I t
1ginable, and fonns the pre Mary Astell f the heroes. ''Whal is this," 1666-1731 ) to JOSABl:,, fi nding her in HAN, the priest of BAAL, if DAVID speak to this trai Mary Astcll was born in 1666 in Newcastle, England. Her upper-middle-class d, lest the earth should open t devour you both? Or lest family pos!>esscd a comfortable income from her father's position as an official in uld fall and crush you to the local coal industry. The entire family, including Mary, was staunchly Royalist purpose? Why comes the and Anglican. Mary's uncle Ralph Astell, an Anglican clergyman suspended from to poison the air, which we his post for alcoholism, tutored her brother Peter, and Mary, a precocious student, Tid presence'!" Such senti was included in these lessons. Although she diclnot learn Latin and Greek, Mary .vith great applause on the read some classics in translation and also studied history, philosophy, mathematics, , at LONDON the .spectators theology, and probably French. :h pleased lo hear AcmLLES When Marywas thirteen, her family situation suddenly changed. Her uncle and 11 he was a clog in his fore father died within a year of each other, and the familyfi nances were found to be un is heart, or Jurrnm threaten sound. What little money remained was dedicated to furthering Peter's education, lrubbing, if she will not be while Mary lived with her mother and aunt in reduced circumstances. No dowry les arc also a blemish in any could be provided for Mary, and she never married. Rhetoric scholar Christine •hen they rise up to supcrsti Mason Sutherland has suggested that Mary, pious and learned, might have made a emsclves into every senli very successful career for herself in the Anglican Church - if only she had been .e from any connection with male.• Without this recourse, Aste II went to London in 1688 to try her fortunes as a sc for the poet, that the cus writer and educator after her mother and aunt had also died. had burthened life with so Astcll had e.xpected help from relatives in London, hut they soon abandonl!dher . mnies and observances, that Desperate, she appealed to the notably charitable archbishop of Canterbury, mpl from that yoke. It must William Sancroft, and he introduced her to his well·educated and devout aristoT IS in PETRARCH to compare cratic 11.!malefri ends and to a London bookseller, Rich Wilkin, who would promote to JESUS Cl!RlST. Nor is it her work. She settled in Chelsea, then a suburb of London and home to several !l agreeable libertine, Boe girls' schools. From the archbishop's circle, Astell gained a patron, Lady Elizabeth y to give thanks to Goo 1die.s, for their assistance in Hastings, ,md also became acquainted with other female intellectual leaders such as ,t hii;enemie .s . Lady Mary Wortley Monlagu and Lady Catherine Jones. Astell's new friends re spected her learning and intelligence and encouraged her to publish her views. Astell's first book was A Serious Proposal to the ladiesfor the Ad11a11ce111e11t of Their Tnw and Greatest lllterest ( I 694), published anonymously but with the au thor's gender identified ("A Lover of her Sex"). Whal Astell proposed was the . . foundation of a women's college or, as she called it, a "Protestant Nunnery," where .� \'k!,{•h .... ·1 , ..�j young women could receive a serious secular education as well as instruction in Anglican Christianity. The institution would be governed by the inmates collec tively, without a supervisory hierarchy cithl!r male or female. Women might leave this institution to marry and thus benefitthe ir families with their piety and learning, or they might stay on, helping to educate the younger women and findingcharitable activities 10 perform for the larger community. Astell now knew firsthand how des perate lhc financial situation of an unemployable young woman could be without male supporters and protectors, no mailer what her social class, and how empty the
'Chr�llm: Mason Suthcrhmd, "Mary Ascell: Reclaiming Rhclorku in the Seventeenth Century," in Rer/11imi11# Rhetorica, ed. Andrea A. Lunsford (Pinshurgh: Univcn;ityof Pittsburgh Press, 1995), p. 95.
MARY ASTELL A""'-41\_\,.._ lives of aristocratic women could be without intellectual pursuits lo engage them. mcnts too individuali!,tic, A. t,. ,-.... even if they faced no financial worries. Belter education for women could enable tians together. f-lcr proof them all to use their lime to serve God whatever their circumstances and to support ings' best interests at hem ~t\'!!.-L!\.~ themselves through teaching if that became necessary. tend their arguments to dl Astell's book was an immediate success and had four suhse{1uentprintings by felt that the best protectio lf;~\\A--1 .. "') ? 1701. Clearly it met a fell need for new ideas concerning the educution of women, relationships were inrusc<. since the convents where some had been educated had been disbanded long ago by These books won muc Henry Vlll, and the custom of providing private tutors at least for women of the she became queen. But th1 upper classes had fallen out of favor with the accession of the Stuarts. Astell was day, both on the stage and not the first seventeenth-century woman to advocate improved education for nus Pmpo.m/ in The Tm women; Bathsua Makin had published t\11Essa)' 10 Re1•ive the A111ie111Edm:alimt of bluestocking figure, "Mac Ge111/ewo111e11in 1673, but her proposal was not as extensive as Astcll's and throne upon Anne's dealt claimed only to better fit women for marriage. Astcll's Proposal established her StuarL-;.These pressures 1 reputation for wisdom and eloquence well beyond her immediate circle (it is said works after 1709, althoug that Samuel Richardson admired it tremendously and used its ideas in conceiving works. his heroine Clarissa), and it even attracted an aristocratic sponsor, probably Princess Aslell also had a new , Anne, who contemplated donating £to,{)(JO to establish the school Astell proposed. 1709 she became the head This donor was eventually discouraged by Gilbert Burnet, bishop of Salisbury, who school movement was spr thought that the nunnery idea sounded a bit too "popish." Even though Protestant by private henefactions, ti women's institutions had been tried before, most notably at Lillie Giddings in the numeracy, inculcated hi1 1630s, they were always suspected of having Roman Catholic leanings, which were trained children for jobs , dangerous in a century of violent religious opinions (James II had been deposed in cially active in the charily 1688 after he converted lo Roman Catholicism). It was supported entirely I To argue further for her proposal, in 1697 Ai,;tcllpublished A Serious Pmpo.rnl to Astell specified in the ch the u.ulies, Part II. Wftereill a Metftml Is Offer'd j,,,.the /111prm1eme111of Their women. Ahhough it hac Mind\ (excerpted here), which detailed the curriculum for the college. Although women's college, this sd Astell recommended that women study virtually every subject that men studied ex from active teaching in 17 cept for classical languages, she did not advocate extensive reading. She wanted her In her later years, Aste program to be within the reach of every woman- she frequently deprecated any home with her friend Lad compliments that identified her as "exceptional" -- and the heart of her educational lum at the Chelsea school scheme was lo be a method of thinking that could be applied in any area. I-laving in 1731. developed one's rational powers, one could then read a'i extensively (or not) as one Although neglected in wished. Among the readings in French, Astell recommended Rene Descartes. from work has recently attractec whom she derived her intellectual method (sec below), and educational reformer "first English fcminist."11 and salon intellectual Madeleine de Scullery (sec p. 761 ). This book, too, attracted ical conliervative, never q1 wide notice, though not a donor, even though it was dedicated to Princess Anne. the state, or the family. S Between 1694 and 1709 Aslell published nine books. Along with the two de and this is one of several voted to women's education, she publbhed five on religious issues, one on politics, Pizan (sec p. 540). Astell, and her best-known work after the two volumes of Serious Proposal - Some Rejlec- temporaries when it fell sl· 1io11supon Marriage ( 1700), which indicted abusive husbands. She became a welt women were intcllcctuall) known figure in the intellectual controversies of the day. In addition lo defending conducted their lives. Wm the Anglican Church against dissenters, Astell was a political conservative who at tacked philosopher John Locke's arguments that reason endows individuals with the •D. N. DcLuna, "Mary Ash (1993): p, 231, right to overthrow tyrants (a hot issue in a century in which two English kings had i 'Sec , for cxmnplc. Britlgct H been forcibly removed from the throne, and one executed). She found these argu- ll'ri1i11t,:.v by Man • ,htcll (New Y1
ENLIGIHENMENT RHETORIC \\ ' Lrsuits to engage !hem, menls loo individualistic, devoid of the community feeling that should bind Chris \ r women could enable tian~ together. Her proof that such thinkers would really not keep !heir fellow be l!>tancc~and to support ings' best interests at heart was that they always refused, however illogically, to ex tend their arguments lo domestic tyranny and to address the rights of women. Astell ub!.equenl printings by fell that the hesl protection for women lay in a hiernrchical social order in which all e educalion of women, relation!.hips were infused with a spirit of Christian love. disbanded long ago by These books won much praise for Astell, as well as a pension from Anne when Sf-_..l,'L\.I wL,«,t.:, l,,.bi,,I, cast !'or women of the she hccame queen. Bui they also made her the butt of satire from misogynists of the the Stuarls. A!.tell was day, hoth on the stage and in print; for example, Jonathan Swifl lampooned 1heSeri - Vte.w ~ C- MARY ASTEI.L can discharge this responsibility lo the fullest, albeit in more private venues than logic. She asserts that n those open to men. Astell opposed women's pret1ching or speaking al the bar or po and only if they have b litical rostrum, but she advocated a wide sphere of action for women in education downplay the importan and community charitable work. She clearly presented a vision of women as a rhctor s if, after all, the r, group who suffered because of their gender and who needed to band together lo quired via schooling, to help each other. rn Astell' s scheme, i Sutherland has argued that Aste\l was influenced by several powerful intellectual rhetoric, a diminution lf· currents of her day. Perhaps the earliest influence was the so-called Cambridge Pia· Astell docs not discuss tonism, which her uncle Ralph Astell had imbibed as a student and passed on to her. might be that her :-ourc This view of Christianity emphasized that humans had inborn conceptions of the one' s content is logical, true and the good that naturally attracted them to these qualities when they were en· that women will use rhc countered in the world. Additionally, innate human reason could identify and ex wriucn lexts or in facc-1 plore religious truths. But there was a point of Divine mystery past which human long speeche s that wou/c powers could not go. Ultimately the essential truths of religion had to be accepted Astell docs give som -·l.c..t1 ,_ ..... -\-. on faith. Piety, therefore, could not securely survive if nourished by the individual's lem1), even though Rami ...... 11,,AU-l-~ mental powers alone. It needed the support of religious institutions and rituals, and mention s delivery, callin might wither amid the individualistic practices of the more austere Protestant sects. vantage over men here This may be why Astell always firmly clung to high Anglicanism. suited to the mostly pri~a Especially helpful to Astell were the arguments of Descartes that extensive clas Most of Aslcll' s discu sical learning, from which women had been largely excluded, was not necessary to matter of cataloging figu a vibrant intellectual life: All people were innately capable of reason, the key men· bu1 Astell believes that 0 ta! activity (a view which had arisen curlier in the thinking of Ramus; sec p. 674). language mm;tly from re. Astcl\ probably knew Fram;ois Pouluin de la Barre's De l'cgalilc des deux sexes Obscurity, verbos ity, and ( 1673; English edition, The Woman as Good m /he Man, 1677), which applied used only when they aid Descartes's ideas to women, but Astell added a Christian justification for women's women' s rhetoric should equality and exhorted them directly to better themselves. She was also inlluenccd Renai ssance scholar Jane by L 'Art de pc11ser( 1662; English edition, The Art of Thinking, 1674), the logic text cal sphere, different from of the Port Royalists Antoine Amauld and Pierre Nicole, and De /'art de parler use oratory . Astcll also a, (1675; English edition, The Art of Speaking, 1676), the rhetoric text of Bernard should wrilc as she speaks Lamy, an Oratorian monk. Themselves inllucnced by Ramus and Descartes, these ity should be the primary, thinkers assigned invention lo the province of logic and focused rhetoric on style. ate lo attract the audience'. Aslell cites both these works in A Scrim1.1·Proposal, P,m II. She agrees with Lamy there, lo arouse admiration that rhetorical ability is mainly a natural endowment and that one should strive for The guiding principle fc 1•• clarity to accommodate one's audience, while also arousing their interest with a few e?ce. Astell derives this pi unusual expressions. Also showing Lamy's inllucncc is Astcll'!. view that one needs piety actuafly conduces lo little stylistic ornament because people arc naturally attracted to truth if they can sec ences. An idea unique lo A it clearly. But Astell goes much further than Lamy in insisting that Christian piety is bad style: For example, van an aid to rhetoric because it induces the proper charitable attitude toward one's au 00 C.~I"\;\.... ""- .....-d.\.. hose style that woul<.Iconfu dience and also the proper virtuous behavior in the rhetor's life to inspire confi ..f d-,<,,~,-\.v._\~L. charity toward one's reader dence. Herc Astell seems closer to Augustine, one of Lamy's frequently cilcd ate or triumph over her auc sources, than to Lamy himself. truth, and Aslcll notes that 1 The theory of rhetoric that Astcll developed initially shows the influence of want to admit lhal they wen sources that tend lo restrict rhetoric's domain and to view it negatively. In A Scriom advises, or make them feel Proposal, Part II, she devotes less than half as much space to rhetoric as she docs to will move them to truth mon ENLIGHTENMENT RH ETORIC aore private venues than logic . She usserts thut nature is the best teacher of elo£1uence. Rules help only a little, ~...p~ peaking al the bar or po· and only if they huvc been derived from nature. Although this view might seem to (__~~ for women in education downpluy the importanc e of rhetoric . it al:;o :mpports the ideu that women can be '"""4 o.c..c.A-"~ lj} 1 vision or women as a rhctors if, afler all , the primary requirement s for eloquence arc innate rather than ac ~ded to band together to quired via schooling, to which women may not have access. .f+"'~~.:...~ In Astell's scheme, invention or the "Method of Thinking" belongs to logic, not ...f~~ era\ powcrfol intellectual rhetoric, a diminution that can be traced back through the Port Royalists to Ramus. , oTcalled Cambridge Pia· Astell does not discuss memory under the domain of rhetoric either. One reason lent and passed on to her. might be that her sources, following Ramus, place memory, too, under logic: If 1bom conceptions or the one's content is logical , it will be easy to remember . Or possibly Astell is imagining ,Jities when they were en · that women will use rhetoric in situations where memory is not needed, either in m could identify and cxT written texts or in face -toTfuce conversations that do not offer the opportunity for ystery past which human long speeches that would need to be memorized. ligion had to be accepted Astell does give some attention to arrangement (though she docs not use that ,rished by the individual's term), even though Ramist rhetoricians would relegate this, too, to logic. She briclly astitutions and rituals, and mentions delivery, calling it "Pronunciation" and claiming that women have an ad ·e austere Protestant sects. vantage over men here, in that their voices urc naturally more pleasing and better 1canism . suited lo the mostly private occasions on which Astcll imagines women will speak. ,cartes that extensive clas- Most of Astell's discussion of rhetoric is devoted to style, but this is not for her a 1ded, was not necessary to mutter of cat.iloging figures and tropes. First, women's language must be correct, le of reason, the key men but Astell believes that one can pick up the grnmmar and spelling of one's native ng of Ramus; sec p. 674). language mostly from reading good books. Above all, one's style should be clear. e l 'egalite des deux sexes Obscurity, verbosity, and pretentiousness arc to be avoided; unusuul words are to be 'an, 1677), which applied used only when they aid clarity and prevent the aforementioned faults. For Astell, 1 justification for women's women's rhetoric should focus on the art of conversation, .is both Sutherland and ,. She was also influenced Renaissance scholar Jane Donawerth have argued. This is women's proper rhetori 11king,1674), the logic text cal sphere, different from but in no way inlerior to the public sphere in which men le, and De I' art de parler use oratory. Astell also advances the position, unusual for her day, that u woman e rhetoric text or Bernard should write as she speaks-print does not call for an inflated style, and again, clar umus and Descartes, these ity should he the primary consideration. Astell argues, however, that it is appropri I focused rhetoric on style. ate to attract the audience's attention with an unusually striking expression here and ·t /I. She agrees with Lamy there, to arouse admiration for the way the woman rhetor uses language. d that one should strive for The guiding principle for the woman rhetor should be to accommodate her audi ~.. I..O~~i, ing their interest with a few ence. Astell derives this principle from Christianity, and she argues that Christian rt.~L&.c.,l...... '- ~ c\stell's view that one needs piety actually conduces to eloquence by encouraging a proper attitude toward audi kw- ~ b ...'\- 1cted to truth if they can see ences. An idea unique to Astell is that Christianity helps extirpate vices that lead to +'-'c..~-h,""'1 er bad style: For example, vanity or the desire to deceive can lead to an obscure or ver isting that Christian piety is ~~ (t.u~ le attitude toward one's au- bose style that would confuse the audience. Moreover, Christianity adjures love and 1} ,:,.(.,. l~I fl 1etor's life to inspire confi T charity toward one's readers or interlocutors. The rhetor should not seek to humili Jf Lamy's frequently cited ate or triumph over her audience. Rather her goal should be to get them to sec the ~Ao't.d..) truth, and Astell notes that progress to truth is often impeded for people who do not illy shows the influence of want to admit that they were wrong. Don't wring such an admission from them, she wit negatively. In A Serious advises, or make them feel that they arc submitting by agreeing with you, and you ace to rhetoric as she docs to will move them to truth more quickly. Astcll goes well beyond her sources in arguing MARY ASTELL for a nondisputatious model of communication; Sutherland suggests that this model From A Serial evokes the twentieth -century ethic of caring that bespeaks women's values, us femi nists have argucd: 1 Ethos is a crucial consideration of this approach. Audiences must believe that the Tl,e l11tr11d11ctim1Co11tai11i speaker has their best interests at heart. Astcll suggests that the woman rhetor can l'erswasive '" the Ladies T best gain this favorable ethos by leading a life that demonstrates her sincere com the lmproveme11tof tlrcirA mitment to Christianity, advice which Aslell certainly tried to follow herself. Her Did the Author of the forr biographer Ruth Perry testifies that Astell's writings arc filled with a genuine love Improvement of the Ladies of women and concern for their welfare, both in personal terms, since she was a de ulalion only, she wou'd no voted friend, and in terms of the whole sex. She helped give European women a \-\.A f...... ,...d,.."'-' by treating on so nice a Su consciousness of themselves as a distinct group, defined by gender, that needed to Censorious Age, but con .. f 0. <>'~ft,t'tO unite to improve their situation. In this sense. Mary Astell truly was one of the first favourable reception whid \~'1 feminists. of the World were please, Essay. 1 It is not unusual sh mind no more than thei Selected llihliograp/ry plcas'd if they can make a Modem editions of A Serio11.1·Proposal to the lmlics, ParrsI a11dII have appeared, one from Name amongst the Authm the Source Book Press (1970), and another edited by Patricia Springborg (1997; our excerpt little Censure and some I is taken from this edition). Springborg has also edited a collection of other work, Asrell: Po, there are a few generous S the Hope or Fear of vu\ lirirnl Wriri11gs( 1996). Sec also Bridge! Hill's, The Firs! E11gli1·hFeminist: RejleL·timll' m1 Marriage a11dOther Writi11gsby Mary As/ell ( 1986), a good collection that docs nol include much regard that Applau A Seriour Propo.wl. more commonly by Fam The standard biography is Ruth Perry, The Cdclmucd Mary Asrel/ (1986). Perry summa Judgment; they rest satisf rizes Astell':; thinking in all her areas of interest . Margaret L. King relates her to earlier fig· Intention, and comfort tt urcs such as Christine de Pizan in Wome11of rhe Rerwiswmce (1991). Hilda L. SJTiith places endeavour'd the Refonn her in the history of feminism in Rccmm 's Diiciples : Sc1•e111ee111h-Cc11111ry£11~/i.rh Fcmi11iJl.r those look to't who will n (19H2). A good short introduction that focuses on Astcll's contributions 10 rhetoric is But give her leave Lo pro Christine Mason Sutherland's "Mary Astcll : Reclaiming Rhetorica in the Seventeenth Cen · indifferent what the Criti1 tury'' (in ReclC1i111ingRlwrorica. ed. Andrea A. Lunsford, 1995). Sutherland also helpfully ceivc any Advantage by discusses the difficulties inherent in reading Astcll through a twcntieth,ccntury feminist lens them, so it will give her ti in "Women in the History of Rhetoric: The Past and the Future" (in The Changing Tradition: having prov'd that they Wome11i11 the History of Rhetoric, ed. Christine Mason Sutherland and Rebecca Sulcliffc, things, she can't perswad were more Lo her satisfn< 1999). Jane Donawcrth discusses Aslcll's commitment 10 a conversational model of rhetoric and condemn' d as foolish m helpfully relates her 10 other women rhetoricians or the period, in "Conversation and the find it rccciv'd with sorr Boundaries of Public Discourse in Rhetorical Theory by Renaissance Women" (Rhctorim no body endeavouring to 16.2 [spring 19981: 1!!HJ9). D. N. DcLuna locates Astcll in her contemporary context of the former wou'd only r< misogynist satire and !he ladies' conduct books that combated it in "Mary Astcll: England's standing, but the luller is being a plain sign that 'tt ... • < First Feminist Literary Critic" (Women '.1· S111c/ies22.2 ( 1993): 231 - 42). Christine Mason Sutherland gives more information on sources of Aslcll's thought in "Outside the Rhetorical mend what is Good, they Courage to Act accordinJ TrJdition: Mary Astcl\'s Advice 10 Women in Seventeenth-Century England" (Rhetorica 9.2 I ., , • And can you Ladies 1 !spring 1991 j; 147-63). For more on Astcll's political and social thought, sec Ruth Perry, "Mary Astcll and the Feminist Critique of Possessive Individualism" (Eigl11ee111/i-Ce11111ry ward for all the Good ~ S111c/ic.1·23.4 [ 19901:444-57). 4Suthcrland. in Reclaimi1111R/1e1orirn, pp. I 13- 15. Edi1cd by Patricin Springh< •Clearly 1hc reception oft 1111.mlwas nnl entirely good na ENLIGHTENMUNT RHETORIC ests that this model n's values, as fcmi- From A Serious Proposal to the Ladies, Part II 1ust believe that the Tlte /11trod11ctfo11C,mt"i11i11g a farther Pleasure of seeing you Wisc and Happy? Cun woman rhctor can Perswasfre Ill tlte Ladies T(} emleal'tmr you envy her the Joy of assisting you at Your Tri :s her sincere com . lite lmproveme11t1>/tlwir Mimi.\· umphs '! for if ever she contend for Laurels it follow herself. Her shall be only to lay them at the Ladies feet. Why Did the Author of the former Essay toward s th' vith a genuine love won't you begin to think, and no longer dream lmp!ovement of the Ladies consult her own Rep since she was a de away your Time in a wretched incogitancy? 1 utatton only , she wou'd not hazard it once more, ~uropean women a Why docs not a generous Emulation fire your by treating on so nice a Suhjcct in a Curiou s and hearts and inspire you with Noble and Becoming ,der, that needed to Censorious Age , hut content herself with the Resentment s? The Men of Equity arc so just as to was one of the first fo_vourable reception which the good natur'd part confess the errors which the Proud and Inconsid ol the World were pleased to afford to her first erate had imbib'd to your prejudice, and that if Essay .' It is not unusual she knows for Writer s to you allow them the preference in Ingenuity, it is mind no more than their own Credit, to be not bccau!.c you must but because you will. Can plea!.'d if they can make a handsom llori sh, get a you be in Love with servitude and folly? Can you Name amongsl the Authors, come off with but :i e appeared, one from dote on a mean, ignorant and ignoble Life'? An litllc Censure and some Commendation s. Or if ·• r • rg (199 7; our excerpt Ingenious Woman is no Prodigy to be star'd on, .,. there are a few generous Souls who arc got ubovc her work, Aste/I: 1'0- for you lmve it in your power to inform the the Hope or Fear of vulgar breath, who don't 11inist:Rejiec:ti,ms m1 World, that you can every one or you be so, if much regard that Applauo;e which is dispcnc'd that docs not include you please your selves. It is not enough lo wish more commonly hy Fancy or Passion than by and to would it, or t'afford a faint Encomium Judgment; they rest sati!.fied however in a good 1986). Perry ~um111a- upon what you pretend is beyond your Power; Intention, and comfort themselves that they've 11esher to earlier fig· Imitation is the heartiest Praise you can give, and ·lilda L. Smith places endcavour'd the Reformation of the Age, let is .i Debt which Justice requires 10 be paid to those look tn't who will not follow their Advices. \l 1ry£11,;/iJ/r Fe111i11i.1"1 .1· every worthy Action. What Sentiments were lit ~ut_~ .ive her leave to profess, that as she is very utions to rhetoric is to be rais'd in you lo day ought to remain to mor 111d1llercntwhat the Critics say, if the Ladies re he Seventeenth Ccn row, and the best Commendation you can bestow ceive any Advantage hy her attempts to serve erland also helpfully on a B_ook is immediately lo pul it in Practice; them, so it will give her the greate .o;tuneasiness if -century feminist lens otherwise you become sclf-condemn'd, your having prov' d that they arc cupable of the best Clw11gi11g1'raditimt : Judgment reproaches your Actions, and you Jive things, she can't pcrswadc to a pursuit of them. h 1d Rebec ca Sutcliffe, a conlradiction to your selves. If you approve, were more lo her satisfaction to find her Project Why don't you } AS't l!LL I A Sl:IUOUS l'ROPOSAL TO T IIE LADIES, l'ART 11 .. ~r_ t, QV\ .t:1,sh~u-,~ -tk. rl,.....h,.· why shou\l that which usually recommends a tri not lost my Point, but that the Theory is suffi worth; You know very ning Dress, deter us from a real Ornament? ls't ciently establish'd; and were there hut a General lo be good than to .\·eem not as fine to he first in this as well as any other Attempt, the Practice wou'd be so visible that I has Beauty enough in h Fashion? Singularity is indeed to be avoided ex suppose there wou'd remain no more place lo and engage us in her s cept in malters of importance, in such a case dispute it. But this is your Province Ladies: For glectcd and desph.'d b} Why shou'd not we assert our Liberty, and not tho I desire your improvement never so passion therefore you cndcavou suffer every Trifler to impose a Yoke of Imperti ately, tho I shou'd have prov'd it feasible with lion of GOD and you nent Customs on us'! She who forsakes the Path the clearest Demonstration, und most proper for mainly esteem, which y to which Reason directs is much to blame, hut you to set about: yet if you will believe it impos hy an humble Charity, , she shall never do any thing Praise -worthy and sible, and upon that or any other prejudice for Praise so much, because excellent who is not got above unjust Censures, bear t'attcmpt it, l'mc like to go without my a progress in what is and too steady and well rcsolv'd to be sham'd Wishes; my Argument s what ever lhey may he in when your own dcfocts o...-dfl> from her Duty by the empty Laughter of such as themselves, arc weak and impertinent lo you, be !'excite you to watch ai _. f.hu have nothing but airy Noise and Confidence lo cause you make them usele..,s and c.lefeatthem of and other peoples y er 1 ""' recommend them. Firmness and strength of Mind the End they aim at. But I hope helter things of sentcd before you in the . "~: .. will carry us thro all these little persecutions, you; I dare say you undcrstanc.l your own interest end you may aspire to eq , ..... ~'1-\ ... 'o wh' 1c h may create us some uneasmcss· 1orr a too well to neglect it so grossly and have a I suppose then that y, ..d...l 0 r while, but will afterwards end in our Glory and greater share of sense, whatever some Men af able Ambition to brig! -...:~ Triumph. lirm, than to be conlent lo he kept any longer Souls, that the Beauty r Is it the difficulty of attaining the Bravery of under their Tyranny in Ignorance and Folly, since secondary care, your Dre the Mind, the Labour and Cost that keeps you it is in your Power to regain your Freedom, if you ,md your Gluss is nc're co from making a purchase of it? Certainly they please but !'endeavour it, rme unwilling lo be inlcrvals of lime as han who spare neither Money nor Pains !'obtain a lieve there arc any amon g you who arc obsti hours that arc destin'd 11 gay outside and make a splendid appearance, nately bent against what is praise-worthy in you now begin to throw who can get over so many difficulties, rack their themselves, and Envy or Detract from it in oth and.smile on 'cm as antiq brains, lay out their time and thoughts in contriv er:,; who won't allow any or their Sex u capacity sonmg won't down with) ing, stretch their Relations Pur,;es in procuring, to write Sense, because they wunt it. or exert sense tho address' d to yo u nay and rob the very Poor, to whom the Overplus their Spleen where they ou ght lo shew their appearance of Respect ani of a full Estate, after the owners Necessaries and Kindness or Generous Emulation; who sicken at ham 1:m1.1·1;s Wisdom is tt decent Conveniences according to her Quality their Neighbours Vcrtues, or think unothers mendation that Wit, and F arc supplied, is certainly due, they who can sur Praises a lessening of their Character; or meanly you esteem a Man only , mount so many difficulties, cannot have the face satisfic ill-nature by a c.lullMalicious Jest at what · Vcrtue, and not barely for to pretend any here. Labour is sweet when deserves to be approv'd and imitated. No Ladies, arc now become the fine there's hope of success, and the thing \abour'd Your Souls arc certainly of a better Make and Closets and Contemplatic after is Beautiful and Desircable: And if Wisdom Nobler temper, your Industry is never exerted to Entertainment of your lei st be not so I know not what is; if it is not worth pull down others but to rise above them, the only ships arc not cemented by while to procure such a temper of mind as will Resentment that arises at your Neighbours Com vain Diversions, but in the make us happy in all Conditions, there's nothing mendations is a harmless blush for your own and acquisition of Vcrt111 worth our Thoughts and Care, 'tis best to fold our Idleness in letting them so far outstrip you, and a Love to which was the Ori! hands with Solomon's Sluggard and sleep away generous Resolution to rep,1ir your former ne Friends so acceptable as 1h1 the remainder of a useless wretched Life.1 And glects by future diligence; One need not feur of fully of your faults and take that success will not be wanling to our Endeav fending you by commending ,HI other Lady in ours if we heartily use lhem. was dcsign'd lo be your Presence, or thal it shou'd be thought un af ~Aslcll appeals lo lhc Socratic evinc'd in the former Essay, and I hope I have front or defect in good breeding to give them lo appcur." fP ,S,I their lawful Eulogies: You have too just a Senti •A 171h-cc11111ryfonn or brm 1, [P.s.1 ment of your own Merit to envy or detract from JPmhably a rcrcrcnce to Solmnnn's cxhor1alinns againsl ''"Mi,·11,"•he English poclic fl others, for no Body's addicted to these little idleness in Proverbs (1: 9; "How long will thou slccpe, 0 slug prcssion, t1spec1nf countenance le gard?" [P.S. I Vices but they who arc diffident of their own "gond appe arance ." fP.S.J ' ENLIGHTENMENT RHETORIC M,rk,. (, flV\ 1mpoc-+unf- d,shKc,h~.._, 1~ QV\~ I~ • -tL..t_. r"k.,.,h,,• IC .c \ ft-"4.c{ ,' {,.""'-' the Theory is surti worth; You know very well 'fr, infinitely heller to amend 'cm. How much heller arc you enter ! there but a General lo he good than to .~eem so,-1;ind that true Vcrtue lain 'd now your Conversations arc pertinent and J be so visible that I has Beauty enough in her self t'attracl our hearts ingenious, and that Wisdom never fails to make n no more place to an ;s and defeat them or and other peoples Vertuci, continually reprc 9 work on; anc..lyou love your Religion anc..lmake it hope better things of scnled before you in their hrightest lustre, to the your Choice because you underslanc..lit; the only nd your own intereM end you may aspire to equal or surpass them. Conquest you now design and lay out your care grossly and have a I suppose then that you're lill'd with a laud to obtain is over Vice and Prophaness; you study 1tever some Men af- able Ambition to brighten and enlarge your lo engage men in the love of true Pcity and be kept any longer Souls, that the Beauty of your Bodies is but a Goodness, and no farther to he Lovers of your ance :md Folly, since !,ccondary care, your Dress grows unconcerning, selves than as you arc the most amiable and illus• your Freedom, if you Jnd your Glass is nc'rc com,ulled but in such little trious examples of •cm; you find your Wit has 'me unwilling to be - intervals of time as hang loose between those lost nothing of its salt and agreeableness by being you who arc obsti hours that arc dt!slin'd to nobler Employments, employ" d about its proper business, the exposing is praise -worthy in you now begin lo throw off your old Prejudices Folly; your Raillery 7 is not a whit less pleasant ! tract from it in oth und smile on 'cm m, antiquated Garbs; false Re.i for being more Charicable, and you can render . their Sex a capacity !,oning won ' t down with you, and glittering Non Vice as ridiculous as you please, without expos ey want it, or exert ~ensc tho addrcss ' d to your selves in the specious ing those unhappy Persons who're guilty of it; ,ught to shew their appearance of Respect and Kindness, has lost its your Humour abates not of its innocent gaily now lation; who sicken at ltalll ~011.1·1;!"• Wisdom is thought as better recom · that it is more upon chc Guard, for you know very or think anothcrs mcndation that Wit, and Piety than a 8011-mie11;n well that true Joy is a sedate and solid thing, a Charnctcr; or meanly you esteem a Man only as he is an admirer of tranquility of mind, not a boisterous and empty 1alicious Jest at what Vertue, and not barely for that he is yours; Books flash: lnMead of Creditors your doors arc fill'd imitated. No Ladies. arc now become the finest Ornaments of your with indigent Petitioners who don't so often go f u better Make and Closets and Contemplation the most agreeable without your Bounty as the other us'd to do with y is never exerted to Entertainment of your leisure hours; your Friend out their just dcmanc..ls; nor arc you unjust to above them , the only ~hips arc not cemented by Intrigues nor spent in some under colour of being Charitable to others, ur Neighbours Com vain Diversions, but in the search of Knowledge . and when you give Liberally, give no more than blush for your own and acquisition of Vcrtuous Habits, a mutual what is lawfully your own. You disdain the base lr outstrip you, and a Love to which was the Origin of 'cm; nor ari= any ungenerous Pr.icticc of pretending Kindness ,air your former ne Friends so acceptable as those who tell you faith where you really mean none; and of making a )ne need not fear of- fully of' your faults and take the properest method poor Country Lady Jess instructed in the formali 1g an other Lady in ties of lhe Town than your selves, pay suffi- u'd be thought an af *Aslcll appeals lo the Sucrnrk ASl J:LL I A Sl'RIO US l'ROl'OSAL TO nm LADIES, PART II when this lower sort of Treachery is abhorr'd, as not being their own but other Peoples fault: ing so mov'd tlrnl grot there can certainly be no place for lhat more whereas they themselves arc responsible if they ingenious Education abominable one of betraying and seducing un conlinue il, since that's an Evidence that they arc founded upon supposi wary Innocence. I do not question Ladies bul lhal silly and despicable, not because they cm1 'd nnl, usele ssness of it, and I this is the Practice of the greatest number of you. bul because they wo11'd nol be belier Informed. why they arc so little and would be of all the rest were il nol for some But where is the shame of being taught? for who capable of improvcmc lilllc discouragments they mccl with, which really is there thal docs nol need it? Alas, Human sary that other s as wc l arc not so great as their own modesty and difli Knowledge is al best defective, and always pro· dcavour it; which rem dcnce of themselves represent 'cm. They think gressivc, so lhal she who knows the mosl has Custom, loss of lime, they've been bred up in Idleness and Imperti only this advantage, that she has made a Jillie of knowing how to use nence, and study will be irksome lo them, who more speed than her Neighbours. And what's the our Faculties we seer have never cmploy 'd their mind to any good pur Natural Inference from hence? Not to give oul, ever had any arc sunk pose, and now when they wou'd they wanl the but to double our diligence; perhaps we may out taken up with scnsib' method of doing it; they know nol how to look strip 'cm, as the Penitent orten docs him who Ideas of the most nec1 into their Souls, or if they do, they find so many needs no Repentance. The worst that can be is ones; and run into all disorders lo he rectified, so many wants lo be sup the perishing in a glorious attempt, and tho we the natural Conseque plied. that frighted with the difficulty of the work shou'd happen lo prove succcssless, 'tis yet menls; we then procec they lay aside the thoughts of undertaking it. They worth our while lo've had such a noble design. for these Evils, which have been barbarously us'd, their Education and But there's no fear of ill success if we arc not be rcctilied but by er greatest Concerns neglected, and Guardians were wanting to our selves, an honest and laborious Ladies might be duly I busied in managing their Fortunes and regulating mind may pcrfonn all things. Indeed an affected Propo!tition was such their Mien; who so their Purse was full and their Ignorance, a humorous delicacy and niceness arc convinc'd it wou'd outside plausible11 matter'd nol much the poverty which will nol speculate a notion for fear of lend very much to th and narrowness of their minds, have taught them spoiling a look, nor think a serious thought lest provcmcnt of the Ludie perhaps to repc.1l their Calechism and a few good she shou'd damp the gaily of her humour; she in general propos'd 10 Sentences, to read a Chapter and say their Prayers, who is so top full of her outward excellencies. so ciou s Authors, give th tho perhaps with as little Understanding as a Par careful that every look, every motion, every thing menl and Recollection rot, and fancied that this was Charm enough to se about her shou'd appear in Form. as she employs Ingenious Convcr sutim cure them against the temptations of the present her Thoughts lo a very pitiful use, so is she al large their prospect, rel world and lo waft them to a better: and so lhro most past hopes of recovery, al least so long as in their Mind s adequal want of use and by misapplying their Thoughts to she continues this humour, and docs not grow a and Dignity of their fl. trifles and impertinences, they've perhaps almost little less conccrn'd for her Body lhal she may at Name and common Pr Jost lhrn,c cxcellcnl Capacities which probably tend her Mind. Our direction~ arc thrown away ing in their Heads and were afforded them by nature for the highest upon such a temper, 'tis lo no purpose to harp to their Mouths, but un, things. For such as these I've a world to Kindness an Ass, or to chant forth our Charms in the Ears meaning of il. and ha· and Compassion. I regret their misfortune as of a deaf Adder:"' but I hope there arc none ~o lively .~cntiment of its I much as they can lhemselves, and suppose they're utterly lost in folly and impertincm:c: If there arc, 1..nowwherein the Nalu willing lo repair il and very desirous lo inform we can only afford them our Pity for our Advice sisls; and not only feel themselves wcrc'l not for the shame of confessing will do no good. direct and regulate theiI their ignorance. But let me intrcat them lo con As for those who arc desirom, to improve and lion of the Nothingness sider that there's no Ignorance so shameful, no only want to be assisted and put into the be:;t the reality and substant Folly so absurd m, that which refuses Instruction, method of doing it, somewhat was attempted in consequently contemn be il upon what account il may. All good Persons order to do them that service in the former Essay, deserve s, fixing all theil will pity nol upbraid•, their former unhappiness , in which they may please lo remember that lmv- al] their Endeavours lo next. But becau~e thi$ \ '"l'ossihly a reference to Psalm 5H: 4· 5, which cxdai ms cral, and the particular 1 "Deserving of appluusc or ;1ppro~;1I (oh~nlctc) ( 0£/J). of the wicked 1ha1 "Their poison is like the poy~nn of a ~er to lhc Discretion of th Aslcll invariahly uses lhc wo rd in thi:; sc:n~c.11',S.J pcnl; they ;1rc like lhc deaf mldcr 1hal Moppclh her care: 9Allcgc as a grnum.1for censure (rare); reproach (OED). which will nnl hearken In the vnke of t hanncrs, dmrming and Manage the Scmint (l'.S.J ncvcrsn wisely." w.s.1 still of Opinion that ti· 850 ENLIGHTENMENT RIIETORIC ,.., ii:-bo.tl .\-»4\-:J 0 w~\.- _\-..CAit t\A.lS ~~,'L~ cwLtsll l~ da'-J other Peoples fault; ing so mov'd that groundless prejudice against an can't be duly scrv'd [yct] 11 in the mean time till -t¼..~ ·c responsible if they ingenious Education of lhc Women, which i:; that can he erected and that nothing in our power fo.-« tvidcncc that they arc founded upon supposition of the impossibility or may be wanting to do them service, we shalt at co11'd ,.~~er~ ;ausc they not, uselessness of it, and having assign'd the reasons tempt to lay down in this second part some more c,~c..,J.._~..._. I t be better Informed. why they arc so little improv'd, since they arc so minute Directions, and such as we hope if at ...... ~ ,cing taught'! for who capable of improvement, and since tis so neces tended lo may be of use lo them .... :d it? Alas, Human sary that others as well as themselves shou'd cnT ~.,,_,~- .ive, and always pro deavour il; which reasons arc chiefly Ill-nurture, CHAPTERIII knows the most has Custom, loss of time, the want of Retirement, or +t-r,~ he has made a liUlc of knowing how to use it, so that by the disuse of /IV. 1\ Natural Logic] •ours. Ami whal's thi: our Faculties we seem to have lost them if we ... Now what can be more provoking than the ci:'! Not lo give out, ever had any are sunk inln ,111Animal life wholly Idea we have or a Designing Person? of one who perhaps we may out 1aken up with sensible objecL~; either have no thinks his own Intellectuals so strong and ours so often does him who Ideas of the most ncces!>ary things or very j,1/se weak, that he can make us swallow any thing, worst that can be is ones; and run into all those mischiefs which arc and lead us where he pleases? such an one seems attempt, and tho we lhe natural Consequences of such mismanage to have an Intention to reduce us to the vilest successlcss, 'tis yet ments; we then proceeded lo propose a Remedy Slavery, 12 the Captivation of our Understand · such a noble design. for these Evils, which we affirm'd cou'd hardly .' ings, which we justly reckon to be the highest lnr . . uccess if we arc not be rectified hut by erecting a Seminary where solencc. And since every one puts in for a share honi:st and laborious Ladies might be duly Educated, and we hope our of Sense, and thinks he has no reason to com I 1. s. Indeed an affected Proposition was such that all impartial Readers plain of the distribution of it, whoever supposes :licacy and niceness arc convinc'd it wou'd answer the Design, that is, that another has an over -weaning Opinion of his l notion for fear of tend very much to the real advantage and im own, must needs think that he undervalues his t serious thought lest provement of the Ladies. In order to which it was Neighbours Understanding, and will certainly of her humour; she in general propos'd to acquaint them with Judi repay him in his own Coin, and deny him those ward excellencies, so cious Author s, give them opportunity of Retire advantages he seems to arrogatc. 1J y motion, every thing ment and Recollection and put them in a way of • The most we can say for our selves when the :;orm, as she employs Ingenious Conversation, whereby they might en weakne ss of our Arguments comes to be dis ful use, so is she al large their prospect, rectify their faL~eIdeas, form • covcr' d, is that we were mistaken thro Rashness y, at least so long as in their Minds adequate conceptions of the End .,. or Ignorance, which tho more pardonable than and docs not grow a and Dignity of their Natures, not only have the the former, arc no recommending Qualities. If we . ' 3ody that she may at Name and common Principles of Religion float argue falsly and know not that we do so, we shall Jns are thrown away ing in their Heads and sometimes running out at be more pillicd than when we do, but either way .. no purpose 10 harp to their Mouth~, but understand the design and disappointed. And if we have added Rash Cen r Charms in the Ears meaning of it, and have a just apprehension, a sures of those who arc not of our Mind, Pride or •pe there are none so lively sentiment of its Beauties and Excellencies; ~rtincnce: If there arc, know wherein lhc Nature of a true Christian con r Pity for our Advice sists; and not only feel Passion s, but be able to .... y ct" should he Llcletcdaccording tu Errata !isl ( I 697 direct and regulate their Motions; have a true No cun), p. 29!1. [P,S.I ,irous to improve und tion of the Nothingness of Material things and of " A~tcll introduces the rhetoric of slavery, for which Hc nd put into the best the reality and substantialness of immaterial, and jl,xrimrx 111m11Marriagt! ( 17rn1) ,mdthe 1706 Pref.tee arc sn hat was attempted in consequently contemn this present World as it famous. fl'.S I ' 1Astcll'~ argument ,,gainst L111:keas an uppununist take~ : in the former Essay, deserves, fixing all their Hopes upon and exerting a new twist. Locke, as~btunl tu the Earl of Shartcshury in the l remember that hav- all their Endeavours to obtain the Glories of the 1670 '~ and '!lo·~, during the period of his cnmmerdal in next. But because this was only propo s'd in gcnT volvemcnl in the slave-owning American colonies, had ar• 1 58: 4-5, which exdaims era], and the particular method or effecting it left gucu ~lrnngly against slavery m lhc se1:onuo f the Two Treu, s like the poyson of a ~cr Gm•eri1111e111, to the Discretion of those who shou'd Govern tfat!.r 11/ hk 2, § 149; (Laslcn cdn, 19118, p. 367). :r that stoppcth her c,,rc: llut Astcll convict~h im or imrugning the cap,,city of human cc or channcrs. cham1ing and Manage the Seminary, without which we arc unucrstanding in the Ena y, in order to enslave people to his still of Opinion that the Interest of the Ladies urinions I P.S.I A~Tl'LL I A SERIOUS l'ROl'OSAL '10 THI! LADIES, PART II B-,'1, ~ ....soViMA-h•j w,~f.., vu, 5"-[.>t><>l•.{ l~Vu. ..\:o.ui. C ci.r~<-•~ !\ ttm o..ll :it•n a.rt.- Vt"'\ ,1.h-,..,t,vf ;t, signilics the omission of nothing necessary, yet .m.l which all who re sense loses much of its efficacy hy being ill ex not Wordy and Tedious; nor stuft with Nauseous their own Minds will prcss'd, and an ill stile is nothing clsl! but the ne Repetitions, which they who do not Think before common Precepts of glect of some of these, or over doing others of they Write and dispose their Matter duly, can , to reduce Ingenious 'cm. scarce avoid. The Method of Thinking has been ain Rule, but they do Obscurity, one of the greatest faults in Writ already shewn, and the same is to be observ'd in them, this b Natures ing, docs commonly proceed from a want of 1ere is as much diffcr - Meditation, for when we pretend 10 tcm:h others Writing, which if it be what it ought, is nothing else but the communicating to others the result of 1,rtillcial Eloquence us what we do not understand our !,C(vcs, no wonder True Beauty , So that that we do it al u !,orry rate. Tis true, Obscurity is our frequent and deep Meditations, in such u observes l*;l'art de sometimes dcsign "d, to conceal an erroneous manner as we judge most effectual lo convince 'ful in thb Art, ..is the opinion which an Author dares not openly own, them or those Truths which we believe. Always rcmembring that the most natural Order is ever lf Writing and Spcak or which if it be discover'd he has a mind to best that we must first prepare their minds by re illcial and Rhetorical evade. And sometime:-. even an honest and good moving those Prejudices and Passions which are rhoughts, Hyperboles Writer who studies to avoid may insensibly fall s the greatest fault in into it, by reason that his Ideas being become fa. in our way, and then propose our Reasons with miliar lo himself hy frequent Meditation . a long all the Cleurness and Force, with all the Tendcr :commend under the train of 'em urc readily excited in his mind , hy a ne!>sand Good-Nature we can. f speaking floridly on word or two which he ' s u.-;'d to annex to them : And since the Clearness and Connexion as but it is not .so with hh, Readers who arc perhaps welt as the Emphasis and Beauty of a Discoursl! ~ up Error and Jmpcr ,king garb; any more strangers to his Meditation ..,, and yet ought to depends in the great measure on a right use of the have the very same Idea rais'd in theirs that was Particles, whoever wou'd Write well ought to in· ~ which goes by the 19 leaches to dispute p,, in the Authors mind, or else they cannot under form themselves nicely in their Proprieties. alnJ Ami, a The, a But, a For, Etc. do very much per s indefinitely whether stand him. If therefore we desire to be intelligible an abuse both of Rea to every body, our Expres-;ions must he more plex the Sense when they arc misplac'd, and make the Reader take it many times quite other :m into the Service or plain and explicit than they needed to be if we wise than the Writer meant it. But this is not a a mistake to thin!.. that writ only fur our selves, or for those to whom fre tly made, or any Dis quent Discourse hus made our Ideas familiar.. place to say all that this Subject deserves; they foes not illustrate and Not that it is neCC!,Saryto express at length all who wou'd have much in a little, may consult an ~n of Rhetoric is to re~ the Process our Mind goes thro in resolving a Ingenious Author who has touch'd upon't 1•Lock ie in the way ofTmth, Question, this wou'd spin out our Discourse to of Hum. Und. B. 3, Ch. 7],1° and from thence an unprofitable tediousness, the Operations of take hints to observe how these little words arc 1 the Government of jcct in a Right Light, the Mind being much more speedy than those of applied in good Authors, and how themselves may best use them to express the several Postures 1 due consideration of the Tongue or Pen. But we shou'd fold up our exactness of Method, Thoughts so closely and neatly, expressing them or their own Minds. Figures,' ' insinuating in such signllcant tho few words, as that the In a word, I know not a more compendious -!t.... kc signify, any farther Readers Mind muy easily open und enlarge way to good Speaking and Writing, than to chusc ,.,I.M-~"\. 1e Service of Truth by them. And if this can he done with facility we out the most excellent in either as a Model on tl,,t,cl--,u 11 -itclligiblc, Agreeable arc Pcrspicuous' as well as Strong, if with diffi ~ which to form our selves. Or rather to imitate the indeed very scrvicc culty or not at all, we're then perplex\ and Ob Perfections of all, and avoid their mistakes; for ly managed, for Good scure Writers. few arc so perfect as to be without fault, and few Scarce any thing conduces more to Clearness, so bad as to have nothing good in them. A true the great Beauty of writing, than Exactness of Judgment distinguishes, and neither rejects the Method; nor perhaps to Pcrsua-;ion, for by c inlroduclory Second Dis putting every thing in its proper place with due ••an, as per ErrntJ hsl. fl. ~98 , II' S ..) rlr/ Roy"/ Logic ( 16cn cdn ), Order and Connexion, the Rcudcrs Mind is gen '" A~lcll's marginal note is tu Locke ', Eu" ~ Co11an ll 111111mUmli:r.1·1m11/it1M , hi. 3, ch. 7, "Or Partidc~'" !rmml Lamy (1640 - 171:;), tly led where the Writer wou'd have it. Such a cdn I, pp. i 65- 6, ill which he tlhcu~~c~ the u,~-s of 11,, m Ro.1·"/J..1,gic on rhcwric, Stile is Easy without Softness : Copious as that ,md i11tlcli11i1cartilk ~. cnnjuncliu ns, c" .. TI1is is ncd hy him as "Rhclnrical ~~~e ll at lcnglh in Lmny's ,\rt of .\11,·crf..iuM. , of discour;c" { i<,76 cdn ), I';• •~ClcJrly unik r~toml, lucid 4UHJI. 11',S. I i . w.s l A~] 1'1..1, I,.\ srnio us t'l(Ol'OS;\L t O ·1m : L,\[)ll !S, ]'ART II t, t,, .., ,. Good for the suke of the Bad, nor udmits the Bad makes them partial to their own Productions. Did great hopes they may because of the Good that is mingled with it. No we consider our own with the same Severity, or what others think they sort of Style but has its excellency and is liable lo but lndiffcrcncy that we do anothers Writing, we asham 'd to fall short , defect: If care be not taken the Sublime which might pass a due Censure on it, might discern have entertain ' d of 'cm. subdues us with Nobleness of Thought and what Thought was Crude or ill cxprcst, what And since many w Grandeur of Expression, will fly out of sight and Reasoning weak, what passages supcrlluous , Light of Truth were't n hy being Empty and Bombast become con where we were llat and dull, where extravagant overcome, we !-thou'd C temptible. The Plain and Simple will grow Dull and vain, and by Criticizing on our selves docs and rather Conceal our and Object: the Severe dry and Rugged, the greater kindness to the World than we can in We doubly oblige our Florid vain and impertinent. The Strong instead making our Remarqucs on others. Nor shou'd we duce them into the Rigl of rousing the Mind will distract and intanglc it be at a loss, if we were Impartial, in finding out being taken notice of tt by hcing Obscure; even the Easy and Perspicu Methods to Inform, Persuade and Please; for Wrong, which is certai1 ous if it be too diffuse, or over delicate tires us Human Nature is for the most part much alike in faction than that blaze c instead of pleasing. Good Sense is lhe principal all, and that which has a good effect on us, will out, that noise of Appl thing without which all our polishing is of linle generally speaking have the same on others. So over. For the gaining o Worth, and yet if Ornament be wholly neglected that to guess what success we arc like to have, we the having honestly end very few will regard us. Studied and artificial pe need only suppose our selves in the place of ing our own Vanity in ' riods" arc not natural enough lo please, they those we Address to, and consider how such a and such as we shall ah~ shew too much solicitude about what docs not Discourse wou'd operate on us, if we had their fl is to be wish' d that sue deserve it, and a loose and careless Style declares lnlinnitics und Thought,; about us. attended with the Cle:i loo much contempt of the Public. Neither Reason And if we do so I believe we shall find, there's livcr'd only by way of nor Wit entertain us if they arc driven beyond a nothing more improper than Pride and Positive brightest Truth when I certain pitch , and Pleasure it self is offensive if it ness, nor uny thing more prevalent than an inno apt to offend our Reade be not judiciously dispenc'd. cent compliance with their weakness: Such as inc their Liberty's impo Every Author almost has some bc:1uty or pretends not to dictate to their Ignorance, but ness from bringing any blemish remarkable in his Style from whence it only to explain and illustr:itc what they did or mcnts. Ami besides, \.\ takes its name; and every Reader has a peculiar might have known before if they had consider'd mistake, and few have last of Books as well as Meats. One wou'd have it, uml supposes that their Minds being cmploy'c.l fess themselves Decciv' the Subject exhausted, another is not pleas'd if ahout some other things was the reason why they fidcntly a!tserted, hut thi1 somewhat be not left lo enlarge on in his own did not discern it as well as we. For Human Na nour to maintain an Op Meditations. This affects a Grave that a Florid ture is not willing to own its Ignorance; Truth is Zealous for. how dcsiro Style; One is for Easine~s, a second for Plain M> very attractive, there':,; such a natural agree gel rid on'l, cou'd they• ness, a third for Strength , and a fourth for Polite ment between our Minds and it, that we care not Modest way of dcliveril ness. And perhaps the great secret of' Writing is to be thought so dull as not to be able lo find out us in this. and leaves w the mixing all these in so just a proportion that by our selves such obviouo; matters. We shou'd side of the Question a~ R every one may tast what he likes without being therefore be careful that nothing pass from us cration~ shall determine . disgusted by its contrnry. And may find at once which upbraids our Neighbours Ignorance , hut In short, as Thinking that by the Solidity of the Reason, the purity and :,,tudy to remove't without appearing to take no ~urc of Things is True propriety of Expression, and insinuating agree tice of it, and permit 'cm lo fancy if they please, pressing our Thoughts ableness of Address, his Understanding is En that we believe them a!t Wisc and Good as we en readily, and with the gre lightned, his Affections subdued and his Will deavour to make them. By this we gain their Af excites in others the ve1 duly regulated. fections which is the hardest part of our Work. us, is the best Eloquence TI1is i!-tindeed the true End of Writing, and it excite their Industry and infuse a new Life into formable to the Nature c wou'd not he hard for every one to judge how all Generous Tempers , who conclude there's and in Relation!> duly st well they had answcr'd it, wou'd they but lay fcctual way both to lnfc aside Self-Lovc, n so much of it at least. as Truth being always am ,,,.,,,re. lnmparcll wilh 1hc posi1ivc. 11111011r-de.mi. as ENI.IGIITENMENT RHETORIC • 11 " £::ot\\r\'i\C.t., \M\--no\-- ti-u,1,1Mph - I to their own Productions. Did great hopes they may with a little pains attain thoroughly understand our Subject and are Zeal wn with the sumc Severity, or '· what others think they Know already, and arc ously affected with it, we shall neither want suit rnt we do anothers Writing, we ushmn'd to fall short of the good Opinion we able word to explain, nor perswasive Methods lo Censure on it, might discern have cntcrtain'd of 'cm. recommend it. 1s Crude or ill expreM, what And since many wou'd yeild 10 the Clear And since Piety and Vcrtuc should in spite of what passages supernuous, Light of Truth were' t nol for the shame of being the mistaken Customs of the Age be the principal ll and dull, where extravagant overcome, we shou'd Convince hut not Triumph, Theme of a Christians Conversation; that which Crith.:izing on our selves docs and rnther Conceal our Conquest than Publish it. those who bear that Sacred Name ought always o the World than we can in We doubly oblige our Neighbours when we re to regard some way or other, even when it might ·qucs on others. Nor shou'd we duce them into lhc Right Way. und keep it from be unseasonable to speak of it directly, the way were Impartial, in finding out being taken notice of that they were once in the to be good Orators is to be good Christians, the m, Pcrsuudc and Please; for Wrong, which is certainly a much grealer satis Practice of Religion will both instruct us in the ·or the most part much alike in faction than that hla,e of Glory which is quickly Theory, and most powerfully inforcc what we 1 has a good effect on us, will out, that noise of Applause which will soon be say of it. Did we truly relish the Delights of i have the same on others. So over. For lhc gaining of our Neighbour, at least GOD'S Service, we cou'd neither refrain from success we arc like to have, we the having honestly cndcavour'd it, and the lead talking of the Pleasure, nor be so ill-natur'd as c our selves in the place of ing our own Vanily in Triumph are Real Goods not to strive to Communicate it; and were we to, and cono;ider how such a and such as we shall always have the Comfort of. duly wam1'd with a Zeal for his Glory and con 1pcratc on us, if we had their It is to he wish'll that such Proposition s as arc not cern for our Neighbours Soul, no Figures of rnghts ahout us. attended with the Clearest Evidence were dc Rhetoric, no Art of Pcrswasion wou'd be wanting I bdievc we shall lind, there's livcr'd only hy way of Enquiry, since even the to us. We shou'd diligently watch for Opportuni roper than Pride and Posilivc brighte st Truth when Dogmatically dic1a1ed is ties, and carefully improve them, accommodating l more prevalent than an inno apt 10 offem.l our Readers, and make them imag our Discourse to the Understanding and Genius .vith their weaknes s: Such as .! ine their Liherly' s impos'd on, so far is Positive of all we cou'd hope to do good to. ictate to their Ignorance, but ness from bringing any body over lo our Senti Besides, by being True Chrislians we have 1d illustrnte what they did or ;i ments. And besides, we're all of us liable to Really that Love for others which all who desire before if they lrnd consider'd mistake. and few have Humility enough to con to persw.ade must pretend to; we've that Probity at their Mindo; being cmploy'd fess themselve s Decciv'd in what they have con and Prnd ence, that Civility and Mode.I'/)' which hings was the reason why they fidently asserted, hut think they're obliged in Ho the Masters of this Art say a good Orator must be 1s well as we. For Human Na nour to maintain an Opinion they've once been cndow'd with; and have pluck'd up those Vicious lo own its Ignorance; Truth is Zealous for, how dco;irous soever they may he to Inclination s from whence the most distastful there's such a natural agree get rid on't, cou'd they do it handsomely. Now a faults of Writing proceed. For why do we chuse Minds and it, that we care not Modest way of delivering our Sentiments assists to be Obscure but because we inlend to Deceive, 111as not to be able to find out us in this, and leaves us at liberty lo take either or wou'd be thought to sec much farther than our 1 obvious matter-;. We shou\l side of the Question as Reason and Riper Consid Neighbours'! One sort of Vanity prompts us to be ul that nothing pass from us erations shall determine. Rugged and Severe, and so possess'd with the tr Neighbour s Ignorance, but In short, as Thinking conformably to the Na imagin'd Worth and Solidity of our Discourse, without appearing to take no- ture or Thing s is True Knowledge, so th' ex lhat we think it bcnealh us to Polish it: Another 1it 'em to fancy if they please, pressing our Thought s in such a way, as more disposes us to Elaborate and Affected ways of m as Wisc and Good as we cn- readily, and with the greatest Clearness and Life, Writing, to Pompous and improper Ornaments; 1em. By this we gain their Af• excites in others the very same Idea that was in and why arc we lediously Copious but that we he hardest part of our Work, us, is the best Eloquence. For if our Idea be con fancy every Thought of ours is extraordinary? ·y and infuse a new Life into fonnable to the Nature of the thing it represents, Contradiction is indeed for our advantage as 1pers, who conclude there's and in Relations duly .1.tated,this is the most ef lending to make us wiser, yet our Pride makes us fectual way both to Inform and Perswade, since impatient under it, because it seems to Lessen Truth being alway,1, amiable, cannot fail or at that Esteem and Deference we desire shou'd be 3 1hc pnsilivc, c111w11r-tlc·.wi , as dis tracting when she' s plac'd in a Right Light, and paid us. Whence come those sharp Rcncctions/ rnlumc Mom { E.rn1_\ 1 nf Picrrt those to whom we offer her, ure made Able and Willing 10 discern her lkauties. If therefore we UIJiuo. l)'.S.J i\~TELL I A SERIOUS l'ROl'OSAL 10 nm LADIES, l'ART II 855 I• • ii . , J • those imagin 'd strains of Wit, not to be endur' d Pronounce, the fault will be very Vcnial/5 and gible and Easy that the amongst Christians, and which serve not to Con- Custom rather to blame than we. pleasure of the Kernel. ~ . , • vince but to Provoke, whence come they but I've said nothing of Grammar tho we can't cracking the Shell. Tt from Ill-nature or Revenge, from a Contempt of Write properly if we transgress its Rules, suppos must be made easy by t others and a desire to set forth our own Wit '! Did ing that Custom and the reading of English his Matter may deserve we write less for our selves we should sooner Books arc sufficient lo leach us the Grammar of pressions must be so C gain our Readers, who arc many times disgusted our own Tongue, If we do but in any measure at read twice to be Unders at a well writ Discourse if it carries a lunge of tend to them. And tho Women arc generally ural and Familiar, cond Ostentation: And were our Temper as Christian accus'd of Writing false English, if I may speak Capacity, whilst his Th as it ought to be, our Zeal wou'd be spent on the my own Experience, their Mistakes arc not so lo entertain the highest. most Weighty things, not on little differences of common as is pretended, nor arc they the only a Useful Subject in a m Opinions. Persons guilty. What they most commonly fail in Pleases that he may . I have made no distinction in what has been is the Particles and Connexion, and that generally Studied in his whole said between Speaking and Writing, because lho thro a Briskness of temper which make them for thing is Extraordinary, a they are talenL<;which do not always meet, yet get, or Hast which will not suffer 'cm to read ing thro all iLc;parts. No >"'1,w'-~ there is no material difference between 'cm. over again what went before. And indeed, those word Equivocal, his Arg 11><.Md.~ They Write best per haps who do't with the gcn- who Speak true Grammar unless they're very Images Lively; all the 111.uc..~so., tile and easy air of Conversation; and they Talk Careless cannot write false, since they need only Mind, as nearly resemblt t.~, t¼A. best who mingle Solidity of Thought with th' peruse what they've Writ, and consider whether as Words can make then ~INtMlL agrcablcness of a ready Wit. As for Pro111111cia they wou'd express 'cmselvcs thus in Conver his Method, and Force , u..."~v,,., tio11,tho it takes more with some Auditor.,· many sation.26 and Convince the Min \J times than Good Sense, there needs little be said But for this and for Figures Etc. and indeed Imagination and insinu. lV\4~w( of it here, since Women have no business with for all that relates to this Subject, I must refer you Affections and Conquer ~~r~'tb the Pulpit, the Bar or St. Stephens Chape/;24 And to an Ingenious Treatise l*Art ENLIGHTENMENT RHETORIC will be very Vcnial, 1.~ and gible and Easy that the Readers may not lose the A Prejudic'd Reader, his Figures are duly chosen .. me than we. pleasure of the Kernel, by the pain they find in and discreetly us'd. For he knows that scarce any of Grammar 1ho we can't cracking the Shell. The most difficult Subject thing speaks a greater want of Judgment than the ,, ..' ., transgress its Rules, suppos must be made easy by his way of handling it; tho shewing concern where there needs none, or is a , I • :id the reading of English his Matter may deserve a Meditation, yet his Ex worse fault in Oratory than the polishing a lo teach us the Grammar of pressions must be so Clear that he needs not be Wrong or a Trifling Thought, the neatness of_ NC do but in any measure at- read twice to be Understood; these are to be Nat whose dress may strike with Admiration perhaps tho Women are generally ural and Familiar, condiscending to the meanest at first sight, but upon a review it will certainly alse English, if I may speak Capacity, whilst his Thoughts are Great enough appear Contemptible. And therefore as he does "'· • their Mistakes are not so to entertain the highest. He Discourses always on not abound in Superfluous Ornaments, so neither nded, nor arc they the only a Useful Subject in a manner agreeable to it, and does he reject anything that can promote his End, they most commonly fail in Pleases that he may Instruct; Nothing seems which is not his own Reputation but the Glory of onnexion, and that genemlly Studied in his whole Composition, yet every his GOD and his Neighbours Edification. He :mper which make them for thing is Extraordinary, a Beautiful Harmony shin considers the narrowness of the Humane Mind, will not suffer 'em to read ing thro all iL'>parts. No Sentence is Doubtful, no and says all that is necessary but no more; Under 1t before. And indeed, those word Equivocal, his Arguments are Clear and his stands it so well as to know what will move and ammar unless they're very Images Lively; all the Ideas he excites in your Please, and has so much command of himself as :: false, since they need only Mind, as nearly resemble the thing they represent to give over when he has done enough. Yet he Writ, and consider whether as Words can make them. Whilst th' exactness of can exhaust the most fruitful Subject without 'emselvcs thus in Conver- his Method, and Force of his Reason Enlighten making the Reader weary; for when he enlarges and Convince the Mind; the Vivacity of his it is in Things not Words, and he mingles Variety for Figure s Etc. and indeed Imagination and insinuating Address, gain the without Confusion. All the diverse excellencies .his Subject, I must refer you Affections and Conquer the Will. By the weight of different Stiles meet in his to make up a per !atise l"'Art ASTELL [ A SERIOUS l'KOPOSAL TO THE LADIES, PAKT II iF"ft>"'-_s~ythat Ornaments arc common to Falshood and Cloaths and Equipage do not become a Beggar, concern for his safety, ;i,? ttt,s Truth, hut Clearness and strength or Reasoning and a Mechanic who must work for daily bread barely lo shew him his , '\U ~ arc not. They who wou'd propagate Error usually for his Family, wou'd be wickedly Employ'd the Danger, especially 1 "'~~~() disguise it in Equivocal Terms and Obscure shou'd he suffer 'cm lo starve whilcst he's solv and inviting and trcac ,f ~ Phrases; they strive to engage our Passions, ing Mathematical Problems. If therefore Women upon the watch to dee< 'h"~ r.. ~~ athcr lhan to Convince our Reason, and carry us have another Duty incumbent on 'cm, and such expose it in all its frig ,,.l,..,,hl,.o'7e,...\- away in the torrent or a warm Imagination. They as is inconsistent with what we here advise, we dcavour to quicken his endeavour lo refute, or if they can't do that, lo do ill to take them from it: But to affinn this is lo Passions, and all little er Ridicule the contrary opinion, and think this Suf beg the Question, and is what I will never grant it cannot be thought ficient to establish their own. Being much better till it be belier prov'd than as yet it appears to be. shou' d but just know skill'd in pulling down former Syslcms than in For if the Grand Business that Women as well as what Forbid, without be building new ones. for it requires no great skill to Men have to do in this World be to prepare for sons why, since this is r Object, and there arc many Truths which we're the next, ought not all their Care and Industry lo their Duty. For we find very Certain of, and yet not able to answer every Centre here? and since the matter is of Infinite us which checks at an In Impertinent Enquiry concerning 'cm. Their Consequence is it equitable to deny 'cm the use but Authority to back it greatest Art is in confounding things, in giving a of any help'! If therefore Knowledge were but deed supported by the S1 probable Air lo what they write, in pretending to any ways Instrumental, tho at the remotest dis fore' d by lite most pow Demonstration where the nature of the Truth tance, to the Salvation of our Souls, it were fit to arc not acquainted with' docs not rcquirc't, and in evading it where it apply our selves to it: and how much more when ii were not. But having docs. An Immoral or Heretical Discourse there it is so necessary. that without it we can't do any part we shall not farther , fore may be Cwmingly but not well writ, for we thing that's Excellent, or Prnctisc Vcrtuc in the Perhaps it will be obj, can never plead for Error and Vice with true Elo most Perfect manner. For unless we Understand Kreat Truths of Religiofl quence. We may trick 'cm up in a handsom Garb, our Duty and the Principles of Religion, we don't dence suited to the very adorn 'cm with quaint Expressions, and give perform a Rational Service, it is but by Chance has not design 'd All f, them such a plausible tum as may enable them lo that we arc Good or so much as Christians. We therefore if the way do very much Mischief; hut this is only a fulsom arc their Property into whose hands we fall, and Knowledge be so very J Carcass, the substance and Life arc not there if arc led by those who with greatest Confidence arc not fitted for higher Vcrtuc and Truth arc wanting. impose their Opinions on us; Arc as moveable as lhis ado about th' Improv the different Circumstances that befall us; or if only thing necessary is lo we happen to be Constant in our first way, it is we may be that without t [VI. The Applicatio11a11d Use of our not Reason but Obstinacy that makes us so. A pose we may: This wil K11m11lcgc} great deal of Good will be omitted, and very Time and Capacity, bul For it is to little purpose to Think well and speak much Evil, or Imperfection at least, stick to us, if Sloth and Stupidity of lilC well, unless we Li11e well, this is our Great Affair we are not throughly acquainted with the Law of For unless we have , and truest Excellency, the other arc no further lo God and the secret springs and windings of our the Divine Wisdom we be regarded than as they may assist us in this. Hearts, which is scarce to be obtain'd without every one is placed in su She who docs not draw this Inference from her much Meditation and the helps that study affords. lilted for. And if the nee Studies has Thought in vain, her notions arc Er And as when a rash young Travcilcr is about quires that some Person roneous and Mistaken. And all her Eloquence is to run into dangerous places beset with Theives but an empty noise, who employs it in any other and full of Precipices/" if you have any hearty design than in gaining Proselytes to Heaven. I am rnsc fur her importance a.~the therefore far from designing to put Women on a \\·ork .. . . To the 3rd ctln of /, '''This c-nmplcx passage alludes lmlh IO lhe parable of lhe r 706, Aslcll hnd added a cauHo vain pursuit afler unnecessary and useless Leam Goo1; §207, pp. force, ha~ ttho a Right 1u rcquin 403-4) If Aslcll nlrcady know ~ the pmvemmcc of Locke's 111w11Mt1rria s;c ( r 706 cdn), p. x) self, it has but an ill grace if it be not suitable to Tim TrcatiJes ofG,wcmmclll, which she clearly docs hy Rc 'l''fhc lhcsl~ of much of lhc , lhc Person and Condition it is apply'd to. Fine Jlec1io11s11/lflll Mama11c of 1700, lhcn this strengthens my AM,:11rcfc ~ ..•. IP.S.I 858 ENLIGHTENMENT RHETORIC do not become a Beggar, concern for his safety, you'I not think it enough ers, it likewise requires that others shou'd Think nust work for daily bread harcty to shew him his way, or even to tdl him of for them. Our Powers and Faculties were not I be wickedly Employ'd the Danger, especially if the entrance seems fair given us for nothing, ,md the only advantage one l starve whitest he's solv and inviting and treacherous Companions arc Woman has above another, is the being allotted lems. If therefore Women upon the watch to decoy him into it: But you'I to the more noble employment. Nobody is plac'd Jmbcnt on 'cm, and such expose it in all its frightful Circumstances, en without their own fault, in such unhappy Circum what we here advise, we deavour to quicken his vigilance and excite his slances as to be incapable of Salvation, but some t it: But to afflrm this is to Passions, and all little enough for his Security. So are plac'd in such happy ones as to be capable of is what I will never grunt it cannot be thought sufflcient that Women auaining much greater degrees of Happiness than mn as yet it appears lo be. shou'd but just know whats Commanded and others if they do not neglect them: And shou'd !SS that Women as well as what Forbid, without being inform'd of the Rea lhese last do no more than the very utmost that is ; World be to prepare for sons why, since this is not like to secure them in expected from the former, I know not how they their Care and Industry to their Duty. For we find a Natural Liberty within wou'd acquit lhemsclves, or what account they ! the matter is of Infinite us which checks at an Injunction that has nothing cou'd give of their great Advantages. And there table to deny 'em the use but Authority to back it; And tho Religion is in fore tho no body shall be condcmn'd because ore Knowledge were but deed supported by the Slrongest Reasons, and in they Cm, 'ti not, yet we have reason to fear if our , tho at the remotest dis forc'd by the most powerful Motives, yet if we Case be such as that we Mi~/11but Wou 'd not reT of our Souls, it were lit to are not acquainted with 'em, lis all one to us as if ceive Instruction. She then who makes this Ob md how much more when it were not. But having spoke of this in the first jection must not cake it amiss if we Judge of her without it we can't do any part we shall not farther enlarge on it here. in other Cases according 10 what she Pleads in or Practise Vertue in the Perhaps it will be objected that we've said the this: She must never set up for a Wit, or a ccn =or unless we Understand great Trmlrs of Reli~io11 carry• a force mu/ El'i .~urcr of her Neighbours, must not pretend to be a pies of Religion, we don't dence .mited to tire 1•e1y \1111}:ar.am/ that GOD fine Lady or any thing extraordinary: but be con• rvice, it is hut by Chance ltcr.1·not dewiJ:11'ti All for Phi/0.wp/ren .:1" And tent to herd amongst the Drudges of the World ) much as Christians. We therefore ii' the way to the most necessary who eat Their Bread in the Sweat of their Brows, whose hand s we fall, and Knowledge be .~o very plain, und all Capacities if she says she wants Leisure; or in a less accepl T with greatest Confidence arc not lined for higher attainments, what needs able rank amongst the Fools and Idiots, or but on us; Are as moveable as this ado about th ' Improvement of our minds? the one degree above them, if she says she wants Ca ances that befall us; or if only thing necessary is to be good Christians, and pacity for this Employment. It b,, one thing lo be tant in our first way, it is we may be that without being Philosophers. Sup • content wilh Ignorance, or rather with a less de 1acy that makes us so . A pose we may: This will Justily such as want gree of Knowledge, on account of the Station 1ill be omitted, and very Time and Capacity , but can never excuse the that GOD has plac'd us in, and Another lo Chuse :lion at least, stick to us, if Sloth and Stupidity of those who have both. and Delight in't thro a Stupid Carclesness. a fear cquainted with the Law of For unless we have very strange Notions of of Trouble, or an Inordinate pursuit of the Cares ;ngs and windings of our the Divine Wisdom we must needs allow that and Pleasures of this Mortal Life. This last only :e to be obtain'd without every one is placed in such a Station as they arc shews our Disesteem of our Souls, our Contempt 1e helps that study affords. fitted for. And if lhe necessity of the world re* of GOD and the Talents he has given us, and ex t young Trnveller is about quires that some Person shou'd Labour for oth ~ poses us to all the dreadful consequences of such places beset with Theives a neglect; to Punishments to which not only those ~·, if you have any hearty who misemploy their Lord's Talent, but even ~a,c for her importance as 1hc lirsl systematic critic of that they who don't employ it at all, are Obnoxious. work.... To the 3rd ct.In of R,']lntimu 11po11/1111rrfoge in allude ~ both to the parable or the 1706,Aslcll hat.I adtlctl a cautionary homily on the pitfolls or And indeed as unnecessary as it is thought for 33), anti po:!S\bly to the famous marriage, invoki11g the image of the highway -man to chutac · Women to have Knowledge, she who is truly ,man •· employed by Hobbc~ in 1cri1.ethe niguc government or husbands : ..And ir mere good finds very great use of it, not only in the , p. 9!1) und Locke in the second l'owcr gi Vt.!S a Right tu Ruic, lherc can he no such 1hing us Conduct of her own Soul but in the management Ill ctln, § 119, pp . 347-8 ; § t 76, p Usurpation; hut a Highway-Man so long as he has strcng1h to of her Family, in the Conversation of her Neigh 1, 393~ §202 , P- 401; §207, PP- fon:c, has also a Right tu require our Obctlicncc" (Rejler:riom 10ws the provenance o r Loci·£~ 11/k111M11rriage ( t 706 ctln), p. x). [l'.S. I bours and in all the Concerns of Life. Education II, whi ch she clea rly doc s by Re- ·'"The thesis or much orthe dcvolionul literature 10 which of Children is a most necessary Employment, l 7()(), then thi~ stren ~thcns my A,1cll refers .. . . 11'.S.J perhaps the chief of those who have any; But ASTEL L I A SERIOUS PROPOSAL TO THE LADIES, PART 11 it is as Difficult as it is Excellent when well Istrong conviction than the Elaborate Arguments from desiring that any o perform'd; and l question not but that the mis- · of the Learned . Such as fence themselves against Necessary Affairs to am1 takes which are made in it, arc a principal Cause the Cannon they bring down, may lie open to an Speculations. No, She wh of that Folly and Vice, which is so much com- · Ambuscade J • from you. And whilst the strong charging pan of her Ch plain'd of and so little mended. Now this, at least arguings of the Schools like the Wind in the She's taking care for it's the foundation of it, on which in a great measure Fablc ,32 seems but to harden these Sturdy Sin ment, and wou'd be very r the success of all depends , shou ' d be laid by the ners, your Persuasions like the Suns mild and her self in her Study, whc Mother , for Fathers find other Business, they will powerful rays, may oblige them to cast off that need of her direction. But not be conlin'd to such a laborious work , they Cloak of Maliciousness in which they are so to whom J write, who ha· have not such opportunities of observing a Childs much intanglcd . And surely it is worth your time to spare, if you reek< Temper, nor arc the greatest part of 'cm like to · while to fit your selves for this: Tis a Godlike on fantastic Impertinencie : do much good, since Precepts contradicted by thing to relieve even the Temporal wants of our have better employ'd: We, Example seldom prove effectual. Neither arc Fellow Creatures, to keep a Bndy from perishing, Strangers so proper for it, because hardly any but it, is much more Divine, to Save a Soul from thing besides Paternal Affection can sufficiently Dea1h! A Soul which in his estimate who best quicken the Care of performing, and sweeten the knows the value of it is worth more than all the labour of such a task. But Tenderness alone will World. They who are thus wise shall shine as the never discharge it well, she who wou'd do it to brighllless of the Fir111a111e111, and they who tum purpose must throughly understand Human na- many to Righteo11.mess as lhe S1arsfor ever;33 ture, know how to manage different Tempers which is a Glory we may honestly Contend for, a Prudently, be Mistress of her own, and able to Beauty we may lawfully Covet; 0 that we had bear with all the little humours and follies of but Ambition enough to aspire after it! 0 that we Youth , neither Severity nor Lcnity arc to be al- had but so much at least as we sec daily thrown ways us' d, it wou'd ruin some to be treated in away on a poor transitory Earthly Diadem, which that manner which is lit for others . An Mildness sets uneasy on his head who wears it, and which makes some ungovernable and as there is a stu- a longer arm may wrest from his Brows! But alas por in many from which nothing but Terror s can it was in our fore-fathers days that the Kingdom rouse them, so sharp Reproofs and Solemn Lee- of Hcav'n was took by violence; they thought tures serve to no purpose but to harden others, in nothing, and we think every thing too much to faults from which they might be won by an Do or Suffer to obtain it! Nor but that it is still as agreeable Address and tender application. GOD bright and glorious , as truly attractive, but we arc Himself waits to be gracious and administers his dull and stupid we shut our eyes and won't be Medicines in the most proper season , and Parents hold its Channs. Were we but duly sensible of shou'd imitate him in this, for the want of ob· this we shou'd think no Posterity so dcsireable as serving it, and of accomodating their Methods to the Offspring of our Minds, nor any state so great the several Dispositions they have to deal with, is as the carrying a large Train of Followers with us perhaps the reason that many Pious Per..ons lose to the Court of Heaven! So much Knowledge the fruit of their Pains and Care. therefore as is necessary to engage and keep us Nor will Knowledge lie dead upon their hands finn in our Christian Course, to lit us to help who have no Children to Instruct; the whole others in theirs, to stir us up to pursue, and direct World is a single Lady's Family, her opportuni - us in our endeavours after one of the brightest tics of doing good are not lcssen'd but encrcas'd Crowns of Glory , does very well become us and by her being unconfin'd . Particular Obligations more than this I do not contend for, being far do not contract her Mind, but her Beneficence moves in the largest Sphere. And perhaps the l• Ambush (ohsolelc except as ,1 formal mililary tcnnl Glory of Reforming this Prophane and Profligate (OED). JPS .) Age is reserv ' d for you Ladies, and that the nat J>Po~siblylhc hook of Joh which. extremely ol 860 ENLIGHTENMENT RHETORIC n the Elaborate Arguments from desiring that any one shou'd neglect her advantageously spent at a Book than al a Look as fence themselves against Necessary Affair s to amuse her self with nice ing Glass, and an Evening in Meditation than in g down, may lie open lo an Speculation s. No, She who has a Family i:; dis Gaming? were not Pertinent and Ingenious Dis~ mu. And whilst the strong charging part of her Christian Calling whilst course more becoming in a visit, than Idle twaule ools like the Wind in the She's taking cure for it' s Support and Govern and uncharitable Remarks? than a Nauseous rep o harden these Sturdy Sin ment, and wou'd be very much out, if she lock'd etition of a set of fine words which no body be ns like the Suns mild and her self in her Study, when her Dome sticks had lieves or cares for? And is not the fitting our +i,.,; Jblige them to cast off that need of her direction . But there are few of those selves to do Real Services to our Neighbours, a c.t~H tess in which they are so to whom I write , who have not a good deal of better expression of our Civility than the formal Sl\~'- d surely it is worth your time to spare, if you reckon whats thrown away performance of a thousand ridiculous Cere 1'\l~ ves for this: Tis a Godlike on fantastic lmpertinencies, and tis this I wou'd monies, which every one condemns and yet none \',11\\ the Temporal wants of our have better employ'd: Were not a Morning more has the Courage to break thro? keep a Body from perishing, V."t"' Divine, lo Save a Soul from :h in his estimate who best •• 1 t is worth more than all the : thus wise shall shine as the ·mamem, and they who turn ess as the Stars for ever;l l I ' may honestly Contend for, a .• fully Covet; 0 that we had t to aspire afler it! 0 that we least as we see daily thrown itory Earthly Diadem, which a!adwho wears it, and which ·est from his Brows! But alas then; days that the Kingdom c by violence; they thought nk every thing too much to in it! Nor but that it is still as as truly attractive, but we are shut our eyes and won't be ·ere we but duly sensible of no Poslerity so desireab\e as Minds, nor any stale so great ;e Train of Follower s with us :avcn! So much Knowledge ssary to engage and keep us :m Course, to fit us to help tir us up to pursue, and direct .rs afler one of the brightest oes very well become us and J not contend for, being far except as u formal military tenn) Jf Job which, cictremcly old und cle ec esp. Job 8: :i, where the wortls "or g wind." [P.S,l /\S T ELL I A SERIOUS PROPOSAL TO THE LADIES, PART 11 861