218 
For the Monthly Magazine. 
THE LADIES. 
(Translated from the French.) 
HE critics of the fair sex tell us 
they are vain, frivolous, igno- 
rant, coquettish, capricious, and what 
not. Unjust that we are! it is the fable 
ef the Lion and the Man. But since 
the ladies have become authors, they 
can take their revenge, were they not 
too generous for such a passion. Though 
they have learned to paint,their sketches 
of man are gentle and kind. 
But if the ladies were what surly 
misanthropes call them, whois to blame? 
Is it not we who spoil—who corrupt— 
who seduce them ? 
Is it surprising that a pretty woman 
should be vain, when we daily praise to 
her face her charms, her taste, and her 
wit? Can we blame her vanity, when 
We tell her that nothing can resist her 
attractions,—that there is nothing so 
barbarous which she cannot soften,— 
nothing so elevated that she cannot 
subdue? when we tell her, that her 
eyes are brighter than day,—that her 
form is fairer than summer,—more re- 
freshing than spring,—that her lips are 
vermillion,—that her skin combines 
the whiteness of the lily with the incar- 
nation of the rose ? 
Do we censure a fine woman as fri- 
volous, when we unceasingly tell her, 
that no other study becomes her but 
that of varying her pleasures; that she 
requires no talent but for the arrange- 
ment of new parties,—no ideas beyond 
the thought of the afternoon’s amuse- 
ment? Can we blame her frivolity, 
when we tell her that her hands were 
not made to touch the needle, or to soil 
their whiteness in domestic employ- 
ments? Can we blame her frivolity, 
when we tell her, that the look of 
seriousness chases from her cheek the 
dimple in which the Loves and the 
Graces wanton; that reflection clouds 
her brow with care; and that she who 
thinks, sacrifices the smile that makes 
beauty charm, and the gaiety that ren- 
ders wit attractive ? 
How can a pretty woman fail to be 
ignorant, when the first lesson she is 
taught is that beauty supersedes and 
dispenses with every other quality ; that 
all she needs to know, is that she is 
pretty ; that to be intelligent, is to be 
pedantic; and that to be more learned 
than one’s neighbour, is to incur the re- 
proach of absurdity and affectation ? 
Shall we blame her for being a co- 
quette, when the indiscriminate flattery 
Account of the St, Alban’s Literary Society. 
[Och 1, 
of every man teaches her that the ho- 
mage of one is as good as that of ano- 
ther? It is the same darts, the same 
flames, the same beaux, the same cox- 
combs. The man of sense, when he 
attempts to compliment, recommends 
the art of the beau, since he conde- 
scends to do with aukwardness what a 
monkey can do with grace. With all 
she is a goddess, and to her all men are 
equally mortals. How can she prefer, 
when there is no superiority; or be 
constant, when there is no merit ? 
Is she capricious ? Can she be other- 
wise, when she hears that the universe 
must be proud to wait her commands,— 
that the utmost of a lover’s hopes, is 
to be the humblest of her slaves,—that 
to fulfil the least of her commands, is 
the highest ambition of her adorers ? 
And are men so unjust as to cen- 
sure the idols made by their own hands? 
Let us be just; let us begin the work 
of reformation. When men cease to 
flatter, women will cease to deceive ; 
when men are wise, women will be wise 
to please. The ladies do not force the 
taste of the men; they only adapt them- 
selves to it. They may corrupt and be 
corrupted ;—they may improve and be 
improved. : 
EE 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine 
Sir, 
HEREWITH transmit you an ac- 
count of the “ St. Alban’s Literary 
Society,” relying on your well-known 
candour and impartiality for inserting it, 
and feeling assured, that the extension 
of knowledge and the general improve- 
ment of mankind are the sole objects 
of your invaluable magazine. 
The St. Alban’s Literary Society was 
established in July 1823, and is there- 
fore, at present, ina state of infancy. 
It has for its object the investigation (by 
means of lectures, essays, discussions, 
readings, and conversations) of subjects 
connected with moral and natural phi- 
losophy, literature, and political eco- 
nomy, under the following restrictions ; 
viz. that no subject of controversial 
theology, or of party politics, shall be 
introduced. The utility of the clause 
will be instantly perceived, as it not 
only upholds the dignity of the so- 
ciety, but prevents that acrimony and 
bitterness of spirit to which the hack- 
neyed subjects of theological discussion 
so directly lead. It is governed by a 
president, who is chosen quarterly, and 
a treasurer and secretary, who are 
elected at the annual meeting. Any 
person, 
