example to all the nations of the earth, what a | abused; so that they may happily find, while people can do, who have cast off the fear of the discovery can be attended with hope and Thee, do Thou graciously bring them back to a consolation, that doubtless there is a reward for sense of that law which they have violated, and the righteous ; verily, there is a God who judgeth to a participation of that mercy which they have the earth.

STRICTURES

ON THE MODERN SYSTEM OF FEMALE EDUCATION

WITH A VIEW OF THE PRINCIPLES AND CONDUCT PREVALENT AMONG WOMEN OF RANK AND FORTUNE,

May you so raise your character that you may help to make the next age a better thing, and leave posterity in your debt, for the advantage it shall receive by your example.-Lord Halifax.

Domestic happiness, thou only bliss

Of Paradise that has survived the Fall!

Thou art not known where PLEASURE is ador'd,
That reeling goddess with the zoneless waist.
Forsaking thee, what shipwreck have we made
Of honour, dignity, and fair renown!—Cowper.

INTRODUCTION.

It is a singular injustice which is often exercised towards women, first to give them a very defective education, and then to expect from them the most undeviating purity of conduct-to train them in such a manner as shall lay them open to the most dangerous faults, and then to censure them for not proving faultless. Is it not unreasonable and unjust to express disappointment if our daughters should, in their subsequent lives, turn out precisely that very kind of character for which it would be evident to an unprejudiced by-stander that the whole scope and tenor of their instruction had been systematically preparing them?

Some reflections on the present erroneous system are here with great deference submitted to public consideration. The author is apprehensive that she shall be accused of betraying the interests of her sex by laying open their defects: but surely an earnest wish to turn their attention to objects calculated to promote their true dignity, is not the office of an enemy. So to expose the weakness of the land as to suggest the necessity of internal improvement, and to point out the means of effectual defence, is not treachery, but patriotism.

Again, it may be objected to this little work, that many errors are here ascribed to women which by no means belongs to them exclusively, and that it seems to confine to the sex those faults which are common to the species: but this is in some measure unavoidable. In speaking on the qualities of one sex, the moralist is somewhat in the situation of the geographer, who is treating on the nature of one country: the air, soil, and produce of the land which he is describing, cannot fail in many essential points to resemble those of other countries under the same parallel; yet it is his business to descant on the one without adverting to the other; and though in drawing the map he may happen to introduce some of the neighbouring coast, yet his principal attention must be confined to that country which he proposes to describe, without taking into account the resembling circumstances of the adjacent shores.

It may be also objected that the opinion here suggested on the state of manners among the higher classes of our countrywomen, may seem to controvert the just encomiums of modern travellers, who generally concur in ascribing a decided superiority to the ladies of this country over those of every other. But such is, in general, the state of foreign manners, that the comparative praise is almost an injury to English women. To be flattered for excelling those whose standard of excellence is very low, is but a degrading kind of commendation; for the value of all praise derived from superiority, depends on the worth of the competitor. The character of British ladies, with all the unparalleled advantages they possess, must never be determined by comparison with the women of other nations, but by comparing them with what they themselves might be if all their talents and unrivalled opportunities were turned to the best account.

Again, it may be said, that the author is less disposed to expatiate on excellence than error: but the office of the historian of human manners is delineation rather than panegyric. Were the end in view eulogium and not improvement, eulogium would have been far more gratifying, nor would just objects for praise have been difficult to find. Even in her own limited sphere of observation, the author is acquainted with much excellence in the class of which she treats-with women who, possessing learning which would be thought extensive in the other sex, set an example of deep humility to their own-women who, distinguished for wit and genius, are eminent

for domestic qualities-who, excelling in the fine arts, have carefully enriched their understandings-who, enjoying great influence, devote it to the glory of God-who, possessing elevated rank, think their noblest style and title is that of a Christian.

That there is also much worth which is little known, she is persuaded; for it is the modest nature of goodness to exert itself quietly, while a few characters of the opposite cast seem, by the rumour of their exploits, to fill the world; and by their noise to multiply their numbers. It often happens that a very small party of people, by occupying the foreground, by seizing the public attention and monopolizing the public talk, contrive to appear to be the great body: a few active spirits, provided their activity take the wrong turn, and support the wrong cause, seem to fill the scene; and a few disturbers of order, who have the talent of thus exciting a false idea of their multitudes by their mischiefs, actually gain strength, and swell their numbers, by this fallacious arithmetic.

But the present work is no more intended for a panegyric on those purer characters who seek not human praise because they act from a higher motive, than for a satire on the avowedly licentious, who, urged by the impulse of the moment, resist no inclination; and led away by the love of fashion, dislike no censure, so it may serve to rescue them from neglect or oblivion.

There are, however, multitudes of the young and the well disposed, who have as yet taken no decided part, who are just launching on the ocean of life, just about to lose their own right convictions, virtually preparing to counteract their better propensities, and unreluctantly yielding themselves to be carried down the tide of popular practices: sanguine, thoughtless, and confident of safety. To these the author would gently hint, that when once embarked, it will be no longer easy to say to their passions, or even to their principles, 'Thus far shall y go, and no further.' Their struggles will grow fainter, their resistance will become feebler, till orne down by the confluence of example, temptation, appetite, and habit, resistance and opposition will soon be the only things of which thy will learn to be ashamed.

Should any reader revolt at what is conceived to be unwarranted strict: ess in this little book, let it not be thrown by in disgust before the following short consideration be weighed.—If in this christian country we are actually beginning to regard the solemn office of Baptism as merely furnishing an article to the parish register-if we are learning from our indefatigable teachers, to consider this Christian rite as a legal ceremony retained for the sole purpose of recording the age of our children;-then, indeed, the prevaling system of education and manners of which these pages presume to animadvert may be adopted with propriety, and persisted in with safety, without entailing on our children or on ourselves the peril of broken promises or the guilt of violated vows-But, if the obligation which christian Baptism imposes be really binding-if the ordinance have, indeed, a meaning beyond a mere secular transaction, beyond a record of names and dates-if it be an institution by which the child is solemnly devoted to God as his Father, to Jesus Christ as his Saviour, and to the Holy Spirit as his sanctifier; if there be no definite period assigned when the obligation of fulfilling the duties it enjoins shall be superseded-if, having once dedicated our offspring to their Creator, we no longer dare to mock Him by bringing them up in ignorance of His will and neglect of His laws-if, after having enlisted them under the banners of Christ, to fight manfully against the three great enemies of mankind, we are no longer at liberty to let them lay down their arms; much less to lead them to act as if they were in alliance, instead of hostility with these enemies-if, after having promised that they shall renounce the vanities of the world, we are not allowed to invalidate the engagement-if, after such a covenant we should tremble to make these renounced vanities, the supreme object of our own pursuit or of their instruction-if all this be really so, then the Strictures on Modern Education, and on the Habits of Polished Life, will not be found so repugnant to truth, and reason, and common sense, as may on a first view be supposed.

But if on candidly summing up the evidence, the design and scope of the author be fairly judged, not by the customs or opinions of the worldly (for every English subject has a right to object to a suspected or prejudiced jury) but by an appeal to that divine law which is the only infallible rule of judgment; if on such an appeal her views and principles shall be found censurable for their rigour, absurd in their requisitions, or preposterous in their restrictions, she will have no right to complain of such a verdict, because she will then stand condemned by that court to whose decision she implicitly submits.

Let it not be suspected that the author arrogantly conceives herself to be exempt from that natural corruption of the heart which it is one chief object of this slight work to exhibit; that she superciliously erects herself into the implacable censor of her sex and of the world, as if from the critic's chair she were coldly pointing out the faults and errors of another order of beings, in whose welfare she had not that lively interest which can only flow from the tender and intimate participation of fellow-feeling.

With a deep self-abasement, arising from a strong conviction of being indeed a partaker in the same corrupt nature; together with a full persuasion of the many and great defects of these pages, and a sincere consciousness of her inability to do justice to a subject which, hewever, a sense of duty impelled her to undertake, she commits herself to the candour of that public, which has so frequently, in her instance, accepted a right intention as a substitute for a powerful performance.

BATH, March 14, 1799.

STRICTURES

ON THE MODERN SYSTEM OF FEMALE EDUCATION.

CHAP. I.

In this moment of alarm and peril, I would should stir up every latent principle in their call on them with a warning voice,' which minds, and kindle every slumbering energy in their hearts: I would call on them to come forward, and contribute their full and fair proportion towards the saving of their country. But I would call on them to come forward, without departing from the refinement of their character, without derogating from the dignity of their rank, without blemishing the delicacy of their sex; I would call them to the best and most appropriate exertion of their power, to raise the depressed tone of public morals, and to awaken the drowsy spirit of religious principle. They know too well how arbitrarily they give the law to manners, and with how despotic a sway they

Address to women of rank and fortune, on the effects of their influence on society.—Suggestions for the exertion of it in various instances. AMONG the talents for the application of which women of the higher class will be peculiarly accountable, there is one, the importance of which they can scarcely rate too highly. This talent is influence. We read of the greatest orator of antiquity, that the wisest plans which it had cost him years to frame, a woman could overturn in a single day; and when we consider the variety of mischiefs which an ill-directed influence has been known to produce, we are led to reflect with the most sanguine hope on the beneficial effects to be expected from the same powerful force when exerted in its true direc-fix the standard of fashion. But this is not

tion.

this influence, will depend, in no low degree, the well-being of those states, and the virtue and happiness, nay perhaps the very existence, of that society.

enough; this is a low mark, a prize not worthy The general state of civilized society depends, of their high and holy calling. For, on the use more than those are aware who are not accus- which women of the superior class may now be tomed to scrutinize into the springs of human disposed to make of that power delegated to action, on the prevailing sentiments and habits them by the courtesy of custom, by the honest of women, and on the nature and degree of the gallantry of the heart, by the imperious control estimation in which they are held. Even those of virtuous affections, by the habits of civilized who admit the power of female elegance on the states, by the usages of polished society; on the manners of men, do not always attend to the in-use, I say, which they shall hereafter make of fluence of female principles on their character. In the former case, indeed, women are apt to be sufficiently conscious of their power, and not backward in turning it to account. But there are nobler objects to be effected by the exertion At this period when our country can only hope of their powers, and unfortunately, ladies, who to stand by opposing a bold and noble unanimity are often unreasonably confident where they to the most tremendous confederacies against ought to be diffident, are sometimes capriciously religion, and order, and governments, which the diffident just when they ought to feel where world ever saw, what an accession would it their true importance lies; and feeling to exert bring to the public strength, could we prevail on it. To use their boasted power over mankind beauty, and rank, and talents, and virtue, conto no higher purpose than the gratification of federating their several powers, to exert themvanity or the indulgence of pleasure, is the de-selves with a patriotism at once firin and femigrading triumph of those fair victims to luxury, nine, for the general good! I am not sounding caprice, and despotism, whom the laws and the an alarm to female warriors, or exciting female religion of the voluptuous prophet of Arabia ex-politicians: I hardly know which of the two is clude from light, and liberty, and knowledge: and it is humbling to reflect, that in those countries in which fondness for the mere persons of women is carried to the highest excess, they are slaves; and that their moral and intellectual degradation increases in direct proportion to the adoration which is paid to mere external charms.

the most disgusting and unnatural character. Propriety is to a woman what the great Roman critic says action is to an orator; it is the first, the second, the third requisite. A woman may be knowing, active, witty and amusing; but without propriety she cannot be amiable. Propriety is the centre in which all the lines of duty and of agreeableness meet. It is to character what But I turn to the bright reverse of this morti- proportion is to figure, and grace to attitude. It fying scene; to a country where our sex enjoys does not depend on any one perfection, but it is the blessings of liberal instruction, of reasonable the result of general excellence. It shows itself laws, of a pure religion, and all the endearing by a regular, orderly, undeviating course; and pleasures of an equal, social, virtuous, and de- never starts from its sober orbit into any splenlightful intercourse. I turn, with an carnest did eccentricities; for it would be ashamed of hope, that women thus richly endowed with the such praise as it might extort by any deviations bounties of Providence, will not content them- from its proper path. It renounces all commenselves with polishing when they are able to re-dation but what is characteristic; and I would form; with entertaining when they may awaken; and with captivating for a day, when they may bring into action powers of which the effects may be coinmensurate with eternity.

VOL. I.

make it the criterion of true taste, right principle, and genuine feeling, in a woman, whether she would be less touched with all the flattery of romantic and exaggerated panegyric than

with that beautiful picture of correct and elegant | effects which we actually see produced, through propriety which Milton draws of our first mother, when he delineates

withstand the banter of a club. He has sense enough to see through the miserable fallacies | of the new philosophy, and spirit enough to expose its malignity. So far he does well, and you are ready to congratulate him on his secu rity. You are mistaken: the principles of the ardent, and hitherto promising adventurer, are shaken, just in that very society where, while he was looking for pleasure, he doubted not of safety. In the company of certain women of good fashion and no ill fame, he makes shipwreck of his religion. He sees them treat with levity or derision subjects which he has been | used to hear named with respect. He could confute an argument, he could unravel a sophistry; but he cannot stand a laugh. A sneer, not at the truth of religion, for that perhaps is by none of the party disbelieved, but at its gravity, its unseasonableness, its dulness, puts all his resolution to flight. He feels his mis. take, and struggles to recover his credit; in order to which he adopts the gay affectations of trying to seem worse than he really is; he goes on to say things which he does not believe, and to deny things which he does believe; and all to efface the first impression, and to recover a reputation which he has committed to their hands, on whose report he knows he shall stand or fall, in those circles in which he is ambitious to shine.

in their hearts and lives had taken place: their principles became reformed, but their imaginations were indelibly soiled. They could desist from sins which the strictness of Christianity would not allow them to commit, but they could not dismiss from their minds images which her purity forbade them to entertain.

There was a time when a variety of epithets were thought necessary to express various kinds of excellence, and when the different qualities of the mind were distinguished by appropriate and discriminating terms: when the words venerable, learned, sagacious, profound, acute, pious, worthy, ingenious, valuable, elegant, agreeable, wise, or witty, were used as specific marks of distinct characters. But the legislators of fashion have of late years thought proper to comprise all merit in one established epithet; an epithet which, it may be confessed, is a very desirable one as far as it goes. This term is exclusively and indiscriminately applied whenever commendation is intended. The word pleasant now serves to combine and express all moral and intellectual excellence. Every individual, from the gravest professors, of the gravest prófessions, down to the trifler who is of no profession at all, must earn the epithet of pleasant, or must be contented to be nothing; and must be consigned over to ridicule, under the vulgar and inexpressive cant word of a bore. This is the mortifying designation of many a respectable man, who, though of much worth and much ability, cannot perhaps clearly make out his letters patent to the title of pleasant. For according to this modern classification there is no intermediate state, but all are comprised within the ample bounds of one or other of these two comprehensive terms.

That cold compound of irony, irreligion, selfishness, and sneer, which make up what the French (from whom we borrow the thing as well as the word) so well express by the term persiflage, has of late years made an incredible progress in blasting the opening buds of piety in young persons of fashion. A cold pleasantry, a temporary cant word, the jargon of the day (for the 'great vulgar' have their jargon) blights We ought to be more on our guard against the first promise of seriousness. The ladies of this spirit of ridicule, because whatever may be ton have certain watch-words, which may be the character of the present day, its faults do detected as indications of this spirit. The not spring from the redundancies of great clergy are spoken of under the contemptuous qualities, or the overflowing of extravagant appellation of The Parsons. of The Parsons. Some ludicrous | virtues. It is well if more correct views of life, association is infallibly combined with the very a more regular administration of laws, and a idea of religion. If a warm hearted youth has more settled state of society, have helped to reventured to name with enthusiasm some emi-strain the excesses of the heroic ages, when nently pious character, his glowing ardour is love and war were considered as the great and extinguished with a laugh: and a drawling de-sole business of human life. Yet, if that period claration, that the person in question is really a mighty harmless good creature, is uttered in a tone which leads the youth secretly to vow, that whatever else he may be, he will never be a good harmless creature.

was marked by a romantic extravagance, and the present is distinguished by an indolent selfishness, our superiority is not so triumphantly decisive, as, in the vanity of our hearts we may be ready to imagine.

Nor is ridicule more dangerous to true piety I do not wish to bring back the frantic reign than to true taste. An age which values itself of chivalry, nor to reinstate women in that fanon parody, burlesque, irony, and caricature, tastic empire in which they then sat enthroned produces little that is sublime, either in genius in the hearts, or rather in the imaginations of or in virtue; but they amuse and we live in an men. Common sense is an excellent material age which must be amused, though genius, of universal application, which the sagacity of feeling, truth, and principle be the sacrifice. latter ages has seized upon, and rationally apNothing chills the ardours of devotion like a plied to the business of common life. But let frigid sarcasm; and, in the season of youth the us not forget, in the insolence of acknowledged, mind should be kept particularly clear of all superiority, that it was religion and chastity, light associations. This is of so much impor-operating on the romantic spirit of those times, tance, that I have known persons who, having been early accustomed to certain ludicrous combinations, were never liable to get their minds cleansed from the impurities contracted by this habitual levity, even after thorough reformation

which established the despotic sway of woman; and though in this altered scene of things, she now no longer looks down on her adoring votaries from the pedestal to which an absurd idolatry had lifted her: yet let her remember