“DO they not degrade human nature?” enquired my father.
“THIS little book,” answered _Worthy_, “contains much truth—and those
short sketches traced by the hand of judgement, present to us the
leading features of mankind.” “But,” replied my father, “that _interest
should assume all shapes_, is a doctrine, which, in my mind, represents
a caricature rather than a living picture.” “It is the duty of a painter
to produce a likeness,” said _Worthy_,—“And a skilful one,” cried my
father, continuing the metaphor, “will bring the amiable qualities of
the heart to light; and throw those which disgrace humanity into the
shade.” “I doubt,” rejoined _Worthy_, “whether this flattery will answer
the purpose you aim to accomplish—You entertain a high opinion of _the
dignity of human nature_, and are displeased at the author who advances
anything derogatory to that dignity. _Swift_, in speaking of these
maxims, in one of his best poems, affirms,
“They argue no corrupted mind
In him—the fault is in mankind.”
“AS I began this subject,” added I, “it shall be ended by one
observation—As these maxims give us an idea of the manners and
characters of men, among whom a young person is soon to appear; and as
it is necessary to her security and happiness that she be made
acquainted with them—they may be read to advantage.”
“THERE is another medium,” said Mr. _Holmes_, assenting to my
observation, “to be noticed in the study of a lady—she takes up a book,
either for instruction or entertainment—the medium lies in knowing when
to put it down. Constant application becomes labour—it sours the
temper—gives an air of thoughtfulness, and frequently of absence. By
_immoderate reading_ we hoard up opinions and become insensibly attached
to them; this miserly conduct sinks us to affectation, and disgustful
pedantry; _conversation_ only can remedy this dangerous evil, strengthen
the judgement, and make reading really useful. They mutually depend
upon, and assist each other.
“A KNOWLEDGE of HISTORY which exhibits to us in one view the rise,
progress and decay of nations—which points out the advancement of the
mind in society, and the improvements in the arts which adorn human
nature, comes with propriety under the notice of a lady. To observe the
origin of civilization—the gradual progress of society, and the
refinements of manners, policy, morality and religion—to observe the
progress of mankind from simplicity to luxury, from luxury to
effeminacy, and the gradual steps of the decline of empire, and the
dissolution of states and kingdoms, must blend that happy union of
instruction and entertainment, which never fails to win our attention to
the pursuit of all subjects.
“POETRY claims her due from the ladies. POETRY enlarges and strengthens
the mind, refines the taste and improves the judgement. It has been
asserted that women have no business with _satire_—now satire is but a
branch of poetry. I acknowledge, however, much false wit is sent into
the world, under this general title; but no critick with whom I am
acquainted ever called satire false wit—for as long as vice and folly
continue to predominate in the human heart, the satirist will be
considered as a useful member of society. I believe _Addison_ calls him
an auxiliary to the pulpit. Suffer me to enlarge on this _new idea_.
Satire is the correction of the vices and follies of the human heart; a
woman may, therefore, read it to advantage. What I mean by enforcing
this point, is, to impress the minds of females with a principle of self
correction; for among all kinds of knowledge which arise from reading,
the duty of self-knowledge is a very eminent one; and is at the same
time, the most useful and important.
“OUR ordinary intercourse with the world, will present to us in a very
clear point of view, the fallacious ideas we sometimes entertain of our
own self-knowledge.—We are blinded by pride and self love, and will not
observe our own imperfections, which we blame with the greatest acrimony
in other people, and seem to detest with the greatest abhorrence; so
that, it often happens, while we are branding our neighbour for some
foible, or vanity, we ourselves are equally guilty.
“RIDICULOUS as this conduct must appear in the eyes of all judicious
people, it is too frequently practised to escape observation.
“I WILL drop this piece of morality, with a charge to the fair reader,
that whenever she discovers satire, ridiculing or recriminating the
follies or crimes of mankind, that she look into her own heart, and
compare the strictures on the conduct of others with her own feelings.”