diſtinction is, I am firmly perſuaded, the foundation of the weakneſs of character aſcribed to woman; is the cauſe why the underſtanding is neglected, whilſt accompliſhments are acquired with ſedulous care: and the ſame cauſe accounts for their preferring the graceful before the heroic virtues.
Mankind, including every deſcription, wiſh to be loved and reſpected for ſomething; and the common herd will always take the neareſt road to the completion of their wiſhes. The reſpect paid to wealth and beauty is the moſt certain, and unequivocal; and, of courſe, will always attract the vulgar eye of common minds. Abilities and virtues are abſolutely neceſſary to raiſe men from the middle rank of life into notice; and the natural conſequence is notorious, the middle rank contains moſt virtue and abilities. Men have thus, in one ſtation, at leaſt, an opportunity of exerting themſelves with dignity, and of riſing by the exertions which really improve a rational creature; but the whole female ſex are, till their character is formed, in the ſame condition as the rich: for they are born, I now ſpeak of a ſtate of civilization, with certain ſexual privileges, and whilſt they are gratuitouſly granted them, few will ever think of works of ſupererogation, to obtain the eſteem of a ſmall number of ſuperiour people.
When do we hear of women who, ſtarting out of obſcurity, boldly claim reſpect on account of their great abilities or daring virtues? Where are they to be found?—'To be obſerved, to be attended to, to be taken notice of with ſympathy, complacency, and approbation, are all the advan-
