mothers; nor does the whole sum of human happiness consist in their being so. There are in every condition, if we chuse to profit by them, opportunities for the exercise both of engaging and virtuous qualities. Marriage is a source of happiness; still there are unhappy marriages. A single woman, viewed merely as such, is an object of contempt and ridicule only to fools. From disappointed views and hopes discontent and fretfulness of temper may arise. It were better to teach young women, in whatsoever station they are, or may be placed, to be contented with it, recollecting that no one is dishonorable in itself; and that one filled virtuously must be honorable, be it what it may. As the ancient orator said, "it rests not with us to chuse our part in life, but to act well that part which Providence has allotted to us.'

CHAP. VI.

THE monopoly of female employments by men has long been a subject of complaint; and it is matter of regret, that the complaint still remains to be made. There are comparatively so few occupations by which women can earn a livelihood, that it is hard to render them fewer still; and that those who might be engaged in more honorable pursuits, at least more befitting their rank in creation, should thus deprive them of the means of providing for themselves more especially in the times of distress in which our lot is cast, when those who were in the full enjoyment of ease and plenty are daily reduced to poverty, should

the methods of affording a subsistence to females be seriously considered, and every possible way opened to them, by which such subsistence may be gained: the numbers of unhappy females, who live on the wages of infamy, might be reduced, if honest resources were more abundant; at least, portionless young women, and those reduced from affluence, might not seek in vain for occupations, which in justice and propriety they ought to fill. I have no hesitation in condemning altogether, the practice both in the private and public education of females, of employing male teachers for most, if not all, of the different branches of that education. There are dancing-masters, drawing-masters, music-masters, masters for languages, geography; in short, for every thing. Cannot any, and all of these, be taught quite as well by females? Even those who assert that their capacity of intellect is inferior, will admit that they are capable of acquiring accomplishments; and if of acquiring, why not of communicating them?

The histories of the first, and of the new Heloisa, are pretty generally known: one of them is true, though the other is false; and they both point out from example the fatal effects of employing male tutors for females, Grant that in these cases there was but one tutor, and one pupil, and that there were habits of constant intercourse, and that of course there is a wide difference when there are but short lessons given at intervals, and these to many, the outworks of respect are broken down by employing male teachers; and I doubt whether the confident boldness which characterises too many females in the present day, particularly those in high rank, may not be traced in a great measure to their being instructed by them. I shall not point out the liberties which both a dancing and a music-master may and sometimes must take, in directing the performance of their pupils drawing is liable to the same objections. It is vain to say," the dancing-, master that I employ is a grave man of

fifty, the music-master is a married man with a large family, the drawing-master is a poor foreigner, who has no other means of subsistence in this country." No matter; there is an unbecoming familiarity necessarily attendant on learning all these lessons from men; and it is not just to take bread out of the mouths of those who could fill these offices with much greater propriety.

I do not like to see a young woman, let either her natural talents, or her acquire ments be what they may, without hesita tion, indeed with every degree of confidence, exhibit in a large company, as a performer on the piano-forte, as a singer, as an elegant dancer. There is a perpetual veil which modesty, nay, a degree of diffi dence, should spread over a young woman, which is a more real ornament to her, and which renders her infinitely more amiable, than any accomplishments whatever or an