174 ON FEMALE EDUCATION AND OCCUPATIONS. 



perceived the prostrate figure of Mary senseless before him ! That 

 his own reason sustained the shock is a miracle. Mary's never 

 returned ! 



She continued to imagine herself happy in the fidelity and affec- 

 tion of her lover, and patiently awaited his return from " the 

 continent," whence, she said, he had been sent by " a cruel father." 

 She was constantly speaking of the many happy hours she had 

 passed on the leads of the Abbey Tower, and would exult with a 

 wild and triumphant smile on the safeguard which that tower had 

 afforded to the growth and " happy termination " of their loves ! 



In the same grave with the suicide, Mary was subsequently laid. 

 The baronet left the country as the only means of alleviating the 

 wretchedness of that life, which, however, is now no more. The 

 poor old sexton covets the last home he has afforded to so many 

 others, and the lady Matilda and farmer Comwood continue to eat 

 their meals " with what appetite they may." 



The Author of WUmot WarwickJ' 



ON FEMALE EDUCATION AND OCCUPATIONS. 



In a period, like the present, of mental activity and 

 improving reason, when eveiy ancient reason is brought 

 to the crucible, every established usage submitted to 

 the test, — when prejudices, however hoary, supersti- 

 tions, however venerable, are alike subjected to critical 

 examination, — ^when a new era appears to be approach- 

 ing, in which sages rather than conquerors shall govern 

 the world, it seems but just and reasonable, that more 

 attention than has hitherto been bestowed, should be 

 given to the claims of one half of the human species, 

 whose influence upon society and manners, though 

 often misdirected, has never been denied. 



Man, it must be allowed, seduced by his passions 

 and misled by his imagination, is in the habit of consi- 

 dering woman, not as his fellow, equal, and companion, 

 of the same species, differing only in sex ; appointed 

 to run the same course of mental and moral discipline, 

 to develope similar faculties and powers, and rise with 

 him in the scale of existence : to be the mother of his 

 offspring, his helpmate and friend ; to accelerate with 



