Let us then, by being allowed to take the same exercise as boys, not
only during infancy, but youth, arrive at perfection of body, that
we may know how far the natural superiority of man extends. For what
reason or virtue can be expected from a creature when the seed-time of
life is neglected? None- did not the winds of heaven casually
scatter many useful seeds in the fallow ground.
'Beauty cannot be acquired by dress, and coquetry is an art not so
early and speedily attained. While girls are yet young, however,
they are in a capacity to study agreeable gesture, a pleasing
modulation of voice, an easy carriage and behaviour; as well as to
take the advantage of gracefully adapting their looks and attitudes to
time, place, and occasion. Their application, therefore, should not be
solely confined to the arts of industry and the needle, when they come
to display other talents, whose utility is already apparent.'
'For my part, I would have a young Englishwoman cultivate her
agreeable talents, in order to please her future husband, with as much
care and assiduity as a young Circassian cultivates her's, to fit
her for the Haram of an Eastern bashaw.'
To render women completely insignificant, he adds- 'The tongues of
women are very voluble; they speak earlier, more readily, and more
agreeably, than the men; they are accused also of speaking much
more: but so it ought to be, and I should be very ready to convert
this reproach into a compliment; their lips and eyes have the same
activity, and for the same reason.
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