When do we hear of women who, starting out of obscurity, boldly claim
respect on account of their great abilities or daring virtues? Where are
they to be found? -- 'To be observed, to be attended to, to be taken
notice of with sympathy, complacency, and approbation, are all the
advantages which they seek.' -- True! my male readers will probably
exclaim; but let them, before they draw any conclusion, recollect that
this was not written originally as descriptive of women, but of the rich.
In Dr. Smith's Theory of Moral Sentiments,
I have found a general character of people of rank and
fortune, that, in my opinion, might with the greatest propriety be applied
to the female sex. I refer the sagacious reader to the whole comparison;
but must be allowed to quote a passage to enforce an argument that I mean
to insist on, as the one most conclusive against a sexual character. For
if, excepting warriors, no great men, of any denomination, have ever
appeared amongst the nobility, may it not be fairly inferred that their
local situation swallowed up the man, and produced a character similar to
that of women, who are localized, if I may be allowed the word, by
the rank they are placed in, by courtesy? Women, commonly called
Ladies, are not to be contradicted in company, are not allowed to exert
any manual strength; and from them the negative virtues only are expected,
when any virtues are expected, patience, docility, good-humour, and
flexibility; virtues incompatible with any vigorous exertion of intellect.
Besides, by living more with each other, and being seldom absolutely
alone, they are more under the influence of sentiments than passions.
Solitude and reflection are necessary to give to wishes the force of
passions, and to enable the imagination to enlarge the object, and make it
the most desirable. The same may be said of the rich; they do not
sufficiently deal in general ideas, collected by impassioned thinking, or
calm investigation, to acquire that strength of character on which great
resolves are built. But hear what an acute observer says of the great.
