In the following pages I have endeavoured to point out some important
things with respect to female education. It is true, many treatises have
been already written; yet it occurred to me, that much still remained to
be said. I shall not swell these sheets by writing apologies for my
attempt. I am afraid, indeed, the reflections will, by some, be thought
too grave; but I could not make them less so without writing affectedly;
yet, though they may be insipid to the gay, others may not think them
so; and if they should prove useful to one fellow-creature, and beguile
any hours, which sorrow has made heavy, I shall think I have not been
employed in vain.