a dangerous person, but a perfect shower-bath on all social conviviality. The enthusiasm of our Scottish ladies has now grown to such a height, that I am almost certain it will lead to some dangerous revolution in the state; and then, to try to check it would only make the evil worse. If you ever choose a wife, Hogg, for goodness' sake, as you value your happiness, don't choose a very religious one."-Hogg's Private Life of Scott.

(8) It is, methinks, a low and degrading idea of that sex, which was created to refine the joys and soften the cares of humanity, to consider them merely as objects of sight. This is abridging them of their natural extent of power,to put them upon a level with their pictures at Kneller's. -HUGHES.

(9) On regarde une femme savante comme on fait une belle arme : elle est ciselée artistement, d'une polissure admirable, et d'un travail fort recherché; c'est une pièce de cabinet que l'on montre aux curieux, qui n'est pas d'usage, qui ne sert ni à la guerre, ni à la chasse, non plus qu'un cheval de manége, quoique la mieux instruit du monde.LA BRUYERE.

(10) The remarks ventured here will not be considered as ill-timed, or out of place, by any who have observed the presumption among our "learned ladies" (so called) of the present day. We may yet live to see such intellectual Amazons publicly styled "Mistresses of Arts."-Our brethren of the West have, it is said, already established a College for ladies in Lexington, Kentucky. Here degrees are to be conferred,-M.P.L., Mistress of Polite Literature; M.I., Mistress of Instruction, &c. &c.

7

tesfois il leur fasche de nous ceder en quoy que veulent par curiosité avoir part aux livres, la un amusement propre à leur besoing: c'est un e et subtil, desguisé, parlier tout en plaisir, tout re, comme elles. Elles tireront aussi diverses tez de l'histoire. En la philosophie, de la part à la vie, elles prendront les discours qui les dresuger de nos humeurs et conditions, à se deffendre trahisons, à regler la temerité de leurs propres à mesnager leur liberté, allonger les plaisirs de la à porter humainement l'inconstance d'un serviteur, lesse d'un mary, et l'importunité des ans et des rides, oses semblables. Voylà, pour le plus, la part que je leur nerois aux sciences.-Essais de Montaigne. Livre iii.

12) Les femmes de leur côté ne cessent decrier que nous élevons pour être vaines et coquettes; elles s'en prennent nous des défauts que nous leur reprochons. Quelle folie! Et depuis quand sont-ce les hommes qui se mêlent de l'éducation des filles? Qui est-ce qui empêche les meres de les elever comme il leur plaît ?-J. J. ROUSSEAU.

(13) What punishment is inflicted on the idle? To learn an additional lesson, or to get by heart a portion of the Scriptures! Must not this tend to beget disgust and aversion for the very things the mind should be taught to love? If any disposition be shown to coquetry, the offender is perhaps deprived of every sort of finery, and condemned to the extremest simplicity in dress. Is not this as much as to say, that the absence of ornament is a humiliation? The mind is thus confirmed in that very frivolity, or vanity, which it should be endeavoured to prevent.

CHAPTER XX.

SPHERE OF DOMESTIC LIFE.

Nothing lovelier can be found

In woman, than to study household good!

MILTON.

§ 1. "THE sphere of Domestic Life is the sphere in which female excellence is best displayed:"* within this compass lies the utmost of Woman's character. She may possess beauty, manner, and other esteemed qualities,—yet these are as nothing, if she be deficient in those attributes which belong to and adorn domestic privacy.(1)

Next to pleasing God, is to please man; "A woman that honoureth her husband, shall be accounted wisest of all." Before the altar must she swear to love, serve, honour, and obey :" she owes him in this world undivided love; and there is one sole interest that is to absorb all others. Duties, wishes, habits,-all must be

* Gisborne's Duties of Women.