1857. mag. 7.
wift of

James Walker &.

of

Cambridge.

CONTENTS.

PAGE.

INTRODUCTION

Chap. I.
The rights and involved duties of mankind
considered

Chap. II. The prevailing opinion of a sexual character

discussed

Chap. III. The same subject continued
Chap. IV. Observations on the state of degradation to
which woman is reduced by various causes
Chap. V. Animadversions on some of the writers who
have rendered women objects of pity, bordering on
contempt

:

Chap. VI. The effect which an early association of ideas has upon the character

Chap. VII. Modesty. Comprehensively considered, and not as a sexual virtue

Chap. VIII. Morality undermined by sexual notions of the importance of a good reputation

124

130

141

152

163

166

171

Chap. IX. Of the pernicious effects which arise from the unnatural distinctions established in society

Chap. X. Parental affection

Chap. XI. Duty to parents

Chap. XII. On national education

Chap. XIII. Some instances of the folly which the ignorance of women generates; with concluding reflections on the moral improvement that a revolution in female manners may naturally be expected to produce

196

BRIEF SKETCH

OF THE

LIFE OF MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT.

M. WOLLSTONECRAFT was born in 1759. Her father
was so great a wanderer, that the place of her birth is un-
certain; she supposed, however, it was London, or Epping
Forest at the latter place she spent the first five years
of her life. In early youth she exhibited traces of exqui-
site sensibility, soundness of understanding, and decision
of character; but her father being a despot in his family,
and her mother one of his subjects, Mary, derived little
benefit from their parental training. She received no li-
terary instructions but such as were to be had in ordinary
day schools. Before her sixteenth year she became ac-
quainted with Mr. Clare a clergyman, and Miss Frances
Blood; the latter, two years older than herself; who pos-
sessing good taste and some knowledge of the fine arts,
seems to have given the first impulse to the formation of
her character. At the age of nineteen, she left her parents,
and resided with a Mrs. Dawson for two years; when she
returned to the parental roof to give attention to her mother,
whose ill health made her presence necessary. On the
death of her mother, Mary bade a final adieu to her father's
house, and became the inmate of F. Blood; thus situated,
their intimacy increased, and a strong attachment was re-
ciprocated. In 1783 she commenced a day school at
Newington green, in conjunction with her friend, F. Blood.
At this place she became acquainted with Dr. Price, to