Children, I grant, ſhould be innocent; but when the epithet is applied to men, or women, it is but a civil term for weakneſs. For if it be allowed that women were deſtined by Providence to acquire human virtues, and by the exerciſe of their underſtanding, that ſtability of character which is the firmeſt ground to reſt our future hopes upon, they muſt be permitted to turn to the fountain of light, and not forced to ſhape their courſe by the twinkling of a mere ſatellite. Milton, I grant, was of a very different opinion; for he only bends to the indefeaſible right of beauty, though it would be difficult to render two paſſages which I now mean to contraſt, conſiſtent. But into ſimilar inconſiſtencies are great men often led by their ſenſes.
'To whom thus Eve with perfect beauty adorn'd.
My Author and Diſpoſer, what thou bidſt
Unargued I obey; ſo God ordains;
God is thy law, thou mine: to know no more
Is Woman's happieſt knowledge and her praiſe.'
Theſe are exactly the arguments that I have uſed to children; but I have added, your reaſon is now gaining ſtrength, and, till it arrives at ſome degree of maturity, you muſt look up to me for advice—then you ought to think, and only rely on God.
Yet in the following lines Milton ſeems to coincide with me; when he makes Adam thus expoſtulate with his Maker.
'Haſt thou not made me here thy ſubſtitute,
And theſe inferior far beneath me ſet?
