with some reason, that female conversation +is too frequently tinctured +with a censorious spirit, and that ladies +are seldom apt to discover much tenderness +for the errors of a fallen sister.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_58" id="sPage_58">[p 58]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If it be so, it is a grievous fault.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">No</span> arguments can justify, no pleas can +extenuate it. To insult over the miseries +of an unhappy creature is inhuman, +not to compassionate them is unchristian. +The worthy part of the +sex always express themselves humanely +on the failings of others, in proportion +to their own undeviating goodness.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">And</span> here I cannot help remarking, +that young women do not always carefully +distinguish between running into +the error of detraction, and its opposite +extreme of indiscriminate applause. +This proceeds from the false idea they +entertain, that the direct contrary to +what is wrong must be right. Thus +the dread of being only suspected of +one fault makes them actually guilty +of another. The desire of avoiding<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_59" id="sPage_59">[p 59]</a></span> +the imputation of envy, impels them +to be insincere; and to establish a +reputation for sweetness of temper and +generosity, they affect sometimes to +speak of very indifferent characters +with the most extravagant applause. +With such, the hyperbole is a favourite +figure; and every degree of comparison +but the superlative is rejected, +as cold and inexpressive. But this +habit of exaggeration greatly weakens +their credit, and destroys the weight +of their opinion on other occasions; +for people very soon discover what degree +of faith is to be given both to +their judgment and veracity. And +those of real merit will no more be +flattered by that approbation, which +cannot distinguish the value of what +it praises, than the celebrated painter +must have been at the judgment passed<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_60" id="sPage_60">[p 60]</a></span> +on his works by an ignorant spectator, +who, being asked what he thought of +such and such very capital but very +different pieces, cried out in an affected +rapture, "All alike! all alike!"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> has been proposed to the young, +as a maxim of supreme wisdom, to +manage so dexterously in conversation, +as to appear to be well acquainted +with subjects, of which they are totally +ignorant; and this, by affecting +silence in regard to those, on which +they are known to excel.—But why +counsel this disingenuous fraud? Why +add to the numberless arts of deceit, +this practice of deceiving, as it were, +on a settled principle? If to disavow +the knowledge they really have be a +culpable affectation, then certainly to +insinuate an idea of their skill, where<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_61" id="sPage_61">[p 61]</a></span> +they are actually ignorant, is a most +unworthy artifice.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> of all the qualifications for +conversation, humility, if not the +most brilliant, is the safest, the most +amiable, and the most feminine. The +affectation of introducing subjects, +with which others are unacquainted, +and of displaying talents superior to +the rest of the company, is as dangerous +as it is foolish.</p> + +<p>There are many, who never can +forgive another for being more agreeable +and more accomplished than +themselves, and who can pardon any +offence rather than an eclipsing merit. +Had the nightingale in the fable +conquered his vanity, and resisted +the temptation of shewing a fine voice,<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_62" id="sPage_62">[p 62]</a></span> +he might have escaped the talons of +the hawk. The melody of his singing +was the cause of his destruction; his +merit brought him into danger, and +his vanity cost him his life.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="sFootnote_5_5" id="sFootnote_5_5"></a> +<a href="#sFNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Lord Bacon. +</p></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_63" id="sPage_63">[p 63]</a></span></p> + + +<h2><br /><br /> +ON<br /> +ENVY.<br /> +</h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Envy came next, Envy with squinting eyes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sick of a strange disease, his neighbour's health;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Best then he lives when any better dies,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Is never poor but in another's wealth:<br /></span> +<span class="i2">On best mens harms and griefs he feeds his fill,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Else his own maw doth eat with spiteful will,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ill must the temper be, where diet is so ill.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10"><span class="smcap">Fletcher's Purple Island</span>.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Envy</span>, (says Lord Bacon) has +no holidays." There cannot +perhaps be a more lively and striking +description of the miserable state of +mind those endure, who are tormented<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_64" id="sPage_64">[p 64]</a></span> +with this vice. A spirit of emulation +has been supposed to be the source of +the greatest improvements; and there +is no doubt but the warmest rivalship +will produce the most excellent effects; +but it is to be feared, that a perpetual +state of contest will injure the temper +so essentially, that the mischief will +hardly be counterbalanced by any +other advantages. Those, whose progress +is the most rapid, will be apt to +despise their less successful competitors, +who, in return, will feel the bitterest +resentment against their more +fortunate rivals. Among persons of +real goodness, this jealousy and contempt +can never be equally felt, because +every advancement in piety will +be attended with a proportionable increase +of humility, which will lead them +to contemplate their own improve<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_65" id="sPage_65">[p 65]</a></span>ments +with modesty, and to view +with charity the miscarriages of others.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> an envious man is melancholy, +one may ask him, in the words +of Bion, what evil has befallen himself, +or what good has happened to +another? This last is the scale by +which he principally measures his felicity, +and the very smiles of his friends +are so many deductions from his own +happiness. The wants of others are +the standard by which he rates his own +wealth, and he estimates his riches, +not so much by his own possessions, +as by the necessities of his neighbours.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> the malevolent intend to +strike a very deep and dangerous +stroke of malice, they generally begin +the most remotely in the world from<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_66" id="sPage_66">[p 66]</a></span> +the subject nearest their hearts. They +set out with commending the object +of their envy for some trifling quality +or advantage, which it is scarcely worth +while to possess: they next proceed to +make a general profession of their own +good-will and regard for him: thus +artfully removing any suspicion of +their design, and clearing all obstructions +for the insidious stab they are +about to give; for who will suspect +them of an intention to injure the object +of their peculiar and professed +esteem? The hearer's belief of the +fact grows in proportion to the seeming +reluctance with which it is told, +and to the conviction he has, that the +relater is not influenced by any private +pique, or personal resentment; but +that the confession is extorted from him +sorely against his inclination, and +purely on account of his zeal for truth.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_67" id="sPage_67">[p 67]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Anger</span> is less reasonable and more +sincere than envy.—Anger breaks out +abruptly; envy is a great prefacer—anger +wishes to be understood at once: +envy is fond of remote hints and ambiguities; +but, obscure as its oracles +are, it never ceases to deliver them till +they are perfectly comprehended:—anger +repeats the same circumstances +over again; envy invents new ones at +every fresh recital—anger gives a +broken, vehement, and interrupted +narrative; envy tells a more consistent +and more probable, though a falser +tale—anger is excessively imprudent, +for it is impatient to disclose every +thing it knows; envy is discreet, for +it has a great deal to hide—anger never +consults times or seasons; envy +waits for the lucky moment, when the +wound it meditates may be made the +most exquisitely painful, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_68" id="sPage_68">[p 68]</a></span> +most incurably deep—anger uses more +invective; envy does more mischief—simple +anger soon runs itself out of +breath, and is exhausted at the end of +its tale; but it is for that chosen period +that envy has treasured up the most +barbed arrow in its whole quiver—anger +puts a man out of himself: but +the truly malicious generally preserve +the appearance of self-possession, or +they could not so effectually injure.—The +angry man sets out by destroying +his whole credit with you at once, +for he very frankly confesses his abhorrence +and detestation of the object of +his abuse; while the envious man carefully +suppresses all his own share in +the affair.—The angry man defeats the +end of his resentment, by keeping <i>himself</i> +continually before your eyes, instead +of his enemy; while the envious +man artfully brings forward the object<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_69" id="sPage_69">[p 69]</a></span> +of his malice, and keeps himself out +of sight.—The angry man talks loudly +of his own wrongs; the envious of his +adversary's injustice.—A passionate person, +if his resentments are not complicated +with malice, divides his time +between sinning and sorrowing; and, +as the irascible passions cannot constantly +be at work, his heart may sometimes +get a holiday.—Anger is a violent +act, envy a constant habit—no one can +be always angry, but he may be always +envious:—an angry man's enmity +(if he be generous) will subside when +the object of his resentment becomes +unfortunate; but the envious man can +extract food from his malice out of calamity +itself, if he finds his adversary +bears it with dignity, or is pitied or +assisted in it. The rage of the passionate +man is totally extinguished by +the death of his enemy; but the ha<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_70" id="sPage_70">[p 70]</a></span>tred +of the malicious is not buried even +in the grave of his rival: he will envy +the good name he has left behind him; +he will envy him the tears of his widow, +the prosperity of his children, +the esteem of his friends, the praises of +his epitaph—nay the very magnificence +of his funeral.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">The</span> ear of jealousy heareth all +things," (says the wise man) frequently +I believe more than is uttered, which +makes the company of persons infected +with it still more dangerous.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> you tell those of a malicious +turn, any circumstance that has happened +to another, though they perfectly +know of whom you are speaking, +they often affect to be at a loss, +to forget his name, or to misapprehend +you in some respect or other; and this<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_71" id="sPage_71">[p 71]</a></span> +merely to have an opportunity of slily +gratifying their malice by mentioning +some unhappy defect or personal infirmity +he labours under; and not contented +"to tack his every error to his +name," they will, by way of farther +explanation, have recourse to the faults +of his father, or the misfortunes of +his family; and this with all the seeming +simplicity and candor in the world, +merely for the sake of preventing mistakes, +and to clear up every doubt of +his identity.—If you are speaking of a +lady, for instance, they will perhaps +embellish their inquiries, by asking if +you mean her, whose great grandfather +was a bankrupt, though she has the +vanity to keep a chariot, while others +who are much better born walk on +foot; or they will afterwards recollect, +that you may possibly mean her cousin, +of the same name, whose mother was<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_72" id="sPage_72">[p 72]</a></span> +suspected of such or such an indiscretion, +though the daughter had the luck +to make her fortune by marrying, +while her betters are overlooked.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">To</span> <i>hint at a fault</i>, does more mischief +than speaking out; for whatever +is left for the imagination to finish, +will not fail to be overdone: every +hiatus will be more then filled up, and +every pause more than supplied. There +is less malice, and less mischief too, +in telling a man's name than the initials +of it; as a worthier person may +be involved in the most disgraceful +suspicions by such a dangerous ambiguity.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is not uncommon for the envious, +after having attempted to deface +the fairest character so industriously, +that they are afraid you will begin to<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_73" id="sPage_73">[p 73]</a></span> +detect their malice, to endeavour to +remove your suspicions effectually, by +assuring you, that what they have just +related is only the popular opinion; +they themselves can never believe +things are so bad as they are said to +be; for their part, it is a rule with +them always to hope the best. It is +their way never to believe or report ill +of any one. They will, however, +mention the story in all companies, +that they may do their friend the service +of protesting their disbelief of it. +More reputations are thus hinted away +by false friends, than are openly destroyed +by public enemies. An <i>if</i>, or +a <i>but</i>, or a mortified look, or a languid +defence, or an ambiguous shake +of the head, or a hasty word affectedly +recalled, will demolish a character more +effectually, than the whole artillery of +malice when openly levelled against it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_74" id="sPage_74">[p 74]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is not that envy never praises—No, +that would be making a public +profession of itself, and advertising +its own malignity; whereas the greatest +success of its efforts depends on the +concealment of their end. When envy +intends to strike a stroke of Machiavelian +policy, it sometimes affects the +language of the most exaggerated applause; +though it generally takes care, +that the subject of its panegyric shall +be a very indifferent and common character, +so that it is well aware none of +its praises will stick.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is the unhappy nature of envy +not to be contented with positive misery, +but to be continually aggravating +its own torments, by comparing +them with the felicities of others. +The eyes of envy are perpetually fixed +on the object which disturbs it, nor<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_75" id="sPage_75">[p 75]</a></span> +can it avert them from it, though to +procure itself the relief of a temporary +forgetfulness. On seeing the innocence +of the first pair,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i14">Aside the devil turn'd,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For Envy, yet with jealous leer malign,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Eyed them askance.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>As this enormous sin chiefly instigated +the revolt, and brought on the +ruin of the angelic spirits, so it is not +improbable, that it will be a principal +instrument of misery in a future world, +for the envious to compare their desperate +condition with the happiness of +the children of God; and to heighten +their actual wretchedness by reflecting +on what they have lost.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Perhaps</span> envy, like lying and ingratitude, +is practised with more frequency, +because it is practised with<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_76" id="sPage_76">[p 76]</a></span> +impunity; but there being no human +laws against these crimes, is so far from +an inducement to commit them, that +this very consideration would be sufficient +to deter the wise and good, if +all others were ineffectual; for of +how heinous a nature must those sins +be, which are judged above the reach +of human punishment, and are reserved +for the final justice of God himself!<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_77" id="sPage_77">[p 77]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><br /><br /> +ON THE<br /> +DANGER<br /> +OF<br /> +SENTIMENTAL OR ROMANTIC<br /> +CONNEXIONS.<br /> +</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Among</span> the many evils which +prevail under the sun, the abuse +of words is not the least considerable. +By the influence of time, and the perversion +of fashion, the plainest and +most unequivocal may be so altered,<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_78" id="sPage_78">[p 78]</a></span> +as to have a meaning assigned them almost +diametrically opposite to their +original signification.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> present age may be termed, by +way of distinction, the age of sentiment, +a word which, in the implication +it now bears, was unknown to +our plain ancestors. Sentiment is the +varnish of virtue to conceal the deformity +of vice; and it is not uncommon +for the same persons to make a jest of +religion, to break through the most +solemn ties and engagements, to practise +every art of latent fraud and open +seduction, and yet to value themselves +on speaking and writing <i>sentimentally</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> this refined jargon, which has +infested letters and tainted morals, is +chiefly admired and adopted by <i>young +ladies</i> of a certain turn, who read <i>sen<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_79" id="sPage_79">[p 79]</a></span>timental +books</i>, write <i>sentimental letters</i>, +and contract <i>sentimental friendships</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Error</span> is never likely to do so +much mischief as when it disguises its +real tendency, and puts on an engaging +and attractive appearance. Many +a young woman, who would be shocked +at the imputation of an intrigue, +is extremely flattered at the idea of a +sentimental connexion, though perhaps +with a dangerous and designing man, +who, by putting on this mask of plausibility +and virtue, disarms her of her +prudence, lays her apprehensions asleep, +and involves her in misery; misery +the more inevitable because unsuspected. +For she who apprehends no danger, +will not think it necessary to be +always upon her guard; but will rather +invite than avoid the ruin which<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_80" id="sPage_80">[p 80]</a></span> +comes under so specious and so fair a +form.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Such</span> an engagement will be infinitely +dearer to her vanity than an +avowed and authorised attachment; +for one of these sentimental lovers will +not scruple very seriously to assure a credulous +girl, that her unparalleled merit +entitles her to the adoration of the +whole world, and that the universal +homage of mankind is nothing more +than the unavoidable tribute extorted +by her charms. No wonder then she +should be easily prevailed on to believe, +that an individual is captivated +by perfections which might enslave a +million. But she should remember, +that he who endeavours to intoxicate +her with adulation, intends one day +most effectually to humble her. For +an artful man has always a secret de<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_81" id="sPage_81">[p 81]</a></span>sign +to pay himself in future for every +present sacrifice. And this prodigality +of praise, which he now appears to +lavish with such thoughtless profusion, +is, in fact, a sum [oe]conomically laid +out to supply his future necessities: +of this sum he keeps an exact estimate, +and at some distant day promises himself +the most exorbitant interest for it. +If he has address and conduct, and, +the object of his pursuit much vanity, +and some sensibility, he seldom fails +of success; for so powerful will be his +ascendancy over her mind, that she +will soon adopt his notions and opinions. +Indeed, it is more than probable +she possessed most of them before, having +gradually acquired them in her +initiation into the sentimental character. +To maintain that character with +dignity and propriety, it is necessary +she should entertain the most elevated<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_82" id="sPage_82">[p 82]</a></span> +ideas of disproportionate alliances, and +disinterested love; and consider fortune, +rank, and reputation, as mere +chimerical distinctions and vulgar prejudices.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> lover, deeply versed in all the +obliquities of fraud, and skilled to wind +himself into every avenue of the heart +which indiscretion has left unguarded, +soon discovers on which side it is most +accessible. He avails himself of this +weakness by addressing her in a language +exactly consonant to her own +ideas. He attacks her with her own +weapons, and opposes rhapsody to +sentiment—He professes so sovereign +a contempt for the paltry concerns of +money, that she thinks it her duty to +reward him for so generous a renunciation. +Every plea he artfully advances +of his own unworthiness, is<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_83" id="sPage_83">[p 83]</a></span> +considered by her as a fresh demand +which her gratitude must answer. And +she makes it a point of honour to sacrifice +to him that fortune which he +is too noble to regard. These professions +of humility are the common artifice +of the vain, and these protestations +of generosity the refuge of the +rapacious. And among its many +smooth mischiefs, it is one of the sure +and successful frauds of sentiment, to +affect the most frigid indifference to +those external and pecuniary advantages, +which it is its great and real +object to obtain.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A sentimental</span> girl very rarely +entertains any doubt of her personal +beauty; for she has been daily accustomed +to contemplate it herself, and +to hear of it from others. She will +not, therefore, be very solicitous for<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_84" id="sPage_84">[p 84]</a></span> +the confirmation of a truth so self-evident; +but she suspects, that her +pretensions to understanding are more +likely to be disputed, and, for that +reason, greedily devours every compliment +offered to those perfections, +which are less obvious and more refined. +She is persuaded, that men +need only open their eyes to decide +on her beauty, while it will be the +most convincing proof of the taste, +sense, and elegance of her admirer, +that he can discern and flatter those +qualities in her. A man of the character +here supposed, will easily insinuate +himself into her affections, by +means of this latent but leading foible, +which may be called the guiding clue +to a sentimental heart. He will affect +to overlook that beauty which attracts +common eyes, and ensnares common +hearts, while he will bestow the most<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_85" id="sPage_85">[p 85]</a></span> +delicate praises on the beauties of her +mind, and finish the climax of adulation, +by hinting that she is superior +to it.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">And when he tells her she hates flattery,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She says she does, being then most flatter'd.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> nothing, in general, can end less +delightfully than these sublime attachments, +even where no acts of seduction +were ever practised, but they are +suffered, like mere sublunary connexions, +to terminate in the vulgar catastrophe +of marriage. That wealth, +which lately seemed to be looked on +with ineffable contempt by the lover, +now appears to be the principal attraction +in the eyes of the husband; +and he, who but a few short weeks +before, in a transport of sentimental +generosity, wished her to have been +a village maid, with no portion but<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_86" id="sPage_86">[p 86]</a></span> +her crook and her beauty, and that +they might spend their days in pastoral +love and innocence, has now lost all +relish for the Arcadian life, or any +other life in which she must be his +companion.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">On</span> the other hand, she who was +lately</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">An angel call'd, and angel-like ador'd,<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>is shocked to find herself at once stripped +of all her celestial attributes. This +late divinity, who scarcely yielded to +her sisters of the sky, now finds herself +of less importance in the esteem +of the man she has chosen, than any +other mere mortal woman. No longer +is she gratified with the tear of counterfeited +passion, the sigh of dissembled +rapture, or the language of premeditated +adoration. No longer is the<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_87" id="sPage_87">[p 87]</a></span> +altar of her vanity loaded with the oblations +of fictitious fondness, the incense +of falsehood, or the sacrifice of +flattery.—Her apotheosis is ended!—She +feels herself degraded from the +dignities and privileges of a goddess, +to all the imperfections, vanities, and +weaknesses of a slighted woman, and +a neglected wife. Her faults, which +were so lately overlooked, or mistaken +for virtues, are now, as Cassius says, +set in a note-book. The passion, +which was vowed eternal, lasted only +a few short weeks; and the indifference, +which was so far from being +included in the bargain, that it was +not so much as suspected, follows them +through the whole tiresome journey of +their insipid, vacant, joyless existence.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Thus</span> much for the <i>completion</i> of the +sentimental history. If we trace it<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_88" id="sPage_88">[p 88]</a></span> +back to its beginning, we shall find +that a damsel of this cast had her head +originally turned by pernicious reading, +and her insanity confirmed by +imprudent friendships. She never fails +to select a beloved <i>confidante</i> of her +own turn and humour, though, if she +can help it, not quite so handsome as +herself. A violent intimacy ensues, or, +to speak the language of sentiment, +an intimate union of souls immediately +takes place, which is wrought to the +highest pitch by a secret and voluminous +correspondence, though they live +in the same street, or perhaps in the +same house. This is the fuel which +principally feeds and supplies the dangerous +flame of sentiment. In this +correspondence the two friends encourage +each other in the falsest notions +imaginable. They represent romantic +love as the great important busine<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_89" id="sPage_89">[p 89]</a></span>ss +of human life, and describe all the +other concerns of it as too low and +paltry to merit the attention of such +elevated beings, and fit only to employ +the daughters of the plodding +vulgar. In these letters, family affairs +are misrepresented, family secrets divulged, +and family misfortunes aggravated. +They are filled with vows +of eternal amity, and protestations of +never-ending love. But interjections +and quotations are the principal embellishments +of these very sublime +epistles. Every panegyric contained +in them is extravagant and hyperbolical, +and every censure exaggerated +and excessive. In a favourite, every +frailty is heightened into a perfection, +and in a foe degraded into a crime. +The dramatic poets, especially the +most tender and romantic, are quoted +in almost every line, and every pom<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_90" id="sPage_90">[p 90]</a></span>pous +or pathetic thought is forced to +give up its natural and obvious meaning, +and with all the violence of misapplication, +is compelled to suit some +circumstance of imaginary woe of the +fair transcriber. Alicia is not too mad +for her heroics, nor Monimia too mild +for her soft emotions.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Fathers</span> <i>have flinty hearts</i> is an expression +worth an empire, and is always +used with peculiar emphasis and +enthusiasm. For a favourite topic of +these epistles is the groveling spirit +and sordid temper of the parents, who +will be sure to find no quarter at the +hands of their daughters, should they +presume to be so unreasonable as to +direct their course of reading, interfere +in their choice of friends, or interrupt +their very important correspondence. +But as these young ladies are fertile in<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_91" id="sPage_91">[p 91]</a></span> +expedients, and as their genius is never +more agreeably exercised than in +finding resources, they are not without +their secret exultation, in case either +of the above interesting events +should happen, as they carry with +them a certain air of tyranny and persecution +which is very delightful. For +a prohibited correspondence is one of +the great incidents of a sentimental life, +and a letter clandestinely received, the +supreme felicity of a sentimental lady.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Nothing</span> can equal the astonishment +of these soaring spirits, when their +plain friends or prudent relations presume +to remonstrate with them on any +impropriety in their conduct. But if +these worthy people happen to be +somewhat advanced in life, their contempt +is then a little softened by pity, +at the reflection that such very anti<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_92" id="sPage_92">[p 92]</a></span>quated +poor creatures should pretend +to judge what is fit or unfit for ladies +of their great refinement, sense, and +reading. They consider them as wretches +utterly ignorant of the sublime pleasures +of a delicate and exalted passion; +as tyrants whose authority is to be contemned, +and as spies whose vigilance is +to be eluded. The prudence of these +worthy friends they term suspicion, +and their experience dotage. For they +are persuaded, that the face of things +has so totally changed since their parents +were young, that though they +might then judge tolerably for themselves, +yet they are now (with all +their advantages of knowledge and +observation) by no means qualified to +direct their more enlightened daughters; +who, if they have made a great +progress in the sentimental walk, will<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_93" id="sPage_93">[p 93]</a></span> +no more be influenced by the advice +of their mother, than they would go +abroad in her laced pinner or her brocade +suit.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> young people never shew their +folly and ignorance more conspicuously, +than by this over-confidence in +their own judgment, and this haughty +disdain of the opinion of those who +have known more days. Youth has +a quickness of apprehension, which it +is very apt to mistake for an acuteness +of penetration. But youth, like cunning, +though very conceited, is very +short-sighted, and never more so than +when it disregards the instructions of +the wife, and the admonitions of the +aged. The same vices and follies influenced +the human heart in their +day, which influence it now, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_94" id="sPage_94">[p 94]</a></span> +nearly in the same manner. One who +well knew the world and its various +vanities, has said, "The thing which +hath been, it is that which shall be, +and that which is done is that which +shall be done, and there is no new +thing under the sun."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is also a part of the sentimental +character, to imagine that none but +the young and the beautiful have any +right to the pleasures of society, of +even to the common benefits and blessings +of life. Ladies of this turn also +affect the most lofty disregard for useful +qualities and domestic virtues; +and this is a natural consequence: for +as this sort of sentiment is only a weed +of idleness, she who is constantly and +usefully employed, has neither leisure +nor propensity to cultivate it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_95" id="sPage_95">[p 95]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A sentimental</span> lady principally +values herself on the enlargement of +her notions, and her liberal way of +thinking. This superiority of soul +chiefly manifests itself in the contempt +of those minute delicacies and little decorums, +which, trifling as they may +be thought, tend at once to dignify +the character, and to restrain the +levity of the younger part of the sex.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Perhaps</span> the error here complained +of, originates in mistaking <i>sentiment</i> +and <i>principle</i> for each other. Now I +conceive them to be extremely different. +Sentiment is the virtue of <i>ideas</i>, +and principle the virtue of <i>action</i>. Sentiment +has its seat in the head, principle +in the heart. Sentiment suggests +fine harangues and subtile distinctions; +principle conceives just notions, and +performs good actions in consequence<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_96" id="sPage_96">[p 96]</a></span> +of them. Sentiment refines away the +simplicity of truth and the plainness +of piety; and, as a celebrated wit<a name="sFNanchor_6_6" id="sFNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#sFootnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> has +remarked of his no less celebrated +contemporary, gives us virtue in words +and vice in deeds. Sentiment may be +called the Athenian, who <i>knew</i> what +was right, and principle the Lacedemonian +who <i>practised</i> it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> these qualities will be better +exemplified by an attentive consideration +of two admirably drawn characters +of Milton, which are beautifully, +delicately, and distinctly marked. +These are, Belial, who may not +improperly be called the <i>Demon of Sentiment</i>; +and Abdiel, who may be +termed the <i>Angel of Principle</i>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_97" id="sPage_97">[p 97]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Survey</span> the picture of Belial, drawn +by the sublimest hand that ever held +the poetic pencil.</p> + + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A fairer person lost not heav'n; he seem'd<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For dignity compos'd, and high exploit,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But all was false and hollow, tho' his tongue<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The better reason, to perplex and dash<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Maturest counsels, for his thoughts were low,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To vice industrious, but to nobler deeds<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Tim'rous and slothful; yet he pleas'd the ear.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12"><span class="smcap">Paradise Lost</span>, B. II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Here</span> is a lively and exquisite representation +of art, subtilty, wit, fine +breeding and polished manners: on +the whole, of a very accomplished and +sentimental spirit.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Now</span> turn to the artless, upright, +and unsophisticated Abdiel,<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_98" id="sPage_98">[p 98]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12">Faithful found<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Among the faithless, faithful only he<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Among innumerable false, unmov'd,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Unshaken, unseduc'd, unterrified;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor number, nor example with him wrought<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Though single.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Book</span> V.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> it is not from these descriptions, +just and striking as they are, that their +characters are so perfectly known, as +from an examination of their conduct +through the remainder of this divine +work: in which it is well worth while +to remark the consonancy of their actions, +with what the above pictures +seem to promise. It will also be observed, +that the contrast between them +is kept up throughout, with the utmost +exactness of delineation, and the +most animated strength of colouring.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_99" id="sPage_99">[p 99]</a></span> +On a review it will be found, that +Belial <i>talked</i> all, and Abdiel <i>did</i> all. +The former,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">With words still cloath'd in reason's guise,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Counsel'd ignoble ease, and peaceful sloth,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Not peace.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Book</span> II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">In</span> Abdiel you will constantly find +the eloquence of action. When tempted +by the rebellious angels, with what +<i>retorted scorn</i>, with what honest indignation +he deserts their multitudes, and +retreats from their contagious society!</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">All night the dreadless angel unpursued<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Through heaven's wide champain held his way.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Book</span> VI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">No</span> wonder he was received with +such acclamations of joy by the celestial +powers, when there was</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12">But one,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yes, of so many myriads fall'n, but one<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Return'd not lost.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Ibid.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_100" id="sPage_100">[p 100]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">And</span> afterwards, in a close contest +with the arch fiend,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">A noble stroke he lifted high<br /></span> +<span class="i0">On the proud crest of Satan.<br /></span> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Ibid.</span></span><br /> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">What</span> was the effect of this courage +of the vigilant and active seraph?</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">Amazement seiz'd<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The rebel throne, but greater rage to see<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thus foil'd their mightiest.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Abdiel</span> had the superiority of Belial +as much in the warlike combat, as +in the peaceful counsels.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">Nor was it ought but just,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That he who in debate of truth had won,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shou'd win in arms, in both disputes alike<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Victor.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> notwithstanding I have spoken +with some asperity against sentiment as +opposed to principle, yet I am con<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_101" id="sPage_101">[p 101]</a></span>vinced, +that true genuine sentiment, +(not the sort I have been describing) +may be so connected with principle, +as to bestow on it its brightest lustre, +and its most captivating graces. And +enthusiasm is so far from being disagreeable, +that a portion of it is perhaps +indispensably necessary in an engaging +woman. But it must be the +enthusiasm of the heart, not of the senses. +It must be the enthusiasm which grows +up with a feeling mind, and is cherished +by a virtuous education; not that which +is compounded of irregular passions, and +artificially refined by books of unnatural +fiction and improbable adventure. +I will even go so far as to assert, +that a young woman cannot have any +real greatness of soul, or true elevation +of principle, if she has not a tincture +of what the vulgar would call Romance, +but which persons of a certain<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_102" id="sPage_102">[p 102]</a></span> +way of thinking will discern to proceed +from those fine feelings, and that +charming sensibility, without which, +though a woman may be worthy, yet +she can never be amiable.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> this dangerous merit cannot be +too rigidly watched, as it is very apt +to lead those who possess it into inconveniencies +from which less interesting +characters are happily exempt. Young +women of strong sensibility may be +carried by the very amiableness of this +temper into the most alarming extremes. +Their tastes are passions. They +love and hate with all their hearts, and +scarcely suffer themselves to feel a reasonable +preference before it strengthens +into a violent attachment.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> an innocent girl of this open, +trusting, tender heart, happens to meet<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_103" id="sPage_103">[p 103]</a></span> +with one of her own sex and age, +whose address and manners are engaging, +she is instantly seized with an ardent +desire to commence a friendship +with her. She feels the most lively +impatience at the restraints of company, +and the decorums of ceremony. +She longs to be alone with her, longs +to assure her of the warmth of her tenderness, +and generously ascribes to +the fair stranger all the good qualities +she feels in her own heart, or rather +all those which she has met with in her +reading, dispersed in a variety of heroines. +She is persuaded, that her new +friend unites them all in herself, because +she carries in her prepossessing +countenance the promise of them all. +How cruel and how censorious would +this inexperienced girl think her mother +was, who should venture to hint, +that the agreeable unknown had de<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_104" id="sPage_104">[p 104]</a></span>fects +in her temper, or exceptions in +her character. She would mistake these +hints of discretion for the insinuations +of an uncharitable disposition. At first +she would perhaps listen to them with +a generous impatience, and afterwards +with a cold and silent disdain. She +would despise them as the effect of +prejudice, misrepresentation, or ignorance. +The more aggravated the censure, +the more vehemently would she +protest in secret, that her friendship +for this dear injured creature (who is +raised much higher in her esteem by +such injurious suspicions) shall know +no bounds, as she is assured it can +know no end.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Yet</span> this trusting confidence, this +honest indiscretion, is, at this early period +of life as amiable as it is natural; +and will, if wisely cultivated, produce,<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_105" id="sPage_105">[p 105]</a></span> +at its proper season, fruits infinitely +more valuable than all the guarded +circumspection of premature, and +therefore artificial, prudence. Men, I +believe, are seldom struck with these +sudden prepossessions in favour of each +other. They are not so unsuspecting, +nor so easily led away by the predominance +of fancy. They engage more +warily, and pass through the several +stages of acquaintance, intimacy, and +confidence, by slower gradations; but +women, if they are sometimes deceived +in the choice of a friend, enjoy even +then an higher degree of satisfaction +than if they never trusted. For to be +always clad in the burthensome armour +of suspicion is more painful and +inconvenient, than to run the hazard +of suffering now and then a transient +injury.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_106" id="sPage_106">[p 106]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> the above observations only +extend to the young and the inexperienced; +for I am very certain, that +women are capable of as faithful and +as durable friendship as any of the +other sex. They can enter not only +into all the enthusiastic tenderness, +but into all the solid fidelity of attachment. +And if we cannot oppose instances +of equal weight with those of +Nysus and Euryalus, Theseus and Pirithous, +Pylades and Orestes, let it be +remembered, that it is because the recorders +of those characters were men, +and that the very existence of them is +merely poetical.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_107" id="sPage_107">[p 107]</a></span></p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="sFootnote_6_6" id="sFootnote_6_6"></a> +<a href="#sFNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> See Voltaire's Prophecy concerning Rousseau. +</p></div> + + + + +<h2><br /><br /> +ON<br /> +TRUE AND FALSE<br /> +MEEKNESS.<br /> +</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">A low</span> voice and soft address +are the common indications of +a well-bred woman, and should seem +to be the natural effects of a meek +and quiet spirit; but they are only the +outward and visible signs of it: for<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_108" id="sPage_108">[p 108]</a></span> +they are no more meekness itself, than +a red coat is courage, or a black one +devotion.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Yet</span> nothing is more common than +to mistake the sign for the thing itself; +nor is any practice more frequent than +that of endeavouring to acquire the +exterior mark, without once thinking +to labour after the interior grace. Surely +this is beginning at the wrong end, +like attacking the symptom and neglecting +the disease. To regulate the +features, while the soul is in tumults, +or to command the voice while the +passions are without restraint, is as idle +as throwing odours into a stream when +the source is polluted.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> <i>sapient king</i>, who knew better +than any man the nature and the power +of beauty, has assured us, that the<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_109" id="sPage_109">[p 109]</a></span> +temper of the mind has a strong influence +upon the features: "Wisdom +maketh the face to shine," says that +exquisite judge; and surely no part +of wisdom is more likely to produce +this amiable effect, than a placid serenity +of soul.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> will not be difficult to distinguish +the true from the artificial meekness. +The former is universal and habitual, +the latter, local and temporary. Every +young female may keep this rule by +her, to enable her to form a just judgment +of her own temper: if she is not +as gentle to her chambermaid as she +is to her visitor, she may rest satisfied +that the spirit of gentleness is not in +her.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Who</span> would not be shocked and +disappointed to behold a well-bred<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_110" id="sPage_110">[p 110]</a></span> +young lady, soft and engaging as the +doves of Venus, displaying a thousand +graces and attractions to win the hearts +of a large company, and the instant they +are gone, to see her look mad as the Pythian +maid, and all the frightened graces +driven from her furious countenance, +only because her gown was brought +home a quarter of an hour later than +she expected, or her ribbon sent half +a shade lighter or darker than she ordered?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">All</span> men's characters are said to +proceed from their servants; and this +is more particularly true of ladies: for +as their situations are more domestic, +they lie more open to the inspection +of their families, to whom their real +characters are easily and perfectly +known; for they seldom think it worth +while to practise any disguise before<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_111" id="sPage_111">[p 111]</a></span> +those, whose good opinion they do not +value, and who are obliged to submit +to their most insupportable humours, +because they are paid for it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amongst</span> women of breeding, the +exterior of gentleness is so uniformly +assumed, and the whole manner is so +perfectly level and <i>uni</i>, that it is +next to impossible for a stranger to +know any thing of their true dispositions +by conversing with them, and +even the very features are so exactly +regulated, that physiognomy, which +may sometimes be trusted among the +vulgar, is, with the polite, a most +lying science.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A very</span> termagant woman, if she +happens also to be a very artful one, +will be conscious she has so much to +conceal, that the dread of betraying<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_112" id="sPage_112">[p 112]</a></span> +her real temper will make her put on +an over-acted softness, which, from its +very excess, may be distinguished from +the natural, by a penetrating eye. That +gentleness is ever liable to be suspected +for the counterfeited, which is so excessive +as to deprive people of the proper +use of speech and motion, or +which, as Hamlet says, makes them +lisp and amble, and nick-name God's +creatures.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> countenance and manners of +some very fashionable persons may be +compared to the inscriptions on their +monuments, which speak nothing but +good of what is within; but he who +knows any thing of the world, or of +the human heart, will no more trust +to the courtesy, than he will depend +on the epitaph.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_113" id="sPage_113">[p 113]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Among</span> the various artifices of factitious +meekness, one of the most frequent +and most plausible, is that of +affecting to be always equally delighted +with all persons and all characters. The +society of these languid beings is without +confidence, their friendship without +attachment, and their love without +affection, or even preference. This +insipid mode of conduct may be safe, +but I cannot think it has either taste, +sense, or principle in it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">These</span> uniformly smiling and approving +ladies, who have neither the +noble courage to reprehend vice, nor +the generous warmth to bear their honest +testimony in the cause of virtue, +conclude every one to be ill-natured +who has any penetration, and look upon +a distinguishing judgment as want +of tenderness. But they should learn,<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_114" id="sPage_114">[p 114]</a></span> +that this discernment does not always +proceed from an uncharitable temper, +but from that long experience and +thorough knowledge of the world, +which lead those who have it to scrutinize +into the conduct and disposition +of men, before they trust entirely to +those fair appearances, which sometimes +veil the most insidious purposes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">We</span> are perpetually mistaking the +qualities and dispositions of our own +hearts. We elevate our failings into +virtues, and qualify our vices into +weaknesses: and hence arise so many +false judgments respecting meekness. +Self-ignorance is at the root of all this +mischief. Many ladies complain that, +for their part, their spirit is so meek +they can bear nothing; whereas, if +they spoke truth, they would say, their +spirit is so high and unbroken that<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_115" id="sPage_115">[p 115]</a></span> +they can bear nothing. Strange! to +plead their meekness as a reason why +they cannot endure to be crossed, and +to produce their impatience of contradiction +as a proof of their gentleness!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Meekness</span>, like most other virtues, +has certain limits, which it no sooner +exceeds than it becomes criminal. Servility +of spirit is not gentleness but +weakness, and if allowed, under the +specious appearances it sometimes puts +on, will lead to the most dangerous +compliances. She who hears innocence +maligned without vindicating it, +falsehood asserted without contradicting +it, or religion prophaned without +resenting it, is not gentle but wicked.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">To</span> give up the cause of an innocent, +injured friend, if the popular cry happens +to be against him, is the most<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_116" id="sPage_116">[p 116]</a></span> +disgraceful weakness. This was the +case of Madame de Maintenon. She +loved the character and admired the +talents of Racine; she caressed him +while he had no enemies, but wanted +the greatness of mind, or rather the +common justice, to protect him against +their resentment when he had; and +her favourite was abandoned to the +suspicious jealousy of the king, when +a prudent remonstrance might have +preserved him.—But her tameness, if +not absolute connivance in the great +massacre of the protestants, in whose +church she had been bred, is a far +more guilty instance of her weakness; +an instance which, in spite of all her +devotional zeal and incomparable prudence, +will disqualify her from shining +in the annals of good women, however +she may be entitled to figure +among the great and the fortunate.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_117" id="sPage_117">[p 117]</a></span> +Compare her conduct with that of her +undaunted and pious countryman and +contemporary, Bougi, who, when +Louis would have prevailed on him +to renounce his religion for a commission +or a government, nobly replied, +"If I could be persuaded to betray +my God for a marshal's staff, I +might betray my king for a bribe +of much less consequence."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Meekness</span> is imperfect, if it be not +both active and passive; if it will not +enable us to subdue our own passions +and resentments, as well as qualify us +to bear patiently the passions and resentments +of others.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Before</span> we give way to any violent +emotion of anger, it would perhaps be +worth while to consider the value of +the object which excites it, and to re<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_118" id="sPage_118">[p 118]</a></span>flect +for a moment, whether the thing +we so ardently desire, or so vehemently +resent, be really of as much importance +to us, as that delightful tranquillity +of soul, which we renounce in +pursuit of it. If, on a fair calculation, +we find we are not likely to get as +much as we are sure to lose, then, +putting all religious considerations out +of the question, common sense and +human policy will tell us, we have +made a foolish and unprofitable exchange. +Inward quiet is a part of +one's self; the object of our resentment +may be only a matter of opinion; and, +certainly, what makes a portion of +our actual happiness ought to be too +dear to us, to be sacrificed for a trifling, +foreign, perhaps imaginary good.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> most pointed satire I remember +to have read, on a mind enslaved by<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_119" id="sPage_119">[p 119]</a></span> +anger, is an observation of Seneca's. +"Alexander (said he) had two friends, +Clitus and Lysimachus; the one he +exposed to a lion, the other to himself: +he who was turned loose to the +beast escaped, but Clitus was murdered, +for he was turned loose to an +angry man."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A passionate</span> woman's happiness +is never in her own keeping: it is the +sport of accident, and the slave of +events. It is in the power of her acquaintance, +her servants, but chiefly +of her enemies, and all her comforts +lie at the mercy of others. So far +from being willing to learn of him +who was meek and lowly, she considers +meekness as the want of a becoming +spirit, and lowliness as a despicable +and vulgar meanness. And an imperious +woman will so little covet the<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_120" id="sPage_120">[p 120]</a></span> +ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, +that it is almost the only ornament she +will not be solicitous to wear. But resentment +is a very expensive vice. How +dearly has it cost its votaries, even +from the sin of Cain, the first offender +in this kind! "It is cheaper (says a +pious writer) to forgive, and save +the charges."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">If</span> it were only for mere human reasons, +it would turn to a better account +to be patient; nothing defeats the malice +of an enemy like a spirit of forbearance; +the return of rage for rage +cannot be so effectually provoking. +True gentleness, like an impenetrable +armour, repels the most pointed shafts +of malice: they cannot pierce through +this invulnerable shield, but either fall +hurtless to the ground, or return to +wound the hand that shot them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_121" id="sPage_121">[p 121]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A meek</span> spirit will not look out of itself +for happiness, because it finds a +constant banquet at home; yet, by a +sort of divine alchymy, it will convert +all external events to its own profit, +and be able to deduce some good, even +from the most unpromising: it will extract +comfort and satisfaction from the +most barren circumstances: "It will +suck honey out of the rock, and oil +out of the flinty rock."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> the supreme excellence of this +complacent quality is, that it naturally +disposes the mind where it resides, to +the practice of every other that is amiable. +Meekness may be called the +pioneer of all the other virtues, which +levels every obstruction, and smooths +every difficulty that might impede +their entrance, or retard their progress.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_122" id="sPage_122">[p 122]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> peculiar importance and value +of this amiable virtue may be farther +seen in its permanency. Honours and +dignities are transient, beauty and +riches frail and fugacious, to a proverb. +Would not the truly wise, +therefore, wish to have some one possession, +which they might call their own +in the severest exigencies? But this +wish can only be accomplished by acquiring +and maintaining that calm and +absolute self-possession, which, as the +world had no hand in giving, so it +cannot, by the most malicious exertion +of its power, take away.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_123" id="sPage_123">[p 123]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><br /><br /> +THOUGHTS<br /> +<span class="smcap">on the</span><br /> +CULTIVATION<br /> +<span class="smcap">of the</span><br /> +HEART <span class="smcap">and</span> TEMPER<br /> +<span class="smcap">in the</span><br /> +EDUCATION <span class="smcap">of</span> DAUGHTERS.<br /> +</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">I have</span> not the foolish presumption +to imagine, that I can offer +any thing new on a subject, which +has been so successfully treated by +many learned and able writers. I would +only, with all possible deference, beg<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_124" id="sPage_124">[p 124]</a></span> +leave to hazard a few short remarks +on that part of the subject of education, +which I would call the <i>education +of the heart</i>. I am well aware, that +this part also has not been less skilfully +and forcibly discussed than the +rest, though I cannot, at the same +time, help remarking, that it does +not appear to have been so much +adopted into common practice.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> appears then, that notwithstanding +the great and real improvements, +which have been made in the affair +of female education, and notwithstanding +the more enlarged and generous +views of it, which prevail in the present +day, that there is still a very material +defect, which it is not, in general, +enough the object of attention to remove. +This defect seems to consist +in this, that too little regard is paid<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_125" id="sPage_125">[p 125]</a></span> +to the dispositions of the <i>mind</i>, that +the indications of the <i>temper</i> are not +properly cherished, nor the affections +of the <i>heart</i> sufficiently regulated.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">In</span> the first education of girls, as +far as the customs which fashion establishes +are right, they should undoubtedly +be followed. Let the exterior be +made a considerable object of attention, +but let it not be the principal, let it +not be the only one.—Let the graces +be industriously cultivated, but let +them not be cultivated at the expence +of the virtues.—Let the arms, the +head, the whole person be carefully +polished, but let not the heart be the +only portion of the human anatomy, +which shall be totally overlooked.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> neglect of this cultivation seems +to proceed as much from a bad taste,<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_126" id="sPage_126">[p 126]</a></span> +as from a false principle. The generality +of people form their judgment +of education by slight and sudden appearances, +which is certainly a wrong +way of determining. Music, dancing, +and languages, gratify those who teach +them, by perceptible and almost immediate +effects; and when there happens +to be no imbecillity in the pupil, nor +deficiency in the matter, every superficial +observer can, in some measure, +judge of the progress.—The effects of +most of these accomplishments address +themselves to the senses; and there are +more who can see and hear, than there +are who can judge and reflect.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Personal</span> perfection is not only +more obvious, it is also more rapid; +and even in very accomplished characters, +elegance usually precedes principle.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_127" id="sPage_127">[p 127]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> the heart, that natural seat of +evil propensities, that little troublesome +empire of the passions, is led to +what is right by slow motions and imperceptible +degrees. It must be admonished +by reproof, and allured by +kindness. Its liveliest advances are +frequently impeded by the obstinacy +of prejudice, and its brightest promises +often obscured by the tempests +of passion. It is slow in its acquisition +of virtue, and reluctant in its approaches +to piety.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">There</span> is another reason, which +proves this mental cultivation to be +more important, as well as more difficult, +than any other part of education. +In the usual fashionable accomplishments, +the business of acquiring them +is almost always getting forwards, and +one difficulty is conquered before an<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_128" id="sPage_128">[p 128]</a></span>other +is suffered to shew itself; for a +prudent teacher will level the road his +pupil is to pass, and smooth the inequalities +which might retard her progress.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> in morals, (which should be +the great object constantly kept in +view) the talk is far more difficult. +The unruly and turbulent desires of +the heart are not so obedient; one passion +will start up before another is suppressed. +The subduing Hercules cannot +cut off the heads so often as the +prolific Hydra can produce them, nor +fell the stubborn Antæus so fast as he +can recruit his strength, and rise in +vigorous and repeated opposition.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">If</span> all the accomplishments could be +bought at the price of a single virtue, +the purchase would be infinitely dear!<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_129" id="sPage_129">[p 129]</a></span> +And, however startling it may sound, +I think it is, notwithstanding, true, +that the labours of a good and wise +mother, who is anxious for her daughter's +most important interests, will <i>seem</i> +to be at variance with those of her instructors. +She will doubtless rejoice +at her progress in any polite art, but +she will rejoice with trembling:—humility +and piety form the solid and +durable basis, on which she wishes to +raise the superstructure of the accomplishments, +while the accomplishments +themselves are frequently of that unsteady +nature, that if the foundation +is not secured, in proportion as the +building is enlarged, it will be overloaded +and destroyed by those very +ornaments, which were intended to +embellish, what they have contributed +to ruin.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_130" id="sPage_130">[p 130]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> more ostensible qualifications +should be carefully regulated, or they +will be in danger of putting to flight +the modest train of retreating virtues, +which cannot safely subsist before the +bold eye of public observation, or +bear the bolder tongue of impudent +and audacious flattery. A tender mother +cannot but feel an honest triumph, +in contemplating those excellencies in +her daughter which deserve applause, +but she will also shudder at the vanity +which that applause may excite, and +at those hitherto unknown ideas which +it may awaken.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> master, it is his interest, and +perhaps his duty, will naturally teach +a girl to set her improvements in the +most conspicuous point of light. <span class="smcap">Se +faire valoir</span> is the great principle +industriously inculcated into her young<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_131" id="sPage_131">[p 131]</a></span> +heart, and seems to be considered as +a kind of fundamental maxim in education. +It is however the certain and +effectual seed, from which a thousand +yet unborn vanities will spring. This +dangerous doctrine (which yet is not +without its uses) will be counteracted +by the prudent mother, not in so +many words, but by a watchful and +scarcely perceptible dexterity. Such +an one will be more careful to have +the talents of her daughter <i>cultivated</i> +than <i>exhibited</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">One</span> would be led to imagine, by +the common mode of female education, +that life consisted of one universal +holiday, and that the only contest +was, who should be best enabled +to excel in the sports and games that +were to be celebrated on it. Merely +ornamental accomplishments will but<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_132" id="sPage_132">[p 132]</a></span> +indifferently qualify a woman to perform +the <i>duties</i> of life, though it is +highly proper she should possess them, +in order to furnish the <i>amusements</i> of +it. But is it right to spend so large +a portion of life without some preparation +for the business of living? A +lady may speak a little French and +Italian, repeat a few passages in a theatrical +tone, play and sing, have her +dressing-room hung with her own drawings, +and her person covered with her +own tambour work, and may, notwithstanding, +have been very <i>badly +educated</i>. Yet I am far from attempting +to depreciate the value of these +qualifications: they are most of them +not only highly becoming, but often +indispensably necessary, and a polite +education cannot be perfected without +them. But as the world seems to +be very well apprised of their import<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_133" id="sPage_133">[p 133]</a></span>ance, +there is the less occasion to insist +on their utility. Yet, though well-bred +young women should learn to +dance, sing, recite and draw, the end +of a good education is not that they +may become dancers, singers, players +or painters: its real object is to make +them good daughters, good wives, +good mistresses, good members of society, +and good christians. The above +qualifications therefore are intended to +<i>adorn</i> their <i>leisure</i>, not to <i>employ</i> their +<i>lives</i>; for an amiable and wise woman +will always have something better to +value herself on, than these advantages, +which, however captivating, +are still but subordinate parts of a truly +excellent character.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> I am afraid parents themselves +sometimes contribute to the error of +which I am complaining. Do they<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_134" id="sPage_134">[p 134]</a></span> +not often set a higher value on those +acquisitions which are calculated to +attract observation, and catch the eye +of the multitude, than on those which +are valuable, permanent, and internal? +Are they not sometimes more solicitous +about the opinion of others, respecting +their children, than about +the real advantage and happiness of +the children themselves? To an injudicious +and superficial eye, the best +educated girl may make the least brilliant +figure, as she will probably have +less flippancy in her manner, and less +repartee in her expression; and her acquirements, +to borrow bishop Sprat's +idea, will be rather <i>enamelled than embossed</i>. +But her merit will be known, +and acknowledged by all who come +near enough to discern, and have taste +enough to distinguish. It will be understood +and admired by the man,<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_135" id="sPage_135">[p 135]</a></span> +whose happiness she is one day to +make, whose family she is to govern, +and whose children she is to educate. +He will not seek for her in the haunts +of dissipation, for he knows he shall +not find her there; but he will seek +for her in the bosom of retirement, in +the practice of every domestic virtue, +in the exertion of every amiable accomplishment, +exerted in the shade, to +enliven retirement, to heighten the +endearing pleasures of social intercourse, +and to embellish the narrow +but charming circle of family delights. +To this amiable purpose, a truly good +and well educated young lady will dedicate +her more elegant accomplishments, +instead of exhibiting them to attract +admiration, or depress inferiority.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Young</span> girls, who have more vivacity +than understanding, will often<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_136" id="sPage_136">[p 136]</a></span> +make a sprightly figure in conversation. +But this agreeable talent for entertaining +others, is frequently dangerous to +themselves, nor is it by any means to +be desired or encouraged very early in +life. This immaturity of wit is helped +on by frivolous reading, which will +produce its effect in much less time +than books of solid instruction; for the +imagination is touched sooner than the +understanding; and effects are more +rapid as they are more pernicious. +Conversation should be the <i>result</i> of +education, not the <i>precursor</i> of it. It +is a golden fruit, when suffered to +grow gradually on the tree of knowledge; +but if precipitated by forced +and unnatural means, it will in the +end become vapid, in proportion as it +is artificial.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_137" id="sPage_137">[p 137]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> best effects of a careful and +religious education are often very remote: +they are to be discovered in +future scenes, and exhibited in untried +connexions. Every event of life will +be putting the heart into fresh situations, +and making demands on its +prudence, its firmness, its integrity, +or its piety. Those whose business it +is to form it, can foresee none of these +situations; yet, as far as human wisdom +will allow, they must enable it +to provide for them all, with an humble +dependence on the divine assistance. +A well-disciplined soldier must learn +and practise all his evolutions, though +he does not know on what service his +leader may command him, by what +foe he shall be attacked, nor what +mode of combat the enemy may +use.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_138" id="sPage_138">[p 138]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">One</span> great art of education consists +in not suffering the feelings to become +too acute by unnecessary awakening, +nor too obtuse by the want of exertion. +The former renders them the source +of calamity, and totally ruins the temper; +while the latter blunts and debases +them, and produces a dull, cold, +and selfish spirit. For the mind is an +instrument, which, if wound too high, +will lose its sweetness, and if not +enough strained, will abate of its vigour.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">How</span> cruel is it to extinguish by +neglect or unkindness, the precious +sensibility of an open temper, to chill +the amiable glow of an ingenuous soul, +and to quench the bright flame of a +noble and generous spirit! These are +of higher worth than all the documents +of learning, of dearer price than all<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_139" id="sPage_139">[p 139]</a></span> +the advantages, which can be derived +from the most refined and artificial +mode of education.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> sensibility and delicacy, and an +ingenuous temper, make no part of +education, exclaims the pedagogue—they +are reducible to no class—they +come under no article of instruction—they +belong neither to languages nor +to music.—What an error! They <i>are</i> +a part of education, and of infinitely +more value,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Than all their pedant discipline e'er knew.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>It is true, they are ranged under no +class, but they are superior to all; +they are of more esteem than languages +or music, for they are the language of +the heart, and the music of the according +passions. Yet this sensibility is, +in many instances, so far from being<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_140" id="sPage_140">[p 140]</a></span> +cultivated, that it is not uncommon +to see those who affect more than usual +sagacity, cast a smile of supercilious +pity, at any indication of a warm, +generous, or enthusiastic temper in the +lively and the young; as much as to +say, "they will know better, and will +have more discretion when they are +older." But every appearance of +amiable simplicity, or of honest shame, +<i>Nature's hasty conscience</i>, will be dear +to sensible hearts; they will carefully +cherish every such indication in a +young female; for they will perceive +that it is this temper, wisely cultivated, +which will one day make her +enamoured of the loveliness of virtue, +and the beauty of holiness: from +which she will acquire a taste for the +doctrines of religion, and a spirit to +perform the duties of it. And those +who wish to make her ashamed of<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_141" id="sPage_141">[p 141]</a></span> +this charming temper, and seek to dispossess +her of it, will, it is to be feared, +give her nothing better in exchange. +But whoever reflects at all, will easily +discern how carefully this enthusiasm +is to be directed, and how judiciously +its redundances are to be lopped +away.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Prudence</span> is not natural to children; +they can, however, substitute +art in its stead. But is it not much +better that a girl should discover the +faults incident to her age, than conceal +them under this dark and impenetrable +veil? I could almost venture +to assert, that there is something more +becoming in the very errors of nature, +where they are undisguised, than in the +affectation of virtue itself, where the +reality is wanting. And I am so far +from being an admirer of prodigies,<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_142" id="sPage_142">[p 142]</a></span> +that I am extremely apt to suspect +them; and am always infinitely better +pleased with Nature in her more common +modes of operation. The precise +and premature wisdom, which some +girls have cunning enough to assume, +is of a more dangerous tendency than +any of their natural failings can be, +as it effectually covers those secret bad +dispositions, which, if they displayed +themselves, might be rectified. The +hypocrisy of assuming virtues which +are not inherent in the heart, prevents +the growth and disclosure of those real +ones, which it is the great end of education +to cultivate.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> if the natural indications of the +temper are to be suppressed and stifled, +where are the diagnostics, by which +the state of the mind is to be known? +The wise Author of all things, who<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_143" id="sPage_143">[p 143]</a></span> +did nothing in vain, doubtless intended +them as symptoms, by which to +judge of the diseases of the heart; +and it is impossible diseases should be +cured before they are known. If the +stream be so cut off as to prevent communication, +or so choked up as to +defeat discovery, how shall we ever +reach the source, out of which are the +issues of life?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">This</span> cunning, which, of all the +different dispositions girls discover, is +most to be dreaded, is increased by +nothing so much as by fear. If those +about them express violent and unreasonable +anger at every trivial offence, +it will always promote this temper, +and will very frequently create it, +where there was a natural tendency to +frankness. The indiscreet transports +of rage, which many betray on every<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_144" id="sPage_144">[p 144]</a></span> +slight occasion, and the little distinction +they make between venial errors +and premeditated crimes, naturally +dispose a child to conceal, what she +does not however care to suppress. +Anger in one will not remedy the faults +of another; for how can an instrument +of sin cure sin? If a girl is kept in +a state of perpetual and slavish terror, +she will perhaps have artifice enough +to conceal those propensities which +she knows are wrong, or those actions +which she thinks are most obnoxious +to punishment. But, nevertheless, she +will not cease to indulge those propensities, +and to commit those actions, +when she can do it with impunity.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Good</span> <i>dispositions</i>, of themselves, will +go but a very little way, unless they +are confirmed into good <i>principles</i>. +And this cannot be effected but by a<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_145" id="sPage_145">[p 145]</a></span> +careful course of religious instruction, +and a patient and laborious cultivation +of the moral temper.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span>, notwithstanding girls should +not be treated with unkindness, nor +the first openings of the passions blighted +by cold severity; yet I am of opinion, +that young females should be +accustomed very early in life to a certain +degree of restraint. The natural +cast of character, and the moral distinctions +between the sexes, should +not be disregarded, even in childhood. +That bold, independent, enterprising +spirit, which is so much admired in +boys, should not, when it happens to +discover itself in the other sex, be encouraged, +but suppressed. Girls should +be taught to give up their opinions +betimes, and not pertinaciously to carry +on a dispute, even if they should<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_146" id="sPage_146">[p 146]</a></span> +know themselves to be in the right. +I do not mean, that they should be +robbed of the liberty of private judgment, +but that they should by no +means be encouraged to contract a +contentious or contradictory turn. It +is of the greatest importance to their +future happiness, that they should acquire +a submissive temper, and a forbearing +spirit: for it is a lesson which +the world will not fail to make them +frequently practise, when they come +abroad into it, and they will not practise +it the worse for having learnt it +the sooner. These early restraints, in +the limitation here meant, are so far +from being an effect of cruelty, that +they are the most indubitable marks of +affection, and are the more meritorious, +as they are severe trials of tenderness. +But all the beneficial effects, which a +mother can expect from this watch<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_147" id="sPage_147">[p 147]</a></span>fulness, +will be entirely defeated, if +it is practised occasionally, and not +habitually, and if it ever appears to +be used to gratify caprice, ill-humour, +or resentment.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Those</span> who have children to educate +ought to be extremely patient: +it is indeed a labour of love. They +should reflect, that extraordinary talents +are neither essential to the well-being +of society, nor to the happiness +of individuals. If that had been the +case, the beneficent Father of the universe +would not have made them so +rare. For it is as easy for an Almighty +Creator to produce a Newton, as an +ordinary man; and he could have made +those powers common which we now +consider as wonderful, without any +miraculous exertion of his omnipotence, +if the existence of many New<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_148" id="sPage_148">[p 148]</a></span>tons +had been necessary to the perfection +of his wise and gracious plan.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Surely</span>, therefore, there is more +piety, as well as more sense, in labouring +to improve the talents which children +actually have, than in lamenting +that they do not possess supernatural +endowments or angelic perfections. A +passage of Lord Bacon's furnishes an +admirable incitement for endeavouring +to carry the amiable and christian +grace of charity to its farthest extent, +instead of indulging an over-anxious +care for more brilliant but less important +acquisitions. "The desire of +power in excess (says he) caused the +angels to fall; the desire of knowledge +in excess caused man to fall; +but in charity is no excess, neither +can men nor angels come into danger +by it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_149" id="sPage_149">[p 149]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A girl</span> who has docility will seldom +be found to want understanding enough +for all the purposes of a social, a happy, +and an useful life. And when +we behold the tender hope of fond +and anxious love, blasted by disappointment, +the defect will as often be +discovered to proceed from the neglect +or the error of cultivation, as from the +natural temper; and those who lament +the evil, will sometimes be found to +have occasioned it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is as injudicious for parents to set +out with too sanguine a dependence +on the merit of their children, as it is +for them to be discouraged at every +repulse. When their wishes are defeated +in this or that particular instance, +where they had treasured up +some darling expectation, this is so far +from being a reason for relaxing their<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_150" id="sPage_150">[p 150]</a></span> +attention, that it ought to be an additional +motive for redoubling it. Those +who hope to do a great deal, must not +expect to do every thing. If they +know any thing of the malignity of +sin, the blindness of prejudice, or the +corruption of the human heart, they +will also know, that that heart will always +remain, after the very best possible +education, full of infirmity and imperfection. +Extraordinary allowances, therefore, +must be made for the weakness +of nature in this its weakest state. After +much is done, much will remain to +do, and much, very much, will still +be left undone. For this regulation +of the passions and affections cannot +be the work of education alone, without +the concurrence of divine grace +operating on the heart. Why then +should parents repine, if their efforts +are not always crowned with imme<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_151" id="sPage_151">[p 151]</a></span>diate +success? They should consider, +that they are not educating cherubims +and seraphims, but men and women; +creatures, who at their best estate are altogether +vanity: how little then can be +expected from them in the weakness +and imbecillity of infancy! I have dwelt +on this part of the subject the longer, +because I am certain that many, who +have set out with a warm and active +zeal, have cooled on the very first +discouragement, and have afterwards +almost totally remitted their vigilance, +through a criminal kind of despair.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Great</span> allowances must be made +for a profusion of gaiety, loquacity, +and even indiscretion in children, that +there may be animation enough left to +supply an active and useful character, +when the first fermentation of the +youthful passions is over, and the re<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_152" id="sPage_152">[p 152]</a></span>dundant +spirits shall come to subside.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">If</span> it be true, as a consummate judge +of human nature has observed,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">That not a vanity is given in vain,<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>it is also true, that there is scarcely a +single passion, which may not be turned +to some good account, if prudently +rectified, and skilfully turned into the +road of some neighbouring virtue. It +cannot be violently bent, or unnaturally +forced towards an object of a +totally opposite nature, but may be +gradually inclined towards a correspondent +but superior affection. Anger, +hatred, resentment, and ambition, the +most restless and turbulent passions +which shake and distract the human +soul, may be led to become the most +active opposers of sin, after having<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_153" id="sPage_153">[p 153]</a></span> +been its most successful instruments. +Our anger, for instance, which can +never be totally subdued, may be made +to turn against ourselves, for our weak +and imperfect obedience—our hatred, +against every species of vice—our ambition, +which will not be discarded, +may be ennobled: it will not change +its name, but its object: it will despise +what it lately valued, nor be +contented to grasp at less than immortality.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Thus</span> the joys, fears, hopes, desires, +all the passions and affections, which +separate in various currents from the +soul, will, if directed into their proper +channels, after having fertilised +wherever they have flowed, return +again to swell and enrich the parent +source.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_154" id="sPage_154">[p 154]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">That</span> the very passions which appear +the most uncontroulable and unpromising, +may be intended, in the great +scheme of Providence, to answer some +important purpose, is remarkably evidenced +in the character and history +of Saint Paul. A remark on this subject +by an ingenious old Spanish writer, +which I will here take the liberty +to translate, will better illustrate my +meaning.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">To</span> convert the bitterest enemy +into the most zealous advocate, is +the work of God for the instruction +of man. Plutarch has observed, +that the medical science would be +brought to the utmost perfection, +when poison should be converted +into physic. Thus, in the mortal +disease of Judaism and idolatry,<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_155" id="sPage_155">[p 155]</a></span> +our blessed Lord converted the adder's +venom of Saul the persecutor, +into that cement which made Paul +the chosen vessel. That manly activity, +that restless ardor, that +burning zeal for the law of his +fathers, that ardent thirst for the +blood of Christians, did the Son +of God find necessary in the man +who was one day to become the +defender of his suffering people.<a name="sFNanchor_7_7" id="sFNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#sFootnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a>"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">To</span> win the passions, therefore, over +to the cause of virtue, answers a much +nobler end than their extinction would +possibly do, even if that could be effected. +But it is their nature never +to observe a neutrality; they are either +rebels or auxiliaries, and an +enemy subdued is an ally obtained.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_156" id="sPage_156">[p 156]</a></span> +If I may be allowed to change the allusion +so soon, I would say, that the +passions also resemble fires, which are +friendly and beneficial when under proper +direction, but if suffered to blaze +without restraint, they carry devastation +along with them, and, if totally extinguished, +leave the benighted mind +in a state of cold and comfortless inanity.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> in speaking of the usefulness +of the passions, as instruments of virtue, +<i>envy</i> and <i>lying</i> must always be +excepted: these, I am persuaded, must +either go on in still progressive mischief, +or else be radically cured, before +any good can be expected from +the heart which has been infected with +them. For I never will believe that +envy, though passed through all the +moral strainers, can be refined into a<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_157" id="sPage_157">[p 157]</a></span> +virtuous emulation, or lying improved +into an agreeable turn for innocent invention. +Almost all the other passions +may be made to take an amiable +hue; but these two must either be totally +extirpated, or be always contented +to preserve their original deformity, +and to wear their native black.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="sFootnote_7_7" id="sFootnote_7_7"></a><a href="#sFNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Obras de Quevedo, vida de San Pablo Apostol.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_158" id="sPage_158">[p 158]</a></span></p></div> + + + + +<h2><br /><br /> +<span class="smcap">on the</span><br /> +IMPORTANCE <span class="smcap">of</span> RELIGION<br /> +<span class="smcap">to the</span><br /> +FEMALE CHARACTER.<br /> +</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Various</span> are the reasons why +the greater part of mankind cannot +apply themselves to arts or letters. +Particular studies are only suited to +the capacities of particular persons. +Some are incapable of applying to<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_159" id="sPage_159">[p 159]</a></span> +them from the delicacy of their sex, +some from the unsteadiness of youth, +and others from the imbecillity of age. +Many are precluded by the narrowness +of their education, and many by +the straitness of their fortune. The +wisdom of God is wonderfully manifested +in this happy and well-ordered +diversity, in the powers and properties +of his creatures; since by thus admirably +suiting the agent to the action, +the whole scheme of human affairs is +carried on with the most agreeing and +consistent [oe]conomy, and no chasm is +left for want of an object to fill it, exactly +suited to its nature.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> in the great and universal concern +of religion, both sexes, and all +ranks, are equally interested. The +truly catholic spirit of christianity accommodates +itself, with an astonish<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_160" id="sPage_160">[p 160]</a></span>ing +condescension, to the circumstances +of the whole human race. It rejects +none on account of their pecuniary +wants, their personal infirmities, or +their intellectual deficiencies. No superiority +of parts is the least recommendation, +nor is any depression of +fortune the smallest objection. None +are too wise to be excused from performing +the duties of religion, nor are +any too poor to be excluded from the +consolations of its promises.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">If</span> we admire the wisdom of God, +in having furnished different degrees +of intelligence, so exactly adapted to +their different destinations, and in having +fitted every part of his stupendous work, +not only to serve its own immediate +purpose, but also to contribute to the +beauty and perfection of the whole: +how much more ought we to adore<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_161" id="sPage_161">[p 161]</a></span> +that goodness, which has perfected the +divine plan, by appointing one wide, +comprehensive, and universal means +of salvation: a salvation, which all +are invited to partake; by a means +which all are capable of using; which +nothing but voluntary blindness can +prevent our comprehending, and nothing +but wilful error can hinder us +from embracing.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Muses are coy, and will only +be wooed and won by some highly-favoured +suitors. The Sciences are +lofty, and will not stoop to the reach +of ordinary capacities. But "Wisdom +(by which the royal preacher +means piety) is a loving spirit: she +is easily seen of them that love her, +and found of all such as seek her." +Nay, she is so accessible and condescending, +"that she preventeth them<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_162" id="sPage_162">[p 162]</a></span> +that desire her, making herself first +known unto them."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">We</span> are told by the same animated +writer, "that Wisdom is the breath +of the power of God." How infinitely +superior, in grandeur and sublimity, +is this description to the origin +of the <i>wisdom</i> of the heathens, as described +by their poets and mythologists! +In the exalted strains of the Hebrew +poetry we read, that "Wisdom is the +brightness of the everlasting light, +the unspotted mirror of the power +of God, and the image of his goodness."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> philosophical author of <i>The +Defence of Learning</i> observes, that +knowledge has something of venom +and malignity in it, when taken without +its proper corrective, and what<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_163" id="sPage_163">[p 163]</a></span> +that is, the inspired Saint Paul teaches +us, by placing it as the immediate antidote: +<i>Knowledge puffeth up, but charity +edifieth.</i> Perhaps, it is the vanity +of human wisdom, unchastised by this +correcting principle, which has made +so many infidels. It may proceed from +the arrogance of a self-sufficient pride, +that some philosophers disdain to acknowledge +their belief in a being, who +has judged proper to conceal from +them the infinite wisdom of his counsels; +who, (to borrow the lofty language +of the man of Uz) refused to +consult them when he laid the foundations +of the earth, when he shut up +the sea with doors, and made the +clouds the garment thereof.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A man</span> must be an infidel either +from pride, prejudice, or bad education: +he cannot be one unawares or<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_164" id="sPage_164">[p 164]</a></span> +by surprise; for infidelity is not occasioned +by sudden impulse or violent +temptation. He may be hurried by +some vehement desire into an immoral +action, at which he will blush in his +cooler moments, and which he will +lament as the sad effect of a spirit unsubdued +by religion; but infidelity is +a calm, considerate act, which cannot +plead the weakness of the heart, or +the seduction of the senses. Even +good men frequently fail in their duty +through the infirmities of nature, and +the allurements of the world; but the +infidel errs on a plan, on a settled and +deliberate principle.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> though the minds of men are +sometimes fatally infected with this +disease, either through unhappy prepossession, +or some of the other causes +above mentioned; yet I am unwilling<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_165" id="sPage_165">[p 165]</a></span> +to believe, that there is in nature so +monstrously incongruous a being, as +a <i>female infidel</i>. The least reflexion on +the temper, the character, and the +education of women, makes the mind +revolt with horror from an idea so improbable, +and so unnatural.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">May</span> I be allowed to observe, that, +in general, the minds of girls seem +more aptly prepared in their early +youth for the reception of serious +impressions than those of the other sex, +and that their less exposed situations +in more advanced life qualify them +better for the preservation of them? +The daughters (of good parents I +mean) are often more carefully instructed +in their religious duties, than +the sons, and this from a variety of +causes. They are not so soon sent +from under the paternal eye into the<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_166" id="sPage_166">[p 166]</a></span> +bustle of the world, and so early exposed +to the contagion of bad example: +their hearts are naturally more +flexible, soft, and liable to any kind +of impression the forming hand may +stamp on them; and, lastly, as they +do not receive the same classical education +with boys, their feeble minds +are not obliged at once to receive and +separate the precepts of christianity, +and the documents of pagan philosophy. +The necessity of doing this perhaps +somewhat weakens the serious +impressions of young men, at least till +the understanding is formed, and confuses +their ideas of piety, by mixing +them with so much heterogeneous +matter. They only casually read, or +hear read, the scriptures of truth, +while they are obliged to learn by +heart, construe and repeat the poetical +fables of the less than human gods<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_167" id="sPage_167">[p 167]</a></span> +of the ancients. And as the excellent author +of <i>The Internal Evidence of the Christian +Religion</i> observes, "Nothing has +so much contributed to corrupt the +true spirit of the christian institution, +as that partiality which we contract, +in our earliest education, for the +manners of pagan antiquity."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Girls</span>, therefore, who do <i>not</i> contract +this early partiality, ought to +have a clearer notion of their religious +duties: they are not obliged, at an +age when the judgment is so weak, +to distinguish between the doctrines +of Zeno, of Epicurus, and of Christ; +and to embarrass their minds with the +various morals which were taught in +the <i>Porch</i>, in the <i>Academy</i>, and on the +<i>Mount</i>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_168" id="sPage_168">[p 168]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is presumed, that these remarks +cannot possibly be so misunderstood, +as to be construed into the least disrespect +to literature, or a want of the +highest reverence for a learned education, +the basis of all elegant knowledge: +they are only intended, with +all proper deference, to point out to +young women, that however inferior +their advantages of acquiring a knowledge +of the belles-lettres are to those +of the other sex; yet it depends on +themselves not to be surpassed in this +most important of all studies, for +which their abilities are equal, and +their opportunities, perhaps, greater.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> the mere exemption from infidelity +is so small a part of the religious +character, that I hope no one +will attempt to claim any merit from +this negative sort of goodness, or va<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_169" id="sPage_169">[p 169]</a></span>lue +herself merely for not being the +very worst thing she possibly can be. +Let no mistaken girl fancy she gives +a proof of her wit by her want of piety, +or that a contempt of things serious +and sacred will exalt her understanding, +or raise her character even in the +opinion of the most avowed male infidels. +For one may venture to affirm, +that with all their profligate ideas, +both of women and of religion, neither +Bolingbroke, Wharton, Buckingham, +nor even <i>Lord Chesterfield himself</i>, would +have esteemed a woman the more for +her being irreligious.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">With</span> whatever ridicule a polite +freethinker may affect to treat religion +himself, he will think it necessary his +wife should entertain different notions +of it. He may pretend to despise it +as a matter of opinion, depending on<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_170" id="sPage_170">[p 170]</a></span> +creeds and systems; but, if he is a +man of sense, he will know the value +of it, as a governing principle, which +is to influence her conduct and direct +her actions. If he sees her unaffectedly +sincere in the practice of her religious +duties, it will be a secret pledge +to him, that she will be equally exact +in fulfilling the conjugal; for he can +have no reasonable dependance on her +attachment to <i>him</i>, if he has no opinion +of her fidelity to <span class="smcap">God</span>; for she +who neglects first duties, gives but an +indifferent proof of her disposition to +fill up inferior ones; and how can a +man of any understanding (whatever +his own religious professions may be) +trust that woman with the care of his +family, and the education of his children, +who wants herself the best incentive +to a virtuous life, the belief +that she is an accountable creature,<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_171" id="sPage_171">[p 171]</a></span> +and the reflection that she has an immortal +soul?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Cicero</span> spoke it as the highest commendation +of Cato's character, that +he embraced philosophy, not for the +sake of <i>disputing</i> like a philosopher, +but of <i>living</i> like one. The chief purpose +of christian knowledge is to promote +the great end of a christian life. +Every rational woman should, no +doubt, be able to give a reason of +the hope that is in her; but this knowledge +is best acquired, and the duties +consequent on it best performed, by +reading books of plain piety and practical +devotion, and not by entering +into the endless feuds, and engaging +in the unprofitable contentions of partial +controversialists. Nothing is more +unamiable than the narrow spirit of +party zeal, nor more disgusting than<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_172" id="sPage_172">[p 172]</a></span> +to hear a woman deal out judgments, +and denounce vengeance against any +one, who happens to differ from her +in some opinion, perhaps of no real +importance, and which, it is probable, +she may be just as wrong in rejecting, +as the object of her censure is +in embracing. A furious and unmerciful +female bigot wanders as far beyond +the limits prescribed to her sex, +as a Thalestris or a Joan d'Arc. Violent +debate has made as few converts +as the sword, and both these instruments +are particularly unbecoming +when wielded by a female hand.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">But</span>, though no one will be frightened +out of their opinions, yet they +may be persuaded out of them: they +may be touched by the affecting earnestness +of serious conversation, and +allured by the attractive beauty of a<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_173" id="sPage_173">[p 173]</a></span> +consistently serious life. And while +a young woman ought to dread the +name of a wrangling polemic, it is her +duty to aspire after the honourable +character of a sincere Christian. But +this dignified character she can by no +means deserve, if she is ever afraid to +avow her principles, or ashamed to +defend them. A profligate, who makes +it a point to ridicule every thing which +comes under the appearance of formal +instruction, will be disconcerted at the +spirited yet modest rebuke of a pious +young woman. But there is as much +efficacy in the manner of reproving +prophaneness, as in the words. If she +corrects it with moroseness, she defeats +the effect of her remedy, by her unskilful +manner of administring it. If, +on the other hand, she affects to defend +the insulted cause of God, in a +faint tone of voice, and studied ambi<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_174" id="sPage_174">[p 174]</a></span>guity +of phrase, or with an air of levity, +and a certain expression of pleasure +in her eyes, which proves she is +secretly delighted with what she pretends +to censure, she injures religion +much more than he did who publickly +prophaned it; for she plainly indicates, +either that she does not believe, or +respect what she professes. The other +attacked it as an open foe; she betrays +it as a false friend. No one pays any +regard to the opinion of an avowed +enemy; but the desertion or treachery +of a professed friend, is dangerous indeed!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is a strange notion which prevails +in the world, that religion only belongs +to the old and the melancholy, +and that it is not worth while to pay +the least attention to it, while we are +capable of attending to any thing else.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_175" id="sPage_175">[p 175]</a></span> +They allow it to be proper enough +for the clergy, whose business it +is, and for the aged, who have not +spirits for any business at all. But till +they can prove, that none except the +clergy and the aged <i>die</i>, it must be +confessed, that this is most wretched +reasoning.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Great</span> injury is done to the interests +of religion, by placing it in a +gloomy and unamiable light. It is +sometimes spoken of, as if it would +actually make a handsome woman ugly, +or a young one wrinkled. But can +any thing be more absurd than to represent +the beauty of holiness as the +source of deformity?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">There</span> are few, perhaps, so entirely +plunged in business, or absorbed in<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_176" id="sPage_176">[p 176]</a></span> +pleasure, as not to intend, at some +future time, to set about a religious +life in good earnest. But then they +consider it as a kind of <i>dernier ressort</i>, +and think it prudent to defer flying to +this disagreeable refuge, till they have +no relish left for any thing else. Do +they forget, that to perform this great +business well requires all the strength +of their youth, and all the vigour of +their unimpaired capacities? To confirm +this assertion, they may observe +how much the slightest indisposition, +even in the most active season of +life, disorders every faculty, and disqualifies +them for attending to the +most ordinary affairs: and then let +them reflect how little able they will +be to transact the most important of +all business, in the moment of excruciating +pain, or in the day of universal +debility.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_177" id="sPage_177">[p 177]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> the senses are palled with +excessive gratification; when the eye +is tired with seeing, and the ear with +hearing; when the spirits are so sunk, +that the <i>grasshopper is become a burthen</i>, +how shall the blunted apprehension be +capable of understanding a new science, +or the worn-out heart be able to relish +a new pleasure?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">To</span> put off religion till we have lost +all taste for amusement; to refuse listening +to the "voice of the charmer," +till our enfeebled organs can no longer +listen to the voice of "singing men +and singing women," and not to +devote our days to heaven till we +have "no pleasure in them" ourselves, +is but an ungracious offering. And +it is a wretched sacrifice to the God of +heaven, to present him with the remnants +of decayed appetites, and the +leavings of extinguished passions.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_178" id="sPage_178">[p 178]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><br /><br /> +MISCELLANEOUS<br /> +OBSERVATIONS<br /> +<span class="smcap">on</span><br /> +GENIUS, TASTE, GOOD<br /> +SENSE, &c. +<small><a name="sFNanchor_8_8" id="sFNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#sFootnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a><br /> +</small></h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Good</span> <i>sense</i> is as different from +<i>genius</i> as perception is from invention; +yet, though distinct qualities,<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_179" id="sPage_179">[p 179]</a></span> +they frequently subsist together. It +is altogether opposite to <i>wit</i>, but by +no means inconsistent with it. It is +not science, for there is such a thing +as unlettered good sense; yet, though +it is neither wit, learning, nor genius, +it is a substitute for each, where they +do not exist, and the perfection of all +where they do.</p> + +<p>Good sense is so far from deserving +the appellation of <i>common sense</i>, by +which it is frequently called, that it is +perhaps one of the rarest qualities of +the human mind. If, indeed, this +name is given it in respect to its peculiar +suitableness to the purposes of +common life, there is great propriety<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_180" id="sPage_180">[p 180]</a></span> +in it. Good sense appears to differ +from taste in this, that taste is an instantaneous +decision of the mind, a +sudden relish of what is beautiful, or +disgust at what is defective, in an object, +without waiting for the slower +confirmation of the judgment. Good +sense is perhaps that confirmation, +which establishes a suddenly conceived +idea, or feeling, by the powers of +comparing and reflecting. They differ +also in this, that taste seems to have +a more immediate reference to arts, +to literature, and to almost every object +of the senses; while good sense +rises to moral excellence, and exerts +its influence on life and manners. Taste +is fitted to the perception and enjoyment +of whatever is beautiful in art +or nature: Good sense, to the improvement +of the conduct, and the regulation +of the heart.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_181" id="sPage_181">[p 181]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Yet</span> the term good sense, is used indiscriminately +to express either a finished +taste for letters, or an invariable +prudence in the affairs of life. It is +sometimes applied to the most moderate +abilities, in which case, the expression +is certainly too strong; and at +others to the most shining, when it is +as much too weak and inadequate. A +sensible man is the usual, but unappropriated +phrase, for every degree in the +scale of understanding, from the sober +mortal, who obtains it by his decent +demeanor and solid dullness, to him +whose talents qualify him to rank with +a Bacon, a Harris, or a Johnson.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Genius</span> is the power of invention +and imitation. It is an incommunicable +faculty: no art or skill of the +possessor can bestow the smallest portion +of it on another: no pains or la<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_182" id="sPage_182">[p 182]</a></span>bour +can reach the summit of perfection, +where the seeds of it are wanting +in the mind; yet it is capable of +infinite improvement where it actually +exists, and is attended with the highest +capacity of communicating instruction, +as well as delight to others.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is the peculiar property of genius +to strike out great or beautiful things: +it is the felicity of good sense not to do +absurd ones. Genius breaks out in +splendid sentiments and elevated ideas; +good sense confines its more circumscribed, +but perhaps more useful walk, +within the limits of prudence and propriety.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The poet's eye in a fine frenzy rolling,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Doth glance from heaven to earth, from earth to heaven;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And, as imagination bodies forth<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The forms of things unknown, the poet's pen<br /></span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_183" id="sPage_183">[p 183]</a></span><span class="i0">Turns them to shape, and gives to airy nothing<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A local habitation and a name.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">This</span> is perhaps the finest picture of +human genius that ever was drawn by +a human pencil. It presents a living +image of a creative imagination, or a +power of inventing things which have +no actual existence.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">With</span> superficial judges, who, it +must be confessed, make up the greater +part of the mass of mankind, talents +are only liked or understood to a certain +degree. Lofty ideas are above +the reach of ordinary apprehensions: +the vulgar allow those who possess them +to be in a somewhat higher state of +mind than themselves; but of the vast +gulf which separates them, they have +not the least conception. They acknowledge +a superiority, but of its +extent they neither know the value,<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_184" id="sPage_184">[p 184]</a></span> +nor can conceive the reality. It is +true, the mind, as well as the eye, +can take in objects larger than itself; +but this is only true of great minds: +for a man of low capacity, who considers +a consummate genius, resembles +one, who seeing a column for the first +time, and standing at too great a distance +to take in the whole of it, concludes +it to be flat. Or, like one +unacquainted with the first principles +of philosophy, who, finding the sensible +horizon appear a plain surface, +can form no idea of the spherical form +of the whole, which he does not see, +and laughs at the account of antipodes, +which he cannot comprehend.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whatever</span> is excellent is also rare; +what is useful is more common. How +many thousands are born qualified for +the coarse employments of life, for<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_185" id="sPage_185">[p 185]</a></span> +one who is capable of excelling in the +fine arts! yet so it ought to be, because +our natural wants are more numerous, +and more importunate, than +the intellectual.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whenever</span> it happens that a man +of distinguished talents has been drawn +by mistake, or precipitated by passion, +into any dangerous indiscretion; it is +common for those whose coldness of +temper has supplied the place, and +usurped the name of prudence, to +boast of their own steadier virtue, and +triumph in their own superior caution; +only because they have never been assailed +by a temptation strong enough +to surprise them into error. And with +what a visible appropriation of the character +to themselves, do they constantly +conclude, with a cordial compliment +to <i>common sense</i>! They point out the<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_186" id="sPage_186">[p 186]</a></span> +beauty and usefulness of this quality +so forcibly and explicitly, that you +cannot possibly mistake whose picture +they are drawing with so flattering a +pencil. The unhappy man whose conduct +has been so feelingly arraigned, +perhaps acted from good, though mistaken +motives; at least, from motives +of which his censurer has not capacity +to judge: but the event was unfavourable, +nay the action might be really +wrong, and the vulgar maliciously take +the opportunity of this single indiscretion, +to lift themselves nearer on a +level with a character, which, except +in this instance, has always thrown +them at the most disgraceful and mortifying +distance.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> elegant Biographer of Collins, +in his affecting apology for that unfortunate +genius, remarks, "That the<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_187" id="sPage_187">[p 187]</a></span> +gifts of imagination bring the heaviest +task on the vigilance of reason; and +to bear those faculties with unerring +rectitude, or invariable propriety, +requires a degree of firmness, and of +cool attention, which does not always +attend the higher gifts of the +mind; yet difficult as Nature herself +seems to have rendered the task of +regularity to genius, it is the supreme +consolation of dullness, and +of folly to point with gothic triumph +to those excesses which are the +overflowing of faculties they never +enjoyed."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">What</span> the greater part of the world +mean by common sense, will be generally +found, on a closer enquiry, to be +art, fraud, or selfishness! That sort of +saving prudence which makes men extremely +attentive to their own safety,<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_188" id="sPage_188">[p 188]</a></span> +or profit; diligent in the pursuit of +their own pleasures or interests; and +perfectly at their ease as to what becomes +of the rest of mankind. Furies, +where their own property is concerned, +philosophers when nothing but the +good of others is at stake, and perfectly +resigned under all calamities but +their own.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> we see so many accomplished +wits of the present age, as remarkable +for the decorum of their lives, as for +the brilliancy of their writings, we may +believe, that, next to principle, it is +owing to their <i>good sense</i>, which regulates +and chastises their imaginations. +The vast conceptions which enable a +true genius to ascend the sublimest +heights, may be so connected with the +stronger passions, as to give it a natural +tendency to fly off from the strait<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_189" id="sPage_189">[p 189]</a></span> +line of regularity; till good sense, acting +on the fancy, makes it gravitate +powerfully towards that virtue which +is its proper centre.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Add</span> to this, when it is considered +with what imperfection the Divine +Wisdom has thought fit to stamp every +thing human, it will be found, that +excellence and infirmity are so inseparably +wound up in each other, that a +man derives the soreness of temper, +and irritability of nerve, which make +him uneasy to others, and unhappy in +himself, from those exquisite feelings, +and that elevated pitch of thought, by +which, as the apostle expresses it on a +more serious occasion, he is, as it were, +out of the body.</p> + +<p>It is not astonishing, therefore, when +<span class="smcap">the</span> spirit is carried away by the magnificence +of its own ideas,<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_190" id="sPage_190">[p 190]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Not touch'd but rapt, not waken'd but inspir'd,<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>that the frail body, which is the natural +victim of pain, disease, and death, +should not always be able to follow +the mind in its aspiring flights, but +should be as imperfect as if it belonged +only to an ordinary soul.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Besides</span>, might not Providence intend +to humble human pride, by presenting +to our eyes so mortifying a view of the +weakness and infirmity of even his best +work? Perhaps man, who is already +but a little lower than the angels, +might, like the revolted spirits, totally +have shaken off obedience and submission +to his Creator, had not God +wisely tempered human excellence with +a certain consciousness of its own imperfection. +But though this inevitable +alloy of weakness may frequently be<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_191" id="sPage_191">[p 191]</a></span> +found in the best characters, yet how +can that be the source of triumph and +exaltation to any, which, if properly +weighed, must be the deepest motive +of humiliation to all? A good-natured +man will be so far from rejoicing, that +he will be secretly troubled, whenever he +reads that the greatest Roman moralist +was tainted with avarice, and the +greatest British philosopher with venality.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is remarked by Pope, in his Essay +on Criticism, that,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ten censure wrong for one who writes amiss.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But I apprehend it does not therefore +follow that to judge, is more difficult +than to write. If this were the case, +the critic would be superior to the +poet, whereas it appears to be directly<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_192" id="sPage_192">[p 192]</a></span> +the contrary. "The critic, (says the +great champion of Shakespeare,) but +fashions the body of a work, the poet +must add the soul, which gives force +and direction to its actions and gestures." +It should seem that the reason why so +many more judge wrong, than write +ill, is because the number of readers +is beyond all proportion greater than +the number of writers. Every man +who reads, is in some measure a critic, +and, with very common abilities, may +point out real faults and material errors +in a very well written book; but +it by no means follows that he is able +to write any thing comparable to the +work which he is capable of censuring. +And unless the numbers of those who +write, and of those who judge, were +more equal, the calculation seems not +to be quite fair.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_193" id="sPage_193">[p 193]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A capacity</span> for relishing works of +genius is the indubitable sign of a good +taste. But if a proper disposition and +ability to enjoy the compositions of +others, entitle a man to the claim of +reputation, it is still a far inferior degree +of merit to his who can invent and +produce those compositions, the bare +disquisition of which gives the critic +no small share of fame.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> president of the royal academy +in his admirable <i>Discourse</i> on <i>imitation</i>, +has set the folly of depending on unassisted +genius, in the clearest light; and +has shewn the necessity of adding the +knowledge of others, to our own native +powers, in his usual striking and masterly +manner. "The mind, says he, is a +barren soil, is a soil soon exhausted, +and will produce no crop, or only +one, unless it be continually fertiliz<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_194" id="sPage_194">[p 194]</a></span>ed, +and enriched with foreign matter."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Yet</span> it has been objected that study +is a great enemy to originality; but +even if this were true, it would perhaps +be as well that an author should +give us the ideas of still better writers, +mixed and assimilated with the matter +in his own mind, as those crude and +undigested thoughts which he values +under the notion that they are original. +The sweetest honey neither tastes of the +rose, the honeysuckle, nor the carnation, +yet it is compounded of the very +essence of them all.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">If</span> in the other fine arts this accumulation +of knowledge is necessary, +it is indispensably so in poetry. It is a +fatal rashness for any one to trust too +much to their own stock of ideas.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_195" id="sPage_195">[p 195]</a></span> +He must invigorate them by exercise, +polish them by conversation, and increase +them by every species of elegant +and virtuous knowledge, and the mind +will not fail to reproduce with interest +those seeds, which are sown in it by +study and observation. Above all, +let every one guard against the dangerous +opinion that he knows enough: +an opinion that will weaken the energy +and reduce the powers of the mind, +which, though once perhaps vigorous +and effectual, will be sunk to a state +of literary imbecility, by cherishing +vain and presumptuous ideas of its +own independence.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">For</span> instance, it may not be necessary +that a poet should be deeply skilled in +the Linnæan system; but it must be +allowed that a general acquaintance +with plants and flowers will furnish<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_196" id="sPage_196">[p 196]</a></span> +him with a delightful and profitable species +of instruction. He is not obliged to +trace Nature in all her nice and varied +operations, with the minute accuracy +of a Boyle, or the laborious investigation +of a Newton; but his <i>good sense</i> +will point out to him that no inconsiderable +portion of philosophical knowledge +is requisite to the completion of +his literary character. The sciences +are more independent, and require +little or no assistance from the graces +of poetry; but poetry, if she would +charm and instruct, must not be so +haughty; she must be contented to +borrow of the sciences, many of her +choicest allusions, and many of her +most graceful embellishments; and does +it not magnify the character of true +poesy, that she includes within herself +all the scattered graces of every separate +art?<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_197" id="sPage_197">[p 197]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> rules of the great masters in +criticism may not be so necessary to +the forming a good taste, as the examination +of those original mines +from whence they drew their treasures +of knowledge.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> three celebrated Essays on the +Art of Poetry do not teach so much +by their laws as by their examples; +the dead letter of their rules is less instructive +than the living spirit of their +verse. Yet these rules are to a young +poet, what the study of logarithms is +to a young mathematician; they do +not so much contribute to form his +judgment, as afford him the satisfaction +of convincing him that he is right. +They do not preclude the difficulty of +the operation; but at the conclusion of +it, furnish him with a fuller demonstration +that he has proceeded on pro<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_198" id="sPage_198">[p 198]</a></span>per +principles. When he has well +studied the masters in whose schools +the first critics formed themselves, and +fancies he has caught a spark of their +divine Flame, it may be a good method +to try his own compositions by +the test of the critic rules, so far indeed +as the mechanism of poetry goes. +If the examination be fair and candid, +this trial, like the touch of Ithuriel's +spear, will detect every latent error, and +bring to light every favourite failing.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Good</span> taste always suits the measure +of its admiration to the merit of the +composition it examines. It accommodates +its praises, or its censure, to +the excellence of a work, and appropriates +it to the nature of it. General +applause, or indiscriminate abuse, is +the sign of a vulgar understanding. +There are certain blemishes which the<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_199" id="sPage_199">[p 199]</a></span> +judicious and good-natured reader will +candidly overlook. But the false sublime, +the tumour which is intended +for greatness, the distorted figure, the +puerile conceit, and the incongruous +metaphor, these are defects for which +scarcely any other kind of merit can +atone. And yet there may be more +hope of a writer (especially if he be a +a young one), who is now and then +guilty of some of these faults, than of +one who avoids them all, not through +judgment, but feebleness, and who, +instead of deviating into error is continually +falling short of excellence. +The meer absence of error implies that +moderate and inferior degree of merit +with which a cold heart and a phlegmatic +taste will be better satisfied than +with the magnificent irregularities of +exalted spirits. It stretches some minds +to an uneasy extension to be obliged<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_200" id="sPage_200">[p 200]</a></span> +to attend to compositions superlatively +excellent; and it contracts liberal souls +to a painful narrowness to descend to +books of inferior merit. A work of +capital genius, to a man of an ordinary +mind, is the bed of Procrustes to one +of a short stature, the man is too little +to fill up the space assigned him, and +undergoes the torture in attempting +it: and a moderate, or low production +to a man of bright talents, is the punishment +inflicted by Mezentius; the +living spirit has too much animation to +endure patiently to be in contact with +a dead body.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Taste</span> sesms to be a sentiment of +the soul which gives the bias to opinion, +for we feel before we reflect. Without +this sentiment, all knowledge, learning +and opinion, would be cold, inert +materials, whereas they become active<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_201" id="sPage_201">[p 201]</a></span> +principles when stirred, kindled, and +inflamed by this animating quality.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">There</span> is another feeling which is +called Enthusiasm. The enthusiasm +of sensible hearts is so strong, that it +not only yields to the impulse with +which striking objects act on it, but +such hearts help on the effect by their +own sensibility. In a scene where +Shakespeare and Garrick give perfection +to each other, the feeling heart +does not merely accede to the delirium +they occasion: it does more, it is enamoured +of it, it solicits the delusion, +it sues to be deceived, and grudgingly +cherishes the sacred treasure of its feelings. +The poet and performer concur +in carrying us</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Beyond this visible diurnal sphere,<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>they bear us aloft in their airy +course with unresisted rapidity, if +they meet not with any obstruction<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_202" id="sPage_202">[p 202]</a></span> +from the coldness of our own feelings. +Perhaps, only a few fine spirits can +enter into the detail of their writing +and acting; but the multitude do not +enjoy less acutely, because they are +not able philosophically to analyse the +sources of their joy or sorrow. If the +others have the advantage of judging, +these have at least the privilege of +feeling: and it is not from complaisance +to a few leading judges, that they +burst into peals of laughter, or melt +into delightful agony; their hearts decide, +and that is a decision from which +there lies no appeal. It must however +be confessed, that the nicer separations +of character, and the lighter +and almost imperceptible shades which +sometimes distinguish them, will not +be intimately relished, unless there be +a consonancy of taste as well as feeling +in the spectator; though where the<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_203" id="sPage_203">[p 203]</a></span> +passions are principally concerned, the +profane vulgar come in for a larger +portion of the universal delight, than +critics and connoisseurs are willing to +allow them.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Yet</span> enthusiasm, though the natural +concomitant of genius, is no more +genius itself, than drunkenness is cheerfulness; +and that enthusiasm which +discovers itself on occasions not worthy +to excite it, is the mark of a wretched +judgment and a false taste.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Nature</span> produces innumerable objects: +to imitate them, is the province +of Genius; to direct those imitations, +is the property of Judgment; to decide +on their effects, is the business of Taste. +For Taste, who sits as supreme judge +on the productions of Genius, is not +satisfied when she merely imitates Na<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_204" id="sPage_204">[p 204]</a></span>ture: +she must also, says an ingenious +French writer, imitate <i>beautiful</i> +Nature. It requires no less judgment +to reject than to choose, and Genius +might imitate what is vulgar, under +pretence that it was natural, if Taste +did not carefully point out those objects +which are most proper for imitation. +It also requires a very nice discernment +to distinguish verisimilitude +from truth; for there is a truth in +Taste nearly as conclusive as demonstration +in mathematics.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Genius</span>, when in the full impetuosity +of its career, often touches on the +very brink of error; and is, perhaps, +never so near the verge of the precipice, +as when indulging its sublimest +flights. It is in those great, but dangerous +moments, that the curb of +vigilant judgment is most wanting:<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_205" id="sPage_205">[p 205]</a></span> +while safe and sober Dulness observes +one tedious and insipid round of tiresome +uniformity, and steers equally +clear of eccentricity and of beauty. +Dulness has few redundancies to retrench, +few luxuriancies to prune, and +few irregularities to smooth. These, +though errors, are the errors of Genius, +for there is rarely redundancy +without plenitude, or irregularity without +greatness. The excesses of Genius +may easily be retrenched, but the deficiencies +of Dulness can never be supplied.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Those</span> who copy from others will +doubtless be less excellent than those +who copy from Nature. To imitate +imitators, is the way to depart too far +from the great original herself. The +latter copies of an engraving retain +fainter and fainter traces of the sub<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_206" id="sPage_206">[p 206]</a></span>ject, +to which the earlier impressions +bore so strong a resemblance.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> seems very extraordinary, that it +should be the most difficult thing in +the world to be natural, and that it +should be harder to hit off the manners +of real life, and to delineate such characters +as we converse with every day, +than to imagine such as do not exist. +But caricature is much easier than an +exact outline, and the colouring of +fancy less difficult than that of truth.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">People</span> do not always know what taste +they have, till it is awakened by some +corresponding object; nay, genius itself +is a fire, which in many minds +would never blaze, if not kindled by +some external cause.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Nature</span>, that munificent mother, +when she bestows the power of judg<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_207" id="sPage_207">[p 207]</a></span>ing, +accompanies it with the capacity +of enjoying. The judgment, which +is clear sighted, points out such objects +as are calculated to inspire love, and +the heart instantaneously attaches itself +to whatever is lovely.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">In</span> regard to literary reputation, a +great deal depends on the state of +learning in the particular age or nation, +in which an author lives. In a +dark and ignorant period, moderate +knowledge will entitle its possessor to +a considerable share of fame; whereas, +to be distinguished in a polite and lettered +age, requires striking parts and +deep erudition.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> a nation begins to emerge +from a state of mental darkness, and to +strike out the first rudiments of improvement, +it chalks out a few strong<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_208" id="sPage_208">[p 208]</a></span> +but incorrect sketches, gives the rude +out-lines of general art, and leaves the +filling up to the leisure of happier +days, and the refinement of more enlightened +times. Their drawing is a +rude <i>Sbozzo</i>, and their poetry wild +minstrelsy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Perfection</span> of taste is a point which +a nation no sooner reaches, than it +overshoots; and it is more difficult to +return to it, after having passed it, +than it was to attain when they fell +short of it. Where the arts begin to +languish after having flourished, they +seldom indeed fall back to their original +barbarism, but a certain feebleness +of exertion takes place, and it is more +difficult to recover them from this +dying languor to their proper strength, +than it was to polish them from their +former rudeness; for it is a less for<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_209" id="sPage_209">[p 209]</a></span>midable +undertaking to refine barbarity, +than to stop decay: the first may +be laboured into elegance, but the +latter will rarely be strengthened into +vigour.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Taste</span> exerts itself at first but feebly +and imperfectly: it is repressed and kept +back by a crowd of the most discouraging +prejudices: like an infant +prince, who, though born to reign, +yet holds an idle sceptre, which he has +not power to use, but is obliged to see +with the eyes, and hear through the +ears of other men.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A writer</span> of correct taste will hardly +ever go out of his way, even in +search of embellishment: he will study +to attain the best end by the most natural +means; for he knows that what +is not natural cannot be beautiful, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_210" id="sPage_210">[p 210]</a></span> +that nothing can be beautiful out of +its own place; for an improper situation +will convert the most striking +beauty into a glaring defect. When +by a well-connected chain of ideas, +or a judicious succession of events, the +reader is snatched to "Thebes or +Athens," what can be more impertinent +than for the poet to obstruct the +operation of the passion he has just +been kindling, by introducing a conceit +which contradicts his purpose, +and interrupts his business? Indeed, +we cannot be transported, even in +idea, to those places, if the poet does +not manage so adroitly as not to make +us sensible of the journey: the instant +we feel we are travelling, the writer's +art fails, and the delirium is at an end.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Proserpine</span>, says Ovid, would have +been restored to her mother Ceres, had<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_211" id="sPage_211">[p 211]</a></span> +not Ascalaphus seen her stop to gather +a golden apple, when the terms of her +restoration were, that she should taste +nothing. A story pregnant with instruction +for lively writers, who by +neglecting the main business, and going +out of the way for false gratifications, +lose sight of the end they should +principally keep in view. It was this +false taste that introduced the numberless +<i>concetti</i>, which disgrace the brightest +of the Italian poets; and this is the +reason, why the reader only feels short +and interrupted snatches of delight in +perusing the brilliant but unequal +compositions of Ariosto, instead of +that unbroken and undiminished pleasure, +which he constantly receives from +Virgil, from Milton, and generally +from Tasso. The first-mentioned Italian +is the Atalanta, who will interrupt +the most eager career, to pick up the<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_212" id="sPage_212">[p 212]</a></span> +glittering mischief, while the Mantuan +and the British bards, like Hippomenes, +press on warm in the pursuit, +and unseduced by temptation.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A writer</span> of real taste will take +great pains in the perfection of his style, +to make the reader believe that he took +none at all. The writing which appears +to be most easy, will be generally +found to be least imitable. The +most elegant verses are the most easily +retained, they fasten themselves on the +memory, without its making any effort +to preserve them, and we are apt to imagine, +that what is remembered with +ease, was written without difficulty.</p> + +<p>To conclude; Genius is a rare and +precious gem, of which few know +the worth; it is fitter for the cabinet +of the connoisseur, than for the com<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_213" id="sPage_213">[p 213]</a></span>merce +of mankind. Good sense is a +bank-bill, convenient for change, negotiable +at all times, and current in +all places. It knows the value of +small things, and considers that an +aggregate of them makes up the sum +of human affairs. It elevates common +concerns into matters of importance, +by performing them in the best manner, +and at the most suitable season. +Good sense carries with it the idea of +equality, while Genius is always suspected +of a design to impose the burden +of superiority; and respect is paid to +it with that reluctance which always +attends other imposts, the lower orders +of mankind generally repining +most at demands, by which they are +least liable to be affected.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">As</span> it is the character of Genius to +penetrate with a lynx's beam into<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_214" id="sPage_214">[p 214]</a></span> +unfathomable abysses and uncreated +worlds, and to see what is <i>not</i>, so it +is the property of good sense to distinguish +perfectly, and judge accurately +what really <i>is</i>. Good sense has not so +piercing an eye, but it has as clear a +sight: it does not penetrate so deeply, +but as far as it <i>does</i> see, it discerns +distinctly. Good sense is a judicious +mechanic, who can produce beauty +and convenience out of suitable means; +but Genius (I speak with reverence of +the immeasurable distance) bears some +remote resemblance to the divine architect, +who produced perfection of +beauty without any visible materials, +<i>who spake, and it was created</i>; who +said, <i>Let it be, and it was</i>.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="sFootnote_8_8" id="sFootnote_8_8"></a><a href="#sFNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> <span class="smcap">The</span> Author begs leave to offer an apology for +introducing this Essay, which, she fears, may be thought +foreign to her purpose. But she hopes that her earnest +desire of exciting a taste for literature in young ladies, +(which encouraged her to hazard the following remarks) +will not <span class="smcap">obstruct</span> her general design, even if it does +not actually <span class="smcap">promote</span> it.</p></div> + + +<p class="center">THE END.<span class='pagenum'><a name="sPage_215" id="sPage_215">[p 215]</a></span></p> + + + + +<hr style="width: 95%;" /> + + +<p class="center"> +<i>Lately published by the same Author</i>,<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Ode To Dragon</span>, Mr. <span class="smcap">Garrick's</span><br /> +House-Dog at Hampton. Price 6d.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Sir Eldred of the Bower</span>, and the<br /> +<span class="smcap">Bleeding Rock</span>. Legendary<br /> +Tales. Price 2s. 6d.<br /> +Printed for T. Cadell in the Strand.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +The Sixth Edition of<br /> +The <span class="smcap">Search</span> after <span class="smcap">Happiness</span>. A<br /> +Pastoral Drama. Price 1s. 6d.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +The Third Edition of<br /> +The <span class="smcap">Inflexible Captive</span>. A Tragedy.<br /> +Price 1s. 6d.<br /> +Printed for T. Cadell, in the Strand; and J.<br /> +Wilkie, in St. Paul's Church-Yard.<br /> +</p> + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Essays on Various Subjects, by Hannah More + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ESSAYS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS *** + +***** This file should be named 19595-h.htm or 19595-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/5/9/19595/ + +Produced by Audrey Longhurst, Melissa Er-Raqabi, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Essays on Various Subjects + Principally Designed for Young Ladies + +Author: Hannah More + +Release Date: October 21, 2006 [EBook #19595] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ESSAYS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS *** + + + + +Produced by Audrey Longhurst, Melissa Er-Raqabi, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + +ESSAYS +FOR +YOUNG LADIES. + + + + +ESSAYS +ON +VARIOUS SUBJECTS, +Principally designed for +YOUNG LADIES. + + AS for you, I shall advise you in a few words: aspire only to + those virtues that are PECULIAR TO YOUR SEX; follow your natural + modesty, and think it your greatest commendation not to be talked + of one way or the other. + + _Oration of Pericles to the Athenian Women._ + + + + +LONDON: +Printed for J. WILKIE, in St. Paul's Church-Yard; +and T. CADELL, in the Strand. +MDCCLXXVII. + + + + +TO +MRS. MONTAGU. + + +MADAM, + +IF you were only one of the finest writers of your time, you would +probably have escaped the trouble of this address, which is drawn on +you, less by the lustre of your understanding, than by the amiable +qualities of your heart. + +AS the following pages are written with an humble but earnest wish, to +promote the interests of virtue, as far as the very limited abilities +of the author allow; there is, I flatter myself, a peculiar propriety in +inscribing them to you, Madam, who, while your works convey instruction +and delight to the best-informed of the other sex, furnish, by your +conduct, an admirable pattern of life and manners to your own. And I can +with truth remark, that those graces of conversation, which would be the +first praise of almost any other character, constitute but an inferior +part of yours. + + I am, MADAM, + With the highest esteem, + Your most obedient + Humble Servant, + +_Bristol_, HANNAH MORE. +_May 20, 1777._ + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +INTRODUCTION Page 1 +ON DISSIPATION 15 +ON CONVERSATION 37 +ON ENVY 63 +ON SENTIMENTAL CONNEXIONS 77 +ON TRUE AND FALSE MEEKNESS 107 +ON EDUCATION 123 +ON RELIGION 158 +MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS ON WIT 178 + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +IT is with the utmost diffidence that the following pages are submitted +to the inspection of the Public: yet, however the limited abilities of +the author may have prevented her from succeeding to her wish in the +execution of her present attempt, she humbly trusts that the uprightness +of her intention will procure it a candid and favourable reception. The +following little Essays are chiefly calculated for the younger part of +her own sex, who, she flatters herself, will not esteem them the less, +because they were written immediately for their service. She by no means +pretends to have composed a regular system of morals, or a finished plan +of conduct: she has only endeavoured to make a few remarks on such +circumstances as seemed to her susceptible of some improvement, and on +such subjects as she imagined were particularly interesting to young +ladies, on their first introduction into the world. She hopes they will +not be offended if she has occasionally pointed out certain qualities, +and suggested certain tempers, and dispositions, as _peculiarly +feminine_, and hazarded some observations which naturally arose from the +subject, on the different characters which mark the sexes. And here +again she takes the liberty to repeat that these distinctions cannot be +too nicely maintained; for besides those important qualities common to +both, each sex has its respective, appropriated qualifications, which +would cease to be meritorious, the instant they ceased to be +appropriated. Nature, propriety, and custom have prescribed certain +bounds to each; bounds which the prudent and the candid will never +attempt to break down; and indeed it would be highly impolitic to +annihilate distinctions from which each acquires excellence, and to +attempt innovations, by which both would be losers. + +WOMEN therefore never understand their own interests so little, as when +they affect those qualities and accomplishments, from the want of which +they derive their highest merit. "The _porcelain_ clay of human kind," +says an admired writer, speaking of the sex. Greater delicacy evidently +implies greater fragility; and this weakness, natural and moral, clearly +points out the necessity of a superior degree of caution, retirement, +and reserve. + +IF the author may be allowed to keep up the allusion of the poet, just +quoted, she would ask if we do not put the finest vases, and the +costliest images in places of the greatest security, and most remote +from any probability of accident, or destruction? By being so situated, +they find their protection in their weakness, and their safety in their +delicacy. This metaphor is far from being used with a design of placing +young ladies in a trivial, unimportant light; it is only introduced to +insinuate, that where there is more beauty, and more weakness, there +should be greater circumspection, and superior prudence. + +MEN, on the contrary, are formed for the more public exhibitions on the +great theatre of human life. Like the stronger and more substantial +wares, they derive no injury, and lose no polish by being always +exposed, and engaged in the constant commerce of the world. It is their +proper element, where they respire their natural air, and exert their +noblest powers, in situations which call them into action. They were +intended by Providence for the bustling scenes of life; to appear +terrible in arms, useful in commerce, shining in counsels. + +THE Author fears it will be hazarding a very bold remark, in the opinion +of many ladies, when she adds, that the female mind, in general, does +not appear capable of attaining so high a degree of perfection in +science as the male. Yet she hopes to be forgiven when she observes +also, that as it does not seem to derive the chief portion of its +excellence from extraordinary abilities of this kind, it is not at all +lessened by the imputation of not possessing them. It is readily +allowed, that the sex have lively imaginations, and those exquisite +perceptions of the beautiful and defective, which come under the +denomination of Taste. But pretensions to that strength of intellect, +which is requisite to penetrate into the abstruser walks of literature, +it is presumed they will readily relinquish. There are green pastures, +and pleasant vallies, where they may wander with safety to themselves, +and delight to others. They may cultivate the roses of imagination, and +the valuable fruits of morals and criticism; but the steeps of +Parnassus few, comparatively, have attempted to scale with success. +And when it is considered, that many languages, and many sciences, must +contribute to the perfection of poetical composition, it will appear +less strange. The lofty Epic, the pointed Satire, and the more daring +and successful flights of the Tragic Muse, seem reserved for the bold +adventurers of the other sex. + +NOR does this assertion, it is apprehended, at all injure the +interests of the women; they have other pretensions, on which to value +themselves, and other qualities much better calculated to answer their +particular purposes. We are enamoured of the soft strains of the +Sicilian and the Mantuan Muse, while, to the sweet notes of the +pastoral reed, they sing the Contentions of the Shepherds, the +Blessings of Love, or the innocent Delights of rural Life. Has it ever +been ascribed to them as a defect, that their Eclogues do not treat of +active scenes, of busy cities, and of wasting war? No: their simplicity +is their perfection, and they are only blamed when they have too little +of it. + +ON the other hand, the lofty bards who strung their bolder harps to +higher measures, and sung the _Wrath_ of _Peleus' Son_, and _Man's first +Disobedience_, have never been censured for want of sweetness and +refinement. The sublime, the nervous, and the masculine, characterise +their compositions; as the beautiful, the soft, and the delicate, mark +those of the others. Grandeur, dignity, and force, distinguish the one +species; ease, simplicity, and purity, the other. Both shine from their +native, distinct, unborrowed merits, not from those which are foreign, +adventitious, and unnatural. Yet those excellencies, which make up the +essential and constituent parts of poetry, they have in common. + +WOMEN have generally quicker perceptions; men have juster +sentiments.--Women consider how things may be prettily said; men how +they may be properly said.--In women, (young ones at least) speaking +accompanies, and sometimes precedes reflection; in men, reflection is +the antecedent.--Women speak to shine or to please; men, to convince or +confute.--Women admire what is brilliant; men what is solid.--Women +prefer an extemporaneous sally of wit, or a sparkling effusion of +fancy, before the most accurate reasoning, or the most laborious +investigation of facts. In literary composition, women are pleased with +point, turn, and antithesis; men with observation, and a just deduction +of effects from their causes.--Women are fond of incident, men of +argument.--Women admire passionately, men approve cautiously.--One sex +will think it betrays a want of feeling to be moderate in their +applause, the other will be afraid of exposing a want of judgment by +being in raptures with any thing.--Men refuse to give way to the +emotions they actually feel, while women sometimes affect to be +transported beyond what the occasion will justify. + +AS a farther confirmation of what has been advanced on the different +bent of the understanding in the sexes, it may be observed, that we have +heard of many female wits, but never of one female logician--of many +admirable writers of memoirs, but never of one chronologer.--In the +boundless and aerial regions of romance, and in that fashionable species +of composition which succeeded it, and which carries a nearer +approximation to the manners of the world, the women cannot be excelled: +this imaginary soil they have a peculiar talent for cultivating, because +here, + + Invention labours more, and judgment less. + +THE merit of this kind of writing consists in the _vraisemblance_ to +real life as to the events themselves, with a certain elevation in the +narrative, which places them, if not above what is natural, yet above +what is common. It farther consists in the art of interesting the tender +feelings by a pathetic representation of those minute, endearing, +domestic circumstances, which take captive the soul before it has time +to shield itself with the armour of reflection. To amuse, rather than to +instruct, or to instruct indirectly by short inferences, drawn from a +long concatenation of circumstances, is at once the business of this +sort of composition, and one of the characteristics of female +genius[1]. + +IN short, it appears that the mind in each sex has some natural kind of +bias, which constitutes a distinction of character, and that the +happiness of both depends, in a great measure, on the preservation and +observance of this distinction. For where would be the superior pleasure +and satisfaction resulting from mixed conversation, if this difference +were abolished? If the qualities of both were invariably and exactly the +same, no benefit or entertainment would arise from the tedious and +insipid uniformity of such an intercourse; whereas considerable +advantages are reaped from a select society of both sexes. The rough +angles and asperities of male manners are imperceptibly filed, and +gradually worn smooth, by the polishing of female conversation, and the +refining of female taste; while the ideas of women acquire strength and +solidity, by their associating with sensible, intelligent, and +judicious men. + +ON the whole, (even if fame be the object of pursuit) is it not better +to succeed as women, than to fail as men? To shine, by walking +honourably in the road which nature, custom, and education seem to have +marked out, rather than to counteract them all, by moving awkwardly in a +path diametrically opposite? To be good originals, rather than bad +imitators? In a word, to be excellent women, rather than indifferent +men? + + +[1] THE author does not apprehend it makes against her GENERAL position, +that this nation can boast a female critic, poet, historian, linguist, +philosopher, and moralist, equal to most of the other sex. To these +particular instances others might be adduced; but it is presumed, that +they only stand as exceptions against the rule, without tending to +invalidate the rule itself. + + + + +ON +DISSIPATION. + + DOGLIE CERTE, ALLEGREZZE INCERTE! + PETRARCA. + + +AS an argument in favour of modern manners, it has been pleaded, that +the softer vices of Luxury and Dissipation, belong rather to gentle +and yielding tempers, than to such as are rugged and ferocious: that +they are vices which increase civilization, and tend to promote +refinement, and the cultivation of humanity. + +BUT this is an assertion, the truth of which the experience of all +ages contradicts. Nero was not less a tyrant for being a fiddler: He[2] +who wished the whole Roman people had but one neck, that he might +dispatch them at a blow, was himself the most debauched man in Rome; and +Sydney and Russel were condemned to bleed under the most barbarous, +though most dissipated and voluptuous, reign that ever disgraced the +annals of Britain. + +THE love of dissipation is, I believe, allowed to be the reigning evil +of the present day. It is an evil which many content themselves with +regretting, without seeking to redress. A dissipated life is censured +in the very act of dissipation, and prodigality of time is as gravely +declaimed against at the card table, as in the pulpit. + +THE lover of dancing censures the amusements of the theatre for their +dulness, and the gamester blames them both for their levity. She, whose +whole soul is swallowed up in "_opera extacies_" is astonished, that her +acquaintance can spend whole nights in preying, like harpies, on the +fortunes of their fellow-creatures; while the grave sober sinner, who +passes her pale and anxious vigils, in this fashionable sort of +pillaging, is no less surprised how the other can waste her precious +time in hearing sounds for which she has no taste, in a language she +does not understand. + +IN short, every one seems convinced, that the evil so much complained of +does really exist somewhere, though all are inwardly persuaded that it +is not with themselves. All desire a general reformation, but few will +listen to proposals of particular amendment; the body must be restored, +but each limb begs to remain as it is; and accusations which concern +all, will be likely to affect none. They think that sin, like matter, is +divisible, and that what is scattered among so many, cannot materially +affect any one; and thus individuals contribute separately to that evil +which they in general lament. + +THE prevailing manners of an age depend more than we are aware, or are +willing to allow, on the conduct of the women; this is one of the +principal hinges on which the great machine of human society turns. +Those who allow the influence which female graces have, in contributing +to polish the manners of men, would do well to reflect how great an +influence female morals must also have on their conduct. How much then +is it to be regretted, that the British ladies should ever sit down +contented to polish, when they are able to reform, to entertain, when +they might instruct, and to dazzle for an hour, when they are candidates +for eternity! + +UNDER the dispensation of Mahomet's law, indeed, these mental +excellencies cannot be expected, because the women are shut out from all +opportunities of instruction, and excluded from the endearing pleasures +of a delightful and equal society; and, as a charming poet sings, are +taught to believe, that + + For their inferior natures + Form'd to delight, and happy by delighting, + Heav'n has reserv'd no future paradise, + But bids them rove the paths of bliss, secure + Of total death, and careless of hereafter. + + IRENE. + +THESE act consistently in studying none but exterior graces, in +cultivating only personal attractions, and in trying to lighten the +intolerable burden of time, by the most frivolous and vain amusements. +They act in consequence of their own blind belief, and the tyranny of +their despotic masters; for they have neither the freedom of a present +choice, nor the prospect of a future being. + +BUT in this land of civil and religious liberty, where there is as +little despotism exercised over the minds, as over the persons of women, +they have every liberty of choice, and every opportunity of improvement; +and how greatly does this increase their obligation to be exemplary in +their general conduct, attentive to the government of their families, +and instrumental to the good order of society! + +SHE who is at a loss to find amusements at home, can no longer apologize +for her dissipation abroad, by saying she is deprived of the benefit +and the pleasure of books; and she who regrets being doomed to a state +of dark and gloomy ignorance, by the injustice, or tyranny of the men, +complains of an evil which does not exist. + +IT is a question frequently in the mouths of illiterate and dissipated +females--"What good is there in reading? To what end does it conduce?" +It is, however, too obvious to need insisting on, that unless perverted, +as the best things may be, reading answers many excellent purposes +beside the great leading one, and is perhaps the safest remedy for +dissipation. She who dedicates a portion of her leisure to useful +reading, feels her mind in a constant progressive state of +improvement, whilst the mind of a dissipated woman is continually +losing ground. An active spirit rejoiceth, like the sun, to run his +daily course, while indolence, like the dial of Ahaz, goes backwards. +The advantages which the understanding receives from polite literature, +it is not here necessary to enumerate; its effects on the moral +temper is the present object of consideration. The remark may perhaps be +thought too strong, but I believe it is true, that next to religious +influences, an habit of study is the most probable preservative of the +virtue of young persons. Those who cultivate letters have rarely a +strong passion for promiscuous visiting, or dissipated society; +study therefore induces a relish for domestic life, the most desirable +temper in the world for women. Study, as it rescues the mind from an +inordinate fondness for gaming, dress, and public amusements, is an +oeconomical propensity; for a lady may read at much less expence than +she can play at cards; as it requires some application, it gives the +mind an habit of industry; as it is a relief against that mental +disease, which the French emphatically call _ennui_, it cannot fail of +being beneficial to the temper and spirits, I mean in the moderate +degree in which ladies are supposed to use it; as an enemy to indolence, +it becomes a social virtue; as it demands the full exertion of our +talents, it grows a rational duty; and when directed to the knowledge of +the Supreme Being, and his laws, it rises into an act of religion. + +THE rage for reformation commonly shews itself in a violent zeal for +suppressing what is wrong, rather than in a prudent attention to +establish what is right; but we shall never obtain a fair garden merely +by rooting up weeds, we must also plant flowers; for the natural +richness of the soil we have been clearing will not suffer it to lie +barren, but whether it shall be vainly or beneficially prolific, depends +on the culture. What the present age has gained on one side, by a more +enlarged and liberal way of thinking, seems to be lost on the other, by +excessive freedom and unbounded indulgence. Knowledge is not, as +heretofore, confined to the dull cloyster, or the gloomy college, but +disseminated, to a certain degree, among both sexes and almost all +ranks. The only misfortune is, that these opportunities do not seem to +be so wisely improved, or turned to so good an account as might be +wished. Books of a pernicious, idle, and frivolous sort, are too much +multiplied, and it is from the very redundancy of them that true +knowledge is so scarce, and the habit of dissipation so much +increased. + +IT has been remarked, that the prevailing character of the present age +is not that of gross immorality: but if this is meant of those in the +higher walks of life, it is easy to discern, that there can be but +little merit in abstaining from crimes which there is but little +temptation to commit. It is however to be feared, that a gradual +defection from piety, will in time draw after it all the bad +consequences of more active vice; for whether mounds and fences are +suddenly destroyed by a sweeping torrent, or worn away through gradual +neglect, the effect is equally destructive. As a rapid fever and a +consuming hectic are alike fatal to our natural health, so are flagrant +immorality and torpid indolence to our moral well-being. + +THE philosophical doctrine of the slow recession of bodies from the +sun, is a lively image of the reluctance with which we first abandon +the light of virtue. The beginning of folly, and the first entrance on a +dissipated life cost some pangs to a well-disposed heart; but it is +surprising to see how soon the progress ceases to be impeded by +reflection, or slackened by remorse. For it is in moral as in natural +things, the motion in minds as well as bodies is accelerated by a nearer +approach to the centre to which they are tending. If we recede slowly at +first setting out, we advance rapidly in our future course; and to have +begun to be wrong, is already to have made a great progress. + +A CONSTANT habit of amusement relaxes the tone of the mind, and renders +it totally incapable of application, study, or virtue. Dissipation not +only indisposes its votaries to every thing useful and excellent, but +disqualifies them for the enjoyment of pleasure itself. It softens the +soul so much, that the most superficial employment becomes a labour, and +the slightest inconvenience an agony. The luxurious Sybarite must have +lost all sense of real enjoyment, and all relish for true gratification, +before he complained that he could not sleep, because the rose leaves +lay double under him. + +LUXURY and dissipation, soft and gentle as their approaches are, and +silently as they throw their silken chains about the heart, enslave it +more than the most active and turbulent vices. The mightiest conquerors +have been conquered by these unarmed foes: the flowery setters are +fastened, before they are felt. The blandishments of Circe were more +fatal to the mariners of Ulysses, than the strength of Polypheme, or +the brutality of the Laestrigons. Hercules, after he had cleansed the +Augean stable, and performed all the other labours enjoined him by +Euristheus, found himself a slave to the softnesses of the heart; and +he, who wore a club and a lion's skin in the cause of virtue, +condescended to the most effeminate employments to gratify a criminal +weakness. Hannibal, who vanquished mighty nations, was himself overcome +by the love of pleasure; and he who despised cold, and want, and danger, +and death on the Alps, was conquered and undone by the dissolute +indulgences of Capua. + +BEFORE the hero of the most beautiful and virtuous romance that ever was +written, I mean Telemachus, landed on the island of Cyprus, he +unfortunately lost his prudent companion, Mentor, in whom wisdom is so +finely personified. At first he beheld with horror the wanton and +dissolute manners of the voluptuous inhabitants; the ill effects of +their example were not immediate: he did not fall into the commission +of glaring enormities; but his virtue was secretly and imperceptibly +undermined, his heart was softened by their pernicious society; and the +nerve of resolution was slackened: he every day beheld with diminished +indignation the worship which was offered to Venus; the disorders of +luxury and prophaneness became less and less terrible, and the +infectious air of the country enfeebled his courage, and relaxed his +principles. In short, he had ceased to love virtue long before he +thought of committing actual vice; and the duties of a manly piety were +burdensome to him, before he was so debased as to offer perfumes, and +burn incense on the altar of the licentious goddess[3]. + +"LET us crown ourselves with rosebuds before they be withered," said +Solomon's libertine. Alas! he did not reflect that they withered in the +very gathering. The roses of pleasure seldom last long enough to adorn +the brow of him who plucks them; for they are the only roses which do +not retain their sweetness after they have lost their beauty. + +THE heathen poets often pressed on their readers the necessity of +considering the shortness of life, as an incentive to pleasure and +voluptuousness; lest the season for indulging in them should pass +unimproved. The dark and uncertain notions, not to say the absolute +disbelief, which they entertained of a future state, is the only apology +that can be offered for this reasoning. But while we censure their +tenets, let us not adopt their errors; errors which would be infinitely +more inexcusable in us, who, from the clearer views which revelation has +given us, shall not have their ignorance or their doubts to plead. It +were well if we availed ourselves of that portion of their precept, +which inculcates the improvement of every moment of our time, but not +like them to dedicate the moments so redeemed to the pursuit of sensual +and perishable pleasures, but to the securing of those which are +spiritual in their nature, and eternal in their duration. + +IF, indeed, like the miserable[4] beings imagined by Swift, with a view +to cure us of the irrational desire after immoderate length of days, we +were condemned to a wretched earthly immortality, we should have an +excuse for spending some portion of our time in dissipation, as we +might then pretend, with some colour of reason, that we proposed, at a +distant period, to enter on a better course of action. Or if we never +formed any such resolution, it would make no material difference to +beings, whose state was already unalterably fixed. But of the scanty +portion of days assigned to our lot, not one should be lost in weak +and irresolute procrastination. + +THOSE who have not yet determined on the side of vanity, who, like +Hercules, (before he knew the queen of Lydia, and had learnt to spin) +have not resolved on their choice between VIRTUE and PLEASURE, may +reflect, that it is still in their power to imitate that hero in his +noble choice, and in his virtuous rejection. They may also reflect with +grateful triumph, that Christianity furnishes them with a better guide +than the tutor of Alcides, and with a surer light than the doctrines of +pagan philosophy. + +IT is far from my design severely to condemn the innocent pleasures of +life: I would only beg leave to observe, that those which are criminal +should never be allowed; and that even the most innocent will, by +immoderate use, soon cease to be so. + +THE women of this country were not sent into the world to shun society, +but to embellish it; they were not designed for wilds and solitudes, but +for the amiable and endearing offices of social life. They have useful +stations to fill, and important characters to sustain. They are of a +religion which does not impose penances, but enjoins duties; a religion +of perfect purity, but of perfect benevolence also. A religion which +does not condemn its followers to indolent seclusion from the world, but +assigns them the more dangerous, though more honourable province, of +living uncorrupted in it. In fine, a religion, which does not direct +them to fly from the multitude, that they may do nothing, but which +positively forbids them to follow a multitude to do evil. + + +[2] The Emperor Caligula. + +[3] NOTHING can be more admirable than the manner in which this allegory +is conducted; and the whole work, not to mention its images, machinery, +and other poetical beauties, is written in the very finest strain of +morality. In this latter respect it is evidently superior to the works +of the ancients, the moral of which is frequently tainted by the +grossness of their mythology. Something of the purity of the Christian +religion may be discovered even in Fenelon's heathens, and they catch a +tincture of piety in passing through the hands of that amiable prelate. + +[4] The Struldbrugs. See Voyage to Laputa. + + + + +THOUGHTS +ON +CONVERSATION. + + +IT has been advised, and by very respectable authorities too, that in +conversation women should carefully conceal any knowledge or learning +they may happen to possess. I own, with submission, that I do not +see either the necessity or propriety of this advice. For if a young +lady has that discretion and modesty, without which all knowledge is +little worth, she will never make an ostentatious parade of it, because +she will rather be intent on acquiring more, than on displaying what she +has. + +I AM at a loss to know why a young female is instructed to exhibit, in +the most advantageous point of view, her skill in music, her singing, +dancing, taste in dress, and her acquaintance with the most fashionable +games and amusements, while her piety is to be anxiously concealed, and +her knowledge affectedly disavowed, lest the former should draw on her +the appellation of an enthusiast, or the latter that of a pedant. + +IN regard to knowledge, why should she for ever affect to be on her +guard, lest she should be found guilty of a small portion of it? She +need be the less solicitous about it, as it seldom proves to be so very +considerable as to excite astonishment or admiration: for, after all the +acquisitions which her talents and her studies have enabled her to make, +she will, generally speaking, be found to have less of what is called +_learning_, than a common school-boy. + +IT would be to the last degree presumptuous and absurd, for a young +woman to pretend to give the _ton_ to the company; to interrupt the +pleasure of others, and her own opportunity of improvement, by talking +when she ought to listen; or to introduce subjects out of the common +road, in order to shew her own wit, or expose the want of it in others: +but were the sex to be totally silent when any topic of literature +happens to be discussed in their presence, conversation would lose +much of its vivacity, and society would be robbed of one of its most +interesting charms. + +HOW easily and effectually may a well-bred woman promote the most useful +and elegant conversation, almost without speaking a word! for the modes +of speech are scarcely more variable than the modes of silence. The +silence of listless ignorance, and the silence of sparkling +intelligence, are perhaps as separately marked, and as distinctly +expressed, as the same feelings could have been by the most +unequivocal language. A woman, in a company where she has the least +influence, may promote any subject by a profound and invariable +attention, which shews that she is pleased with it, and by an +illuminated countenance, which proves she understands it. This obliging +attention is the most flattering encouragement in the world to men of +sense and letters, to continue any topic of instruction or entertainment +they happen to be engaged in: it owed its introduction perhaps to +accident, the best introduction in the world for a subject of ingenuity, +which, though it could not have been formally proposed without pedantry, +may be continued with ease and good humour; but which will be frequently +and effectually stopped by the listlessness, inattention, or +whispering of silly girls, whose weariness betrays their ignorance, and +whose impatience exposes their ill-breeding. A polite man, however +deeply interested in the subject on which he is conversing, catches at +the slightest hint to have done: a look is a sufficient intimation, and +if a pretty simpleton, who sits near him, seems _distraite_, he puts an +end to his remarks, to the great regret of the reasonable part of the +company, who perhaps might have gained more improvement by the +continuance of such a conversation, than a week's reading would have +yielded them; for it is such company as this, that give an edge to each +other's wit, "as iron sharpeneth iron." + +THAT silence is one of the great arts of conversation is allowed by +Cicero himself, who says, there is not only an art but even an eloquence +in it. And this opinion is confirmed by a great modern[5], in the +following little anecdote from one of the ancients. + +WHEN many Grecian philosophers had a solemn meeting before the +ambassador of a foreign prince, each endeavoured to shew his parts by +the brilliancy of his conversation, that the ambassador might have +something to relate of the Grecian wisdom. One of them, offended, no +doubt, at the loquacity of his companions, observed a profound silence; +when the ambassador, turning to him, asked, "But what have you to say, +that I may report it?" He made this laconic, but very pointed reply: +"Tell your king, that you have found one among the Greeks who knew how +to be silent." + +THERE is a quality infinitely more intoxicating to the female mind than +knowledge--this is Wit, the most captivating, but the most dreaded of +all talents: the most dangerous to those who have it, and the most +feared by those who have it not. Though it is against all the rules, yet +I cannot find in my heart to abuse this charming quality. He who is +grown rich without it, in safe and sober dulness, shuns it as a disease, +and looks upon poverty as its invariable concomitant. The moralist +declaims against it as the source of irregularity, and the frugal +citizen dreads it more than bankruptcy itself, for he considers it as +the parent of extravagance and beggary. The Cynic will ask of what use +it is? Of very little perhaps: no more is a flower garden, and yet it is +allowed as an object of innocent amusement and delightful recreation. A +woman, who possesses this quality, has received a most dangerous +present, perhaps not less so than beauty itself: especially if it be not +sheathed in a temper peculiarly inoffensive, chastised by a most +correct judgment, and restrained by more prudence than falls to the +common lot. + +THIS talent is more likely to make a woman vain than knowledge; for as +Wit is the immediate property of its possessor, and learning is only +an acquaintance with the knowledge of other people, there is much more +danger, that we should be vain of what is our own, than of what we +borrow. + +BUT Wit, like learning, is not near so common a thing as is imagined. +Let not therefore a young lady be alarmed at the acuteness of her own +wit, any more than at the abundance of her own knowledge. The great +danger is, lest she should mistake pertness, flippancy, or imprudence, +for this brilliant quality, or imagine she is witty, only because she +is indiscreet. This is very frequently the case, and this makes the name +of wit so cheap, while its real existence is so rare. + +LEST the flattery of her acquaintance, or an over-weening opinion of her +own qualifications, should lead some vain and petulant girl into a false +notion that she has a great deal of wit, when she has only a redundancy +of animal spirits, she may not find it useless to attend to the +definition of this quality, by one who had as large a portion of it, as +most individuals could ever boast: + + 'Tis not a tale, 'tis not a jest, + Admir'd with laughter at a feast, + Nor florid talk, which can that title gain, + The proofs of wit for ever must remain. + Neither can that have any place, + At which a virgin hides her face; + Such dross the fire must purge away; 'tis just, + The author blush there, where the reader must. + + COWLEY. + +BUT those who actually possess this rare talent, cannot be too +abstinent in the use of it. It often makes admirers, but it never makes +friends; I mean, where it is the predominant feature; and the +unprotected and defenceless state of womanhood calls for friendship more +than for admiration. She who does not desire friends has a sordid and +insensible soul; but she who is ambitious of making every man her +admirer, has an invincible vanity and a cold heart. + +BUT to dwell only on the side of policy, a prudent woman, who has +established the reputation of some genius will sufficiently maintain +it, without keeping her faculties always on the stretch to say _good +things_. Nay, if reputation alone be her object, she will gain a more +solid one by her forbearance, as the wiser part of her acquaintance will +ascribe it to the right motive, which is, not that she has less wit, but +that she has more judgment. + +THE fatal fondness for indulging a spirit of ridicule, and the injurious +and irreparable consequences which sometimes attend the _too prompt +reply_, can never be too seriously or too severely condemned. Not to +offend, is the first step towards pleasing. To give pain is as much an +offence against humanity, as against good breeding; and surely it is as +well to abstain from an action because it is sinful, as because it is +impolite. In company, young ladies would do well before they speak, to +reflect, if what they are going to say may not distress some worthy +person present, by wounding them in their persons, families, connexions, +or religious opinions. If they find it will touch them in either of +these, I should advise them to suspect, that what they were going to say +is not so _very_ good a thing as they at first imagined. Nay, if even it +was one of those bright ideas, which _Venus has imbued with a fifth part +of her nectar_, so much greater will be their merit in suppressing it, +if there was a probability it might offend. Indeed, if they have the +temper and prudence to make such a previous reflection, they will be +more richly rewarded by their own inward triumph, at having suppressed +a lively but severe remark, than they could have been with the +dissembled applauses of the whole company, who, with that complaisant +deceit, which good breeding too much authorises, affect openly to admire +what they secretly resolve never to forgive. + +I HAVE always been delighted with the story of the little girl's +eloquence, in one of the Children's Tales, who received from a friendly +fairy the gift, that at every word she uttered, pinks, roses, diamonds, +and pearls, should drop from her mouth. The hidden moral appears to be +this, that it was the sweetness of her temper which produced this pretty +fanciful effect: for when her malicious sister desired the same gift +from the good-natured tiny Intelligence, the venom of her own heart +converted it into poisonous and loathsome reptiles. + +A MAN of sense and breeding will sometimes join in the laugh, which has +been raised at his expence by an ill-natured repartee; but if it was +very cutting, and one of those shocking sort of truths, which as they +can scarcely be pardoned even in private, ought never to be uttered in +public, he does not laugh because he is pleased, but because he wishes +to conceal how much he is hurt. As the sarcasm was uttered by a lady, so +far from seeming to resent it, he will be the first to commend it; but +notwithstanding that, he will remember it as a trait of malice, when the +whole company shall have forgotten it as a stroke of wit. Women are so +far from being privileged by their sex to say unhandsome or cruel +things, that it is this very circumstance which renders them more +intolerable. When the arrow is lodged in the heart, it is no relief to +him who is wounded to reflect, that the hand which shot it was a fair +one. + +MANY women, when they have a favourite point to gain, or an earnest wish +to bring any one over to their opinion, often use a very disingenuous +method: they will state a case ambiguously, and then avail themselves of +it, in whatever manner shall best answer their purpose; leaving your +mind in a state of indecision as to their real meaning, while they +triumph in the perplexity they have given you by the unfair conclusions +they draw, from premises equivocally stated. They will also frequently +argue from exceptions instead of rules, and are astonished when you are +not willing to be contented with a prejudice, instead of a reason. + +IN a sensible company of both sexes, where women are not restrained by +any other reserve than what their natural modesty imposes; and where the +intimacy of all parties authorises the utmost freedom of communication; +should any one inquire what were the general sentiments on some +particular subject, it will, I believe, commonly happen, that the +ladies, whose imaginations have kept pace with the narration, have +anticipated its end, and are ready to deliver their sentiments on it as +soon as it is finished. While some of the male hearers, whose minds were +busied in settling the propriety, comparing the circumstances, and +examining the consistencies of what was said, are obliged to pause and +discriminate, before they think of answering. Nothing is so +embarrassing as a variety of matter, and the conversation of women is +often more perspicuous, because it is less laboured. + +A MAN of deep reflection, if he does not keep up an intimate commerce +with the world, will be sometimes so entangled in the intricacies of +intense thought, that he will have the appearance of a confused and +perplexed expression; while a sprightly woman will extricate herself +with that lively and "rash dexterity," which will almost always please, +though it is very far from being always right. It is easier to confound +than to convince an opponent; the former may be effected by a turn that +has more happiness than truth in it. Many an excellent reasoner, well +skilled in the theory of the schools, has felt himself discomfited by a +reply, which, though as wide of the mark, and as foreign to the +question as can be conceived, has disconcerted him more than the most +startling proposition, or the most accurate chain of reasoning could +have done; and he has borne the laugh of his fair antagonist, as well as +of the whole company, though he could not but feel, that his own +argument was attended with the fullest demonstration: so true is it, +that it is not always necessary to be right, in order to be applauded. + +BUT let not a young lady's vanity be too much elated with this false +applause, which is given, not to her merit, but to her sex: she has not +perhaps gained a victory, though she may be allowed a triumph; and it +should humble her to reflect, that the tribute is paid, not to her +strength but her weakness. It is worth while to discriminate between +that applause, which is given from the complaisance of others, and that +which is paid to our own merit. + +WHERE great sprightliness is the natural bent of the temper, girls +should endeavour to habituate themselves to a custom of observing, +thinking, and reasoning. I do not mean, that they should devote +themselves to abstruse speculation, or the study of logic; but she who +is accustomed to give a due arrangement to her thoughts, to reason +justly and pertinently on common affairs, and judiciously to deduce +effects from their causes, will be a better logician than some of those +who claim the name, because they have studied the art: this is being +"learned without the rules;" the best definition, perhaps, of that sort +of literature which is properest for the sex. That species of +knowledge, which appears to be the result of reflection rather than of +science, sits peculiarly well on women. It is not uncommon to find a +lady, who, though she does not know a rule of Syntax, scarcely ever +violates one; and who constructs every sentence she utters, with more +propriety than many a learned dunce, who has every rule of Aristotle by +heart, and who can lace his own thread-bare discourse with the golden +shreds of Cicero and Virgil. + +IT has been objected, and I fear with some reason, that female +conversation is too frequently tinctured with a censorious spirit, and +that ladies are seldom apt to discover much tenderness for the errors of +a fallen sister. + + If it be so, it is a grievous fault. + +NO arguments can justify, no pleas can extenuate it. To insult over the +miseries of an unhappy creature is inhuman, not to compassionate them +is unchristian. The worthy part of the sex always express themselves +humanely on the failings of others, in proportion to their own +undeviating goodness. + +AND here I cannot help remarking, that young women do not always +carefully distinguish between running into the error of detraction, and +its opposite extreme of indiscriminate applause. This proceeds from the +false idea they entertain, that the direct contrary to what is wrong +must be right. Thus the dread of being only suspected of one fault makes +them actually guilty of another. The desire of avoiding the imputation +of envy, impels them to be insincere; and to establish a reputation for +sweetness of temper and generosity, they affect sometimes to speak of +very indifferent characters with the most extravagant applause. With +such, the hyperbole is a favourite figure; and every degree of +comparison but the superlative is rejected, as cold and inexpressive. +But this habit of exaggeration greatly weakens their credit, and +destroys the weight of their opinion on other occasions; for people very +soon discover what degree of faith is to be given both to their judgment +and veracity. And those of real merit will no more be flattered by that +approbation, which cannot distinguish the value of what it praises, than +the celebrated painter must have been at the judgment passed on his +works by an ignorant spectator, who, being asked what he thought of such +and such very capital but very different pieces, cried out in an +affected rapture, "All alike! all alike!" + +IT has been proposed to the young, as a maxim of supreme wisdom, to +manage so dexterously in conversation, as to appear to be well +acquainted with subjects, of which they are totally ignorant; and this, +by affecting silence in regard to those, on which they are known to +excel.--But why counsel this disingenuous fraud? Why add to the +numberless arts of deceit, this practice of deceiving, as it were, on a +settled principle? If to disavow the knowledge they really have be a +culpable affectation, then certainly to insinuate an idea of their +skill, where they are actually ignorant, is a most unworthy artifice. + +BUT of all the qualifications for conversation, humility, if not the +most brilliant, is the safest, the most amiable, and the most feminine. +The affectation of introducing subjects, with which others are +unacquainted, and of displaying talents superior to the rest of the +company, is as dangerous as it is foolish. + +There are many, who never can forgive another for being more agreeable +and more accomplished than themselves, and who can pardon any offence +rather than an eclipsing merit. Had the nightingale in the fable +conquered his vanity, and resisted the temptation of shewing a fine +voice, he might have escaped the talons of the hawk. The melody of his +singing was the cause of his destruction; his merit brought him into +danger, and his vanity cost him his life. + + +[5] Lord Bacon. + + + + +ON +ENVY. + + Envy came next, Envy with squinting eyes, + Sick of a strange disease, his neighbour's health; + Best then he lives when any better dies, + Is never poor but in another's wealth: + On best mens harms and griefs he feeds his fill, + Else his own maw doth eat with spiteful will, + Ill must the temper be, where diet is so ill. + + FLETCHER'S PURPLE ISLAND. + + +"ENVY, (says Lord Bacon) has no holidays." There cannot perhaps be a +more lively and striking description of the miserable state of mind +those endure, who are tormented with this vice. A spirit of emulation +has been supposed to be the source of the greatest improvements; and +there is no doubt but the warmest rivalship will produce the most +excellent effects; but it is to be feared, that a perpetual state of +contest will injure the temper so essentially, that the mischief will +hardly be counterbalanced by any other advantages. Those, whose progress +is the most rapid, will be apt to despise their less successful +competitors, who, in return, will feel the bitterest resentment against +their more fortunate rivals. Among persons of real goodness, this +jealousy and contempt can never be equally felt, because every +advancement in piety will be attended with a proportionable increase of +humility, which will lead them to contemplate their own improvements +with modesty, and to view with charity the miscarriages of others. + +WHEN an envious man is melancholy, one may ask him, in the words of +Bion, what evil has befallen himself, or what good has happened to +another? This last is the scale by which he principally measures his +felicity, and the very smiles of his friends are so many deductions from +his own happiness. The wants of others are the standard by which he +rates his own wealth, and he estimates his riches, not so much by his +own possessions, as by the necessities of his neighbours. + +WHEN the malevolent intend to strike a very deep and dangerous stroke of +malice, they generally begin the most remotely in the world from the +subject nearest their hearts. They set out with commending the object of +their envy for some trifling quality or advantage, which it is scarcely +worth while to possess: they next proceed to make a general +profession of their own good-will and regard for him: thus artfully +removing any suspicion of their design, and clearing all obstructions +for the insidious stab they are about to give; for who will suspect them +of an intention to injure the object of their peculiar and professed +esteem? The hearer's belief of the fact grows in proportion to the +seeming reluctance with which it is told, and to the conviction he has, +that the relater is not influenced by any private pique, or personal +resentment; but that the confession is extorted from him sorely +against his inclination, and purely on account of his zeal for truth. + +ANGER is less reasonable and more sincere than envy.--Anger breaks out +abruptly; envy is a great prefacer--anger wishes to be understood at +once: envy is fond of remote hints and ambiguities; but, obscure as its +oracles are, it never ceases to deliver them till they are perfectly +comprehended:--anger repeats the same circumstances over again; envy +invents new ones at every fresh recital--anger gives a broken, vehement, +and interrupted narrative; envy tells a more consistent and more +probable, though a falser tale--anger is excessively imprudent, for it +is impatient to disclose every thing it knows; envy is discreet, for it +has a great deal to hide--anger never consults times or seasons; envy +waits for the lucky moment, when the wound it meditates may be made the +most exquisitely painful, and the most incurably deep--anger uses more +invective; envy does more mischief--simple anger soon runs itself out of +breath, and is exhausted at the end of its tale; but it is for that +chosen period that envy has treasured up the most barbed arrow in its +whole quiver--anger puts a man out of himself: but the truly malicious +generally preserve the appearance of self-possession, or they could +not so effectually injure.--The angry man sets out by destroying his +whole credit with you at once, for he very frankly confesses his +abhorrence and detestation of the object of his abuse; while the envious +man carefully suppresses all his own share in the affair.--The angry +man defeats the end of his resentment, by keeping _himself_ continually +before your eyes, instead of his enemy; while the envious man artfully +brings forward the object of his malice, and keeps himself out of +sight.--The angry man talks loudly of his own wrongs; the envious of his +adversary's injustice.--A passionate person, if his resentments are +not complicated with malice, divides his time between sinning and +sorrowing; and, as the irascible passions cannot constantly be at +work, his heart may sometimes get a holiday.--Anger is a violent act, +envy a constant habit--no one can be always angry, but he may be always +envious:--an angry man's enmity (if he be generous) will subside when +the object of his resentment becomes unfortunate; but the envious man +can extract food from his malice out of calamity itself, if he finds his +adversary bears it with dignity, or is pitied or assisted in it. The +rage of the passionate man is totally extinguished by the death of his +enemy; but the hatred of the malicious is not buried even in the grave +of his rival: he will envy the good name he has left behind him; he will +envy him the tears of his widow, the prosperity of his children, the +esteem of his friends, the praises of his epitaph--nay the very +magnificence of his funeral. + +"THE ear of jealousy heareth all things," (says the wise man) frequently +I believe more than is uttered, which makes the company of persons +infected with it still more dangerous. + +WHEN you tell those of a malicious turn, any circumstance that has +happened to another, though they perfectly know of whom you are +speaking, they often affect to be at a loss, to forget his name, or to +misapprehend you in some respect or other; and this merely to have an +opportunity of slily gratifying their malice by mentioning some unhappy +defect or personal infirmity he labours under; and not contented "to +tack his every error to his name," they will, by way of farther +explanation, have recourse to the faults of his father, or the +misfortunes of his family; and this with all the seeming simplicity and +candor in the world, merely for the sake of preventing mistakes, and to +clear up every doubt of his identity.--If you are speaking of a lady, +for instance, they will perhaps embellish their inquiries, by asking if +you mean her, whose great grandfather was a bankrupt, though she has the +vanity to keep a chariot, while others who are much better born walk on +foot; or they will afterwards recollect, that you may possibly mean +her cousin, of the same name, whose mother was suspected of such or +such an indiscretion, though the daughter had the luck to make her +fortune by marrying, while her betters are overlooked. + +TO _hint at a fault_, does more mischief than speaking out; for whatever +is left for the imagination to finish, will not fail to be overdone: +every hiatus will be more then filled up, and every pause more than +supplied. There is less malice, and less mischief too, in telling a +man's name than the initials of it; as a worthier person may be involved +in the most disgraceful suspicions by such a dangerous ambiguity. + +IT is not uncommon for the envious, after having attempted to deface the +fairest character so industriously, that they are afraid you will begin +to detect their malice, to endeavour to remove your suspicions +effectually, by assuring you, that what they have just related is only +the popular opinion; they themselves can never believe things are so bad +as they are said to be; for their part, it is a rule with them always to +hope the best. It is their way never to believe or report ill of any +one. They will, however, mention the story in all companies, that they +may do their friend the service of protesting their disbelief of it. +More reputations are thus hinted away by false friends, than are openly +destroyed by public enemies. An _if_, or a _but_, or a mortified look, +or a languid defence, or an ambiguous shake of the head, or a hasty word +affectedly recalled, will demolish a character more effectually, than +the whole artillery of malice when openly levelled against it. + +IT is not that envy never praises--No, that would be making a public +profession of itself, and advertising its own malignity; whereas the +greatest success of its efforts depends on the concealment of their end. +When envy intends to strike a stroke of Machiavelian policy, it +sometimes affects the language of the most exaggerated applause; though +it generally takes care, that the subject of its panegyric shall be a +very indifferent and common character, so that it is well aware none of +its praises will stick. + +IT is the unhappy nature of envy not to be contented with positive +misery, but to be continually aggravating its own torments, by comparing +them with the felicities of others. The eyes of envy are perpetually +fixed on the object which disturbs it, nor can it avert them from it, +though to procure itself the relief of a temporary forgetfulness. On +seeing the innocence of the first pair, + + Aside the devil turn'd, + For Envy, yet with jealous leer malign, + Eyed them askance. + +As this enormous sin chiefly instigated the revolt, and brought on the +ruin of the angelic spirits, so it is not improbable, that it will be a +principal instrument of misery in a future world, for the envious to +compare their desperate condition with the happiness of the children of +God; and to heighten their actual wretchedness by reflecting on what +they have lost. + +PERHAPS envy, like lying and ingratitude, is practised with more +frequency, because it is practised with impunity; but there being no +human laws against these crimes, is so far from an inducement to commit +them, that this very consideration would be sufficient to deter the wise +and good, if all others were ineffectual; for of how heinous a nature +must those sins be, which are judged above the reach of human +punishment, and are reserved for the final justice of God himself! + + + + +ON THE +DANGER +OF +SENTIMENTAL OR ROMANTIC +CONNEXIONS. + + +AMONG the many evils which prevail under the sun, the abuse of words is +not the least considerable. By the influence of time, and the perversion +of fashion, the plainest and most unequivocal may be so altered, as to +have a meaning assigned them almost diametrically opposite to their +original signification. + +THE present age may be termed, by way of distinction, the age of +sentiment, a word which, in the implication it now bears, was unknown to +our plain ancestors. Sentiment is the varnish of virtue to conceal the +deformity of vice; and it is not uncommon for the same persons to make a +jest of religion, to break through the most solemn ties and engagements, +to practise every art of latent fraud and open seduction, and yet to +value themselves on speaking and writing _sentimentally_. + +BUT this refined jargon, which has infested letters and tainted morals, +is chiefly admired and adopted by _young ladies_ of a certain turn, who +read _sentimental books_, write _sentimental letters_, and contract +_sentimental friendships_. + +ERROR is never likely to do so much mischief as when it disguises its +real tendency, and puts on an engaging and attractive appearance. Many a +young woman, who would be shocked at the imputation of an intrigue, is +extremely flattered at the idea of a sentimental connexion, though +perhaps with a dangerous and designing man, who, by putting on this mask +of plausibility and virtue, disarms her of her prudence, lays her +apprehensions asleep, and involves her in misery; misery the more +inevitable because unsuspected. For she who apprehends no danger, will +not think it necessary to be always upon her guard; but will rather +invite than avoid the ruin which comes under so specious and so fair a +form. + +SUCH an engagement will be infinitely dearer to her vanity than an +avowed and authorised attachment; for one of these sentimental lovers +will not scruple very seriously to assure a credulous girl, that her +unparalleled merit entitles her to the adoration of the whole world, and +that the universal homage of mankind is nothing more than the +unavoidable tribute extorted by her charms. No wonder then she should be +easily prevailed on to believe, that an individual is captivated by +perfections which might enslave a million. But she should remember, that +he who endeavours to intoxicate her with adulation, intends one day most +effectually to humble her. For an artful man has always a secret design +to pay himself in future for every present sacrifice. And this +prodigality of praise, which he now appears to lavish with such +thoughtless profusion, is, in fact, a sum oeconomically laid out to +supply his future necessities: of this sum he keeps an exact estimate, +and at some distant day promises himself the most exorbitant interest +for it. If he has address and conduct, and, the object of his pursuit +much vanity, and some sensibility, he seldom fails of success; for so +powerful will be his ascendancy over her mind, that she will soon adopt +his notions and opinions. Indeed, it is more than probable she +possessed most of them before, having gradually acquired them in her +initiation into the sentimental character. To maintain that character +with dignity and propriety, it is necessary she should entertain the +most elevated ideas of disproportionate alliances, and disinterested +love; and consider fortune, rank, and reputation, as mere chimerical +distinctions and vulgar prejudices. + +THE lover, deeply versed in all the obliquities of fraud, and skilled to +wind himself into every avenue of the heart which indiscretion has left +unguarded, soon discovers on which side it is most accessible. He +avails himself of this weakness by addressing her in a language +exactly consonant to her own ideas. He attacks her with her own weapons, +and opposes rhapsody to sentiment--He professes so sovereign a +contempt for the paltry concerns of money, that she thinks it her duty +to reward him for so generous a renunciation. Every plea he artfully +advances of his own unworthiness, is considered by her as a fresh +demand which her gratitude must answer. And she makes it a point of +honour to sacrifice to him that fortune which he is too noble to regard. +These professions of humility are the common artifice of the vain, and +these protestations of generosity the refuge of the rapacious. And among +its many smooth mischiefs, it is one of the sure and successful frauds +of sentiment, to affect the most frigid indifference to those external +and pecuniary advantages, which it is its great and real object to +obtain. + +A SENTIMENTAL girl very rarely entertains any doubt of her personal +beauty; for she has been daily accustomed to contemplate it herself, and +to hear of it from others. She will not, therefore, be very solicitous +for the confirmation of a truth so self-evident; but she suspects, that +her pretensions to understanding are more likely to be disputed, and, +for that reason, greedily devours every compliment offered to those +perfections, which are less obvious and more refined. She is persuaded, +that men need only open their eyes to decide on her beauty, while it +will be the most convincing proof of the taste, sense, and elegance of +her admirer, that he can discern and flatter those qualities in her. A +man of the character here supposed, will easily insinuate himself into +her affections, by means of this latent but leading foible, which may be +called the guiding clue to a sentimental heart. He will affect to +overlook that beauty which attracts common eyes, and ensnares common +hearts, while he will bestow the most delicate praises on the beauties +of her mind, and finish the climax of adulation, by hinting that she is +superior to it. + + And when he tells her she hates flattery, + She says she does, being then most flatter'd. + +BUT nothing, in general, can end less delightfully than these sublime +attachments, even where no acts of seduction were ever practised, but +they are suffered, like mere sublunary connexions, to terminate in the +vulgar catastrophe of marriage. That wealth, which lately seemed to be +looked on with ineffable contempt by the lover, now appears to be the +principal attraction in the eyes of the husband; and he, who but a few +short weeks before, in a transport of sentimental generosity, wished her +to have been a village maid, with no portion but her crook and her +beauty, and that they might spend their days in pastoral love and +innocence, has now lost all relish for the Arcadian life, or any other +life in which she must be his companion. + +ON the other hand, she who was lately + + An angel call'd, and angel-like ador'd, + +is shocked to find herself at once stripped of all her celestial +attributes. This late divinity, who scarcely yielded to her sisters of +the sky, now finds herself of less importance in the esteem of the man +she has chosen, than any other mere mortal woman. No longer is she +gratified with the tear of counterfeited passion, the sigh of +dissembled rapture, or the language of premeditated adoration. No +longer is the altar of her vanity loaded with the oblations of +fictitious fondness, the incense of falsehood, or the sacrifice of +flattery.--Her apotheosis is ended!--She feels herself degraded from the +dignities and privileges of a goddess, to all the imperfections, +vanities, and weaknesses of a slighted woman, and a neglected wife. +Her faults, which were so lately overlooked, or mistaken for virtues, +are now, as Cassius says, set in a note-book. The passion, which was +vowed eternal, lasted only a few short weeks; and the indifference, +which was so far from being included in the bargain, that it was not so +much as suspected, follows them through the whole tiresome journey of +their insipid, vacant, joyless existence. + +THUS much for the _completion_ of the sentimental history. If we trace +it back to its beginning, we shall find that a damsel of this cast had +her head originally turned by pernicious reading, and her insanity +confirmed by imprudent friendships. She never fails to select a beloved +_confidante_ of her own turn and humour, though, if she can help it, not +quite so handsome as herself. A violent intimacy ensues, or, to speak +the language of sentiment, an intimate union of souls immediately takes +place, which is wrought to the highest pitch by a secret and voluminous +correspondence, though they live in the same street, or perhaps in the +same house. This is the fuel which principally feeds and supplies the +dangerous flame of sentiment. In this correspondence the two friends +encourage each other in the falsest notions imaginable. They represent +romantic love as the great important business of human life, and +describe all the other concerns of it as too low and paltry to merit the +attention of such elevated beings, and fit only to employ the daughters +of the plodding vulgar. In these letters, family affairs are +misrepresented, family secrets divulged, and family misfortunes +aggravated. They are filled with vows of eternal amity, and +protestations of never-ending love. But interjections and quotations are +the principal embellishments of these very sublime epistles. Every +panegyric contained in them is extravagant and hyperbolical, and every +censure exaggerated and excessive. In a favourite, every frailty is +heightened into a perfection, and in a foe degraded into a crime. The +dramatic poets, especially the most tender and romantic, are quoted in +almost every line, and every pompous or pathetic thought is forced to +give up its natural and obvious meaning, and with all the violence of +misapplication, is compelled to suit some circumstance of imaginary woe +of the fair transcriber. Alicia is not too mad for her heroics, nor +Monimia too mild for her soft emotions. + +FATHERS _have flinty hearts_ is an expression worth an empire, and is +always used with peculiar emphasis and enthusiasm. For a favourite topic +of these epistles is the groveling spirit and sordid temper of the +parents, who will be sure to find no quarter at the hands of their +daughters, should they presume to be so unreasonable as to direct their +course of reading, interfere in their choice of friends, or interrupt +their very important correspondence. But as these young ladies are +fertile in expedients, and as their genius is never more agreeably +exercised than in finding resources, they are not without their secret +exultation, in case either of the above interesting events should +happen, as they carry with them a certain air of tyranny and persecution +which is very delightful. For a prohibited correspondence is one of the +great incidents of a sentimental life, and a letter clandestinely +received, the supreme felicity of a sentimental lady. + +NOTHING can equal the astonishment of these soaring spirits, when their +plain friends or prudent relations presume to remonstrate with them on +any impropriety in their conduct. But if these worthy people happen to +be somewhat advanced in life, their contempt is then a little softened +by pity, at the reflection that such very antiquated poor creatures +should pretend to judge what is fit or unfit for ladies of their great +refinement, sense, and reading. They consider them as wretches utterly +ignorant of the sublime pleasures of a delicate and exalted passion; +as tyrants whose authority is to be contemned, and as spies whose +vigilance is to be eluded. The prudence of these worthy friends they +term suspicion, and their experience dotage. For they are persuaded, +that the face of things has so totally changed since their parents were +young, that though they might then judge tolerably for themselves, yet +they are now (with all their advantages of knowledge and observation) by +no means qualified to direct their more enlightened daughters; who, if +they have made a great progress in the sentimental walk, will no more +be influenced by the advice of their mother, than they would go abroad +in her laced pinner or her brocade suit. + +BUT young people never shew their folly and ignorance more +conspicuously, than by this over-confidence in their own judgment, and +this haughty disdain of the opinion of those who have known more days. +Youth has a quickness of apprehension, which it is very apt to mistake +for an acuteness of penetration. But youth, like cunning, though very +conceited, is very short-sighted, and never more so than when it +disregards the instructions of the wife, and the admonitions of the +aged. The same vices and follies influenced the human heart in their +day, which influence it now, and nearly in the same manner. One who +well knew the world and its various vanities, has said, "The thing which +hath been, it is that which shall be, and that which is done is that +which shall be done, and there is no new thing under the sun." + +IT is also a part of the sentimental character, to imagine that none but +the young and the beautiful have any right to the pleasures of society, +of even to the common benefits and blessings of life. Ladies of this +turn also affect the most lofty disregard for useful qualities and +domestic virtues; and this is a natural consequence: for as this sort of +sentiment is only a weed of idleness, she who is constantly and usefully +employed, has neither leisure nor propensity to cultivate it. + +A SENTIMENTAL lady principally values herself on the enlargement of her +notions, and her liberal way of thinking. This superiority of soul +chiefly manifests itself in the contempt of those minute delicacies and +little decorums, which, trifling as they may be thought, tend at once to +dignify the character, and to restrain the levity of the younger part of +the sex. + +PERHAPS the error here complained of, originates in mistaking +_sentiment_ and _principle_ for each other. Now I conceive them to be +extremely different. Sentiment is the virtue of _ideas_, and principle +the virtue of _action_. Sentiment has its seat in the head, principle in +the heart. Sentiment suggests fine harangues and subtile distinctions; +principle conceives just notions, and performs good actions in +consequence of them. Sentiment refines away the simplicity of truth and +the plainness of piety; and, as a celebrated wit[6] has remarked of his +no less celebrated contemporary, gives us virtue in words and vice in +deeds. Sentiment may be called the Athenian, who _knew_ what was right, +and principle the Lacedemonian who _practised_ it. + +BUT these qualities will be better exemplified by an attentive +consideration of two admirably drawn characters of Milton, which are +beautifully, delicately, and distinctly marked. These are, Belial, who +may not improperly be called the _Demon of Sentiment_; and Abdiel, who +may be termed the _Angel of Principle_. + +SURVEY the picture of Belial, drawn by the sublimest hand that ever held +the poetic pencil. + + A fairer person lost not heav'n; he seem'd + For dignity compos'd, and high exploit, + But all was false and hollow, tho' his tongue + Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear + The better reason, to perplex and dash + Maturest counsels, for his thoughts were low, + To vice industrious, but to nobler deeds + Tim'rous and slothful; yet he pleas'd the ear. + + PARADISE LOST, B. II. + +HERE is a lively and exquisite representation of art, subtilty, wit, +fine breeding and polished manners: on the whole, of a very accomplished +and sentimental spirit. + +NOW turn to the artless, upright, and unsophisticated Abdiel, + + Faithful found + Among the faithless, faithful only he + Among innumerable false, unmov'd, + Unshaken, unseduc'd, unterrified; + His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal. + Nor number, nor example with him wrought + To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind, + Though single. + + BOOK V. + +BUT it is not from these descriptions, just and striking as they are, +that their characters are so perfectly known, as from an examination of +their conduct through the remainder of this divine work: in which it is +well worth while to remark the consonancy of their actions, with what +the above pictures seem to promise. It will also be observed, that the +contrast between them is kept up throughout, with the utmost exactness +of delineation, and the most animated strength of colouring. On a +review it will be found, that Belial _talked_ all, and Abdiel _did_ all. +The former, + + With words still cloath'd in reason's guise, + Counsel'd ignoble ease, and peaceful sloth, + Not peace. + + BOOK II. + +IN Abdiel you will constantly find the eloquence of action. When tempted +by the rebellious angels, with what _retorted scorn_, with what honest +indignation he deserts their multitudes, and retreats from their +contagious society! + + All night the dreadless angel unpursued + Through heaven's wide champain held his way. + + BOOK VI. + +NO wonder he was received with such acclamations of joy by the celestial +powers, when there was + + But one, + Yes, of so many myriads fall'n, but one + Return'd not lost. + + IBID. + +AND afterwards, in a close contest with the arch fiend, + + A noble stroke he lifted high + On the proud crest of Satan. + + IBID. + +WHAT was the effect of this courage of the vigilant and active seraph? + + Amazement seiz'd + The rebel throne, but greater rage to see + Thus foil'd their mightiest. + +ABDIEL had the superiority of Belial as much in the warlike combat, as +in the peaceful counsels. + + Nor was it ought but just, + That he who in debate of truth had won, + Shou'd win in arms, in both disputes alike + Victor. + +BUT notwithstanding I have spoken with some asperity against sentiment +as opposed to principle, yet I am convinced, that true genuine +sentiment, (not the sort I have been describing) may be so connected +with principle, as to bestow on it its brightest lustre, and its most +captivating graces. And enthusiasm is so far from being disagreeable, +that a portion of it is perhaps indispensably necessary in an engaging +woman. But it must be the enthusiasm of the heart, not of the senses. It +must be the enthusiasm which grows up with a feeling mind, and is +cherished by a virtuous education; not that which is compounded of +irregular passions, and artificially refined by books of unnatural +fiction and improbable adventure. I will even go so far as to assert, +that a young woman cannot have any real greatness of soul, or true +elevation of principle, if she has not a tincture of what the vulgar +would call Romance, but which persons of a certain way of thinking will +discern to proceed from those fine feelings, and that charming +sensibility, without which, though a woman may be worthy, yet she can +never be amiable. + +BUT this dangerous merit cannot be too rigidly watched, as it is very +apt to lead those who possess it into inconveniencies from which less +interesting characters are happily exempt. Young women of strong +sensibility may be carried by the very amiableness of this temper into +the most alarming extremes. Their tastes are passions. They love and +hate with all their hearts, and scarcely suffer themselves to feel a +reasonable preference before it strengthens into a violent attachment. + +WHEN an innocent girl of this open, trusting, tender heart, happens to +meet with one of her own sex and age, whose address and manners are +engaging, she is instantly seized with an ardent desire to commence a +friendship with her. She feels the most lively impatience at the +restraints of company, and the decorums of ceremony. She longs to be +alone with her, longs to assure her of the warmth of her tenderness, +and generously ascribes to the fair stranger all the good qualities she +feels in her own heart, or rather all those which she has met with in +her reading, dispersed in a variety of heroines. She is persuaded, that +her new friend unites them all in herself, because she carries in her +prepossessing countenance the promise of them all. How cruel and how +censorious would this inexperienced girl think her mother was, who +should venture to hint, that the agreeable unknown had defects in her +temper, or exceptions in her character. She would mistake these hints of +discretion for the insinuations of an uncharitable disposition. At first +she would perhaps listen to them with a generous impatience, and +afterwards with a cold and silent disdain. She would despise them as the +effect of prejudice, misrepresentation, or ignorance. The more +aggravated the censure, the more vehemently would she protest in secret, +that her friendship for this dear injured creature (who is raised much +higher in her esteem by such injurious suspicions) shall know no bounds, +as she is assured it can know no end. + +YET this trusting confidence, this honest indiscretion, is, at this +early period of life as amiable as it is natural; and will, if wisely +cultivated, produce, at its proper season, fruits infinitely more +valuable than all the guarded circumspection of premature, and therefore +artificial, prudence. Men, I believe, are seldom struck with these +sudden prepossessions in favour of each other. They are not so +unsuspecting, nor so easily led away by the predominance of fancy. They +engage more warily, and pass through the several stages of acquaintance, +intimacy, and confidence, by slower gradations; but women, if they are +sometimes deceived in the choice of a friend, enjoy even then an higher +degree of satisfaction than if they never trusted. For to be always clad +in the burthensome armour of suspicion is more painful and inconvenient, +than to run the hazard of suffering now and then a transient injury. + +BUT the above observations only extend to the young and the +inexperienced; for I am very certain, that women are capable of as +faithful and as durable friendship as any of the other sex. They can +enter not only into all the enthusiastic tenderness, but into all the +solid fidelity of attachment. And if we cannot oppose instances of equal +weight with those of Nysus and Euryalus, Theseus and Pirithous, Pylades +and Orestes, let it be remembered, that it is because the recorders of +those characters were men, and that the very existence of them is merely +poetical. + + +[6] See Voltaire's Prophecy concerning Rousseau. + + + + +ON +TRUE AND FALSE +MEEKNESS. + + +A LOW voice and soft address are the common indications of a well-bred +woman, and should seem to be the natural effects of a meek and quiet +spirit; but they are only the outward and visible signs of it: for they +are no more meekness itself, than a red coat is courage, or a black one +devotion. + +YET nothing is more common than to mistake the sign for the thing +itself; nor is any practice more frequent than that of endeavouring to +acquire the exterior mark, without once thinking to labour after the +interior grace. Surely this is beginning at the wrong end, like +attacking the symptom and neglecting the disease. To regulate the +features, while the soul is in tumults, or to command the voice while +the passions are without restraint, is as idle as throwing odours into +a stream when the source is polluted. + +THE _sapient king_, who knew better than any man the nature and the +power of beauty, has assured us, that the temper of the mind has a +strong influence upon the features: "Wisdom maketh the face to shine," +says that exquisite judge; and surely no part of wisdom is more likely +to produce this amiable effect, than a placid serenity of soul. + +IT will not be difficult to distinguish the true from the artificial +meekness. The former is universal and habitual, the latter, local and +temporary. Every young female may keep this rule by her, to enable her +to form a just judgment of her own temper: if she is not as gentle to +her chambermaid as she is to her visitor, she may rest satisfied that +the spirit of gentleness is not in her. + +WHO would not be shocked and disappointed to behold a well-bred young +lady, soft and engaging as the doves of Venus, displaying a thousand +graces and attractions to win the hearts of a large company, and the +instant they are gone, to see her look mad as the Pythian maid, and all +the frightened graces driven from her furious countenance, only because +her gown was brought home a quarter of an hour later than she expected, +or her ribbon sent half a shade lighter or darker than she ordered? + +ALL men's characters are said to proceed from their servants; and this +is more particularly true of ladies: for as their situations are more +domestic, they lie more open to the inspection of their families, to +whom their real characters are easily and perfectly known; for they +seldom think it worth while to practise any disguise before those, +whose good opinion they do not value, and who are obliged to submit to +their most insupportable humours, because they are paid for it. + +AMONGST women of breeding, the exterior of gentleness is so uniformly +assumed, and the whole manner is so perfectly level and _uni_, that it +is next to impossible for a stranger to know any thing of their true +dispositions by conversing with them, and even the very features are so +exactly regulated, that physiognomy, which may sometimes be trusted +among the vulgar, is, with the polite, a most lying science. + +A VERY termagant woman, if she happens also to be a very artful one, +will be conscious she has so much to conceal, that the dread of +betraying her real temper will make her put on an over-acted softness, +which, from its very excess, may be distinguished from the natural, by a +penetrating eye. That gentleness is ever liable to be suspected for the +counterfeited, which is so excessive as to deprive people of the +proper use of speech and motion, or which, as Hamlet says, makes them +lisp and amble, and nick-name God's creatures. + +THE countenance and manners of some very fashionable persons may be +compared to the inscriptions on their monuments, which speak nothing but +good of what is within; but he who knows any thing of the world, or of +the human heart, will no more trust to the courtesy, than he will depend +on the epitaph. + +AMONG the various artifices of factitious meekness, one of the most +frequent and most plausible, is that of affecting to be always equally +delighted with all persons and all characters. The society of these +languid beings is without confidence, their friendship without +attachment, and their love without affection, or even preference. This +insipid mode of conduct may be safe, but I cannot think it has either +taste, sense, or principle in it. + +THESE uniformly smiling and approving ladies, who have neither the noble +courage to reprehend vice, nor the generous warmth to bear their honest +testimony in the cause of virtue, conclude every one to be ill-natured +who has any penetration, and look upon a distinguishing judgment as want +of tenderness. But they should learn, that this discernment does not +always proceed from an uncharitable temper, but from that long +experience and thorough knowledge of the world, which lead those who +have it to scrutinize into the conduct and disposition of men, before +they trust entirely to those fair appearances, which sometimes veil the +most insidious purposes. + +WE are perpetually mistaking the qualities and dispositions of our own +hearts. We elevate our failings into virtues, and qualify our vices into +weaknesses: and hence arise so many false judgments respecting +meekness. Self-ignorance is at the root of all this mischief. Many +ladies complain that, for their part, their spirit is so meek they can +bear nothing; whereas, if they spoke truth, they would say, their spirit +is so high and unbroken that they can bear nothing. Strange! to plead +their meekness as a reason why they cannot endure to be crossed, and +to produce their impatience of contradiction as a proof of their +gentleness! + +MEEKNESS, like most other virtues, has certain limits, which it no +sooner exceeds than it becomes criminal. Servility of spirit is not +gentleness but weakness, and if allowed, under the specious appearances +it sometimes puts on, will lead to the most dangerous compliances. She +who hears innocence maligned without vindicating it, falsehood +asserted without contradicting it, or religion prophaned without +resenting it, is not gentle but wicked. + +TO give up the cause of an innocent, injured friend, if the popular cry +happens to be against him, is the most disgraceful weakness. This was +the case of Madame de Maintenon. She loved the character and admired the +talents of Racine; she caressed him while he had no enemies, but +wanted the greatness of mind, or rather the common justice, to protect +him against their resentment when he had; and her favourite was +abandoned to the suspicious jealousy of the king, when a prudent +remonstrance might have preserved him.--But her tameness, if not +absolute connivance in the great massacre of the protestants, in whose +church she had been bred, is a far more guilty instance of her weakness; +an instance which, in spite of all her devotional zeal and incomparable +prudence, will disqualify her from shining in the annals of good women, +however she may be entitled to figure among the great and the +fortunate. Compare her conduct with that of her undaunted and pious +countryman and contemporary, Bougi, who, when Louis would have prevailed +on him to renounce his religion for a commission or a government, +nobly replied, "If I could be persuaded to betray my God for a marshal's +staff, I might betray my king for a bribe of much less consequence." + +MEEKNESS is imperfect, if it be not both active and passive; if it +will not enable us to subdue our own passions and resentments, as well +as qualify us to bear patiently the passions and resentments of +others. + +BEFORE we give way to any violent emotion of anger, it would perhaps be +worth while to consider the value of the object which excites it, and to +reflect for a moment, whether the thing we so ardently desire, or so +vehemently resent, be really of as much importance to us, as that +delightful tranquillity of soul, which we renounce in pursuit of it. If, +on a fair calculation, we find we are not likely to get as much as we +are sure to lose, then, putting all religious considerations out of the +question, common sense and human policy will tell us, we have made a +foolish and unprofitable exchange. Inward quiet is a part of one's self; +the object of our resentment may be only a matter of opinion; and, +certainly, what makes a portion of our actual happiness ought to be too +dear to us, to be sacrificed for a trifling, foreign, perhaps imaginary +good. + +THE most pointed satire I remember to have read, on a mind enslaved by +anger, is an observation of Seneca's. "Alexander (said he) had two +friends, Clitus and Lysimachus; the one he exposed to a lion, the other +to himself: he who was turned loose to the beast escaped, but Clitus was +murdered, for he was turned loose to an angry man." + +A PASSIONATE woman's happiness is never in her own keeping: it is the +sport of accident, and the slave of events. It is in the power of her +acquaintance, her servants, but chiefly of her enemies, and all her +comforts lie at the mercy of others. So far from being willing to learn +of him who was meek and lowly, she considers meekness as the want of a +becoming spirit, and lowliness as a despicable and vulgar meanness. And +an imperious woman will so little covet the ornament of a meek and +quiet spirit, that it is almost the only ornament she will not be +solicitous to wear. But resentment is a very expensive vice. How dearly +has it cost its votaries, even from the sin of Cain, the first offender +in this kind! "It is cheaper (says a pious writer) to forgive, and save +the charges." + +IF it were only for mere human reasons, it would turn to a better +account to be patient; nothing defeats the malice of an enemy like a +spirit of forbearance; the return of rage for rage cannot be so +effectually provoking. True gentleness, like an impenetrable armour, +repels the most pointed shafts of malice: they cannot pierce through +this invulnerable shield, but either fall hurtless to the ground, or +return to wound the hand that shot them. + +A MEEK spirit will not look out of itself for happiness, because it +finds a constant banquet at home; yet, by a sort of divine alchymy, it +will convert all external events to its own profit, and be able to +deduce some good, even from the most unpromising: it will extract +comfort and satisfaction from the most barren circumstances: "It will +suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock." + +BUT the supreme excellence of this complacent quality is, that it +naturally disposes the mind where it resides, to the practice of every +other that is amiable. Meekness may be called the pioneer of all the +other virtues, which levels every obstruction, and smooths every +difficulty that might impede their entrance, or retard their progress. + +THE peculiar importance and value of this amiable virtue may be farther +seen in its permanency. Honours and dignities are transient, beauty and +riches frail and fugacious, to a proverb. Would not the truly wise, +therefore, wish to have some one possession, which they might call +their own in the severest exigencies? But this wish can only be +accomplished by acquiring and maintaining that calm and absolute +self-possession, which, as the world had no hand in giving, so it +cannot, by the most malicious exertion of its power, take away. + + + + +THOUGHTS +ON THE +CULTIVATION +OF THE +HEART AND TEMPER +IN THE +EDUCATION OF DAUGHTERS. + + +I HAVE not the foolish presumption to imagine, that I can offer any +thing new on a subject, which has been so successfully treated by many +learned and able writers. I would only, with all possible deference, +beg leave to hazard a few short remarks on that part of the subject of +education, which I would call the _education of the heart_. I am well +aware, that this part also has not been less skilfully and forcibly +discussed than the rest, though I cannot, at the same time, help +remarking, that it does not appear to have been so much adopted into +common practice. + +IT appears then, that notwithstanding the great and real improvements, +which have been made in the affair of female education, and +notwithstanding the more enlarged and generous views of it, which +prevail in the present day, that there is still a very material defect, +which it is not, in general, enough the object of attention to remove. +This defect seems to consist in this, that too little regard is paid to +the dispositions of the _mind_, that the indications of the _temper_ are +not properly cherished, nor the affections of the _heart_ sufficiently +regulated. + +IN the first education of girls, as far as the customs which fashion +establishes are right, they should undoubtedly be followed. Let the +exterior be made a considerable object of attention, but let it not be +the principal, let it not be the only one.--Let the graces be +industriously cultivated, but let them not be cultivated at the expence +of the virtues.--Let the arms, the head, the whole person be carefully +polished, but let not the heart be the only portion of the human +anatomy, which shall be totally overlooked. + +THE neglect of this cultivation seems to proceed as much from a bad +taste, as from a false principle. The generality of people form their +judgment of education by slight and sudden appearances, which is +certainly a wrong way of determining. Music, dancing, and languages, +gratify those who teach them, by perceptible and almost immediate +effects; and when there happens to be no imbecillity in the pupil, nor +deficiency in the matter, every superficial observer can, in some +measure, judge of the progress.--The effects of most of these +accomplishments address themselves to the senses; and there are more who +can see and hear, than there are who can judge and reflect. + +PERSONAL perfection is not only more obvious, it is also more rapid; and +even in very accomplished characters, elegance usually precedes +principle. + +BUT the heart, that natural seat of evil propensities, that little +troublesome empire of the passions, is led to what is right by slow +motions and imperceptible degrees. It must be admonished by reproof, and +allured by kindness. Its liveliest advances are frequently impeded by +the obstinacy of prejudice, and its brightest promises often obscured by +the tempests of passion. It is slow in its acquisition of virtue, and +reluctant in its approaches to piety. + +THERE is another reason, which proves this mental cultivation to be more +important, as well as more difficult, than any other part of education. +In the usual fashionable accomplishments, the business of acquiring them +is almost always getting forwards, and one difficulty is conquered +before another is suffered to shew itself; for a prudent teacher will +level the road his pupil is to pass, and smooth the inequalities which +might retard her progress. + +BUT in morals, (which should be the great object constantly kept in +view) the talk is far more difficult. The unruly and turbulent desires +of the heart are not so obedient; one passion will start up before +another is suppressed. The subduing Hercules cannot cut off the heads +so often as the prolific Hydra can produce them, nor fell the stubborn +Antaeus so fast as he can recruit his strength, and rise in vigorous and +repeated opposition. + +IF all the accomplishments could be bought at the price of a single +virtue, the purchase would be infinitely dear! And, however startling +it may sound, I think it is, notwithstanding, true, that the labours of +a good and wise mother, who is anxious for her daughter's most important +interests, will _seem_ to be at variance with those of her instructors. +She will doubtless rejoice at her progress in any polite art, but she +will rejoice with trembling:--humility and piety form the solid and +durable basis, on which she wishes to raise the superstructure of the +accomplishments, while the accomplishments themselves are frequently of +that unsteady nature, that if the foundation is not secured, in +proportion as the building is enlarged, it will be overloaded and +destroyed by those very ornaments, which were intended to embellish, +what they have contributed to ruin. + +THE more ostensible qualifications should be carefully regulated, or +they will be in danger of putting to flight the modest train of +retreating virtues, which cannot safely subsist before the bold eye of +public observation, or bear the bolder tongue of impudent and audacious +flattery. A tender mother cannot but feel an honest triumph, in +contemplating those excellencies in her daughter which deserve applause, +but she will also shudder at the vanity which that applause may excite, +and at those hitherto unknown ideas which it may awaken. + +THE master, it is his interest, and perhaps his duty, will naturally +teach a girl to set her improvements in the most conspicuous point of +light. SE FAIRE VALOIR is the great principle industriously inculcated +into her young heart, and seems to be considered as a kind of +fundamental maxim in education. It is however the certain and effectual +seed, from which a thousand yet unborn vanities will spring. This +dangerous doctrine (which yet is not without its uses) will be +counteracted by the prudent mother, not in so many words, but by a +watchful and scarcely perceptible dexterity. Such an one will be more +careful to have the talents of her daughter _cultivated_ than +_exhibited_. + +ONE would be led to imagine, by the common mode of female education, +that life consisted of one universal holiday, and that the only contest +was, who should be best enabled to excel in the sports and games that +were to be celebrated on it. Merely ornamental accomplishments will but +indifferently qualify a woman to perform the _duties_ of life, though it +is highly proper she should possess them, in order to furnish the +_amusements_ of it. But is it right to spend so large a portion of life +without some preparation for the business of living? A lady may speak a +little French and Italian, repeat a few passages in a theatrical tone, +play and sing, have her dressing-room hung with her own drawings, and +her person covered with her own tambour work, and may, notwithstanding, +have been very _badly educated_. Yet I am far from attempting to +depreciate the value of these qualifications: they are most of them not +only highly becoming, but often indispensably necessary, and a polite +education cannot be perfected without them. But as the world seems to be +very well apprised of their importance, there is the less occasion to +insist on their utility. Yet, though well-bred young women should learn +to dance, sing, recite and draw, the end of a good education is not that +they may become dancers, singers, players or painters: its real object +is to make them good daughters, good wives, good mistresses, good +members of society, and good christians. The above qualifications +therefore are intended to _adorn_ their _leisure_, not to _employ_ their +_lives_; for an amiable and wise woman will always have something better +to value herself on, than these advantages, which, however captivating, +are still but subordinate parts of a truly excellent character. + +BUT I am afraid parents themselves sometimes contribute to the error of +which I am complaining. Do they not often set a higher value on those +acquisitions which are calculated to attract observation, and catch the +eye of the multitude, than on those which are valuable, permanent, and +internal? Are they not sometimes more solicitous about the opinion of +others, respecting their children, than about the real advantage and +happiness of the children themselves? To an injudicious and superficial +eye, the best educated girl may make the least brilliant figure, as she +will probably have less flippancy in her manner, and less repartee in +her expression; and her acquirements, to borrow bishop Sprat's idea, +will be rather _enamelled than embossed_. But her merit will be known, +and acknowledged by all who come near enough to discern, and have taste +enough to distinguish. It will be understood and admired by the man, +whose happiness she is one day to make, whose family she is to govern, +and whose children she is to educate. He will not seek for her in the +haunts of dissipation, for he knows he shall not find her there; but +he will seek for her in the bosom of retirement, in the practice of +every domestic virtue, in the exertion of every amiable accomplishment, +exerted in the shade, to enliven retirement, to heighten the endearing +pleasures of social intercourse, and to embellish the narrow but +charming circle of family delights. To this amiable purpose, a truly +good and well educated young lady will dedicate her more elegant +accomplishments, instead of exhibiting them to attract admiration, or +depress inferiority. + +YOUNG girls, who have more vivacity than understanding, will often make +a sprightly figure in conversation. But this agreeable talent for +entertaining others, is frequently dangerous to themselves, nor is it by +any means to be desired or encouraged very early in life. This +immaturity of wit is helped on by frivolous reading, which will produce +its effect in much less time than books of solid instruction; for the +imagination is touched sooner than the understanding; and effects are +more rapid as they are more pernicious. Conversation should be the +_result_ of education, not the _precursor_ of it. It is a golden fruit, +when suffered to grow gradually on the tree of knowledge; but if +precipitated by forced and unnatural means, it will in the end become +vapid, in proportion as it is artificial. + +THE best effects of a careful and religious education are often very +remote: they are to be discovered in future scenes, and exhibited in +untried connexions. Every event of life will be putting the heart into +fresh situations, and making demands on its prudence, its firmness, its +integrity, or its piety. Those whose business it is to form it, can +foresee none of these situations; yet, as far as human wisdom will +allow, they must enable it to provide for them all, with an humble +dependence on the divine assistance. A well-disciplined soldier must +learn and practise all his evolutions, though he does not know on what +service his leader may command him, by what foe he shall be attacked, +nor what mode of combat the enemy may use. + +ONE great art of education consists in not suffering the feelings to +become too acute by unnecessary awakening, nor too obtuse by the want +of exertion. The former renders them the source of calamity, and totally +ruins the temper; while the latter blunts and debases them, and produces +a dull, cold, and selfish spirit. For the mind is an instrument, which, +if wound too high, will lose its sweetness, and if not enough strained, +will abate of its vigour. + +HOW cruel is it to extinguish by neglect or unkindness, the precious +sensibility of an open temper, to chill the amiable glow of an ingenuous +soul, and to quench the bright flame of a noble and generous spirit! +These are of higher worth than all the documents of learning, of dearer +price than all the advantages, which can be derived from the most +refined and artificial mode of education. + +BUT sensibility and delicacy, and an ingenuous temper, make no part of +education, exclaims the pedagogue--they are reducible to no class--they +come under no article of instruction--they belong neither to languages +nor to music.--What an error! They _are_ a part of education, and of +infinitely more value, + + Than all their pedant discipline e'er knew. + +It is true, they are ranged under no class, but they are superior to +all; they are of more esteem than languages or music, for they are the +language of the heart, and the music of the according passions. Yet +this sensibility is, in many instances, so far from being cultivated, +that it is not uncommon to see those who affect more than usual +sagacity, cast a smile of supercilious pity, at any indication of a +warm, generous, or enthusiastic temper in the lively and the young; as +much as to say, "they will know better, and will have more discretion +when they are older." But every appearance of amiable simplicity, or of +honest shame, _Nature's hasty conscience_, will be dear to sensible +hearts; they will carefully cherish every such indication in a young +female; for they will perceive that it is this temper, wisely +cultivated, which will one day make her enamoured of the loveliness of +virtue, and the beauty of holiness: from which she will acquire a taste +for the doctrines of religion, and a spirit to perform the duties of it. +And those who wish to make her ashamed of this charming temper, and +seek to dispossess her of it, will, it is to be feared, give her +nothing better in exchange. But whoever reflects at all, will easily +discern how carefully this enthusiasm is to be directed, and how +judiciously its redundances are to be lopped away. + +PRUDENCE is not natural to children; they can, however, substitute art +in its stead. But is it not much better that a girl should discover the +faults incident to her age, than conceal them under this dark and +impenetrable veil? I could almost venture to assert, that there is +something more becoming in the very errors of nature, where they are +undisguised, than in the affectation of virtue itself, where the reality +is wanting. And I am so far from being an admirer of prodigies, that I +am extremely apt to suspect them; and am always infinitely better +pleased with Nature in her more common modes of operation. The precise +and premature wisdom, which some girls have cunning enough to assume, +is of a more dangerous tendency than any of their natural failings can +be, as it effectually covers those secret bad dispositions, which, if +they displayed themselves, might be rectified. The hypocrisy of +assuming virtues which are not inherent in the heart, prevents the +growth and disclosure of those real ones, which it is the great end of +education to cultivate. + +BUT if the natural indications of the temper are to be suppressed and +stifled, where are the diagnostics, by which the state of the mind is to +be known? The wise Author of all things, who did nothing in vain, +doubtless intended them as symptoms, by which to judge of the diseases +of the heart; and it is impossible diseases should be cured before +they are known. If the stream be so cut off as to prevent communication, +or so choked up as to defeat discovery, how shall we ever reach the +source, out of which are the issues of life? + +THIS cunning, which, of all the different dispositions girls discover, +is most to be dreaded, is increased by nothing so much as by fear. If +those about them express violent and unreasonable anger at every trivial +offence, it will always promote this temper, and will very frequently +create it, where there was a natural tendency to frankness. The +indiscreet transports of rage, which many betray on every slight +occasion, and the little distinction they make between venial errors and +premeditated crimes, naturally dispose a child to conceal, what she does +not however care to suppress. Anger in one will not remedy the faults of +another; for how can an instrument of sin cure sin? If a girl is kept in +a state of perpetual and slavish terror, she will perhaps have artifice +enough to conceal those propensities which she knows are wrong, or those +actions which she thinks are most obnoxious to punishment. But, +nevertheless, she will not cease to indulge those propensities, and to +commit those actions, when she can do it with impunity. + +GOOD _dispositions_, of themselves, will go but a very little way, +unless they are confirmed into good _principles_. And this cannot be +effected but by a careful course of religious instruction, and a +patient and laborious cultivation of the moral temper. + +BUT, notwithstanding girls should not be treated with unkindness, nor +the first openings of the passions blighted by cold severity; yet I am +of opinion, that young females should be accustomed very early in life +to a certain degree of restraint. The natural cast of character, and the +moral distinctions between the sexes, should not be disregarded, even in +childhood. That bold, independent, enterprising spirit, which is so much +admired in boys, should not, when it happens to discover itself in the +other sex, be encouraged, but suppressed. Girls should be taught to +give up their opinions betimes, and not pertinaciously to carry on a +dispute, even if they should know themselves to be in the right. I do +not mean, that they should be robbed of the liberty of private judgment, +but that they should by no means be encouraged to contract a contentious +or contradictory turn. It is of the greatest importance to their future +happiness, that they should acquire a submissive temper, and a +forbearing spirit: for it is a lesson which the world will not fail to +make them frequently practise, when they come abroad into it, and they +will not practise it the worse for having learnt it the sooner. These +early restraints, in the limitation here meant, are so far from being an +effect of cruelty, that they are the most indubitable marks of +affection, and are the more meritorious, as they are severe trials of +tenderness. But all the beneficial effects, which a mother can expect +from this watchfulness, will be entirely defeated, if it is practised +occasionally, and not habitually, and if it ever appears to be used to +gratify caprice, ill-humour, or resentment. + +THOSE who have children to educate ought to be extremely patient: it is +indeed a labour of love. They should reflect, that extraordinary talents +are neither essential to the well-being of society, nor to the +happiness of individuals. If that had been the case, the beneficent +Father of the universe would not have made them so rare. For it is as +easy for an Almighty Creator to produce a Newton, as an ordinary man; +and he could have made those powers common which we now consider as +wonderful, without any miraculous exertion of his omnipotence, if the +existence of many Newtons had been necessary to the perfection of his +wise and gracious plan. + +SURELY, therefore, there is more piety, as well as more sense, in +labouring to improve the talents which children actually have, than in +lamenting that they do not possess supernatural endowments or angelic +perfections. A passage of Lord Bacon's furnishes an admirable +incitement for endeavouring to carry the amiable and christian grace of +charity to its farthest extent, instead of indulging an over-anxious +care for more brilliant but less important acquisitions. "The desire of +power in excess (says he) caused the angels to fall; the desire of +knowledge in excess caused man to fall; but in charity is no excess, +neither can men nor angels come into danger by it." + +A GIRL who has docility will seldom be found to want understanding +enough for all the purposes of a social, a happy, and an useful life. +And when we behold the tender hope of fond and anxious love, blasted by +disappointment, the defect will as often be discovered to proceed from +the neglect or the error of cultivation, as from the natural temper; and +those who lament the evil, will sometimes be found to have occasioned +it. + +IT is as injudicious for parents to set out with too sanguine a +dependence on the merit of their children, as it is for them to be +discouraged at every repulse. When their wishes are defeated in this or +that particular instance, where they had treasured up some darling +expectation, this is so far from being a reason for relaxing their +attention, that it ought to be an additional motive for redoubling it. +Those who hope to do a great deal, must not expect to do every thing. If +they know any thing of the malignity of sin, the blindness of prejudice, +or the corruption of the human heart, they will also know, that that +heart will always remain, after the very best possible education, full +of infirmity and imperfection. Extraordinary allowances, therefore, must +be made for the weakness of nature in this its weakest state. After much +is done, much will remain to do, and much, very much, will still be left +undone. For this regulation of the passions and affections cannot be +the work of education alone, without the concurrence of divine grace +operating on the heart. Why then should parents repine, if their efforts +are not always crowned with immediate success? They should consider, +that they are not educating cherubims and seraphims, but men and women; +creatures, who at their best estate are altogether vanity: how little +then can be expected from them in the weakness and imbecillity of +infancy! I have dwelt on this part of the subject the longer, because I +am certain that many, who have set out with a warm and active zeal, have +cooled on the very first discouragement, and have afterwards almost +totally remitted their vigilance, through a criminal kind of despair. + +GREAT allowances must be made for a profusion of gaiety, loquacity, and +even indiscretion in children, that there may be animation enough left +to supply an active and useful character, when the first fermentation of +the youthful passions is over, and the redundant spirits shall come +to subside. + +IF it be true, as a consummate judge of human nature has observed, + + That not a vanity is given in vain, + +it is also true, that there is scarcely a single passion, which may +not be turned to some good account, if prudently rectified, and +skilfully turned into the road of some neighbouring virtue. It cannot be +violently bent, or unnaturally forced towards an object of a totally +opposite nature, but may be gradually inclined towards a correspondent +but superior affection. Anger, hatred, resentment, and ambition, the +most restless and turbulent passions which shake and distract the +human soul, may be led to become the most active opposers of sin, after +having been its most successful instruments. Our anger, for instance, +which can never be totally subdued, may be made to turn against +ourselves, for our weak and imperfect obedience--our hatred, against +every species of vice--our ambition, which will not be discarded, may be +ennobled: it will not change its name, but its object: it will despise +what it lately valued, nor be contented to grasp at less than +immortality. + +THUS the joys, fears, hopes, desires, all the passions and affections, +which separate in various currents from the soul, will, if directed into +their proper channels, after having fertilised wherever they have +flowed, return again to swell and enrich the parent source. + +THAT the very passions which appear the most uncontroulable and +unpromising, may be intended, in the great scheme of Providence, to +answer some important purpose, is remarkably evidenced in the character +and history of Saint Paul. A remark on this subject by an ingenious old +Spanish writer, which I will here take the liberty to translate, will +better illustrate my meaning. + +"TO convert the bitterest enemy into the most zealous advocate, is the +work of God for the instruction of man. Plutarch has observed, that the +medical science would be brought to the utmost perfection, when poison +should be converted into physic. Thus, in the mortal disease of Judaism +and idolatry, our blessed Lord converted the adder's venom of Saul +the persecutor, into that cement which made Paul the chosen vessel. +That manly activity, that restless ardor, that burning zeal for the law +of his fathers, that ardent thirst for the blood of Christians, did the +Son of God find necessary in the man who was one day to become the +defender of his suffering people.[7]" + +TO win the passions, therefore, over to the cause of virtue, answers a +much nobler end than their extinction would possibly do, even if that +could be effected. But it is their nature never to observe a neutrality; +they are either rebels or auxiliaries, and an enemy subdued is an ally +obtained. If I may be allowed to change the allusion so soon, I would +say, that the passions also resemble fires, which are friendly and +beneficial when under proper direction, but if suffered to blaze without +restraint, they carry devastation along with them, and, if totally +extinguished, leave the benighted mind in a state of cold and +comfortless inanity. + +BUT in speaking of the usefulness of the passions, as instruments of +virtue, _envy_ and _lying_ must always be excepted: these, I am +persuaded, must either go on in still progressive mischief, or else be +radically cured, before any good can be expected from the heart which +has been infected with them. For I never will believe that envy, though +passed through all the moral strainers, can be refined into a +virtuous emulation, or lying improved into an agreeable turn for +innocent invention. Almost all the other passions may be made to take +an amiable hue; but these two must either be totally extirpated, or be +always contented to preserve their original deformity, and to wear their +native black. + + +[7] Obras de Quevedo, vida de San Pablo Apostol. + + + + +ON THE +IMPORTANCE OF RELIGION +TO THE +FEMALE CHARACTER. + + +VARIOUS are the reasons why the greater part of mankind cannot apply +themselves to arts or letters. Particular studies are only suited to the +capacities of particular persons. Some are incapable of applying to +them from the delicacy of their sex, some from the unsteadiness of +youth, and others from the imbecillity of age. Many are precluded by the +narrowness of their education, and many by the straitness of their +fortune. The wisdom of God is wonderfully manifested in this happy and +well-ordered diversity, in the powers and properties of his creatures; +since by thus admirably suiting the agent to the action, the whole +scheme of human affairs is carried on with the most agreeing and +consistent oeconomy, and no chasm is left for want of an object to +fill it, exactly suited to its nature. + +BUT in the great and universal concern of religion, both sexes, and all +ranks, are equally interested. The truly catholic spirit of christianity +accommodates itself, with an astonishing condescension, to the +circumstances of the whole human race. It rejects none on account of +their pecuniary wants, their personal infirmities, or their intellectual +deficiencies. No superiority of parts is the least recommendation, nor +is any depression of fortune the smallest objection. None are too wise +to be excused from performing the duties of religion, nor are any too +poor to be excluded from the consolations of its promises. + +IF we admire the wisdom of God, in having furnished different degrees of +intelligence, so exactly adapted to their different destinations, and in +having fitted every part of his stupendous work, not only to serve its +own immediate purpose, but also to contribute to the beauty and +perfection of the whole: how much more ought we to adore that goodness, +which has perfected the divine plan, by appointing one wide, +comprehensive, and universal means of salvation: a salvation, which all +are invited to partake; by a means which all are capable of using; which +nothing but voluntary blindness can prevent our comprehending, and +nothing but wilful error can hinder us from embracing. + +THE Muses are coy, and will only be wooed and won by some +highly-favoured suitors. The Sciences are lofty, and will not stoop to +the reach of ordinary capacities. But "Wisdom (by which the royal +preacher means piety) is a loving spirit: she is easily seen of them +that love her, and found of all such as seek her." Nay, she is so +accessible and condescending, "that she preventeth them that desire +her, making herself first known unto them." + +WE are told by the same animated writer, "that Wisdom is the breath of +the power of God." How infinitely superior, in grandeur and sublimity, +is this description to the origin of the _wisdom_ of the heathens, as +described by their poets and mythologists! In the exalted strains of the +Hebrew poetry we read, that "Wisdom is the brightness of the everlasting +light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and the image of his +goodness." + +THE philosophical author of _The Defence of Learning_ observes, that +knowledge has something of venom and malignity in it, when taken without +its proper corrective, and what that is, the inspired Saint Paul +teaches us, by placing it as the immediate antidote: _Knowledge puffeth +up, but charity edifieth._ Perhaps, it is the vanity of human wisdom, +unchastised by this correcting principle, which has made so many +infidels. It may proceed from the arrogance of a self-sufficient pride, +that some philosophers disdain to acknowledge their belief in a being, +who has judged proper to conceal from them the infinite wisdom of his +counsels; who, (to borrow the lofty language of the man of Uz) refused +to consult them when he laid the foundations of the earth, when he shut +up the sea with doors, and made the clouds the garment thereof. + +A MAN must be an infidel either from pride, prejudice, or bad education: +he cannot be one unawares or by surprise; for infidelity is not +occasioned by sudden impulse or violent temptation. He may be hurried by +some vehement desire into an immoral action, at which he will blush in +his cooler moments, and which he will lament as the sad effect of a +spirit unsubdued by religion; but infidelity is a calm, considerate act, +which cannot plead the weakness of the heart, or the seduction of the +senses. Even good men frequently fail in their duty through the +infirmities of nature, and the allurements of the world; but the infidel +errs on a plan, on a settled and deliberate principle. + +BUT though the minds of men are sometimes fatally infected with this +disease, either through unhappy prepossession, or some of the other +causes above mentioned; yet I am unwilling to believe, that there is in +nature so monstrously incongruous a being, as a _female infidel_. The +least reflexion on the temper, the character, and the education of +women, makes the mind revolt with horror from an idea so improbable, and +so unnatural. + +MAY I be allowed to observe, that, in general, the minds of girls seem +more aptly prepared in their early youth for the reception of serious +impressions than those of the other sex, and that their less exposed +situations in more advanced life qualify them better for the +preservation of them? The daughters (of good parents I mean) are often +more carefully instructed in their religious duties, than the sons, and +this from a variety of causes. They are not so soon sent from under the +paternal eye into the bustle of the world, and so early exposed to the +contagion of bad example: their hearts are naturally more flexible, +soft, and liable to any kind of impression the forming hand may stamp +on them; and, lastly, as they do not receive the same classical +education with boys, their feeble minds are not obliged at once to +receive and separate the precepts of christianity, and the documents of +pagan philosophy. The necessity of doing this perhaps somewhat weakens +the serious impressions of young men, at least till the understanding +is formed, and confuses their ideas of piety, by mixing them with so +much heterogeneous matter. They only casually read, or hear read, the +scriptures of truth, while they are obliged to learn by heart, construe +and repeat the poetical fables of the less than human gods of the +ancients. And as the excellent author of _The Internal Evidence of the +Christian Religion_ observes, "Nothing has so much contributed to +corrupt the true spirit of the christian institution, as that partiality +which we contract, in our earliest education, for the manners of pagan +antiquity." + +GIRLS, therefore, who do _not_ contract this early partiality, ought to +have a clearer notion of their religious duties: they are not obliged, +at an age when the judgment is so weak, to distinguish between the +doctrines of Zeno, of Epicurus, and of Christ; and to embarrass their +minds with the various morals which were taught in the _Porch_, in the +_Academy_, and on the _Mount_. + +IT is presumed, that these remarks cannot possibly be so +misunderstood, as to be construed into the least disrespect to +literature, or a want of the highest reverence for a learned education, +the basis of all elegant knowledge: they are only intended, with all +proper deference, to point out to young women, that however inferior +their advantages of acquiring a knowledge of the belles-lettres are to +those of the other sex; yet it depends on themselves not to be +surpassed in this most important of all studies, for which their +abilities are equal, and their opportunities, perhaps, greater. + +BUT the mere exemption from infidelity is so small a part of the +religious character, that I hope no one will attempt to claim any merit +from this negative sort of goodness, or value herself merely for not +being the very worst thing she possibly can be. Let no mistaken girl +fancy she gives a proof of her wit by her want of piety, or that a +contempt of things serious and sacred will exalt her understanding, or +raise her character even in the opinion of the most avowed male +infidels. For one may venture to affirm, that with all their profligate +ideas, both of women and of religion, neither Bolingbroke, Wharton, +Buckingham, nor even _Lord Chesterfield himself_, would have esteemed a +woman the more for her being irreligious. + +WITH whatever ridicule a polite freethinker may affect to treat religion +himself, he will think it necessary his wife should entertain +different notions of it. He may pretend to despise it as a matter of +opinion, depending on creeds and systems; but, if he is a man of sense, +he will know the value of it, as a governing principle, which is to +influence her conduct and direct her actions. If he sees her +unaffectedly sincere in the practice of her religious duties, it will be +a secret pledge to him, that she will be equally exact in fulfilling the +conjugal; for he can have no reasonable dependance on her attachment to +_him_, if he has no opinion of her fidelity to GOD; for she who neglects +first duties, gives but an indifferent proof of her disposition to fill +up inferior ones; and how can a man of any understanding (whatever his +own religious professions may be) trust that woman with the care of +his family, and the education of his children, who wants herself the +best incentive to a virtuous life, the belief that she is an accountable +creature, and the reflection that she has an immortal soul? + +CICERO spoke it as the highest commendation of Cato's character, that he +embraced philosophy, not for the sake of _disputing_ like a philosopher, +but of _living_ like one. The chief purpose of christian knowledge is to +promote the great end of a christian life. Every rational woman should, +no doubt, be able to give a reason of the hope that is in her; but this +knowledge is best acquired, and the duties consequent on it best +performed, by reading books of plain piety and practical devotion, and +not by entering into the endless feuds, and engaging in the unprofitable +contentions of partial controversialists. Nothing is more unamiable than +the narrow spirit of party zeal, nor more disgusting than to hear a +woman deal out judgments, and denounce vengeance against any one, who +happens to differ from her in some opinion, perhaps of no real +importance, and which, it is probable, she may be just as wrong in +rejecting, as the object of her censure is in embracing. A furious and +unmerciful female bigot wanders as far beyond the limits prescribed to +her sex, as a Thalestris or a Joan d'Arc. Violent debate has made as few +converts as the sword, and both these instruments are particularly +unbecoming when wielded by a female hand. + +BUT, though no one will be frightened out of their opinions, yet they +may be persuaded out of them: they may be touched by the affecting +earnestness of serious conversation, and allured by the attractive +beauty of a consistently serious life. And while a young woman ought to +dread the name of a wrangling polemic, it is her duty to aspire after +the honourable character of a sincere Christian. But this dignified +character she can by no means deserve, if she is ever afraid to avow her +principles, or ashamed to defend them. A profligate, who makes it a +point to ridicule every thing which comes under the appearance of formal +instruction, will be disconcerted at the spirited yet modest rebuke of a +pious young woman. But there is as much efficacy in the manner of +reproving prophaneness, as in the words. If she corrects it with +moroseness, she defeats the effect of her remedy, by her unskilful +manner of administring it. If, on the other hand, she affects to defend +the insulted cause of God, in a faint tone of voice, and studied +ambiguity of phrase, or with an air of levity, and a certain +expression of pleasure in her eyes, which proves she is secretly +delighted with what she pretends to censure, she injures religion much +more than he did who publickly prophaned it; for she plainly indicates, +either that she does not believe, or respect what she professes. The +other attacked it as an open foe; she betrays it as a false friend. No +one pays any regard to the opinion of an avowed enemy; but the desertion +or treachery of a professed friend, is dangerous indeed! + +IT is a strange notion which prevails in the world, that religion only +belongs to the old and the melancholy, and that it is not worth while to +pay the least attention to it, while we are capable of attending to any +thing else. They allow it to be proper enough for the clergy, whose +business it is, and for the aged, who have not spirits for any business +at all. But till they can prove, that none except the clergy and the +aged _die_, it must be confessed, that this is most wretched +reasoning. + +GREAT injury is done to the interests of religion, by placing it in a +gloomy and unamiable light. It is sometimes spoken of, as if it would +actually make a handsome woman ugly, or a young one wrinkled. But can +any thing be more absurd than to represent the beauty of holiness as the +source of deformity? + +THERE are few, perhaps, so entirely plunged in business, or absorbed in +pleasure, as not to intend, at some future time, to set about a +religious life in good earnest. But then they consider it as a kind of +_dernier ressort_, and think it prudent to defer flying to this +disagreeable refuge, till they have no relish left for any thing else. +Do they forget, that to perform this great business well requires all +the strength of their youth, and all the vigour of their unimpaired +capacities? To confirm this assertion, they may observe how much the +slightest indisposition, even in the most active season of life, +disorders every faculty, and disqualifies them for attending to the most +ordinary affairs: and then let them reflect how little able they will be +to transact the most important of all business, in the moment of +excruciating pain, or in the day of universal debility. + +WHEN the senses are palled with excessive gratification; when the eye +is tired with seeing, and the ear with hearing; when the spirits are so +sunk, that the _grasshopper is become a burthen_, how shall the blunted +apprehension be capable of understanding a new science, or the worn-out +heart be able to relish a new pleasure? + +TO put off religion till we have lost all taste for amusement; to refuse +listening to the "voice of the charmer," till our enfeebled organs can +no longer listen to the voice of "singing men and singing women," and +not to devote our days to heaven till we have "no pleasure in them" +ourselves, is but an ungracious offering. And it is a wretched sacrifice +to the God of heaven, to present him with the remnants of decayed +appetites, and the leavings of extinguished passions. + + + + +MISCELLANEOUS +OBSERVATIONS +ON +GENIUS, TASTE, GOOD +SENSE, &c.[8] + + +GOOD _sense_ is as different from _genius_ as perception is from +invention; yet, though distinct qualities, they frequently subsist +together. It is altogether opposite to _wit_, but by no means +inconsistent with it. It is not science, for there is such a thing as +unlettered good sense; yet, though it is neither wit, learning, nor +genius, it is a substitute for each, where they do not exist, and the +perfection of all where they do. + +Good sense is so far from deserving the appellation of _common sense_, +by which it is frequently called, that it is perhaps one of the rarest +qualities of the human mind. If, indeed, this name is given it in +respect to its peculiar suitableness to the purposes of common life, +there is great propriety in it. Good sense appears to differ from taste +in this, that taste is an instantaneous decision of the mind, a sudden +relish of what is beautiful, or disgust at what is defective, in an +object, without waiting for the slower confirmation of the judgment. +Good sense is perhaps that confirmation, which establishes a suddenly +conceived idea, or feeling, by the powers of comparing and reflecting. +They differ also in this, that taste seems to have a more immediate +reference to arts, to literature, and to almost every object of the +senses; while good sense rises to moral excellence, and exerts its +influence on life and manners. Taste is fitted to the perception and +enjoyment of whatever is beautiful in art or nature: Good sense, to the +improvement of the conduct, and the regulation of the heart. + +YET the term good sense, is used indiscriminately to express either a +finished taste for letters, or an invariable prudence in the affairs of +life. It is sometimes applied to the most moderate abilities, in which +case, the expression is certainly too strong; and at others to the +most shining, when it is as much too weak and inadequate. A sensible man +is the usual, but unappropriated phrase, for every degree in the scale +of understanding, from the sober mortal, who obtains it by his decent +demeanor and solid dullness, to him whose talents qualify him to rank +with a Bacon, a Harris, or a Johnson. + +GENIUS is the power of invention and imitation. It is an incommunicable +faculty: no art or skill of the possessor can bestow the smallest +portion of it on another: no pains or labour can reach the summit of +perfection, where the seeds of it are wanting in the mind; yet it is +capable of infinite improvement where it actually exists, and is +attended with the highest capacity of communicating instruction, as well +as delight to others. + +IT is the peculiar property of genius to strike out great or beautiful +things: it is the felicity of good sense not to do absurd ones. Genius +breaks out in splendid sentiments and elevated ideas; good sense +confines its more circumscribed, but perhaps more useful walk, within +the limits of prudence and propriety. + + The poet's eye in a fine frenzy rolling, + Doth glance from heaven to earth, from earth to heaven; + And, as imagination bodies forth + The forms of things unknown, the poet's pen + Turns them to shape, and gives to airy nothing + A local habitation and a name. + +THIS is perhaps the finest picture of human genius that ever was drawn +by a human pencil. It presents a living image of a creative imagination, +or a power of inventing things which have no actual existence. + +WITH superficial judges, who, it must be confessed, make up the +greater part of the mass of mankind, talents are only liked or +understood to a certain degree. Lofty ideas are above the reach of +ordinary apprehensions: the vulgar allow those who possess them to be +in a somewhat higher state of mind than themselves; but of the vast gulf +which separates them, they have not the least conception. They +acknowledge a superiority, but of its extent they neither know the +value, nor can conceive the reality. It is true, the mind, as well as +the eye, can take in objects larger than itself; but this is only true +of great minds: for a man of low capacity, who considers a consummate +genius, resembles one, who seeing a column for the first time, and +standing at too great a distance to take in the whole of it, concludes +it to be flat. Or, like one unacquainted with the first principles of +philosophy, who, finding the sensible horizon appear a plain surface, +can form no idea of the spherical form of the whole, which he does not +see, and laughs at the account of antipodes, which he cannot comprehend. + +WHATEVER is excellent is also rare; what is useful is more common. How +many thousands are born qualified for the coarse employments of life, +for one who is capable of excelling in the fine arts! yet so it ought +to be, because our natural wants are more numerous, and more +importunate, than the intellectual. + +WHENEVER it happens that a man of distinguished talents has been drawn +by mistake, or precipitated by passion, into any dangerous +indiscretion; it is common for those whose coldness of temper has +supplied the place, and usurped the name of prudence, to boast of their +own steadier virtue, and triumph in their own superior caution; only +because they have never been assailed by a temptation strong enough to +surprise them into error. And with what a visible appropriation of the +character to themselves, do they constantly conclude, with a cordial +compliment to _common sense_! They point out the beauty and usefulness +of this quality so forcibly and explicitly, that you cannot possibly +mistake whose picture they are drawing with so flattering a pencil. The +unhappy man whose conduct has been so feelingly arraigned, perhaps acted +from good, though mistaken motives; at least, from motives of which his +censurer has not capacity to judge: but the event was unfavourable, nay +the action might be really wrong, and the vulgar maliciously take the +opportunity of this single indiscretion, to lift themselves nearer on a +level with a character, which, except in this instance, has always +thrown them at the most disgraceful and mortifying distance. + +THE elegant Biographer of Collins, in his affecting apology for that +unfortunate genius, remarks, "That the gifts of imagination bring the +heaviest task on the vigilance of reason; and to bear those faculties +with unerring rectitude, or invariable propriety, requires a degree of +firmness, and of cool attention, which does not always attend the higher +gifts of the mind; yet difficult as Nature herself seems to have +rendered the task of regularity to genius, it is the supreme consolation +of dullness, and of folly to point with gothic triumph to those +excesses which are the overflowing of faculties they never enjoyed." + +WHAT the greater part of the world mean by common sense, will be +generally found, on a closer enquiry, to be art, fraud, or selfishness! +That sort of saving prudence which makes men extremely attentive to +their own safety, or profit; diligent in the pursuit of their own +pleasures or interests; and perfectly at their ease as to what becomes +of the rest of mankind. Furies, where their own property is concerned, +philosophers when nothing but the good of others is at stake, and +perfectly resigned under all calamities but their own. + +WHEN we see so many accomplished wits of the present age, as remarkable +for the decorum of their lives, as for the brilliancy of their writings, +we may believe, that, next to principle, it is owing to their _good +sense_, which regulates and chastises their imaginations. The vast +conceptions which enable a true genius to ascend the sublimest heights, +may be so connected with the stronger passions, as to give it a +natural tendency to fly off from the strait line of regularity; till +good sense, acting on the fancy, makes it gravitate powerfully towards +that virtue which is its proper centre. + +ADD to this, when it is considered with what imperfection the Divine +Wisdom has thought fit to stamp every thing human, it will be found, +that excellence and infirmity are so inseparably wound up in each other, +that a man derives the soreness of temper, and irritability of nerve, +which make him uneasy to others, and unhappy in himself, from those +exquisite feelings, and that elevated pitch of thought, by which, as the +apostle expresses it on a more serious occasion, he is, as it were, +out of the body. + +It is not astonishing, therefore, when THE spirit is carried away by the +magnificence of its own ideas, + + Not touch'd but rapt, not waken'd but inspir'd, + +that the frail body, which is the natural victim of pain, disease, and +death, should not always be able to follow the mind in its aspiring +flights, but should be as imperfect as if it belonged only to an +ordinary soul. + +BESIDES, might not Providence intend to humble human pride, by +presenting to our eyes so mortifying a view of the weakness and +infirmity of even his best work? Perhaps man, who is already but a +little lower than the angels, might, like the revolted spirits, totally +have shaken off obedience and submission to his Creator, had not God +wisely tempered human excellence with a certain consciousness of its own +imperfection. But though this inevitable alloy of weakness may +frequently be found in the best characters, yet how can that be the +source of triumph and exaltation to any, which, if properly weighed, +must be the deepest motive of humiliation to all? A good-natured man +will be so far from rejoicing, that he will be secretly troubled, +whenever he reads that the greatest Roman moralist was tainted with +avarice, and the greatest British philosopher with venality. + +IT is remarked by Pope, in his Essay on Criticism, that, + + Ten censure wrong for one who writes amiss. + +But I apprehend it does not therefore follow that to judge, is more +difficult than to write. If this were the case, the critic would be +superior to the poet, whereas it appears to be directly the contrary. +"The critic, (says the great champion of Shakespeare,) but fashions the +body of a work, the poet must add the soul, which gives force and +direction to its actions and gestures." It should seem that the reason +why so many more judge wrong, than write ill, is because the number of +readers is beyond all proportion greater than the number of writers. +Every man who reads, is in some measure a critic, and, with very common +abilities, may point out real faults and material errors in a very well +written book; but it by no means follows that he is able to write any +thing comparable to the work which he is capable of censuring. And +unless the numbers of those who write, and of those who judge, were more +equal, the calculation seems not to be quite fair. + +A CAPACITY for relishing works of genius is the indubitable sign of a +good taste. But if a proper disposition and ability to enjoy the +compositions of others, entitle a man to the claim of reputation, it is +still a far inferior degree of merit to his who can invent and produce +those compositions, the bare disquisition of which gives the critic no +small share of fame. + +THE president of the royal academy in his admirable _Discourse_ on +_imitation_, has set the folly of depending on unassisted genius, in +the clearest light; and has shewn the necessity of adding the +knowledge of others, to our own native powers, in his usual striking and +masterly manner. "The mind, says he, is a barren soil, is a soil soon +exhausted, and will produce no crop, or only one, unless it be +continually fertilized, and enriched with foreign matter." + +YET it has been objected that study is a great enemy to originality; but +even if this were true, it would perhaps be as well that an author +should give us the ideas of still better writers, mixed and +assimilated with the matter in his own mind, as those crude and +undigested thoughts which he values under the notion that they are +original. The sweetest honey neither tastes of the rose, the +honeysuckle, nor the carnation, yet it is compounded of the very +essence of them all. + +IF in the other fine arts this accumulation of knowledge is necessary, +it is indispensably so in poetry. It is a fatal rashness for any one to +trust too much to their own stock of ideas. He must invigorate them by +exercise, polish them by conversation, and increase them by every +species of elegant and virtuous knowledge, and the mind will not fail to +reproduce with interest those seeds, which are sown in it by study and +observation. Above all, let every one guard against the dangerous +opinion that he knows enough: an opinion that will weaken the energy and +reduce the powers of the mind, which, though once perhaps vigorous and +effectual, will be sunk to a state of literary imbecility, by cherishing +vain and presumptuous ideas of its own independence. + +FOR instance, it may not be necessary that a poet should be deeply +skilled in the Linnaean system; but it must be allowed that a general +acquaintance with plants and flowers will furnish him with a delightful +and profitable species of instruction. He is not obliged to trace Nature +in all her nice and varied operations, with the minute accuracy of a +Boyle, or the laborious investigation of a Newton; but his _good sense_ +will point out to him that no inconsiderable portion of philosophical +knowledge is requisite to the completion of his literary character. The +sciences are more independent, and require little or no assistance +from the graces of poetry; but poetry, if she would charm and instruct, +must not be so haughty; she must be contented to borrow of the sciences, +many of her choicest allusions, and many of her most graceful +embellishments; and does it not magnify the character of true poesy, +that she includes within herself all the scattered graces of every +separate art? + +THE rules of the great masters in criticism may not be so necessary to +the forming a good taste, as the examination of those original mines +from whence they drew their treasures of knowledge. + +THE three celebrated Essays on the Art of Poetry do not teach so much +by their laws as by their examples; the dead letter of their rules is +less instructive than the living spirit of their verse. Yet these rules +are to a young poet, what the study of logarithms is to a young +mathematician; they do not so much contribute to form his judgment, as +afford him the satisfaction of convincing him that he is right. They do +not preclude the difficulty of the operation; but at the conclusion of +it, furnish him with a fuller demonstration that he has proceeded on +proper principles. When he has well studied the masters in whose +schools the first critics formed themselves, and fancies he has caught a +spark of their divine Flame, it may be a good method to try his own +compositions by the test of the critic rules, so far indeed as the +mechanism of poetry goes. If the examination be fair and candid, this +trial, like the touch of Ithuriel's spear, will detect every latent +error, and bring to light every favourite failing. + +GOOD taste always suits the measure of its admiration to the merit of +the composition it examines. It accommodates its praises, or its +censure, to the excellence of a work, and appropriates it to the nature +of it. General applause, or indiscriminate abuse, is the sign of a +vulgar understanding. There are certain blemishes which the judicious +and good-natured reader will candidly overlook. But the false sublime, +the tumour which is intended for greatness, the distorted figure, the +puerile conceit, and the incongruous metaphor, these are defects for +which scarcely any other kind of merit can atone. And yet there may be +more hope of a writer (especially if he be a a young one), who is now +and then guilty of some of these faults, than of one who avoids them +all, not through judgment, but feebleness, and who, instead of deviating +into error is continually falling short of excellence. The meer absence +of error implies that moderate and inferior degree of merit with which a +cold heart and a phlegmatic taste will be better satisfied than with the +magnificent irregularities of exalted spirits. It stretches some minds +to an uneasy extension to be obliged to attend to compositions +superlatively excellent; and it contracts liberal souls to a painful +narrowness to descend to books of inferior merit. A work of capital +genius, to a man of an ordinary mind, is the bed of Procrustes to one of +a short stature, the man is too little to fill up the space assigned +him, and undergoes the torture in attempting it: and a moderate, or low +production to a man of bright talents, is the punishment inflicted by +Mezentius; the living spirit has too much animation to endure patiently +to be in contact with a dead body. + +TASTE sesms to be a sentiment of the soul which gives the bias to +opinion, for we feel before we reflect. Without this sentiment, all +knowledge, learning and opinion, would be cold, inert materials, whereas +they become active principles when stirred, kindled, and inflamed by +this animating quality. + +THERE is another feeling which is called Enthusiasm. The enthusiasm of +sensible hearts is so strong, that it not only yields to the impulse +with which striking objects act on it, but such hearts help on the +effect by their own sensibility. In a scene where Shakespeare and +Garrick give perfection to each other, the feeling heart does not merely +accede to the delirium they occasion: it does more, it is enamoured of +it, it solicits the delusion, it sues to be deceived, and grudgingly +cherishes the sacred treasure of its feelings. The poet and performer +concur in carrying us + + Beyond this visible diurnal sphere, + +they bear us aloft in their airy course with unresisted rapidity, if +they meet not with any obstruction from the coldness of our own +feelings. Perhaps, only a few fine spirits can enter into the detail of +their writing and acting; but the multitude do not enjoy less acutely, +because they are not able philosophically to analyse the sources of +their joy or sorrow. If the others have the advantage of judging, these +have at least the privilege of feeling: and it is not from complaisance +to a few leading judges, that they burst into peals of laughter, or melt +into delightful agony; their hearts decide, and that is a decision from +which there lies no appeal. It must however be confessed, that the +nicer separations of character, and the lighter and almost imperceptible +shades which sometimes distinguish them, will not be intimately +relished, unless there be a consonancy of taste as well as feeling in +the spectator; though where the passions are principally concerned, +the profane vulgar come in for a larger portion of the universal +delight, than critics and connoisseurs are willing to allow them. + +YET enthusiasm, though the natural concomitant of genius, is no more +genius itself, than drunkenness is cheerfulness; and that enthusiasm +which discovers itself on occasions not worthy to excite it, is the mark +of a wretched judgment and a false taste. + +NATURE produces innumerable objects: to imitate them, is the province of +Genius; to direct those imitations, is the property of Judgment; to +decide on their effects, is the business of Taste. For Taste, who sits +as supreme judge on the productions of Genius, is not satisfied when she +merely imitates Nature: she must also, says an ingenious French writer, +imitate _beautiful_ Nature. It requires no less judgment to reject than +to choose, and Genius might imitate what is vulgar, under pretence that +it was natural, if Taste did not carefully point out those objects which +are most proper for imitation. It also requires a very nice discernment +to distinguish verisimilitude from truth; for there is a truth in Taste +nearly as conclusive as demonstration in mathematics. + +GENIUS, when in the full impetuosity of its career, often touches on the +very brink of error; and is, perhaps, never so near the verge of the +precipice, as when indulging its sublimest flights. It is in those +great, but dangerous moments, that the curb of vigilant judgment is most +wanting: while safe and sober Dulness observes one tedious and insipid +round of tiresome uniformity, and steers equally clear of eccentricity +and of beauty. Dulness has few redundancies to retrench, few +luxuriancies to prune, and few irregularities to smooth. These, though +errors, are the errors of Genius, for there is rarely redundancy without +plenitude, or irregularity without greatness. The excesses of Genius +may easily be retrenched, but the deficiencies of Dulness can never be +supplied. + +THOSE who copy from others will doubtless be less excellent than those +who copy from Nature. To imitate imitators, is the way to depart too far +from the great original herself. The latter copies of an engraving +retain fainter and fainter traces of the subject, to which the earlier +impressions bore so strong a resemblance. + +IT seems very extraordinary, that it should be the most difficult thing +in the world to be natural, and that it should be harder to hit off the +manners of real life, and to delineate such characters as we converse +with every day, than to imagine such as do not exist. But caricature is +much easier than an exact outline, and the colouring of fancy less +difficult than that of truth. + +PEOPLE do not always know what taste they have, till it is awakened by +some corresponding object; nay, genius itself is a fire, which in many +minds would never blaze, if not kindled by some external cause. + +NATURE, that munificent mother, when she bestows the power of judging, +accompanies it with the capacity of enjoying. The judgment, which is +clear sighted, points out such objects as are calculated to inspire +love, and the heart instantaneously attaches itself to whatever is +lovely. + +IN regard to literary reputation, a great deal depends on the state of +learning in the particular age or nation, in which an author lives. In a +dark and ignorant period, moderate knowledge will entitle its +possessor to a considerable share of fame; whereas, to be +distinguished in a polite and lettered age, requires striking parts and +deep erudition. + +WHEN a nation begins to emerge from a state of mental darkness, and to +strike out the first rudiments of improvement, it chalks out a few +strong but incorrect sketches, gives the rude out-lines of general art, +and leaves the filling up to the leisure of happier days, and the +refinement of more enlightened times. Their drawing is a rude _Sbozzo_, +and their poetry wild minstrelsy. + +PERFECTION of taste is a point which a nation no sooner reaches, than it +overshoots; and it is more difficult to return to it, after having +passed it, than it was to attain when they fell short of it. Where the +arts begin to languish after having flourished, they seldom indeed fall +back to their original barbarism, but a certain feebleness of exertion +takes place, and it is more difficult to recover them from this dying +languor to their proper strength, than it was to polish them from their +former rudeness; for it is a less formidable undertaking to refine +barbarity, than to stop decay: the first may be laboured into elegance, +but the latter will rarely be strengthened into vigour. + +TASTE exerts itself at first but feebly and imperfectly: it is +repressed and kept back by a crowd of the most discouraging +prejudices: like an infant prince, who, though born to reign, yet holds +an idle sceptre, which he has not power to use, but is obliged to see +with the eyes, and hear through the ears of other men. + +A WRITER of correct taste will hardly ever go out of his way, even in +search of embellishment: he will study to attain the best end by the +most natural means; for he knows that what is not natural cannot be +beautiful, and that nothing can be beautiful out of its own place; for +an improper situation will convert the most striking beauty into a +glaring defect. When by a well-connected chain of ideas, or a judicious +succession of events, the reader is snatched to "Thebes or Athens," +what can be more impertinent than for the poet to obstruct the operation +of the passion he has just been kindling, by introducing a conceit +which contradicts his purpose, and interrupts his business? Indeed, we +cannot be transported, even in idea, to those places, if the poet does +not manage so adroitly as not to make us sensible of the journey: the +instant we feel we are travelling, the writer's art fails, and the +delirium is at an end. + +PROSERPINE, says Ovid, would have been restored to her mother Ceres, +had not Ascalaphus seen her stop to gather a golden apple, when the +terms of her restoration were, that she should taste nothing. A story +pregnant with instruction for lively writers, who by neglecting the main +business, and going out of the way for false gratifications, lose sight +of the end they should principally keep in view. It was this false taste +that introduced the numberless _concetti_, which disgrace the brightest +of the Italian poets; and this is the reason, why the reader only feels +short and interrupted snatches of delight in perusing the brilliant but +unequal compositions of Ariosto, instead of that unbroken and +undiminished pleasure, which he constantly receives from Virgil, from +Milton, and generally from Tasso. The first-mentioned Italian is the +Atalanta, who will interrupt the most eager career, to pick up the +glittering mischief, while the Mantuan and the British bards, like +Hippomenes, press on warm in the pursuit, and unseduced by temptation. + +A WRITER of real taste will take great pains in the perfection of his +style, to make the reader believe that he took none at all. The writing +which appears to be most easy, will be generally found to be least +imitable. The most elegant verses are the most easily retained, they +fasten themselves on the memory, without its making any effort to +preserve them, and we are apt to imagine, that what is remembered with +ease, was written without difficulty. + +To conclude; Genius is a rare and precious gem, of which few know the +worth; it is fitter for the cabinet of the connoisseur, than for the +commerce of mankind. Good sense is a bank-bill, convenient for change, +negotiable at all times, and current in all places. It knows the value +of small things, and considers that an aggregate of them makes up the +sum of human affairs. It elevates common concerns into matters of +importance, by performing them in the best manner, and at the most +suitable season. Good sense carries with it the idea of equality, while +Genius is always suspected of a design to impose the burden of +superiority; and respect is paid to it with that reluctance which always +attends other imposts, the lower orders of mankind generally repining +most at demands, by which they are least liable to be affected. + +AS it is the character of Genius to penetrate with a lynx's beam into +unfathomable abysses and uncreated worlds, and to see what is _not_, +so it is the property of good sense to distinguish perfectly, and judge +accurately what really _is_. Good sense has not so piercing an eye, but +it has as clear a sight: it does not penetrate so deeply, but as far as +it _does_ see, it discerns distinctly. Good sense is a judicious +mechanic, who can produce beauty and convenience out of suitable means; +but Genius (I speak with reverence of the immeasurable distance) bears +some remote resemblance to the divine architect, who produced perfection +of beauty without any visible materials, _who spake, and it was +created_; who said, _Let it be, and it was_. + + +[8] THE Author begs leave to offer an apology for introducing this +Essay, which, she fears, may be thought foreign to her purpose. But she +hopes that her earnest desire of exciting a taste for literature in +young ladies, (which encouraged her to hazard the following remarks) +will not OBSTRUCT her general design, even if it does not actually +PROMOTE it. + + +THE END. + + +Transcriber's Note: +Two small typos have been corrected. + + + + +_Lately published by the same Author_, + + +ODE TO DRAGON, Mr. GARRICK'S +House-Dog at Hampton. Price 6d. + + +SIR ELDRED OF THE BOWER, and the +BLEEDING ROCK. Legendary +Tales. Price 2s. 6d. +Printed for T. Cadell in the Strand. + + +The Sixth Edition of +The SEARCH after HAPPINESS. A +Pastoral Drama. Price 1s. 6d. + + +The Third Edition of +The INFLEXIBLE CAPTIVE. A Tragedy. +Price 1s. 6d. +Printed for T. Cadell, in the Strand; and J. +Wilkie, in St. Paul's Church-Yard. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Essays on Various Subjects, by Hannah More + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ESSAYS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS *** + +***** This file should be named 19595.txt or 19595.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/5/9/19595/ + +Produced by Audrey Longhurst, Melissa Er-Raqabi, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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