Consequently, the most perfect education, in my opinion, is such
an exercise of the understanding as is best calculated to
strengthen the body and form the heart. Or, in other words, to
enable the individual to attain such habits of virtue as will
render it independent. In fact, it is a farce to call any being
virtuous whose virtues do not result from the exercise of its own
reason. This was Rousseau's opinion respecting men: I extend it
to women, and confidently assert that they have been drawn out of
their sphere by false refinement, and not by an endeavour to
acquire masculine qualities. Still the regal homage which they
receive is so intoxicating, that till the manners of the times
are changed, and formed on more reasonable principles, it may be
impossible to convince them that the illegitimate power, which
they obtain, by degrading themselves, is a curse, and that they
must return to nature and equality, if they wish to secure the
placid satisfaction that unsophisticated affections impart. But
for this epoch we must wait- wait, perhaps, till kings and
nobles, enlightened by reason, and, preferring the real dignity
of man to childish state, throw off their gaudy hereditary
trappings: and if then women do not resign the arbitrary power of
beauty -- they will prove that they have less mind than
man.
