179'* SOPHIA ON FEMAXE EDUCATION. 265 



All weak creatures not provided with natural defence, 

 muft be cowardly; cowardice begets revenge, and cun- 

 ning devifes the way to bring it to bear. Obliina^y 

 and Ignorance muft ever be infeparable in men ^v., wcil 

 as woiTien. Curiofity is an inherent principle, 2nd 

 when diverted of knowledge and prudence, and unlup- 

 ported by fcience, it muft be foolilla, troublefome, and 

 violent. Senfual pleafure is a real good, the defire of 

 it is inherent in our nature, and it muft remain our 

 chief good till we find a better, and that better cannot 

 be attained but by philofophy and intelleftual refine- 

 ment. Appetite predominates in all children, in fava- 

 ges, and in all ill educated men as well as women. 

 As to diflipacion, idlenefs, love of fliow, of drefs, 

 change of place, and every kind of amufcment, thefe are 

 the necefl'ary confequences of the whetting and refining of 

 appetite, without being poffaffed of the powers of high- 

 er enjoyment ; and as to the defire of admiration for 

 perfonal charms, how ihould it be otherwife, when all 

 other ambition is induftrioufly excluded by the nature 

 of your education, or by the prepofterous prejudices of 

 fociety. 



My dear Sophia, educate your daughters oli princi- 

 ples oppofite to thefe foibles and vices, and make them 

 like yourfelf. You will then eftablifti a foundation 

 for the happinefs of the men who ihall have them for 

 wives or mothers ; and if they fhall never be married, 

 they will become refpecfable ufeful women, and indif- 

 ferent about the old curfe of leading apes on the other 

 fide of the Styx. 



O my dearcft Eugenius, faid I, you have lifted me 

 up into the third heaven ; I will endeavour to fulfil your 

 flattering defire. 



My eldeft daughter Alathea had now completed her 



■fifth year ; healthy, beautiful and good aatured, but 



without any extraordinary appearance of capacity. I 



fet myfclf to confider the moft elTeiSlual way of teach- 



Vojc. III. f -LI 



