But ſhould it be proved that woman is naturally weaker than man, from whence does it follow that it is natural for her to labour to become ſtill weaker than nature intended her to be? Arguments of this caſt are an inſult to common ſenſe, and ſavour paſſion. The divine right of huſbands, like the divine right of kings, may, it is to be hoped, in this enlightened age, be conteſted without danger, and, though conviction may not ſilence many boiſterous diſputants, yet when any prevailing prejudice is attacked, the wiſe will conſider, and leave the narrow-minded to rail with thoughtleſs vehemence at innovation.
The mother, who wiſhes to give true dignity of character to her daughter, muſt, regardleſs of the ſneers of ignorance, proceed on a plan diametrically oppoſite to that which Rouſſeau has recommended with all the deluding charms of eloquence and philoſophical ſophiſtry: for his eloquence renders abſurdities plauſible, and his dogmatic concluſions puzzle, without convincing, thoſe who have not ability to refute them.
Throughout the whole animal kingdom every young creature requires almoſt continual exerciſe, and the infancy of children, conformable to this intimation, ſhould be paſſed in harmleſs gambols, that exerciſe the feet and hands, without requiring very minute direction from the head, or the conſtant attention of a nurſe. In fact, the care neceſſary for ſelf-preſervation is the firſt natural exerciſe of the underſtanding, as little inventions to amuſe the preſent moment unfold the imagination. But theſe wiſe deſigns of nature are counteracted by miſtaken fondneſs or
