It is this reference to the collective effects of conduct and actions which produces the generous spirit of a citizen. For while a person thinks of nothing but the immediate consequences of his conduct to himself or his own circle, though he keep free from great vice, and even have some good feelings, he may still be but a selfish, insignificant being, or part of a mischievous mass.

With these views the writer, after some preliminary observations in the first and second chapters on the condition of women in different stages of civilization, proceeds in the third to examine the grounds and the limits of their subordination on the principles of justice.

In the fourth, their present condition is considered with respect to its advantages, its evils, and the means within their own control of improving it further, through the beneficial influence they might exert on society.

In the fifth, such of the defective conditions of society are remarked as seem capable of being improved by the spreading of well-chosen knowledge, and the early implanting of certain good principles, now too little attended to. For both these purposes, it is contended that the abilities and opportunities of women are peculiarly adapted.

In the three following, the subject of the last chapter is developed and made practical by examining, under the heads of luxury, frivolity, and igno

rance, those habits and manners which come within either the control or the influence of women.

It had been the original plan to add another part to the work, consisting of reflections on the principles of female education, on the cultivation of the mind, and on the effects and uses of particular branches of study. But without some certainty that the present volumes will be read, it seemed imprudent to extend the work.

In the prosecution of this plan the writer has been painfully conscious that some of the discussions, to the learned, will have the air of elaborate truisms; to the uninstructed, others will appear difficult. The first class are entreated to recollect, that much which is obvious to them is quite the reverse to the unthinking; that from their own habits they cannot be fully aware how wide, in the minds of the many, is the distance between assent to a proposition, and the power of applying it to practice; and to bear in mind that the present purpose is not to unfold new truths, but to render what are established, known and practical. The latter class must be reminded that it was sometimes essential to ground the argument on principles that would bear rigid examination; and they must be aware that such examinations cannot be followed without an effort of attention which may be painful to some persons. This work, though not written for the highly instructed, assuredly aims at their

sanction; and, therefore, the doctrines it contains might not be left without solid proof, unless where apparently incapable of dispute.

The reader will not fail to be struck with some repetitions. They are not the result of carelessness, but are intended to connect certain principles with the several subjects to which they apply, and to keep them steadily before the mind.

The writer may be utterly deceived as to the utility of these speculations; but it will, perhaps, be received as a defence from the charge of presumption, that they have not been proposed to the consideration of others without many years of labour, as assiduous as the duties of life would permit.

NOTICE.

THIS work was printed and ready for publication last July, but it was deemed unadvisable to bring it forward so late in the season. Since then, or while it was yet in the press, and too late to make any additions, works have appeared, which otherwise should not have been passed over without notice. Some public transactions, which bore on a branch of the subject, have also been unavoidably left without any allusion. In particular, the writer regrets that she could not avail herself of the strength that her arguments might have derived from the evidence recently brought forward by Lord Ashley and others respecting infant labour. But she trusts that the course of events which may have left her details incomplete, will but confirm the principles she has advocated. To her mind they rise every day with fresh conviction, but as the time of publication approaches, and she coolly reviews her own pages, she cannot resist adopting the following words to express her feelings: "I sometimes lose all courage, and wonder what fond opinion of my talents could ever have induced me