Alexandria advertiser and commercial intelligencer. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1800-1803, 1801-09-23
FROM THE

readers againit the psrnicious doctrines OF
what has been called, (,hough, think
with no great propriety) the new ichool,
he deferves the thanks OF tie Tex, and OF
every triend to virtue. When, alto, he
proceeds to point OUT the domettic relati-
-ons as the properfphere of female duty, his
petitions, generally confdered, mutt, un-
doubtedly be pronounced correct. Ref
pe1ing rhe truth of fome fentiments ad-
vanced in this eGay, I cannot but hefitate;
and from few I totally diGent.
Whether the two fexes be equal In
frength of mental talents, is a q~ueition, 70
much canvaGed in conversation and writ
ing, both feriouly and fporrively, thar
there are probably few who have nor made
up their minds upon the Ebjeet. I am
decidedIy'of opinion thar sperfett equality
fubhR:. I cannot doubt, that the female mind
in the fame circumstances, with the fame
cultivation, and equal motives for exerti
on, is capable of making equal improve
menr in every ipecies of human knowledge.
To enter here upon the proof Of this,
would be too tedious bus whoever de
MES it, has, l think, all hifory and expe.
Yience againe him.
To pluck a leaf from the lawrels of Mil
ton, is almott to diminilh the dignity of
human nature. Yet, l fear, this great
man, this glory of his fpecies, has uncon-
fcioaly contributed 10 injure the female
character, by dwelling 100 much upon the
sraces OF perfon and behavior, and too lit
Tie upon the fold virtues of he mind. So
perfectly lovely, 70 rapturouly enchanting
is the peers" accomplished Eve" tina,
we are unwilling TO believe Ter imperfect,
and delight to coniccrate, by the appro-
barion or our judgment, this beautiful idol
of tie Imagination. Yet, if Milton, that
tern and lofty republican, has diligently
preferved the fuperiority OF his W fex in
authority, he does nor undegvalue the fe-
male understanding. He entertained no
opinion, that it was unequal to the con-
temptation or attainment Of the fublimeH
knowledge. When Eve, Yerceiying her
hufband
Entering on fEsio&s tbozg6t, a5-
-grgIe,
Rok and qDent Eyfb amongg hs,tJxit, and
The poet carefully reminds Us,
Yet 1vSut Be nor, a, not 1vilb luch difcourfe
Delighted, 0, not capable her ear
Ofaobaf 1ns high.
And In his ionnet Z" To a v~irtuous Young
LADY," he applauds, with hign appreciate
on, her refearches into the mott recondite
truth.
Lily, tbatv The prime Of rarhcR yaatb,
#WyL b4tb Bs4n'd hs Lyoad avay aua
The green,
aA1d 4Difb tbgs E7O arr eniueuhl Jreu,
] hat labor up The bill OF heavenly truth.
That the. afectation Of learning is the
utmoh any woman can reaEanably hope 70
arrive at" is d fentimsnt much 700 cen
%iorlous. and indeed totally untrue. In
every age of modern hiitory, female writ
ers have improved and delighted ~fociery,
ny productions both elegant and ufeiul -
Eratmus commends the extenfiye %clafical
eruditioe of the three celebrated daughters
OF Sir Thomas More; and from his time
TO that Of The MoEes and BarbauIds of our
day, very numerous and rsfpettable have
been the PRODUCTION, of The. female pen.
The alarms Of the ladies are fuch de-
lghtful things, that he muA be a brute
indeed, who has q win 10 deprive them OF
a Jingle grace. Bot ] cannot entertain
the idea, that a beautiful perlon can be
rendered lels Pleafng by becoming the ha-
bitation Of a correct and well Informed
mind. If to the ~vivacity and elegance,
the d)elicacy and f@oftnefs, 70 Datufal to
the female fex, be added that foundnefs OF
understanding which is produced only by
a liberal education, and cherifhed only
by haoltual cultivation and inquiry, they
will certainly become greater pro6cients