utter the moſt immodeſt remarks and queſtions, the full meaning of which ſhe had learned whilſt ſecluded from the world, and afraid to ſpeak in her mother's preſence, who governed with a high hand: they were all educated, as ſhe prided herſelf, in a moſt exemplary manner; and read their chapters and pſalms before breakfaſt, never touching a ſilly novel.
This is only one inſtance; but I recollect many other women who, not led by degrees to proper ſtudies, and not permitted to chooſe for themſelves, have indeed been overgrown children; or have obtained, by mixing in the world, a little of what is termed common ſenſe; that is a diſtinct manner of ſeeing common occurrences, as they ſtand detached: but what deſerves the name of intellect, the power of gaining general or abſtract ideas, or even intermediate ones, was out of the queſtion. Their minds were quieſcent, and when they were not rouſed by ſenſible objects and employments of that kind, they were low-ſpirited, would cry, or go to ſleep.
When, therefore, I adviſe my ſex not to read ſuch flimſy works, it is to induce them to read ſomething ſuperiour; for I coincide in opinion with a ſagacious man, who, having a daughter and niece under his care, purſued a very different plan with each.
The niece, who had conſiderable abilities, had, before ſhe was left to his guardianſhip, been indulged in deſultory reading. Her he endeavoured to lead, and did lead to hiſtory and moral eſſays; but his daughter, whom a fond, weak mother had indulged, and who conſequently was
