How vain is the jealousy of female education, and of the advancement of the relative condition of that sex! The priority of man in society, is quite indefeasible. It rests on his inherent superiority of strength, bodily and mental. The more perfectly the powers of both sexes are drawn forth, the more clearly will their relative rights be established; the better appointed will be the social functions of each; the more effectually will the benefits of civilization be spread; and the more certainly may the limits to the prerogatives of the inferior be placed, where, resting on natural laws, it will be felt that they are profitable to both. He who desires to place them anywhere else, is neither a philosopher nor a Christian.

The improvement in the present day is indisputable, but unhappily it bears a low proportion to the wants of society, or to that desire for happiness which is as lawful in woman as in man.

That the condition of women, taken generally, is such as no man would bear in his own case, will be scarcely disputed, whether it be thought feasible to relieve them or not*. But collectively that sex has acquired such extensive influence, that if it be not exercised rightly, the evils to society are beyond calculation.

Sensible to this truth, and taking more enlarged views of benevolence, the philosophers of the present day are generally the earnest advocates for improving the education, and increasing the rights of women. Many women have taken a very honourable place

* Sce Note C. at the end of the volume.

in literature and science; but if we were to take the acquirements of such women, as a criterion of the nature and objects of female education in general, we should be much mistaken. Their knowledge is a proof of the spirit of the age, in spite of their edu

cation.

It would be found on inquiry, that far the greater · number of women, who have attained any distinction, have been self-taught; that their education tended more to repress and misdirect, than to assist them; or if otherwise, that it was their own persevering predilection for particular studies, which extorted instruction from a parent's indulgence, rather - than the parent's authority or influence that inspired useful tastes.

The growth of this spirit is a great step in advance. But it is not enough. Self-instruction chas a tendency rather to stimulate talent than to give judgment; but the object of education should be much more to give judgment and conduct, than to stimulate particular talents. Certainly, good education should embrace both objects. But the persons born with such abilities, as to produce anything of great importance to society, are comparatively few, and they generally possess an ardent temperament which makes them conquer impediments, and avail themselves of every advantage. Judgment and conduct, on the other side are necessary for all mankind, and are the best foundation for genius to work upon, as well as for common understanding.

In the education of women, there is great but misdirected effort, and the prejudice against giving

them enlarged and solid knowledge still holds tenasciously in general society.

It is the custom with men to discourage their learning, and yet despise them for ignorance. They treat the follies, which are the natural and inevitable consequences of an uneducated mind, alternately with acrimony and satire, but reward their attempts at learning with a sneer*.

It is impossible not to be struck with the in-creasing disposition to consider their rights as fellow-creatures, and as citizens. In those unfortunate cases, which bring domestic dissensions before the public, the pride of power is silenced. Often the tone of levity is forgotten, and a generous spirit of justice is brought to their assistance, to measure their provocations, make allowance for their temptations, or avenge with public indignation those abuses of power, which no law can reach.

Whether society be improving generally, is a question of no easy solution. Perplexed by the eddies which surround himself, each person forms a different judgment of the tendency of the general

current.

Our characters and manners have gathered partial deposits from all the great tides of opinion and passion, that have varied the course of our eventful history. But one truth is incontestible-whatever decision we come to, from comparing the virtues of one period with those of another, mental excitement is far more widely extended than ever was known before. The progress of wealth, the dissemination

* See Note D. at the end of the volume.

of knowledge, and the extraordinary reverses which have agitated the political world, have shaken the body of mankind out of that resemblance to flocks and herds, which has hitherto been the description of the bulk of the people. And in a period of such general and unaccustomed excitement, when the seeds both of good and evil have more than ordinary vitality, it is a source of deep concern to perceive, that ignorance on subjects of universal and serious importance, should by all be considered the privilege, and by many the duty, of one half of the community.

It is under an earnest conviction of the evils of that prejudice, and of the great social advantages of raising the education and the position of the female sex, that the attention of the reader is besought to the following inquiry.

CHAPTER III.

ON THE GROUNDS AND LIMITS OF FEMALE

SUBORDINATION.

SECTION I.

That Christianity has been favourable to Women.

CHRISTIANITY has done more to raise and uphold the condition of women than any other cause.

We have no reason to suppose the station they held under the simple manners of the ancient Germans, could have been maintained through the long ages of barbarism and corruption that succeeded. Slight as the preceding sketch has been, it suffices. to show how strong is the tendency in mankind to oppress the weak; and in how many respects, the ferocity of the Middle Ages was reducing women to the condition of mere property. Had our rude ancestors met with a religion less pointedly favourable to women, it is probable they would have been finally little less degraded than they still are in the East. In some of its most corrupted forms, indeed, one is tempted to question whether Christianity were much better than the superstitions it exploded. But through all its perversions, a spirit had been spread by it, directly favourable to the female sex.

It could never more be concealed from those who embraced it, that before God all mankind were equal. The restraint the religion imposed on the