paratively but to a few perfons, and thofe only of confiderable rank, the generality of the female fex being in a ftate of ignorance. There was by no means that diffufion of knowledge, that cultivation of mind, that tafte for books, which we now meet with in almost every company of ladies. Neither do we find that the learned women of the fixteenth century produced fuch works as have continued to be read much by pofterity. The most important production of any of fir Anthony Cook's daughters, was lady Bacon's tranflation of bithop Jewel's Apology; and yet, who but an antiquary would now feek for it, or give himfelf the trouble of perufing it? Not a fingle portefs deferving to be mentioned, arofe in this country till the feventeenth century. The duchefs of Newcattle, Mrs. Katherine Philips, and Mrs. Behn, appear to have been the first who could, in any degree, me:it that appellation. If we come do to later times, we shall be fenfibie that, independently of poetry, the learned women of the fixteenth century have been far exceeded by the ingenious ladies of the prefent age, both in the general and extenfive utility of their writings, and in the elegance of compofition. We pretend not to enumerate all thofe whose works will be read and admired by fucceeding generations; but it is impoffible, whilft we are treating on fuch a fubject, to forget the names of a Cockburn, a Rowe, a Montagu, a Carter, a Chapone, a More, and a Barbauld. We are fpeaking of profe works only, fince otherwife we could not avoid adding to the catalogue a Seward and a Williams. Neither does novel-writ. ing come under our immediate view, to which fo many, perhaps too many, female authors apply them felves, though none with a fuccefs equal to that of a Burney.

There is a remark to be made con

eining the difference between the iterature of the ladies of the fix teenth century, and that of the women of more recent times. The former entered deeply into the study of the ancient languages, whilft the latter, befides acquiring a skill in the modern tongues, especially the French and the Italian, have paid their principal attention to the cultivation of general knowledge. Some of them, however, have been no fmall proficients in the learning of antiquity. Mrs. Carter flands, without competition, at the head of her fex in this respect; having difplayed her accurate acquaintance with the Greek writings and philofophy, in a manner highly honourable to hertelf and advantageous to the world. How admirably Mrs. Barbauld hath entered into the spirit of the Latin claffics, is apparent from the uncommon propriety and beauty of her mottos. Mrs. Montagu, in her admirable Effay on the Writings and Genius of Shakspeare, hath fhewn that, amongst the other qualifications neceffary to conftitute a critic of the first order, fuch as a penetrating mind, a fine tatte, and a correct and elegant ftyle, fhe is wel: acquainted with ancient literature, and rich in the ftores of various knowledge.

Another circumstance obfervable in the learned ladies of the fixteenth century is, that they were most eminent for their piety. Religion was deeply impreffed upon their minds, and, agreeably to the fashion of the times, religion was almoft the fole topic of their writings. It is pleaf ing to reflect, that the best female" authors of the present day are not inferior to them in pious and virtu ous principles and conduct. Those who have the happinefs of a perfonal intimacy with Mrs. Montagu, Mrs. Carter, Mrs. Barbauld, Mrs Chapone, and Mifs Hannah More, will know that we speak the truth; to

Ludicrous Anecdote of French Gallantry.

which may be added, that these ladies are unaffected in their manners, and that they do not esteem themselves above the ordinary duties of domeftic life.

(From Mariti's Travels through Syria the borders of the rivulet before we

Another caufe of taciturnity is an exceffive diffidence; and this quality is often found in men of the moft amiable tempers and difpofitions. T'heir feelings are fo delicate, and their modefty fo invincible, that though they are often the best quali fied to make a good appearance in converfation, they give up all pres tenfions to excellence, and content themfelves with becoming hearers only.

This weaknefs, though excufable in itself, is yet injurious to fociety, as it prevents the communication of many ideas and opinions which are calculated to improve mankind, and to fweeten the pleasures of friendly affociation.

There are various motives for taciturnity. Some perfons are afraid of expong themfelves to danger, and others to contempt It is certain that a man who communicates all his thoughts without referve is very likely to fay fomething which he may with in vain to retract. A word once uttered can never be recalled; and many a one," fays an ancient," has repented of hav-no lefs often than diffidence. There ing spoken, but scarcely one of having kept filence."

But this regard for fafety may certainly be carried too far. The extreme felfinets from which referve often proceeds, is by no means amiable. Caution is certainly, neceffary in what we utter, but it does not follow that the fame caution fhould deter us from uttering at all, Neither our words nor our affairs ufually make that impreffion on others which our vanity is apt to conceive. If we are of fuch confequence as that our comparisons may find their intereft in ftudying every part of our conversation and action, it will then become neceffary to be oracular or filent. Or if we are fo unfortunate as to have chofen our companions among the bafe and treacherous, it will certainly be right to keep our mouths as it were with a bridle. But in this case the best advice that can be given is, that we abandon the company in which we cannot confide. In general we may we may conclude, that there is not fo much danger in fpeaking, if we take care to regulate our words by prudence, as to justify a fingular taciturnity.

But pride is a cause of taciturnity,

are many perfons who think the company which they keep, for the fake of ceremony or in compliance with form, not worthy the honour of hearing the communication of their fapient cogitations. They obferve alfo that filence gives the ap pearance of wisdom; and they are confcious that they poffefs no method of acquiring the character of wifdom fo eafily as by filence. This requires no exertion of ingenuity or invention, but is often the natural refult of fullen pride and fubtle artifice.

Pride is fo often united with illnature, that they may, I believe, be called infeparable companions; and it is undoubtedly true, that tacitur nity is frequently caused by illnature; but let not moroseness and fullennefs, expreffed by a haughty and contemptuous filence, pafs for wisdom, virtue, and erudition.

Stupidity is among the principal caufes of taciturnity. If a fubject arifes which requires knowledge and elegance in its difcuffion, many per fons are condemned to an involuntary filence. And indeed taciturnity in this cafe, is the only quality