Alexandria advertiser and commercial intelligencer. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1800-1803, 1801-10-06
TO THE AUTHOR OF THE RES.
TORATOR.

OR,
AM one OF thofc women, whole noti-
ons of the rank, and perhaps of the mental
powers of the fex are not very different from
your own; though little more referve
and qualification in the manner of expref
iing /ome Of the fentiments, would be more
foothing. would have you fay all you
think of the diver:ty of character, but
touch gently the queltion, which is the fu-
perior being, afert that woman is inferior
to man In fome refpeets; but allow that fhe
is hyperion to him in others and let the
difference Unified on be rather in kind
than degree Of excellence. This theory
will at once enable US to have noble and
generous thoughts of ourielves, and obiige
us to entertain a profound srefpee for you.
twill fave our pride and yet leave room
for our, humility. / acknowledge you do
70 much juitice to our peculiar excellencies
that we ought TO indulge you in feverity
upon the abfurd claims of the unfexed fe
males nor thould we fnppo(e you are not
our friend, becaufe you decline being our
aatterer.
Since came to years Of diicretion,
have never thought of diiregarding the
tutelage offemale ftuation, the decorum
of fex and the forms of the world. have
acquiefced in the doctrine, that my pro-
per fphere is domefic life; tina. my cha
raoer is eltimable in proportion as am
uieful and agreeable in this fphere. Man,
| am accutomed to regard, as deGgned by
Providence to guide, to govern and pro-
a --.c.--.-,- - L~::., - rl-~se sd
ward. 1t istruc, 1 have been taught to
exercife my reafoning power. upon thcfe
religious and moral principles, that ma Y
lead me to aet,from fomething beiide mere
impulfe and to obey, as one having a
Judgment and confidence, not TO fay will.
OF my own. My parents and brothers,
by refpeding my opinions, have produced
In me belief in the general retlilude Of
my understanding and by teaching m, in.
clinations TO beof the fame party with nv
duty, led me to conform TO their wifhes.
more from dipoftion to obliqe than a
conlcioufnefs Of fubjeetiop. luppofe I
am not without the love of fway, !. E. the
defre of being pleafed but the empire
ain at, is thar which lecturer upon fe-
male character propuies, the empire OF diff
cretion, of fWeeneis, of addrefs, and of
.complaifance. Aware that intellectual en-
dowments are not primarily important and
may be injurious, have fought to unite
with any literary attachments may pof-
iels, the appropriate excellencies Of nv
iex; and to u(e my Literature with Due
confluence OF tongue and pen. If I have
cultivated my mind and heart, have not
forgotten my perfon and manners fl
can figure in ball room, am not a
franger to the kitchen; and though |
may excel in making a BIN met, / am no
bungler at darning itccking. Whit
cndeavour not to incur contempt by being
filly, am equally careful NOT to excite
alarm by being too wife. l csnnot an.
fwer for the efcapes of upguarded moments
But, deliberately or malicioufly, have
not fhamed the ignorant of my male ac-
quaintances by the faperiori,y of my learn
ing, nor mortified the dull By the bril!ian-
cy of my wit, nor pcfed the iimple by the
ipbtlety ofmy logo. have often afked
infruetion f.om men upon fubjees, which
! knew l was more acquainted with than
my teachers and ccndefccndcd 10 appear
almoit dJnce, to keep alta diitarce from
the air OF Pedant. ] have never perpe.
tTated CONT o-ition, but ina letter; nor
would lnow run the hazard of getting In
to print, but from the certainty of CON
ceslneFt. Whtre / 10 make the bea book
j., the world, think I ihould initiate.
Though perhaps from more .fcIffn motives,
Lady Psrlogton, The fup.oicd author Of