I must descend to the minutiae of the subject.
I lament that women are systematically degraded by receiving the
trivial attentions, which men think it manly to pay to the sex,
when, in fact, they are insultingly supporting their own
superiority. It is not condescension to bow to an inferior. So
ludicrous, in fact, do these ceremonies appear to me, that I
scarcely am able to govern my muscles, when I see a man start with
eager, and serious solicitude, to lift a handkerchief, or shut a door,
when the lady could have done it herself, had she only moved a pace or
two.
A wild wish has just flown from my heart to my head, and I will
not stifle it though it may excite a horse-laugh.- I do earnestly wish
to see the distinction of sex confounded in society, unless where love
animates the behaviour. For this 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
by 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.
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