PREFACE.

_Prefaces to most Books, are like Prolocutors to Puppet-Shows, they come

first to tell you what Figures are to be presented, and what Tricks they

are to play. According therefore to ancient and laudable Custom, I have

thought fit to let you know by way of Preface, or Advertisement, (call

it which you please) that here are many fine Figures within to be seen,

as well worth your curiosity, as any in_ Smithfield _at_ Bartholomew

_Tide. I will not deny, Reader, but that you may have seen some of ’em

there already; to those that have, I have little more to say, than that

if they have a mind to see them again in Effigie, they may do it here.

What is it you wou’d have? Here are St._ George’s, Batemans, John

Dories, Punchinello’s, _and the_ Creation of the World, _or what’s as

good; here’s the_ German Artist _too, or one that can show more Tricks

than he: If all this will not invite you, y’are grown more squeamish of

late, Gentlemen, than you us’d to be, and the poor Bookseller will make

but an indifferent Market of you. Well, let the worst come to the worst,

’tis but shifting the scene to_ Smithfield, _and making an Interest in

half a dozen Vizor-Masks to be sure of your Company: But he, good Man,

is desirous to please you at first hand, and therefore has put a fine

Picture in the front to invite you in, so like some of you (as he

protests) that you ought never look in a Glass again, if it offends you.

For my part, I declare, he has acted clear against my Opinion in this

case, and so he has been told; for many a poor Man has lost the showing

of his Monster, by gratifying the curiosity of the gaping Crowd with too

exact a picture without doors. Besides, there’s an unlucky Rogue of a

left-handed Barber, that looks like an ill Omen in the beginning. He was

told too, that if he wou’d please most of you, he ought to take example

by your Glasses and flatter you. Yet he continued obstinate and

unmoveable to all these weighty Reasons, and is so fondly bent for his

Picture, that he resolv’d against all advice to have it. Nay, and he

wou’d have Rhimes underneath it too, which, he says, weigh more with

you, than all the Reason in the world. I thought fit to let you know

this, that the Bookseller might not lose the credit of his Fancy, if it

takes with you, as he is perswaded it will. For you must know, I am a

great lover of strict Justice, and therefore would by no means Rob, or

Defraud him of the Glory of his Invention, or by any sinister way

sullie, or diminish the Honour, or Reputation of his Parts and

Ingenuity. For the same Reason likewise I must acquaint you, that the

Rhimes are none of mine neither; and now my Hand is in, I don’t much

care if I tell you, that I am not very good at that ingenious

Recreation, called_ Crambo, _from which some rise to be very

considerable Rhimers. This now is more then I was oblig’d to tell you,

and therefore I hope no body will deny, but that I deal ingenuously at

least with you._

_This one would think were Preface sufficient; but there are some Men so

impertinently curious, that they must needs have a Reason for every

thing, that is done in the World, tho’ it were in their favour (for

which perhaps it were hard to give a good one) when it were their

Interest to be satisfied, and thankful without further enquiry. To

comply therefore in some measure with the humour of these People, if any

such think fit to peruse this Book, I must tell ’em very freely, that I

was so far from aiming to oblige, or disoblige ’em by it, that it was

never intended for their View. It was occasion’d by a private

Conversation, between some Gentlemen and Ladies, and written at the

request, and for the Diversion of one Lady more particularly, by whom

with my consent it was communicated to two or three more of both Sexes,

my Friends likewise._

_By them I was with abundance of Complements importun’d to make it

publick; now tho’ I do with good Reason attribute much more, of what was

said to me upon this Occasion, to their good Breeding and Friendship,

than to their real Opinions of my Performance; yet I have so much

satisfaction in their Sincerity, and Friendship as to be confident they

would not suffer, much less perswade me to expose to the world any

thing, of which they doubted so far, as to think it would not be

tollerably acceptable. Nor have I less assurance of their Judgment and

Skill in things of this nature, beside that I have been inform’d by some

of ’em, that it has been seen, and favourably receiv’d by some

Gentlemen, whom the world thinks no incompetent Judges. After all this

Encouragement, I suppose, I shall not be thought vain, if, as I pretend

not to the applause, so I fear not the contempt of the world: Yet I

presume not so far upon the Merits of what I have written, as to make my

Name publick with it. I have elsewhere held, that Vanity was almost the

universal mover of all our Actions, and consequently of mine, as well as

of others; yet it is not strongenough in me, to induce me to bring my

Name upon the publick stage of the World._

_There are many Reasons, that oblige me to this cautious, reserv’d way

of procedure; tho’ I might otherwise be very ambitious of appearing in

the defence of my Sex, cou’d I perswade my self, that I was able to

write any thing sutable to the dignity of the Subject, which I am not

vain enough to think. This indeed is one Reason, because I am sensible

it might have been much better defended by abler Pens; such as many

among our own Sex are; though I believe scarce thus much wou’d have been

expected from me, by those that know me. There is likewise another

Reason, which was yet more prevalent with me, and with those few Friends

whom I consulted about it, which is this; There are a sort of Men, that

upon all occasions think themselves more concern’d, and more thought of

than they are, and that, like Men that are deaf, or have any other

notorious Defect, can see no body whisper, or laugh, but they think ’tis

at themselves. These Men are apt to think, that every ridiculous

description they meet with, was intended more particularly for some one

or other of them; as indeed it is hard to paint any thing compleat in

their several Kinds, without hitting many of their particular Features,

even without drawing from them. The knowledge of this, with the

consideration of the tenderness of Reputation in our Sex, (which as our

delicatest Fruits and finest Flowers are most obnoxious to the injuries

of Weather, is submitted to every infectious Blast of malicious Breath)

made me very cautious, how I expos’d mine to such poisonous Vapours. I

was not ignorant, how liberal some Men are of their Scandal, whenever

provok’d, especially by a Woman; and how ready the same Men are to be

so, tho upon never so mistaken Grounds. This made me resolve to keep ’em

in Ignorance of my Name, and if they have a mind to find me out, let ’em

catch me (if they can) as Children at Blindmans Buff do one another,

Hoodwinkt; and I am of Opinion I have room enough to put ’em out of

Breath before they come near me._

_The Event has in Effect prov’d my suspicions Prophetick; for there are

(as I am inform’d) already some, so forward to interest themselves

against me, that they take Characters upon themselves, before they see

’em; and, for fear they should want some Body to throw their Dirt at,

with equal Ignorance, and Injustice Father this Piece upon the

Gentleman, who was so kind as to take care of the Publication of it,

only to excuse me from appearing. This made me once resolve to oppose my

Innocence to their Clamour, and perfix my Name, which I thought I was

bound to do in Justice to him. In this Resolution I had persisted, had

not the very same Gentleman generously perswaded, and over-rul’d me to

the contrary, representing how weak a defence Innocence is against

Calumny, how open the Ears of all the World are, and how greedily they

suck in any thing to the prejudice of a Woman; and that (to use his own

Expression) the scandal of such Men, was like Dirt thrown by Children,

and Fools at random, and without Provocation, it would dawb filthily at

first, though it were easily washt off again: Adding, that he desir’d me

not to be under any concern for him; for he valued the Malice of such

men, as little, as their Friendship, the one was as feeble, as tother

false._

_I suppose I need make no Apology to my own Sex for the meaness of this

defence; the bare intention of serving ’em will I hope be accepted, and

of Men, the Candid and Ingenuous I am sure will not quarrel with me for

any thing in this little Book; since there is nothing in it, which was

not drawn from the strictest Reason I was Mistress of, and the best

Observations I was able to make, except a start or two only concerning

the Salique Law, and the_ Amazons, _which, if they divert not the

Reader, can’t offend him_.

_I shall not trouble the Reader with any account of the Method I have

observ’d, he will easily discover that in reading the Piece it self. I

shall only take notice to him of one thing, which with a little

attention to what he reads he will readily find to be true, that is,

that the Characters were not written out of any Wanton Humour, or

Malicious Design to characterize any Particular Persons, but to

illustrate what I have said upon the several Heads, under which they are

rang’d, and represent not single Men, but so many Clans, or Divisions of

Men, that play the Fool seriously in the World. If any Individual seem

to be more peculiarly markt, it is because he is perhaps more notorious

to the World, by some one or more Articles of the General Character here

given I am sure that there is no Man, who is but moderately Acquainted

with the World, especially this Town, but may find half a Dozen, or more

Originals for every Picture. After all, if any Man have so little Wit,

as to appropriate any of these Characters to himself, He takes a liberty

I have hitherto never given him, but shall do it now in the Words of a

Great Man_, If any Fool finds the Cap fit him, let him put it on.

_There are some Men, (I hear) who will not allow this Piece to be

written by a Woman; did I know what Estimate to make of their Judgments,

I might perhaps have a higher Opinion of this Triffle, than I ever yet

had. For I little thought while I was writing this, that any Man

(especially an Ingenious Man) should have the scandal of being the

reputed Author. For he must think it scandalous to be made to Father a

Womans Productions unlawfully. But these Gentlemen, I suppose, believe

there is more Wit, than they’l find in this Piece, upon the Credit of

the Bookseller, whose Interest it is to flatter it. But were it as well

written as I could wish it, or as the Subject wou’d bear, and deserves;

I see no reason why our Sex shou’d be robb’d of the Honour of it; Since

there have been Women in all Ages, whose Writings might vie with those

of the greatest Men, as the Present Age as well as past can testifie. I

shall not trouble the Reader with their names, because I wou’d not be

thought so vain, as to rank my self among ’em; and their names are

already too well known, and celebrated to receive any additional Lustre

from so weak Encomiums as mine. I pretend not to imitate, much less to

Rival those Illustrious Ladies, who have done so much Honour to their

Sex, and are unanswerable Proofs of, what I contend for. I only wish,

that some Ladies now living among us (whose names I forbear to mention

in regard to their Modesty) wou’d exert themselves, and give us more

recent Instances, who are both by Nature and Education sufficiently

qualified to do it, which I pretend not to. I freely own to the Reader,

that I know no other Tongue besides my Native, except_ French, _in which

I am but very moderately skill’d. I plead not this to excuse the meaness

of my Performance; because I know, I may reasonably be ask’d, why I was

so forward to write; For that I have already given my reasons above, if

they will not satisfie the Reader, he must endeavour to please himself

with better, for I am very little solicitous about the matter. I shall

only add, that for my Good Will I hope the Favour of my own Sex, which

will satisfie my Ambition._

To the Most Ingenious Mrs. —— or her Admirable Defence of Her Sex.

Long have we sung the Fam’d _Orinda_’s praise,

And own’d _Astrea_’s Title to the Bays,

We to their Wit have paid the Tribute due,

But shou’d be Bankrupt, before just to you.

Sweet flowing Numbers, and fine Thoughts they writ;

But you Eternal Truths, as well as Wit.

In them the Force of Harmony we find,

In you the Strength, and Vigour of the Mind.

Dark Clouds of Prejudice obscur’d their Verse,

You with Victorious Prose those Clouds disperse:

Those Foggs, which wou’d not to their Flame submit,

Vanish before your Rising Sun of Wit.

Like Stars, they only in Themselves were bright,

The whole Sex shines by your reflected Light.

Our Sex have long thro’ Usurpation reign’d,

And by their Tyranny their Rule maintain’d.

Till wanton grown with Arbitrary Sway

Depos’d by you They practice to obey,

Proudly submitting, when such Graces meet,

Beauty by Nature, and by conquest Wit.

For Wit they had on their own Sex entail’d,

Till for your self, and Sex you thus prevail’d.

Thrice happy Sex! Whose Foes such Pow’r disarms,

And gives fresh Lustre to your native Charms,

Whose Nervous Sense couch’d in close Method lies,

Clear as her Soul, and piercing as her Eyes.

If any yet so stupid shou’d appear,

As still to doubt, what she has made so clear,

Her Beautie’s Arguments they would allow,

And to Her Eyes their full Conversion owe.

And by Experiment the World convince.

The Force of Reason’s less, than that of Sense.

Your Sex you with such Charming Grace defend,

While that you vindicate, you Ours amend:

We in your Glass may see each foul defect.

And may not only see, but may correct.

In vain old _Greece_ her Sages would compare,

They taught what Men should be, you what they are

With doubtfull Notiones they Mankind perplext,

And with unpracticable Precept vext.

In vain they strove wild Passions to reclaim,

Uncertain what they were, or whence they came.

But you, who have found out their certain Source,

May with a happier Hand divert their Course.

Themselves so little did those Sages know,

That to their Failings We their Learning owe.

Their Vanity first caus’d ’em to aspire,

And with feirce Wranglings set all _Greece_ on Fire:

Thus into sects they split the _Grecian_ youth,

Contending more for Victory than Truth.

Your Speculations nobler Ends persue,

They aim not to be Popular, but true.

You with strict Justice in an equal Light,

Expose both Wit and Folly to our Sight,

Yet as the Bee secure on Poyson feeds,

Extracting Honey from the rankest Weeds:

So safely you in Fools Instructours find,

And Wisdom in the Follies of mankind.

With purer Waves henceforth shall Satyr flow,

And we this change to your chast Labours owe;

Satyr before from a Polluted Source

Brought Native Filth, augmented in its course.

No longer muddy shall those Streams appear,

Which you have purg’d, and made so sweet, and clear.

Well may your Wit to us a wonder seem,

So strong’s the Current, yet so clear the stream,

Deep, but not Dull, thro’ each transparent Line

We see the Gems, which at the Bottom shine.

To your Correction freely we submit,

Who teach us Modesty, as well as Wit.

Our Sex with Blushes must your Conquest own,

While yours prepare the Garlands you have won.

Your Fame secure long as your Sex shall last,

Nor Time, nor Envy shall your Lawrels blast.

_James Drake._

_The Reader is desir’d to excuse, and correct all Literal Escapes, and

to amend the following thus._

_Errata:_

Page 4. l. 10. for _Engenia_, read _Eugenia_, p. 10. l. 22. for _that_,

read _the_, p. 28. l. 16. for _Mammy_, read _Mummy_. p. 29. l. 13. for

_change_, read _chance_. p. 32. l. 4. for _Repetion_, read _Repetition_,

p. 53. l. 4. for _Essay_, read _Esop_. p. 53. l. 13 for _Messieurs_,

read _Sieurs_. p. 60. l. 2. read _upon us_. p. 84. l. 1. for _and

these_, read _these_. p. 103. l. 23. for _little_ read _little_. p. 111.

l. 12, for _ocsicaons_, read _occasions_. p. 113. l. 1 for _Master_,

read _Mastery_. p. 126. l. 20. for _as well_, read _as well as_. p. 143.

l. 9. for _inspire_, read _inspires_.

AN

ESSAY

In Defence of the

Female Sex, _&c._

The Conversation we had ’tother day, makes me, Dear _Madam_, but more

sensible of the unreasonableness of your desire; which obliges me to

inform you further upon a Subject, wherein I have more need of your

instruction. The strength of Judgment, sprightly Fancy, and admirable

Address; you shew’d upon that Occasion, speak you so perfect a Mistress

of that Argument (as I doubt not but you are of any other that you

please to engage in) that whoever, would speak or write well on it,

ought first to be your Schollar. Yet to let you see how absolutely you

may command me, I had rather be your _Eccho_, than be silent when You

bid me speak, and beg your excuse rather for my Failures, than want of

Complacence. I know You will not accuse me for a Plagiary if I return

You nothing, but what I have glean’d from You, when You consider, that I

pretend not to make a Present, but to pay the Interest only of a Debt.

Nor can You tax me with Vanity, since no Importunity of a Person less

lov’d, or valu’d by me than your self could have extorted thus much from

me. This Consideration leaves me no room to doubt but that you will with

your usual Candour pardon those Defects, and correct those Errors, which

proceed only from an over forward Zeal to oblige You, though to my own

Disadvantage.

The defence of our Sex against so many and so great Wits as have so

strongly attack’d it, may justly seem a Task too difficult for a Woman

to attempt. Not that I can, or ought to yield, that we are by Nature

less enabled for such an Enterpize, than Men are; which I hope at least

to shew plausible Reasons for, before I have done: But because through

the Usurpation of Men, and the Tyranny of Custom (here in _England_

especially) there are at most but few, who are by Education, and

acquir’d Wit, or Letters sufficiently quallified for such an

Undertaking. For my own part I shall readily own, that as few as there

are, there may be and are abundance, who in their daily Conversations

approve themselves much more able, and sufficient Assertors of our

Cause, than my self; and I am sorry that either their Business, their

other Diversions, or too great Indulgence of their Ease, hinder them

from doing publick Justice to their Sex. The Men by Interest or

Inclination are so generally engag’d against us, that it is not to be

expected, that any one Man of Wit should arise so generous as to engage

in our Quarrel, and be the Champion of our Sex against the Injuries and

Oppressions of his own. Those Romantick days are over, and there is not

so much as a _Don Quixot_ of the Quill left to succour the distressed

Damsels. ’Tis true, a Feint of something of this Nature was made three

or four Years since by one; but how much soever his Eugenia may be

oblig’d to him, I am of Opinion the rest of her Sex are but little

beholding to him. For as you rightly observ’d, _Madam_, he has taken

more care to give an Edge to his Satyr, than force to his Apology; he

has play’d a sham Prize, and receives more thrusts than he makes; and

like a false Renegade fights under our Colours only for a fairer

Opportunity of betraying us. But what could be expected else from a

Beau? An Annimal that can no more commend in earnest a Womans Wit, than

a Man’s Person, and that compliments ours, only to shew his own good

Breeding and Parts. He levels his Scandal at the whole Sex, and thinks

us sufficiently fortified, if out of the Story of Two Thousand Years he

has been able to pick up a few Examples of Women illustrious for their

Wit, Learning or Vertue, and Men infamous for the contrary; though I

think the most inveterate of our Enemies would have spar’d him that

labour, by granting that all Ages have produc’d Persons famous or

infamous of both Sexes; or they must throw up all pretence to Modesty,

or Reason.

I have neither Learning, nor Inclination to make a Precedent, or indeed

any use of Mr. W’s. labour’d Common Place Book; and shall leave Pedants

and School-Boys to rake and tumble the Rubbish of Antiquity, and muster

all the _Heroes_ and _Heroins_ they can find to furnish matter for some

wretched Harangue, or stuff a miserable Declamation with instead of

Sense or Argument.

[Sidenote: _Some advantages to be allow’d to the disparity of

Education._]

I shall not enter into any dispute, whether Men, or Women be generally

more ingenious, or learned; that Point must be given up to the

advantages Men have over us by their Education, Freedom of Converse, and

variety of Business and Company. But when any Comparison is made between

’em, great allowances must be made for the disparity of those

Circumstances. Neither shall I contest about the preheminence of our

Virtues; I know there are too many Vicious, and I hope there are a great

many Virtuous of both Sexes. Yet this I may say, that whatever Vices are

found amongst us, have in general both their source, and encouragement

from them.

The Question I shall at present handle is, whether the time an ingenious

Gentleman spends in the Company of Women, may justly be said to be

misemploy’d, or not? I put the question in general terms; because

whoever holds the affirmative must maintain it so, or the Sex is no way

concern’d to oppose him. On the other side I shall not maintain the

Negative, but with some Restrictions and Limitations; because I will not

be bound to justifie those Women, whose Vices and ill Conduct expose

them deservedly to the Censure of the other Sex, as well as of their

own. The Question being thus stated, let us consider the end and

purposes, for which Conversation was at first instituted, and is yet

desirable; and then we shall see, whether they may not all be found in

the Company of Women. These Ends, I take it, are the same with those we

aim at in all our other Actions, in general only two, Profit or

Pleasure. These are divided into those of the Mind, and those of the

Body. Of the latter I shall take no further Notice, as having no

Relation to the present Subject; but shall confine my self wholly to the

Mind, the Profit of which is the Improvement of the Understanding, and

the Pleasure is the Diversion, and Relaxation of its Cares and Passions.

Now if either of these Ends be attainable by the Society of Women, I

have gain’d my Point. However, I hope to make it appear, that they are

not only both to be met with in the Conversation of Women, but one of

them more generally, and in greater measure than in Mens.

Our Company is generally by our Adversaries represented as unprofitable

and irksome to Men of Sense, and by some of the more vehement Sticklers

against us, as Criminal. These Imputations as they are unjust,

especially the latter, so they savour strongly of the Malice, Arrogance

and Sottishness of those, that most frequently urge ’em; who are

commonly either conceited Fops, whose success in their Pretences to the

favour of our Sex has been no greater than their Merit, and fallen very

far short of their Vanity and Presumption, or a sort of morose,

ill-bred, unthinking Fellows, who appear to be Men only by their Habit

and Beards, and are scarce distinguishable from Brutes but by their

Figure and Risibility. But I shall wave these Reflections at present,

however just, and come closer to our Argument. If Women are not

quallified for the Conversation of ingenious Men, or, to go yet further,

their friendship, it must be because they want some one condition, or

more, necessarily requisite to either. The necessary Conditions of these

are Sense, and good nature, to which must be added, for Friendship,

Fidelity and Integrity. Now if any of these be wanting to our Sex, it

must be either because Nature has not been so liberal as to bestow ’em

upon us; or because due care has not been taken to cultivate those Gifts

to a competent measure in us.

The first of these Causes is that, which is most generally urg’d against

us, whether it be in Raillery, or Spight. I might easily cut this part

of the Controversy short by an irrefragable Argument, which is, that the

express intent, and reason for which Woman was created, was to be a

Companion, and help meet to Man; and that consequently those, that deny

’em to be so, must argue a Mistake in Providence, and think themselves

wiser than their Creator. But these Gentlemen are generally such

passionate Admirers of themselves, and have such a profound value and

reverence for their own Parts, that they are ready at any time to

sacrifice their Religion to the Reputation of their Wit, and rather than

lose their point, deny the truth of the History. There are others, that

though they allow the Story yet affirm, that the propagation, and

continuance of Mankind, was the only Reason for which we were made; as

if the Wisdom that first made Man, cou’d not without trouble have

continu’d the Species by the same or any other Method, had not this been

most conducive to his happiness, which was the gracious and only end of

his Creation. But these superficial Gentlemen wear their Understandings

like their Clothes, always set and formal, and wou’d no more Talk than

Dress out of Fashion; Beau’s that, rather than any part of their outward

Figure shou’d be damag’d, wou’d wipe the dirt of their shoes with their

Handkercher, and that value themselves infinitely more upon modish

Nonsense, than upon the best Sense against the Fashion. But since I do

not intend to make this a religious Argument, I shall leave all further

Considerations of this Nature to the Divines, whose more immediate

Business and Study it is to assert the Wisdom of Providence in the

Order, and distribution of this World, against all that shall oppose it.

[Sidenote: _No distinction of Sexes in Souls._]

To proceed therefore if we be naturally defective, the Defect must be

either in Soul or Body. In the Soul it can’t be, if what I have hear’d

some learned Men maintain, be true, that all Souls are equal, and alike,

and that consequently there is no such distinction, as Male and Female

Souls; that there are no innate _Idea’s_, but that all the Notions we

have, are deriv’d from our External Senses, either immediately, or by

Reflection. These Metaphysical Speculations, I must own Madam, require

much more Learning and a stronger Head, than I can pretend to be

Mistress of, to be consider’d as they ought: Yet so bold I may be, as to

undertake the defence of these Opinions, when any of our jingling

Opponents think fit to refute ’em.

[Sidenote: _No advantage in the Organization of their Bodies._]

Neither can it be in the Body, (if I may credit the Report of learned

Physicians) for there is no difference in the Organization of those

Parts, which have any relation to, or influence over the Minds; but the

Brain, and all other Parts (which I am not Anatomist enough to name) are

contriv’d as well for the plentiful conveyance of Spirits, which are

held to be the immediate Instruments of Sensation, in Women, as Men. I

see therefore no natural Impediment in the structure of our Bodies; nor

does Experience, or Observation argue any: We use all our Natural

Faculties, as well as Men, nay and our Rational too, deducting only for

the advantages before mention’d.

[Sidenote: _Confirm’d from Experience of Brutes._]

Let us appeal yet further to Experience, and observe those Creatures

that deviate least from simple Nature, and see if we can find any

difference in Sense, or understanding between Males and Females. In

these we may see Nature plainest, who lie under no constraint of Custom

or Laws, but those of Passion or Appetite, which are Natures, and know

no difference of Education, nor receive any Byass by prejudice. We see

great distance in Degrees of Understanding, Wit, Cunning and Docility

(call them what you please) between the several Species of Brutes. An

Ape, a Dog, a Fox, are by daily Observation found to be more Docile, and

more Subtle than an Ox, a Swine, or a Sheep. But a She Ape is as full

of, and as ready at Imitation as a He; a Bitch will learn as many Tricks

in as short a time as a Dog, a Female Fox has as many Wiles as a Male. A

thousand instances of this kind might be produc’d; but I think these are

so plain, that to instance more were a superfluous labour; I shall only

once more take notice, that in Brutes and other Animals there is no

difference betwixt Male and Female in point of Sagacity, notwithstanding

there is the same distinction of Sexes, that is between Men and Women. I

have read, that some Philosophers have held Brutes to be no more than

meer Machines, a sort of Divine Clock-work, that Act only by the force

of nice unseen Springs without Sensation, and cry out without feeling

Pain, Eat without Hunger, Drink without Thirst, fawn upon their Keepers

without seeing ’em, hunt Hares without Smelling, _&c._ Here Madam is

cover for our Antagonists against the last Argument so thick, that there

is no beating ’em out. For my part, I shall not envy ’em their refuge,

let ’em lie like the wild _Irish_ secure within their Boggs; the field

is at least ours, so long as they keep to their Fastnesses. But to quit

this Topick, I shall only add, that if the learnedest He of ’em all can

convince me of the truth of this Opinion, He will very much stagger my

Faith; for hitherto I have been able to observe no difference between

our Knowledge and theirs, but a gradual one; and depend upon Revelation

alone, that our Souls are Immortal, and theirs not.

[Sidenote: _Experience of Mankind._]

But if an Argument from Brutes and other Animals shall not be allow’d as

conclusive, (though I can’t see, why such an Inference should not be

valid, since the parity of Reason is the same on both sides in this

Case.) I shall desire those, that hold against us to observe the Country

People, I mean the inferiour sort of them, such as not having Stocks to

follow Husbandry upon their own Score, subsist upon their daily Labour.

For amongst these, though not so equal as that of Brutes, yet the

Condition of the two Sexes is more level, than amongst Gentlemen, City

Traders, or rich Yeomen. Examine them in their several Businesses, and

their Capacities will appear equal; but talk to them of things

indifferent, and out of the Road of their constant Employment, and the

Ballance will fall on our side, the Women will be found the more ready

and polite. Let us look a little further, and view our Sex in a state of

more improvement, amongst our Neighbours the _Dutch_. There we shall

find them managing not only the Domestick Affairs of the Family, but

making, and receiving all Payments as well great as small, keeping the

Books, ballancing the Accounts, and doing all the Business, even the

nicest of Merchants, with as much Dexterity and Exactness as their, or

our Men can do. And I have often hear’d some of our considerable

Merchants blame the conduct of our Country-Men in this point; that they

breed our Women to ignorant of Business; whereas were they taught

Arithmetick, and other Arts which require not much bodily strength, they

might supply the places of abundance of lusty Men now employ’d in

sedentary Business; which would be a mighty profit to the Nation by

sending those Men to Employments, where hands and Strength are more

requir’d, especially at this time when we are in such want of People.

Beside that it might prevent the ruine of many Families, which is often

occasion’d by the Death of Merchants in full Business, and leaving their

Accounts perplex’d, and embroil’d to a Widdow and Orphans, who

understanding nothing of the Husband or Father’s Business occasions the

Rending, and oftentimes the utter Confounding a fair Estate; which might

be prevented, did the Wife but understand Merchants Accounts, and were

made acquainted with the Books.

I have yet another Argument from Nature, which is, that the very Make

and Temper of our Bodies shew that we were never design’d for Fatigue;

and the Vivacity of our Wits, and Readiness of our Invention (which are

confess’d even by our Adversaries) demonstrate that we were chiefly

intended for Thought and the Exercise of the Mind. Whereas on the

contrary it is apparent from the strength and size of their Limbs, the

Vigour and Hardiness of their Constitutions, that Men were purposely

fram’d and contriv’d for Action, and Labour. And herein the Wisdom and

Contrivance of Providence is abundantly manifested; for as the one Sex

is fortified with Courage and Ability to undergo the necessary Drudgery

of providing Materials for the sustenance of Life in both; so the other

is furnish’d with Ingenuity and Prudence for the orderly management and

distribution of it, for the Relief and Comfort of a Family; and is over

and above enrich’d with a peculiar Tenderness and Care requisite to the

Cherishing their poor helpless Off-spring. I know our Opposers usually

miscall our quickness of Thought, Fancy and Flash, and christen their

own heaviness by the specious Names of Judgment and Solidity; but it is

easie to retort upon ’em the reproachful Ones of Dullness and Stupidity

with more Justice. I shall pursue this Point no further, but continue

firm in my Persuasion, that Nature has not been so Niggardly to us, as

our Adversaries would insinuate, till I see better cause to the

contrary, then I have hitherto at any time done. Yet I am ready to yield

to Conviction, whoever offers it; which I don’t suddenly expect.

It remains then for us to enquire, whether the Bounty of Nature be

wholly neglected, or stifled by us, or so far as to make us unworthy the

Company of Men? Or whether our Education (as bad as it is) be not

sufficient to make us a useful, nay a necessary part of Society for the

greatest part of Mankind. This cause is seldom indeed urg’d against us

by the Men, though it be the only one, that gives ’em any advantage over

us in understanding. But it does not serve their Pride, there is no

Honour to be gain’d by it: For a Man ought no more to value himself upon

being Wiser than a Woman, if he owe his Advantage to a better Education,

and greater means of Information, then he ought to boast of his Courage,

for beating a Man, when his Hands were bound. Nay it would be so far

from Honourable to contend for preference upon this Score, that they

would thereby at once argue themselves guilty both of Tyranny, and of

Fear: [Sidenote: _Women industriously kept in Ignorance._] I think I

need not have mention’d the latter; for none can be Tyrants but Cowards.

For nothing makes one Party slavishly depress another, but their fear

that they may at one time or other become Strong or Couragious enough to

make themselves equal to, if not superiour to their Masters. This is our

Case; for Men being sensible as well of the Abilities of Mind in our

Sex, as of the strength of Body in their own, began to grow Jealous,

that we, who in the Infancy of the World were their Equals and Partners

in Dominion, might in process of Time, by Subtlety and Stratagem, become

their Superiours; and therefore began in good time to make use of Force

(the Origine of Power) to compell us to a Subjection, Nature never

meant; and made use of Natures liberality to them to take the benefit of

her kindness from us. From that time they have endeavour’d to train us

up altogether to Ease and Ignorance; as Conquerors use to do to those,

they reduce by Force, that so they may disarm ’em, both of Courage and

Wit; and consequently make them tamely give up their Liberty, and

abjectly submit their Necks to a slavish Yoke. As the World grew more

Populous, and Mens Necessities whetted their Inventions, so it increas’d

their Jealousy, and sharpen’d their Tyranny over us, till by degrees, it

came to that height of Severity, I may say Cruelty, it is now at in all

the Eastern parts of the World, where the Women, like our Negroes in our

Western Plantations, are born slaves, and live Prisoners all their

Lives. Nay, so far has this barbarous Humour prevail’d, and spread it

self, that in some parts of _Europe_, which pretend to be most refin’d

and civiliz’d, in spite of Christianity, and the Zeal for Religion which

they so much affect, our Condition is not very much better. And even in

_France_, a Country that treats our Sex with more Respect than most do,

[Sidenote: _Original of the Salique Law._] We are by the _Salique Law_

excluded from Soveraign Power. The _French_ are an ingenious People, and

the Contrivers of that Law knew well enough, that We were no less

capable of Reigning, and Governing well, than themselves; but they were

suspicious, that if the Regal Power shou’d fall often into the hands of

Women, they would favour their own Sex, and might in time restore ’em to

their Primitive Liberty and Equality with the Men, and so break the neck

of that unreasonable Authority they so much affect over us; and

therefore made this Law to prevent it. The Historians indeed tell us

other Reasons, but they can’t agree among themselves, and as Men are

Parties against us, and therefore their Evidence may justly be rejected.

To say the truth Madam, I can’t tell how to prove all this from Ancient

Records; for if any Histories were, anciently written by Women, Time,

and the Malice of Men have effectually conspir’d to suppress ’em; and it

is not reasonable to think that Men shou’d transmit, or suffer to be

transmitted to Posterity, any thing that might shew the weakness and

illegallity of their Title to a Power they still exercise so

arbitrarily, and are so fond of. But since daily Experience shews, and

their own Histories tell us, how earnestly they endeavour, and what they

act, and suffer to put the same Trick upon one another, ’tis natural to

suppose they took the same measures with us at first, which now they

have effected, like the Rebels in our last Civil Wars, when they had

brought the Royal Party under, they fall together by the Ears about the

Dividend. [Sidenote: _Amazons; why they rejected the Society of Men._]

The Sacred History takes no notice of any such Authority they had before

the Flood, and their Own confess that whole Nations have rejected it

since, and not suffer’d a Man to live amongst them, which cou’d be for

no other Reason, than their Tyranny. For upon less provocation the Women

wou’d never have been so foolish, as to deprive themselves of the

benefit of that Ease and Security, which a good agreement with their Men

might have afforded ’em. ’Tis true the same Histories tell us, that

there were whole Countries where were none but Men, which border’d upon

’em. But this makes still for us; for it shews that the Conditions of

their Society were not so easie, as to engage their Women to stay

amongst ’em; but as liberty presented it self, they withdrew and retired

to the _Amazons_: But since our Sex can hardly boast of so great

Privileges, and so easie a Servitude any where as in _England_, I cut

this ungrateful Digression short in acknowledgment; tho’ Fetters of Gold

are still Fetters, and the softest Lining can never make ’em so easy, as

Liberty.

You will excuse, I know Madam, this short, but necessary Digression. I

call it necessary, because it shews a probable Reason, why We are at

this time in such subjection to them, without lessening the Opinion of

our Sense, or Natural Capacities either at present, or for the time

past; beside that it briefly lays open without any Scandal to our Sex,

why our Improvements are at present so disproportion’d to those of Men.

I wou’d not have any of our little, unthinking Adversaries triumph at my

allowing a disproportion between the Improvements of our Sex and theirs;

and I am sure those of ’em that are ingenious Men, will see no reason

for it from what I have said.

After having granted so great a disparity as I have already done in the

customary Education, and advantagious Liberties of the Sexes, ’twere

Nonsense to maintain, that our Society is generally and upon all

accounts as Beneficial, Improving and Entertaining, as that of Men. He

must be a very shallow Fellow, that resorts to, and frequents us in

hopes by our means to make himself considerable as a Schollar, a

Mathematician, a Philosopher, or a States-man. These Arts and Sciences

are the result only of much Study and great Experience; and without one

at least of ’em are no more to be acquir’d by the Company of Men,

however celebrated for any or all of them, than by ours. But there are

other Quallifications, which are as indispensably necessary to a

Gentleman, or any Man that wou’d appear to Advantage in the World, which

are attainable only by Company, and Conversation, and chiefly by ours.

Nor can the greatest part of Mankind, of what Quallity soever, boast

much of the use they make, or the benefit they reap from these

acknowledg’d Advantages. So that Schollars only, and some few of the

more thinking Gentlemen, and Men of Business have any just claim to ’em.

And of these the first generally fall short enough some other way to

make the Ballance even. [Sidenote: _Character of a Pedant._] For

Schollars, though by their acquaintance with Books, and conversing much

with Old Authors, they may know perfectly the Sense of the Learned Dead,

and be perfect Masters of the Wisdom, be throughly inform’d of the

State, and nicely skill’d in the Policies of Ages long since past, yet

by their retir’d and unactive Life, their neglect of Business, and

constant Conversation with Antiquity, they are such Strangers to, and to

ignorant of the Domestick Affairs and manners of their own Country and

Times, that they appear like the Ghosts of Old Romans rais’d by Magick.

Talk to them of the _Assyrian_, or _Perssian_ Monarchies, the _Grecians_

or _Roman_ Common-wealths. They answer like Oracles, they are such

finish’d Statemen, that we shou’d scarce take ’em to have been less than

Confifidents of _Semiramis_, Tutours to _Cyrus_ the great, old Cronies

of _Solon_ and _Lycurgus_, or Privy Councellours at least to the Twelve

_Cæsars_ successively; but engage them in a Discourse that concerns the

present Times, and their Native Country, and they heardly speak the

Language of it, and know so little of the affairs of it, that as much

might reasonably be expected from an animated _Egyptian_ Mummy. They are

very much disturbed to see a Fold or a Plait amiss the Picture of an Old

_Roman_ Gown, yet take no notice that their own are thredbare out at the

Elbows, or Ragged, and suffer more if _Priscians_ Head be broken then if

it were their own. They are excellent Guides, and can direct you to

every Ally, and turning in old _Rome_; yet lose their way at home in

their own Parish. They are mighty admirers of the Wit and Eloquence of

the Ancients; yet had they liv’d in the time of _Cicero_, and _Cæsar_

wou’d have treated them with as much supercilious Pride, and disrespect

as they do now with Reverence. They are great hunters of ancient

Manuscripts, and have in great Veneration any thing, that has scap’d the

Teeth of Time and Rats, and if Age have obliterated the Characters, ’tis

the more valuable for not being legible. But if by chance they can pick

out one Word, they rate it higher then the whole Author in Print, and

wou’d give more for one Proverb of _Solomons_ under his own Hand, then

for all his Wisdom. These Superstitious, bigotted Idolaters of time

past, are Children in their understanding all their lives; for they hang

so incessantly upon the leading Strings of Authority, that their

Judgments like the Limbs of some _Indian_ Penitents, become altogether

crampt and motionless for want of use.

But as these Men, will hardly be reckon’d much superiour to us upon the

account of their Learning or Improvements, so neither will I suppose

another sort diametrically opposite to these in their Humors and

Opinions: [Sidenote: _Character of a Country Squire._] I mean those

whose Ancestors have been wise and provident, and rais’d Estates by

their Ingenuity and Industry, and given all their Posterity after ’em

Means, and Leisure to be Fools. These are generally sent to School in

their Minority, and were they kept there till they came to Years of

Discretion, might most of ’em stay, till they cou’d tuck their Beards

into their Girdles before they left carrying a Satchel. In conformity to

Custom, and the Fashion, they are sent early to serve an Apprenticeship

to Letters, and for eight or nine years are whipt up and down through

two or three Counties from School to School; when being arriv’d a

Sixteen, or Seventeen Years of Age, and having made the usual _Tour_ of

Latin, and Greek Authors, they are call’d Home to be made Gentlemen. As

soon as the young Squire has got out of the House of Bondage, shaken off

the awe of Birch, and begins to feel himself at Liberty, he considers

that he is now Learned enough, (and ’tis ten to one but his Friends are

wise enough to be of his Opinion) and thinks it high time to shake off

the barbarous Acquaintance he contracted, with those crabbed, vexatious,

obscure Fellows, that gave him so much trouble and smart at School,

Companions by no means fit for a Gentleman, that writ only to torment

and perplex poor Boys, and exercise the tyranny of Pedants and

School-masters. These prudent resolutions taken, his Conversation for

some years succeeding is wholly taken up by his Horses, Dogs and Hawks

(especially if his Residence be in the Country) and the more sensless

Animals that tend ’em. His Groom, his Huntsman, and his Falconer are his

Tutors, and his walk is from the Stable to the Dog-kennel, and the

reverse of it. His diversion is drudgery, and he is in highest

satisfaction when he is most tir’d. He wearies you in the Morning with

his Sport, in the Afternoon with the noisie Repetition and Drink, and

the whole Day with Fatigue and Confusion. His Entertainment is stale

Beer, and the History of his Dogs and Horses, in which he gives you the

Pedigree of every one with all the exactness of a Herald; and if you be

very much in his good Graces, ’tis odds, but he makes you the Compliment

of a Puppy of one of his favourite Bitches, which you must take with

abundance of Acknowledgments of his Civillity, or else he takes you for

a stupid, as well as an ill bred Fellow. He is very constant at all

Clubs and Meetings of the Country Gentlemen, where he will suffer

nothing to be talk’d or hear’d of but his Jades, his Curs, and his

Kites. Upon these he rings perpetual Changes, and trespasses as much

upon the patience of the Company in the Tavern, as upon their Enclosures

in the Field, and is least impertinent, when most drunk.

His grand Business is to make an Assignation for a Horse Race, or a

Hunting Match, and nothing discomposes him so much as a Disappointment.

Thus accomplish’d, and finish’d for a Gentleman, he enters the Civil

Lists, and holds the Scale of Justice with as much Blindness as she is

said to do. From hence forward his Worship becomes as formidable to the

Ale-Houses, as he was before Familiar; he sizes an Ale Pot, and takes

the dimensions of Bread with great Dexterity and Sagacity. He is the

terrour of all the Deer, and Poultry Stealers in the Neighbourhood, and

is so implacable a Persecutor of Poachers, that he keeps a Register of

all the Dogs and Guns in the Hundred, and is the Scare-Beggar of the

Parish. Short Pots, and unjustifiable Dogs and Nets, furnish him with

sufficient matter for Presentments, to carry him once a Quarter to the

Sessions; where he says little, Eats and Drinks much, and after Dinner,

Hunts over the last Chace, and so rides Worshipfully Drunk home again.

At home he Exercises his Authority in granting his Letters, Pattents to

Petitioners for erecting Shovel Board, Tables and Ginger Bread Stalls.

If he happen to live near any little Borough or Corporation that sends

Burgesses to Parliament, he may become ambitious and sue for the Honour

of being made their Representative. Henceforward he grows Popular, bows

to, and treats the Mob all round him; and whether there be any in his

Discourse or not, there is good Sense in his Kitchin and his Cellar,

which is more agreeable and edifying. If he be so happy as to out-tap

his Competitour, and Drink his Neighbours into an Opinion of his

Sobriety, he is chosen, and up he comes to that Honourable Assembly,

where he shews his Wisdom best by his Silence, and serves his Country

most in his absence.

I give you these two Characters, _Madam_, as irreconcileable as Water

and Oyl, to shew that Men may and do often Baffle and Frustrate the

Effects of a liberal Education, as well by Industry as Negligence. ’Tis

hard to say, which of these two is the more Sottish; the first is such

an Admirer of Letters, that he thinks it a disparagement to his Learning

to talk what other Men understand, and will scarce believe that two, and

two, make four, under a Demonstration from _Euclid_, or a Quotation of

_Aristotle_: The latter has such a fear of Pedantry always before his

Eyes, that he thinks it a Scandal to his good Breeding, and Gentility to

talk Sense, or write true _English_; and has such a contemptible Notion

of his past Education, that he thinks the _Roman_ Poets good for nothing

but to teach Boys to cap Verses. For my Part I think the Learned, and

Unlearned Blockhead pretty equal; for ’tis all one to me, whether a Man

talk Nonsense, or Unintelligible Sense, I am diverted and edified alike

by either; the one enjoys himself less, but suffers his Friends to do it

more; the other enjoys himself and his own Humour enough, but will let

no body else do it in his Company. Thus, _Madam_, I have set them before

You, and shall leave you to determine a Point, which I cannot.

[Sidenote: _The Education of the Female Sex not so deficient as commonly

thought._]

There are others that deserve to be brought into the Company of these

upon like Honourable Reasons; but I keep them in reserve for a proper

place, where I may perhaps take the Pains to draw their Pictures to the

Life at full length. Let us now return to our Argument, from which we

have had a long breathing while. Let us look into the manner of our

Education, and see wherein it falls short of the Mens, and how the

defects of it may be, and are generally supply’d. In our tender years

they are the same, for after Children can Talk, they are promiscuously

taught to Read and Write by the same Persons, and at the same time both

Boys and Girls. When these are acquir’d, which is generally about the

Age of Six or Seven Years, they begin to be separated, and the Boys are

sent to the _Grammer School_, and the Girls to _Boarding Schools_, or

other places, to learn Needle Work, Dancing, Singing, Musick, Drawing,

Painting, and other Accomplishments, according to the Humour and Ability

of the Parents, or Inclination of the Children. Of all these, Reading

and Writing are the main Instruments of Conversation; though Musick and

Painting may be allow’d to contribute something towards it, as they give

us an insight into two Arts, that makes up a great Part of the Pleasures

and Diversions of Mankind. Here then lies the main Defect, that we are

taught only our Mother Tongue, or perhaps _French_, which is now very

fashionable, and almost as Familiar amongst Women of Quality as Men;

whereas the other Sex by means of a more extensive Education to the

knowledge of the _Roman_ and _Greek_ Languages, have a vaster Feild for

their Imaginations to rove in, and their Capacities thereby enlarg’d. To

see whether this be strictly true or not, I mean in what relates to our

debate, I will for once suppose, that we are instructed only in our own

Tongue, and then enquire whether the disadvantage be so great as it is

commonly imagin’d. You know very well, _Madam_, that for Conversation,

it is not requisite we should be Philologers, Rhetoricians,

Philosophers, Historians or Poets; but only that we should think

pertinently and express our thoughts properly, on such matters as are

the proper Subjects for a mixt Conversation. The _Italians_, a People as

delicate in their Conversation as any in the World, have a Maxim that

our selves, our Neighbours, Religion, or Business ought never to be the

Subject. [Sidenote: _Religion, &c. no proper subjects for mixt

Conversation._] There are very substantial Reasons, to be given for

these Restrictions for Men are very apt to be vain, and impertinent,

when they talk of themselves, besides that others are very jealous, and

apt to suspect, that all the good things said, are intended as so many

arguments of preference to them. When they speak of their Neighbours,

they are apt out of a Principle of Emulation and Envy, natural to all

the race of _Adam_ to lessen, and tarnish their Fame, whether by open

Scandal, and Defamatory Stories, and Tales, or by malicious

Insinuations, invidious Circumstances, sinister and covert Reflections.

This humour springs from an over fondness of our selves, and a mistaken

conceit that anothers loss is an addition to our own Reputation, as if

like two Buckets, one must necessarily rise as the other goes down. This

is the basest and most ungenerous of all our natural Failures, and ought

to be corrected as much as possible e’ry where; but more especially in

_Italy_, where Resentments are carried so high, and Revenges prosecuted

with so much Heat, and Animosity. Religion is likewise very tender

there, as in all other places, where the Priests have so much Power and

Authority. But even here, where our differences and Disputes have made

it more tame, and us’d it to rough handling, it ought carefully to be

avoided; for nothing raises unfriendly warmths among Company more than a

religious Argument, which therefore ought to be banisht all Society

intended only for Conversation and Diversion. Business is too dry and

barren to give any Spirit to Conversation, or Pleasure to a Company, and

is therefore rather to be reckon’d among the Encumbrances than Comforts

of Life, however necessary. Besides these, Points of Learning, abstruse

Speculations, and nice Politicks, ought, in my opinion, to be excluded;

because being things that require much Reading and Consideration, they

are not fit to be canvas’d _ex tempore_ in mixt Company, of which ’tis

probable the greatest part will have little to say to ’em, and will

scarce be content to be silent Hearers only; besides that they are not

in their nature gay enough to awaken the good Humour, or raise the Mirth

of the Company. Nor need any one to fear, that by these limitations

Conversation shou’d be restrain’d to too narrow a compass, there are

subjects enough that are in themselves neither insipid, nor offensive;

such as Love, Honour, Gallantry, Morality, News, Raillery, and a

numberless train of other Things copious and diverting. Now I can’t see

the necessity of any other Tongue beside our own to enable us to talk

plausibly, or judiciously upon any of these Topicks: Nay, I am very

confident that ’tis possible for an ingenious Person to make a very

considerable progress in most parts of Learning, by the help of English

only. [Sidenote: _Great Improvements to be made by the help of English

Books only._] For the only reason I can conceive of learning Languages,

is to arrive at the Sense, Wit or Arts, that have been communicated to

the World in ’em. Now of those that have taken the pains to make

themselves Masters of those Treasures, many have been so generous as to

impart a share of ’em to the Publick, by Translations for the use of the

Unlearned; and I flatter my self sometimes, that several of these were

more particularly undertaken by Ingenious, good Natur’d Men in Kindness

and Compassion to our Sex. But whatever the Motives were, the obliging

Humour has so far prevail’d, that scarce any thing either Ancient or

Modern that might be of general use either for Pleasure, or Instruction

is left untouch’d, and most of them are made entirely free of our

Tongue. I am no Judge either of the Accuracy, or Elegance of such

Performances; but if I may credit the report of Learned and Ingenious

Gentlemen, (whose Judgment or Sincerity I have no reason to question)

many of those excellent Authors have lost nothing by the change of Soil.

I can see and admire the Wit and Fancy of _Ovid_ in the Translation of

his Epistles, and Elegies, the softness and Passion of _Tibullus_, the

Impetuosity and Fire of _Juvenal_, the Gayety, Spirit and Judgment of

_Horace_; who, though he may appear very different from himself through

the diversity, and inequality of the Hands concern’d in making him speak

_English_, yet may easily be guess’d at from the several excellent

Pieces render’d by the Earl of _Roscommon_, Mr. _Cowley_, Mr. _Dryden_,

Mr. _Congreve_, Mr. _Brown_ and other ingenious Gentlemen, who have

oblig’d the Nation with their excellent Versions of some parts of him.

Nor is it possible to be insensible of the sweetness and Majesty of

_Virgil_, after having read those little but Divine Samples already made

Publick in _English_ by Mr. _Dryden_, which gives us so much Impatience

to see the whole Work entire by that admirable Hand. I have heard some

ingenious Gentlemen say, That it was impossible to do Justice in our

Tongue to these two last Celebrated Roman Poets, and I have known

others, of whose Judgments I have as high an Opinion, affirm the

contrary; my ignorance of Latin disables me from determining whether we

are in the right, but the Beauty of what I have already seen by the

means of those Gentlemen, has so far prejudic’d me in favour of the

latter; that might I have ’em entire from the same hands, I think I

shou’d scarce envy those who can tast the pleasure of the Originals. Nor

is it to the Poets only, that we stand indebted for the Treasure of

Antiquity, we have no less Engagements to those, who have successfully

labour’d in Prose, and have mads us familiar with _Plutarch_, _Seneca_,

_Cicero_, and in general with all the famous Philosophers, Orators and

Historians, from whom we may at once learn both the Opinions and

Practices of their Times. Assisted by these helps, ’tis impossible for

any Woman to be ignorant that is but desirous to be otherwise, though

she know no part of Speech out of her Mother Tongue. But these are

neither the only, nor the greatest Advantages we have; all that is

excellent in _France_, _Italy_, or any of our neighbouring Nations is

now become our own; to one of whom, I may be bold to say, we are

beholding for more, and greater Improvements of Conversation, than to

all Antiquity, and the learned Languages together. [Sidenote: _The name

of Learning unjustly restrained to the knowledge of Latin and Greek

only._] Nor can I imagine for what good Reason a Man skill’d in Latin

and Greek, and vers’d in the Authors of Ancient Times shall be call’d

Learned; yet another who perfectly understands _Italian_, _French_,

_Spanish_, _High Dutch_, and the rest of the _European_ Languages, is

acquainted with the Modern History of all those Countries, knows their

Policies, has div’d into all the Intrigues of the several Courts, and

can tell their mutual Dispositions, Obligations and Ties of Interest one

to another, shall after all this be thought Unlearned for want of those

two Languages. Nay, though he be never so well vers’d in the Modern

Philosophy, Astronomy, Geometry and Algebra, he shall notwithstanding

never be allow’d that honourable Title. I can see but one apparent

Reason for this unfair Procedure; which is, that when about an Age and

an half ago, all the poor Remains of Learning then in Being, were in the

hands of the Schoolmen; they wou’d suffer none to pass Muster, that were

not deeply engag’d in those intricate, vexatious and unintelligible

Trifles, for which themselves contended with so much Noise and Heat; or

at least were not acquainted with _Plato_ and _Aristotle_, and their

Commentators; from whence the Sophistry and Subtleties of the Schools at

that time were drawn. This Usurpation was maintain’d by their

Successors, the Divines, who to this day pretend almost to the Monopoly

of Learning; and though some generous Spirits have in good measure broke

the neck of this Arbitrary, Tyrannical Authority; yet can’t they prevail

to extend the name of Learning beyond the Studies, in which the Divines

are more particularly conversant. Thus you shall have ’em allow a Man to

be a wise Man, a good Naturalist, a good Mathematician, Politician, or

Poet, but not a Scholar, a learned Man, that is no Philologer. For my

part I think these Gentlemen have just inverted the use of the Term, and

given that to the knowledge of words, which belongs more properly to

Things. I take Nature to be the great Book of Universal Learning, which

he that reads best in all or any of its Parts, is the greatest Scholar,

the most learned Man; and ’tis as ridiculous for a Man to count himself

more learned than another, if he have no greater extent of knowledge of

things, because he is more vers’d in Languages; as it would be for an

Old Fellow to tell a Young One, his Eyes were better than his, because

he Reads with Spectacles, the other without.

[Sidenote: _English Books the best helps to Conversation._]

Thus, _Madam_, you see we may come in Time to put in for Learning, if we

have a mind, without falling under the Correction of Pedants. But I will

let Learning alone at present, because I have already banish’d it

(though not out of disrespect) from mix’d Conversation; to which we will

return, and of which the greatest Magazines and Supports are still in

Reserve. I mean the many excellent Authors of our own Country, whose

Works it were endless to recount. Where is Love, Honour and Bravery more

lively represented than in our Tragedies, who has given us Nobler, or

juster Pictures of Nature than Mr. _Shakespear_? Where is there a

tenderer Passion, than in the Maids Tragedy? Whose Grief is more awful

and commanding than Mr. _Otways_? Whose Descriptions more Beautifull, or

Thoughts more Gallant than Mr. _Drydens_? When I see any of their Plays

acted, my Passions move by their Direction, my Indignation, my

Compassion, my Grief are all at their Beck. Nor is our Comedy at all

inferiour to our Tragedy; for, not to mention those already nam’d for

the other part of the Stage, who are all excellent in this too, Sir

_George Etherege_ and Sir _Charles Sedley_ for neat Raillery and

Gallantry are without Rivals, Mr. _Wicherley_ for strong Wit, pointed

Satyr, sound and useful Observations is beyond Imitation; Mr. _Congreve_

for sprightly, gentile, easie Wit falls short of no Man. These are the

Masters of the Stage; but there are others who though of an inferiour

Class, yet deserve Commendation, were that at present my Business. Nay,

even the worst of ’em afford us some diversion; for I find a sort of

foolish Pleasure, and can laugh at Mr. _D——y_’s Farce, as I do at the

Tricks, and Impertinencies of a Monkey; and was pleased to see the

humour and delight of the Author in Mr. _H——n_’s Eating, and Drinking

Play which I fancy’d was written in a Victualling House. In short, were

it not for the too great frequency of loose Expressions, and wanton

Images, I should take our Theaters for the best Schools in the World of

Wit, Humanity, and Manners; which they might easily become by

retrenching that too great Liberty. Neither have the Poets only, but the

Criticks too Endeavour’d to compleat us; Mr. _Dennis_ and Mr. _Rimer_

have by their Ingenious, and judicious labours taught us to admire the

Beauties as we ought, and to know the faults of the former. Nor are we

less beholding to these for forming our Judgments, than to those for

raising our Fancies.

These are the Sources from whence we draw our gayer part of

Conversation; I don’t mean in exclusion to the other parts of Poetry, in

most of which (as I have heard good Judges say) we equal at least the

Ancients, and far surpass all the Moderns. I honour the Names, and

admire the Writings of _Denham_, _Suckling_ and _D’avenant_, I am

ravish’d with the Fancy of _Cowley_, and the Gallantry of _Waller_. I

reverence the _Fairy Queen_, am rais’d, and elevated with _Paradise

Lost_, _Prince Arthur_ composes and reduces me to a State of Yawning

indifference, and Mr. _W—stl—y_’s _Heroicks_ lull me to Sleep. Thus all

Ranks and Degrees of Poets have their use, and may be serviceable to

some body or other from the Prince to the Pastry Cook, or Past-board

Box-maker. I should mention our Satyrists, but it would be endless to

descend to every particular, of these Mr. _Oldham_ is admirable, and to

go no further, the inimitable Mr. _Butler_ will be an everlasting

Testimony, of the Wit of his Age, and Nation, and bid eternal defiance

to the Wits of all Countries, and future Ages to follow him in a Path

before untrack’d. Our Prose Writers, that are eminent for a gay Style

and Iovial Argument, are so many, that it would swell this Letter too

much to name ’em, so that I shall only take notice, that whoever can

read without Pleasure, or Laughter, _The contempt of the Clergy_, and

the following Letters and Dialogues by the same Author, or the facetious

Dialogues of Mr. _Brown_ must be more Splenetick than _Heraclitus_, or

more stupid, than the Ass he laugh’d at.

Nor are we less provided for the serious Part; Morality has generally

been the Province of our Clergy who have treated of all parts of it very

largely with so much Piety, Solidity, and Eloquence, that as I think I

may venture to say, they have written more upon it than the Clergy of

all the rest of the World; so I believe no Body will deny that they have

written better. Yet I cou’d wish, that our Ingenious Gentlemen wou’d

employ their Pens oftner on these Subjects; because the severity of the

other’s Profession obliges ’em to write with an Air, and in a Style less

agreable, and inviting to Young People, Not that we are without many

excellent Pieces of Morality, Humanity and Civil Prudence written by,

and like Gentlemen. But it is the Excellence of ’em, and the ability of

our Gentlemen, which appears in the Spirit, Wit, and curious

Observations in those Pieces, which make me desire more of the same

Nature, Who can read the Essays of that Wonderful Man my Lord _Bacon_,

or the no less to be admir’d Sir _Walter Raleigh_’s, or Mr. _Osborns_

advice to a Son, the _Advice to a Daughter_, Sir _William Temple_’s, or

Sir _George Machenzie_’s Essays, Sir _Roger L’Estrange_’s Esop (to which

last we are likewise oblig’d for an incomparable Version of _Seneca_)

and abundance of others, without wishing for more from the same or the

like hands? Our Neighbours the _French_, have written a great deal of

this kind, of the best of which we have the benefit in _English_; but

more particularly the _Sieurs_, _Montagne_, _Rochefaucaut_, and St.

_Evremont_ deserve to be immortal in all Languages. I need not mention

any more, it is apparent from these that Women want not the means of

being Wise and Prudent without more Tongues than one; nay, and Learned

too, if they have any Ambition to be so.

The numberless Treatises of Antiquities, Philosophy, Mathematicks,

Natural, and other History (in which I can’t pass silently by, that

learned One of Sir _Walter Raleigh_, which the World he writ of can’t

match) written originally in, or translated to our Tongue are sufficient

to lead us a great way into any Science our Curiousity shall prompt us

to. The greatest difficulty we struggled with, was the want of a good

Art of Reasoning, which we had not, that I know of, till that defect was

supply’d by the greatest Master of that Art Mr. _Locke_, whose Essay on

Human Understanding makes large amends for the want of all others in

that kind.

Thus Madam I have endeavour’d to obviate all our Adversarie’s

Objections, by touching upon as great a Variety of things relating to

the Subject as I conveniently cou’d. Yet I hope I have troubled you with

nothing but what was necessary to make my way clear, and plain before

me; and I am apt to think I have made it appear, that nothing but

disencouragement or an Idle Uncurious Humour can hinder us from

Rivalling most Men in the knowledge of great Variety of things, without

the help of more Tongues than our Own; which the Men so often

reproachfully tell us is enough. This Idleness is but too frequently to

be found among us, but ’tis a Fault equally common to both Sexes. Those

that have means to play the Fool all their lives, seldom care for the

trouble of being made wise. We are naturally Lovers of our Ease, and

have great apprehensions of the difficulty of things untry’d; Especially

in matters of Learning, the common Methods of acquiring which are so

unpleasant, and uneasie. I doubt not but abundance of noble Wits are

stiffled in both Sexes, for want but of suspecting what they were able

to do, and with how much facility. Experience shews us every day

Blockheads, that arrive at a moderate, nay sometimes a great Reputation

by their Confidence, and brisk attempts which they maintain by their

Diligence; while great Numbers of Men naturally more Ingenious lye

neglected by, for want of Industry to improve, or Courage to exert

themselves. No Man certainly but wishes he had the Reputation in, and

were Respected and Esteem’d by the World as he sees some Men are for the

Fruits of their Pens; but they are loth to be at the pains of an

Attempt, or doubt their sufficience to perform; or what I believe is

most general, never to enquire so far into themselves, and their own

Abilities, as to bring such a thought into their Heads. This last I

fancy is the true Reason, why our Sex, who are commonly charged with

talking too much, are Guilty of Writing so little. I wish they would

shake of this lazy Despondence, and let the noble examples of the

deservedly celebrated Mrs. _Philips_, and the incomparable Mrs. _Behn_

rouse their Courages, and shew Mankind the great injustice of their

Contempt. I am confident they would find no such need of the assistance

of Languages as is generally imagin’d. [Sidenote: _Ignorance of Latine_

&c. _no disadvantage._] Those that have of their own need not graft upon

Foreign Stocks. I have often thought that the not teaching Women Latin

and Greek, was an advantage to them, if it were rightly consider’d, and

might be improv’d to a great heigth. For Girles after they can Read and

Write (if they be of any Fashion) are taught such things as take not up

their whole time, and not being suffer’d to run about at liberty as

Boys, are furnish’d among other toys with Books, such as _Romances_,

_Novels_, _Plays_ and _Poems_; which though they read carelessly only

for Diversion, yet unawares to them, give ’em very early a considerable

Command both of Words and Sense; which are further improv’d by their

making and receiving Visits with their Mothers, which gives them betimes

the opportunity of imitating, conversing with, and knowing the manner,

and address of elder Persons. These I take to be the true Reasons why a

Girl of Fifteen is reckon’d as ripe as a Boy of One and Twenty, and not

any natural forwardness of Maturity as some People would have it. These

advantages the Education of Boys deprives them of, who drudge away the

Vigour of their Memories at Words, useless ever after to most of them,

and at Seventeen or Eighteen are to begin their Alphabet of Sense, and

are but where the Girles were at Nine or Ten. Yet because they have

learnt Latin and Greek, reject with Scorn all _English_ Books their best

helps, and lay aside their Latin ones, as if they were already Masters

of all that Learning, and so hoist Sail for the wide World without a

Compass to Steer by. Thus I have fairly stated the difference between

us, and can find no such disparity in Nature or Education as they

contend for; but we have a sort of ungenerous Adversaries, that deal

more in Scandal than Argument, and when they can’t hurt us with their

Weapons, endeavour to annoy us with stink Pots. Let us see therefore,

_Madam_, whether we can’t beat them from their Ammunition, and turn

their own Artillery upon them; for I firmly believe there is nothing,

which they charge upon us, but may with more Justice be retorted upon

themselves.

They tax us with a long List of Faults, and Imperfections, and seem to

have taken a Catalogue of their own Follies and Vices, not with design

to correct them, but to shift of the Imputation to us. There is no

doubt, but particular Women may be found upon whom every charge may be

justified; but our Sex is not answerable for them, till they prove there

are no such Men, which will not be before Dooms-day. However, like ill

Neighbours they bring the Dirt out of their own Homes not out of

Neatness, but out of Envy to their Neighbours, at whose Doors they lay

it. But let them remove their Follies as oft as they please, they are

still as constant to them, as the _Needle_ to the _North Pole_, they

point them out which way soever they move. Let us see what these

Qualities are, they so liberally bestow upon us, and after see how they

fit the Donours, and survey ’em in their proper Figures and Colours. The

most familiar of these are Vanity, Impertinence, Enviousness,

Dissimulation, Inconstancy, _&c._

[Sidenote: _Vanity._]

To begin with Vanity, it is a Failing the greatest Part of Mankind are

tinctured with, more or less. For all Men are apt to flatter themselves

with a Fancy, that they have some one or more good Quallities, or

extraordinary Gifts, that raise ’em above the ordinary Level of Men; and

therefore hug and cherish, what they think valuable and singular in ’em.

It is never commendable, sometimes pardonable, when the excellencies are

real, and it is moderate so much must be allow’d to humane frailty. It

is ridiculous and intollerable when it is extravagant, misplac’d, or

groundless. It is very injudicious, and makes men commonly dote on their

Defects, and expose their blemishes by their Fondness, which makes ’em

more remarkable by the care and ornament bestow’d on ’em. It persuades

hard Favour’d and distorted Fellows to dress, and value their Persons,

Cowards to pretend to Courage, and provoke Beatings, Blockheads to set

up for Wit, and make themselves ridiculous in Print, Upstarts to brag of

their Families, and be reminded of the Garrets they were born, and the

Stalls they were brought up in. In Women the object of it is their

Beauty, and is excusable in those that have it. Those that have it not

may be pardon’d, if they endeavour at it; because it is the only

undisputed advantage our Sex has over the other, and what makes ’em

respected beyond all other Perfections, and is alone ador’d. In Men it

has not only this Object, but all those before mention’d, and a hundred

other. It is admirably seen in a Writing, reciting Fop Author, is in

full Lustre in a Beau, but its most unlucky Prospect is in a Swaggering

Coward, who is a Fool beyond the Conviction of Smart. [Sidenote:

_Character of a Bully._] His Courage is like an Ague Fit, that leaves

him upon a Fright, and returns when he is out of the reach of a Cudgel.

He spends much time in the Fencing School, and Fights briskly where

there is no danger of Wounds nor Smart. His Hands are instructed, but

his Heels do him all the Service. He is a nice observer of Punctilio’s,

and takes more Affronts than are given him. He draws first, and runs

first, and if ever he makes another Man run, it is after him. He is a

Pebble that sparkles like a Diamond, but wants hardness. He talks

perpetually of what he will do, but thinks continually of what he shall

suffer. He is often in Quarels, yet seldom in Rencounters, and is glad

of a Challenge, that he may know whom, and when to avoid. He brings up

the Rear at an Engagement, and leads the Van in the Retreat. He is a Man

of much Passion, but the most predominant is his Fear. He offers

affronts readily, but has too much honour to justifie them, and will

submit to any terms of satisfaction rather than occasion Blood-shed. He

is so full of Courage, that it boils over when there is no occasion, and

his _Sword_ and _Person_ are always at Leisure, and at your Service,

till you want them, and then to his great Trouble, he is always

indispensably engag’d otherwise. He wears _Red_, and a long _Sword_

openly to shew his Valour, and _Mail_, privately to shew his Discretion.

He threatens terribly, but he is like a Witch, if you draw Blood of him,

he has no power to hurt you. No Man shews or boasts more of his Scars

with less Reason. He scorns to take a blow in the Face, and a Back-piece

is as good to him as a whole sute of Armour. He is at first the Terrour

of all the _Young Bullies_, at last their Maygame, and they blood their

_Cub Hectors_ upon him, as they do young _Beagles_ on a _Hare_. Good

usage makes him insolent, but he fawns like a _Spaniel_ most upon those

that beat him. When he is discover’d by all the rest of the World, the

Cheat passes still upon himself, and he is pleas’d with the terrible

Figure he makes in his Glass, tho’ he is ready to shake at his own

Shaddow.

[Sidenote: _Character of a Scowrer._]

There are men of an humour directly opposite to this, yet e’ry whit as

Mad, Foolish, and Vain; these are your Men of nice Honour, that love

Fighting for the sake of Blows, and are never well but when they are

wounded They are severe Interpreters of Looks, are affronted at every

Face that don’t please ’em, and like true Cocks of the Game have a

quarrel to all Mankind at first sight. They are passionate Admirers of

scarr’d Faces, and dote on a Wooden Leg. They receive a Challenge like a

_Billet Douce_, and a home thrust as a Favour. Their common Adversary is

the Constable, and their usual Lodging the Counter. Broken heads are a

diversion, and an Arm in a Scarfe is a high satisfaction. They are

frugal in their expences with the Taylor, for they have their Doublets

pinkt on their Backs, but they are as good as an Annuity to the Surgeon,

tho’ they need him not to let ’em blood. _Flanders_ is their Mistress,

and a Clap from her carries ’em off the Stage. If they return, an

_Hospital_ is their Retreat, or the _Sheriff_ their Executour. These

two, _Madam_, are very different extravagances, and very strange one’s,

yet they are real, and such as appear every day. But, what is most to be

wonder’d at, arise both from the same Principle, and the same mistaken

Notion, and are only differenc’d by the diversity of Tempers in Men. The

common Motive to both is Vanity, and they jointly concurr in this

Opinion, that Valour is the most estimable, and most honourable Quality,

that Man is capable of; they agree in a desire to be honour’d and

fear’d, but they differ in their methods in persuing this common End.

The one is naturally active, bold and daring; and therefore takes the

true course to arrive at it by shewing what he can do, by what he dare

suffer, and his immoderate desire and indiscretion suffer him to know no

bounds. The other is mean Spirited and fearful, and seeks by false Fire

to Counterfeit a heat that may pass for genuine to conceal the Frost in

his Blood, and like an ill Actor, over-does his Part for want of

understanding it, which ’tis impossible he shou’d. Among peaceable Men,

and those of his own Temper he comes of with Colours flying, and those

are the Men he wou’d be valiant amongst only, cou’d he read Men’s

hearts. But the first Rencounter betrays the Ass thro’ the Lions Skin,

and he is Cudgel’d like an Ass in Spite of his Covering. It is our

happiness _Madam_, that we lie under no manner of Temptation from these

two Vanities, [Sidenote: _Imitation ridiculous._] whereof one is so

dangerous, the other so ridiculous. For all humours that are forc’d

against the natural bent of our tempers must be so. Nature is our best

guide, and has fitted ev’ry Man for somethings more particularly than

others; which if they had the sense to prosecute, they wou’d at least

not be ridiculous, if they were not extaordinary. But so prevalent are

our Vanity, and this Apish Humour of Imitation, that we persuade our

selves, that we may practise with applause, whatever we see another

succeed in, tho’ as contrary to the intent of our Nature, as Dancing to

an Elephant; so some Men that talk well of serious matters, are so mov’d

at the applause some merry Drolls gain, that they forget their gravity,

and aiming to be Wits, turn Buffoons; There are others, that are so

taken with the actions and grimace of a good Mimick, that they fall

presently to making awkard Faces and wry Mouths, and are all their lives

after in a Vizor, Maskt tho’ bare fac’d.

These, and innumerable others of the like Nature, are the lesser Follies

of Mankind, by which their Vanity makes ’em fit only to be laugh’d at.

There are others, who by more studied and refin’d Follies arrive to be

more considerable, and make a great Figure and Party among their Sex.

[Sidenote: _Character of a Beau._]