30 UTILITY OP THE [LECT. I. 



lity of Botany in advancing- many of the more im- 

 portant arts ; and the study of it is no less bene- 

 ficial as a branch of general education. If the 

 intellectual enjoyments of a well-informed mind 

 be a valuable possession, whatever can augment 

 these must be considered as of great importance. 

 Many branches of knowledge have this effect; and, 

 although they cannot be considered as directly 

 advancing our interests or fortune in our inter- 

 course with mankind, yet the possession of them 

 affords a more permanent satisfaction than either 

 wealth or honour can bestow*. Botany is one of 



* If we apply these observations to the fair sex, we shall 

 perhaps immediately hear of the danger of producing literary 

 women, of having wives that would leave the management of 

 their houses to pore over the page of the philosopher, and be 

 solving a mathematical problem instead of making a custard. 

 We shall be told that learned women are insupportable, and 

 use their acquirements as tyrants do their authority, making 

 them weapons of oppression rather than the instruments of 

 happiness. But a female pedant and a woman with a well-in- 

 formed mind and liberal education are two different beings ; 

 and I would answer remarks such as these in the words of 

 one of the sexf, which I think are completely convincing. 

 * c The fragile nature of female friendships," says she, " and 

 " the petty jealousies that break out at the ball-room, have 

 " been, from time immemorial, the jest of mankind. Trifles 

 " light as air will necessarily excite, not only the jealousy, but 

 " the envy of those who think only of trifles. Give them 

 " more employment for their thoughts ; give them a nobler 



f Mrs. Barbauld. 



