idea of infolence to the weak and the wretched; leaft of all, when it skulks under the mask of religion.

But to go on with our fubject; amongst the imputations against the women, we' muft not forget to take notice of one, that might indeed be difpifed, did it not sometimes involve individuals of much merit in other refpects, and refer to a species of pride irreconcilable with the lovely meeknefs and modeft pliancy which ought always to characterize the fex, and the want of which no talents, no allurements, can ever fufficiently compenfate. I mean the Affectation of a Superior Understanding.

Ignorant people, and enthusiastic lovers, may be delighted with the harangues and decifions of thofe women whom they admire as very handfome, or very wife; but men of a different ftamp, and a cooler temper, will take the liberty to be of another opinion. Were it right for you, my

female friends, to pique yourselves on any thing, believe me it fhould only be on a gentle difpofition, and a complacent deportment, on domeftic qualities, and ufeful accomplishments. By these you will always be fure to please the best judges,. and in the greatest numbers.

That many of you are endowed with admirable capacities, and that you have improved them with diligence and fuccefs, we do not barely acknowledge; we are ready to maintain and prove it, before the whole fchool of Chesterfield's difciples. When I mention him on this occafion, I really am at a loss to conceive, how he could form fo mean an opinion of female understanding; for, certainly, amongst the many women of condition in different countries, to whofe company he had always ready access, he must have met with a number refpectable for their mental powers and acquifitions. We, whose opportunities of this kind have been comparatively few, can yet affirm without flat

tery, that we have found, in fome ladies of fashion, not only much brilliancy of fancy, but equal folidity of judgement and acuteness of penetration. To whatever follies fuch perfons may be exposed, from the prevalence of luxury and the parade of rank, it must ftill be allowed, that their education is ufually conducted on a larger fcale, and with more liberal views, than that of the lower claffes; as they have commonly the advantage alfo of more elegant and instructive converfation. Neither is it probable that, in the fociety of a man like Chesterfield, women of wit and knowledge would be much disposed to suppress their attainments.

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But you, my fifters, will not be foryours, if you would be advised by one who is better affected to your intereft and reputation. Whether, as his Lordship contends, your sex in general are incapable of arguing with clofenefs and precifion; whether, if they are, as we confefs ourselves at times ready

to think is the cafe with the majority, the defect be owing to their frame, or their culture; or whether in reality it be a defect, confidering their state and deftination, I will not nicely enquire. I am certain, that in early comprehenfion, natural taste, sprightly imagination, quick difcernment of characters, and wonderful addrefs in fuiting themselves to each, they frequently excel; nor are they feldom adorned with a confiderable portion of knowledge and literature, when favoured by their genius and fituation.

As to the love of dispute in either sex, it is never, I apprehend, a very pleafing quality. I am fure, it does not lead to the best style of converfation. They who indulge it, rarely convince, and not often delight any but themselves. None will fay, it mends the temper, or improves the heart and all must acknowledge, that it frequently difgufts and inflames. In a brifk youth inured to it at college, or a flippant girl accustomed to talk away amongst her companions at fchool, it may

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cafily be tolerated now and then, though commonly accompanied with a fufficient quantity of pertnefs and petulance. Nor is it worth while, to be offended at the peremptory prate of a filly woman, who fancies he cannot be mistaken, provided at least her noise may be foon escaped. But it is not quite fo eafy to avoid being ferioufly displeased, when perfons of better intellects, and higher breeding in other articles, feem full of their own fenfe, fond of debating on all occafions, and forward to pronounce on all subjects, with a confidence which we do not very readily-excuse even in the greatest mafters. The greatest masters, indeed, are generally the leaft affuming. Modefty, it has been often remarked, is the ufual attendant of exalted merit; and a bolder tone is affumed by fuperior spirits, only where infolence provokes, cr neceflity demands.

Ah, my female friends, did you in particular, did You but know, how deeply the male heart is enchanted with those