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the female race to a participation than a misfortune? And is there not somewhat of ill-nature and ingratitude in repaying her who has been conducive to an evening's entertainment, even though it be with a profusion of talk, with the shafts of ridicule and the flashes of wit?

of her inestimable blessings ;-and enriching by her solid information, instructing by her judicious advice, and adorning by her elegant accomplishments, has succeeded in placing her lovely pupils upon a distinguished eminence in the social and public stations. Thus, fitted by her natural powers, and improved by her useful acquirements, the female is now qualified for every path of life in which she may be called to walk. As a companion, she now adorns the most valuable society; as a relative, she discharges her duties with affectionate assiduity; and as a Christian, she shines with modest and undimming lustre, as a faithful and becoming attendant upon the Sun of Righteousness.

The value and influence of woman can be proved from the most ordinary occurrences of life. Let us merely glance at a party of the other sex in which conversation may be supposed to flag, or a want of inclination to prevent its full tide of interest—what will be the result, if female company be introduced into the circle? Immediately some congenial topic is excited; declining interest is revived; the feelings are aroused, and, in a short period, the delights of society are found to be the feast of reason and the flow of soul." Such a case is neither far-fetched nor uncommon; it may be met with in our daily intercourse with each other; in the social circle, or in the more public assembly.

Much indeed has this fact been ridiculed, and the effects of female society have been jocularly traced

to

the inquietude of woman's tongue; often has its loquacity been the subject of the witling's lash, and the satirist's acumen. It cannot be denied that very often a woman may use her tongue with more profuseness than propriety, and sometimes deluge us with a torrent of declamation; yet ought we not to esteem the use of the tongue in woman a blessing rather 29 ATHENEUM, VOL. 5, 3d series.

The paths of literature invite us to inspect the displays of female mind which are therein exhibited. The question need not now be asked, "what can woman do in the literary circle?" Her influence there is now placed beyond a doubt; her value estimated as it ought to be. Indeed, to such a degree has female talent been exerted, that instead of "what can woman do?" it may with more propriety be asked-"what ought she to do?"-for certainly there is a question depending upon the great fact; and it is no unnatural interrogatory-"how far ought a woman to carry her literary researches and labors, consistently with the other duties which more peculiarly and appropriately belong to her?" It cannot be disputed that no female is justified in poring over the stores of learning, to the neglect of other more apparent duties, and in intermeddling with those subjects which seem not exactly consistent with correct notions of female character.

It has sometimes been objected that men are insensible to the value of a female mind embued with extensive knowledge, and well versed in literature; but the objection is now, I think, almost exploded, or if it retain any force, only so, in cases such as those to which I have above alluded. In some instances we may have to complain with Old Thrifty in the Spectator, of our female virtuosos departing out of their proper sphere, and "whilst they should have been considering the proper ingredients for a sack-posset," bringing forward "a dispute concerning the magnetic virtue of the loadstone, or perhaps the pressure of the atmosphere.' (Spectator, No. 242.) Still, notwithstand

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ing all the candor which has been
manifested toward female learning,
and the favorable impressions made
by a lady of talent, it must be ac-
knowledged, that "a blue-stocking
beauty is a gentleman's aversion."
"That learning belongs not to
the female character, and that the
female mind is not capable of a de-
gree of improvement equal to that
of the other sex, are narrow and
unphilosophical prejudices. The
past and present times exhibit most
honorable instances of female learn-
ing and genius." (Knox's Essays,
No. 142.) In the deeper and more
exalted departments of classical
knowledge, the name of Dacier
stands high, while that of Elizabeth
Carter cannot be forgotten. For-
tunate might the Grecian sage think
himself, could he look through the
vista of past ages, in having his
ethical maxims arrayed in an En-
glish garb, by so fair a hand. The
genius of Mrs. More has reached
too high a pitch of glory to be pass-
ed over in silence. Her numerous
works testify the extent and impor-
tance of her knowledge, and how
well qualified are her talents to do
justice to any subject which she
might undertake. In the region of
elegant literature we have a host of
fair authoresses who have adorned
their country and themselves. Who
has not heard of the "moral tales
of an Edgeworth; the popular ro-
mances of a Radcliffe; and the useful
labors of a Smith and a Barbauld?"
To tell each favorite name would
swell a long catalogue of fair ones
more appropriate for the counter of
a bibliopolist than for the pages of
a brief essay.

But who that loves the muse can fail to give his meed of praise to the female lyre? Who that has heard the nervous touches which resound from the lyre of Hemans, will venture to accuse the Nine of partiality in the distribution of their favors to the other sex alone? And let us not forget to notice one prominent trait which invariably marks the progress of female genius. All its

labors are directed, as is fitting, to the promotion of the sacred cause of virtue, truth, and religion. To quote the language of one of the eminent ladies above referred to: -"Let such women as are disposed to be vain of their comparative petty attainments, look up with admiration to those two contemporary shining examples, the venerable Elizabeth Carter, and the blooming Elizabeth Smith. In them let our young ladies contemplate profound and various learning chastened by true Christian humility. In them let them venerate acquirements which would have been distinguished in an university, meekly softened and beautifully shaded by the gentle exertion of every domestic virtue, the unaffected exercise of every feminine employment." (More's Calebs, v. 2, p. 245.)

Who will then deny to the female mind the blessings of education, and the acquirements of knowledge? While there should ever be a due regard to providential circumstances of life, and no woman is warranted to neglect a greater duty for a minor one, it must be allowed that the lady of taste and knowledge has a far greater advantage than the lady who is without them; and in every point of view is calculated to confer a greater blessing on her friends and connexions. If a woman be ignorant, she will lose many delights herself, and deprive others of many. "I do not mean (to cite again the language of Mrs. More) that learning is absolutely necessary, but a man of taste who has an ignorant wife, cannot in her company think his own thoughts, nor speak his own language; his thoughts he will suppress, his language he will debase, the one from hopelessness, the other from compassion. He must be continually lowering and dilating his meaning, in order to make himself intelligible. This he will do for the woman he loves, but in doing so he will not be happy. She who cannot be entertained by

his conversation, will not be convinced by his reasoning, and at length he will find out, that it is less trouble to lower his own stand

ard to hers, than to exhaust himself in the vain attempt to raise hers to his own." (Cœlebs, v. 2, p. 234.)

AN ADVENTURE AT ROTTERDAM.

BY MRS. HOFLAND.

"I tell the tale as it was told to me."

EXCEPTING from necessity, or the impulses of ambition and avarice, which create their own necessities, a Spanish gentleman rarely travels -at least he seldom did so during the last century. Love, music, the exercises in which his rank in life rendered it imperative that he should excel-riding, dancing, and fencing, together with the adornment of his person, occupied the early season of life pride and indolence left little employment for the remainder, save what was demanded by the confessor, or consumed by the cigar.

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It nevertheless happened, that Don Antonio del Puyes had an idea that "home-keeping youths have homely wits," and, to the surprise of his neighbors, he sent his second son, Raymondo, to finish his education at Paris, after which it was his intention to purchase for him a commission in the army. As, however, he returned at a time of profound peace, and with an inordinate desire to travel, the father manifested no objection, and a rich bachelor uncle, whose favorite he had always been, furnished abundant funds for the purpose. They were probably both proud to exhibit beyond the environs of Saragossa, where they and their ancestors had resided from time immemorial, a young man who had been the pride of Oviedo for his acquirements, and subsequently the admiration of a small, but courtly circle in Paris-who was in manners and accomplishments the beau ideal of a Spanish cavalier, had "blue blood on both sides, was probably the handsomest man in his own country, and would be so in any which he might visit.

The reading of Don Raymondo

had lately been directed to the history of the emancipation of the Seven United Provinces from the Spanish yoke, and, with a liberality seldom displayed by a Spaniard, but which was natural to his age and with his education, he not only rejoiced in their success, but cherished an ardent desire to form a personal acquaintance with their inhabitants. Generous and enthusiastic, he longed to witness and share the blessings of that triumphant liberty, which their forefathers had achieved by valor never surpassed and fortitude never equaled. A total stranger to commerce, and to the obligations which it imposes and the consequences to which it leads, our traveller thought only of independence and industry as relative terms, and expected to find every Dutchman a hero in his sentiments, a Hercules in his labors, surrounded indeed by a morass, but rendering it an Eden, so far as the power of human ingenuity can effect such a change.

To Holland, therefore, his first views were directed, and, crossing the Peninsula, he embarked at Oporto for Rotterdam, taking thence letters of introduction for the Hague, which could hardly fail to ensure him the power of forming intimate acquaintance with the great and worthy of the land to which he was bound. His voyage was tedious, and, at one period, dangerous, in consequence of which his arrival at the long-desired haven was rendered doubly agreeable; and, on reaching a comfortable inn, which, in the cleanliness and elegance of its appointments, formed a striking contrast to the miserable

ventas of his own country, he forgot the perils he had encountered, anticipated the pleasures before him, and so far relaxed from the habitual reserve of his country as to form an acquaintance with a very pleasant Frenchman, who appeared like himself to be only just arrived.

The stranger had, however, the advantage of possessing a dear and intimate friend in Rotterdam, on which account he purposed remaining two days in that busy city before he proceeded to Amsterdam. The arrangement suited Don Raymondo, and they agreed to procced together. M. d'Henin, in the meantime, was much at the house of his friend, who was spoken of as "a princely merchant," and who, on the second day, waited on Don Raymondo, and requested him to accompany his new acquaintance to his house and partake of the family dinner.

The inviter appeared by no means a favorable sample of that glorious people on whom our young Arragonian had bestowed so large a portion of his affection-he was squat in person, coarse in feature, and mingled with much heaviness of countenance a character of cunning, peculiarly disgusting to one so open and high-spirited as Raymondo, and who, accustomed to act from impulse, hesitated not to decline the offered kindness, alleging "the necessity he was under of replenishing his wardrobe before he could enter any gentleman's house in a new country."

The Frenchman with ready kindness obviated all difficulties, and undertook to bring him at the hour appointed, a task rendered much easier by the assurance, "that Mynheer's niece, a countrywoman of his own, was beautiful as an angel, and impatient to see a Spanish gentleman, since it was a pleasure which she had never enjoyed."

The Spaniard was much too gallant to refuse a lady's request, and by no means sorry to meet a Frenchwoman, of whose language he was

perfect master. Besides, he was aware that he could only understand the characters of those whom he desired to appreciate by seeing them in domestic life; nor can we suppose him insensible to the admiration which he was so well formed to awaken.

They went at a late hour in the Spaniard's estimation, but the season was summer, and it was not much past the middle of the day. They found no other company than the master of the house and Mademoiselle Louise, who was indeed a very handsome, though not a very young woman, and possessed in an extraordinary degree those powers of light conversation and amusing badinage, for which her countrywomen had been long celebrated. The house was large and splendidly furnished, and care had been taken to provide such dishes and wines as were likely to please the palate of the Spanish guest, to whose amusement the lady more particularly applied herself. Indeed, after dinner, M. d'Henin entered into so warm an argument with his host respecting either the name of a ship, or the lading, as to be quite absorbed in the subject, and, at length, both started on their feet, and professed a determination of satisfying each other by stepping to see the object of their contention.

Louise, who had been coquetting in the most agreeable manner for the last hour with the young stranger, approved their determination, at the same time leading Don Raymondo towards another apartment, to which she had ordered coffee to be brought. Before they had taken their seats, however, she said, “If he had a taste for natural curiosities she would show him her museum, for her uncle's extensive commerce had enabled her to make a valuable collection of minerals, shells, and such like things."

The stranger knew that such pursuits were common in the country, and professed, of course, a desire to visit the lady's museum.

The large bunch of keys taken by Mademoiselle for this purpose communicated an idea of some very extensive repository; nevertheless when, after traversing a long narrow passage and descending some steps, they entered a kind of grotto, they came to so miserable a collection of fossils, that even a Spaniard found it difficult to compliment the fair

owner.

"You are disappointed here, I see, signor, but we will proceed to my shells."

Another door was unlocked, a few more steps passed, and a small room, lighted from the roof, was displayed; this was certainly better worth seeing than the last, but Mademoiselle said, that "this was inferior to the next," which, in its turn, was visited by the same medium as the last.

Here the stores in question were deposited in one large cupboard. They were all of the most common kind; and, as the place was very chill to one who had so lately left a much warmer country, Don Raymondo would willingly have given them a very cursory view, but the lady lingered on each, and, as she put one after another into his hand, her own trembled, and it was evident, even in this dimly lighted place, that she blushed excessively. At length, as if suddenly recollecting herself, she opened another door, saying, she had "reserved the best for the last."

Again they descended, again entered a small ornamented and unfurnished room, in which, as in the last, was a kind of press or cupboard.

"Ah! how thoughtless I am! " cried Louise; "I have forgotten the very key I wanted most, but I will fetch it in a moment."

"Not for the world would I give you that trouble," said Raymondo; but the nymph had already vanished, and, what was more strange, she had locked the door after her, notwithstanding the rapidity of her flight.

In another moment he heard the lock of the next door turn, and, straining his ears, learned from the sound that the lock beyond that was also turned. Unpleasant thoughts came over him-" but perhaps she was careful of her trumpery shell? perhaps she was practising some jest upon him?-he would show her that he could bear it."

He had abundance of time allowed for observation. There was no skylight in this place, nor any window, save a square opening in the wall, which was higher than his head, and admitted so small a portion of light, that it could not have displayed the contents of the cupboard.-"It was possible that Louise was waiting for lights"-this consolation in time departed, for it was evident that the sun was setting-she must have returned to the room they had quitted considerably more than an hour.

Awakened perforce to a thousand horrible suspicions, Raymondo used the little light he had to examine the door which he had passed, and was soon convinced that it had been formed for purposes of extraordinary security. There was an opposite outlet, which was scarcely four feet high, but not less strong, and which appeared to be fastened on the outside. In examining the cupboard, he found that its doors yielded to his hand immediately, and that, so far from being a depository of shells, it contained a straw mattress at the bottom, whilst on a shelf were deposited a folding-seat, a cheese, and some biscuit, with a pitcher of water.

As he drew forth these strange contents, one after another, the overwhelming idea that he was entrapped and imprisoned, and should shortly be murdered, pressed every moment more strongly on his mind, The hesitation and blushes of the fair fiend who had betrayed him confirmed his fears, and the recollection that his sword had been taken by the Frenchman, as an act of

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