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Some of these disadvantages will not be met with in any republic, and particularly in that where the general aim is to promote the progress of mental improvement. Perhaps it may be natural to expect, that, in such a state, literature, pro, perly so called, may fall entirely to the lot of women; while men devote themselves solely to the higher branches of phi losophy.

The education of women has, in all free countries, been adapted to the peculiar constitution established in each: at Sparta they were accustomed to the exercise of war; at Rome, austere and patriotic virtues were required of them. If, therefore, it is wished that the principal object of the French republic should be emulation in mental improvement and philosophy, it would surely be a rational plan to promote the cultivation of the female mind, in order that men may find companions with whom they may converse on subjects the most interesting to themselves.

Nevertheless, since the revolution, men have thought it politically and morally desirable to reduce the female mind to the most absurd mediocrity: the conversation they have addressed to women has been in a language as devoid of delicacy as of sense; and, consequently, the latter have had no inducement to excite the powers of their understanding. We do not, however, find that all this has tended to the improvement of manners. It is not by contracting the sphere of ideas that the simplicity of the primitive ages can be restored; and the only result of such a system is, that less understanding has produced less delicacy, less respect for public opinion, and fewer means of supporting solitude. What is applicable to every thing that regards the understanding, has in this instance come to pass. It has always been thought, that to enlighten the mind has been productive of evil consequences; to repair which, reason has been made to take a retrograde course ; whereas, the evil arising from mental improvement can be corrected only by a still further progress in that very im provement. Either morality is a fable, or the more enlightened we are, the more attached to it we become.

If, indeed, the French could inspire their women with all the virtues of the English women, with their modest manners, and their taste for solitude; they would do well to prefer such qualities to all the gifts of shining abilities: but probably all they could obtain from their countrywomen would be, to read nothing and to know nothing; in conversation, to be totally incapable of an interesting idea, a happy expression, or an elegant diction; and, far from being more domesticated by this charming scheme of ignorance, their children would

become less dear to them in proportion as themselves were less able to superintend their education.

The world would become at once more necessary and more dangerous to them, as love would be the only subject of conversation that could be addressed to them; and this subject could no longer be treated with that sort of delicacy which has hitherto been a substitute for morality.

Many advantages highly important to the morality and happiness of a country would be at once lost, if women should ever be rendered totally insipid or frivolous: they would possess fewer means to soften the irritable passions of men; they would no longer, as formerly, maintain a useful ascendency. over matters of opinion, which they have ever animated in every thing that respects humanity, generosity, and delicacy. Women only apart from the interest of politics, and the pursuits of ambition, cast an odium upon all base actions, contemn ingratitude, and honour misfortunes when noble senti ments have brought them on. If in France there no longer existed women sufficiently enlightened to have their judgment attended to, and sufficiently dignified in their manners to inspire real respect, the opinion of society would no longer have any influence over the actions of men.

I believe firmly that in the ancient government, where opinion held so salutary an authority, that authority was the work of women distinguished by their sense and good character; women who were quoted as examples of eloquence, when inspired by some generous resolution, when pleading in the cause of misfortune, or when boldly expressing some sentiment which required the courage to offend against power.

During the course of the revolution, those same women have given the most numerous and convincing proofs of energy and intrepidity. Frenchmen can never become such absolute republicans, as wholly to annihilate the independence and pride natural to the female character. Women had undoubtedly, under the ancient government, too much ascendency in public affairs; but will they become less dangerous, when destitute of all mental improvement, and, consequently, of

reason? From their influence would then arise an immoderate rage for wealth; preferences without discernment, and affection without delicacy; and instead of ennobling, they would degrade the objects of their attachments. Will the state be a gainer by this? The rarely experienced danger of finding a woman whose superiority is out of protection to the lot of her sex in general; ought it to deprive the republic of that celebrity which France enjoyed by the art of pleasing and of living in society? Now, without women, society can be neither agree

able nor interesting; but if they be devoid of sense, or destitute of that grace in conversation which presupposes a distinguished and elegant education, such women are a nuisance instead of an ornament to society; they introduce a sort of foolery, a party spirit of slander, a tiresome, insipid gayety, which must eventually banish all sensible men from their meetings; and thus the once brilliant assemblies of Paris would be reduced to young men who have nothing to do, and young women who have nothing to say.

It is true, that inconveniences will arise in all human affairs; some undoubtedly may be found in the superiority of women, and even in that of men, in the self-love of people of understanding, in the ambition of heroes, the imprudence of superior minds, the irritability of independent characters, the impetuosity of courage, and in many other cases. And must we for these reasons resist with all our power the natural bent of the mind, and direct all our institutions to discourage genius and talents? Indeed it is hardly certain that such discouragement would be favourable either to domestic or public authority. Those women who are destitute of conversable powers, and unversed in literature, have generally the most art in fleeing from their duty; and unenlightened nations know not how to be free, and, therefore, perpetually change their governors.

To enlighten, to instruct, to perfect the education of women as well as that of men, of nations as well as that of individuals; such is still the best secret to attain all reasonable ends, all social and political relations, which we wish to be founded on a durable basis.

The mental improvement of women can surely become an object of fear only through a delicate concern for their happiness. It is possible, that to enlighten their reason may be to give them an insight into the calamities which so frequently fall to their lot but the same argument would be equally applicable to the general effect of mental improvement upon the happiness of the human race; and for my part, I entertain not à doubt upon the subject.

If the condition of the female world in the civil order of things is very defective; surely, to alleviate their situation and not to degrade their mind, is the object most desirable. Assiduously to call forth female sense and reason, is useful both to mental improvement and the happiness of society only one serious misfortune can accrue from the cultivated education which they may have received; and this would be (if by chance any should acquire such distinguished talents) an eager desire of fame: but even this chance would not be

prejudicial to society at large, as it could affect only that small number of women whom nature might devote to the worst of torments-an importunate thirst for superiority.

Let us suppose some female existing, who, seduced by the celebrity of talents, would ardently endeavour to obtain it: how easy would it be to dissuade her, if she had not already advanced too far, to recede? Let her only see how formidable is the destiny she was preparing for herself. Look but into social order, some one might say, and you will soon perceive it is armed at all points against a woman who dares aspire to raise herself to a reputation on a level with that of

men.

No sooner is a woman pointed out as a distinguished person than the public is, in general, prejudiced against her. The vulgar can never judge but after certain rules, which may be adhered to without danger. Every thing which is out of the common course of events, is at first displeasing to those who consider the beaten track of life as the protection for mediocrity even a man of superior talents somewhat startles them; but a woman of shining abilities, being a still greater phenomenon, astonishes, and, consequently, incommodes them much more. Nevertheless, a distinguished man being almost always destined to pursue some important career, his talents may become useful to those yery persons who annex but a trifling value to the charms of reflection. A man of genius may become a man of power; and from this consideration the envious and the weak pay court to him; but a woman of talents can only offer them what they feel no interest about-new ideas or elevated sentiments; the sound of her praise, therefore, only fatigues them.

Fame itself may be even a reproach to a woman; because fame is the reverse of what nature intended for her. Severe virtue condemns celebrity even in what is really praiseworthy in itself, as being in some measure inimical to perfect modesty.

Men of sense, astonished to find rivals amongst the fair sex, can neither judge them with the generosity of an adversary, nor with the indulgence of a protector: and in this new conAlict they adhere neither to the laws of honour, nor to those of good nature.

If, as the greatest misfortune that could befall her, a woman chanced to acquire remarkable celebrity in a time of political dissension, her influence would be thought boundless, even when she attempted not to exert any; the actions of her friends would be all attributed to her she would be hated for whatVOL. I. New Series.

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ever she loved: and this poor defenceless object would be attacked before those who are really formidable were even thought of.

Nothing gives greater scope to vague conjectures, than the uncertain existence of a woman whose name is celebrated, and whose life has been obscure. If the vanity of one man excites derision; if the abhorred character of another makes him sink under the burden of public contempt; if a man of inferior talents fails of some desired success; all are ready to attribute these events to the invisible agency of female power. The ancients persuaded themselves that fate had thwarted their designs, when they could not accomplish them; in our days, self-love, in like manner, wishes to attribute its failures to some secret cause, and not to itself; and the supposed influence of celebrated women might, in cases of necessity, be a substitute for fatality.

Women have no means of manifesting the truth, nor of explaining the particulars of their life: if any calumny is spread concerning them, the public hears it; but their intimate friends alone can judge of the truth. What authentic means can a woman have to prove the falsity of scandalous reports? A calumniated man replies by his actions to an accusing world, and may justly say,

"Let the tenor of my life speak for me."

But of what service is such a testimony to a woman? Some private virtues; some good deeds, scarcely known; some sentiments confined to the narrow circle in which she was destined to move; some writings which may render her name celebrated in countries of which she is not an inhabitant, and at a time when, perhaps, she has ceased to exist.

A man may, even in his works, refute the calumnies of which he is become the object: but as to women, to defend themselves is an additional disadvantage; to justify themselves a new alarm. They are conscious of a purity and delicacy in their nature, which the notice even of the public will tarnish; sense, talents, an impassioned mind, may induce them to emerge from the cloud in which they ought always to be enveloped; but they never cease to recur to it with regret as their safest asylum.

Women, however distinguished they may be, tremble at the aspect of malevolence; and although courageous in adversity, enmity intimidates them: they are exalted by reflection, but weakness and sensibility must ever be the leading features of their character. The generality of those whose superior talents have inspired them with a desire of fame,

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