ſenſe adopt the ſame ſentiments[1]. Thus underſtanding, ſtrictly ſpeaking, has been denied to woman; and inſtinct, ſublimated into wit and cunning, for the purpoſes of life, has been ſubſtituted in its ſtead.
The power of generalizing ideas, of drawing comprehenſive concluſions from individual obſervations, is the only acquirement, for an immortal being, that really deſerves the name of knowledge. Merely to obſerve, without endeavouring to account for any thing, may (in a very incomplete manner) ſerve as the common ſenſe of life; but where is the ſtore laid up that is to clothe the ſoul when it leaves the body?
This power has not only been denied to women; but writers have inſiſted that it is incon-
- ↑ 'Pleaſure's the portion of th' inferiour kind;
But glory, virtue, Heaven for man deſign'd.'After writing theſe lines, how could Mrs. Barbauld write the following ignoble compariſon?
' To a Lady, with ſome painted flowers.''Flowers to the fair: to you theſe flowers I bring,
And ſtrive to greet you with an earlier ſpring.
Flowers sweet, and gay, and delicate like you;
Emblems of innocence, and beauty too.
With flowers the Graces bind their yellow hair,
And flowery wreaths conſenting lovers wear.
Flowers, the ſole luxury which nature knew,
In Eden's pure and guiltleſs garden grew.
To loftier forms are rougher taſks aſign'd;
The ſheltering oak reſiſts the ſtormy wind,
The tougher yew repels invading foes,
And the tall pine for future navies grows;
But this ſoft family, to cares unknown,
Were born for pleaſure and delight alone.
Gay without toil, and lovely without art,
They ſpring to cheer the ſenſe, and glad the heart,
Nor bluſh, my fair, to own you copy theſe;
Your best, your sweetest empire is—to please.'So the men tell us; but virtue muſt be acquired by rough toils, and uſeful ſtruggles with worldly cares.
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