Education. 281 



peculiarity of character. What might have been 

 the nature, or extent of the attainments made by li- 

 terary women in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, 

 we are scarcely qualified to judge; but the learned 

 women of Europe, in the sixteenth and seventeenth 

 centuries, according to the fashion of the day, entered 

 deeply into the study of ancient languages ; fl they 

 chiefly belonged to the higher ranks of life; and as 

 writing and publishing were comparatively rare 

 among all classes, so few females presented them- 

 selves before the public in this manner. In the eigh- 

 teenth century, the character of female learning be- 

 came materially different. Literary females, during 

 this period, paid more attention to general know- 

 ledge, not omitting some of the practical branches 

 of physical science. In studying languages, they 

 devoted themselves more particularly to modern 

 tongues,, especially the French, Italian, and Ger- 

 man. 6 Literature has descended from females of 

 high rank, to those in the middle walks of life* 

 and is, perhaps 3 on the whole, more frequent 

 among the latter than the former. And while 

 learned women of former times wrote and pub- 



a Lady Jane Grat, who lived in the sixteenth century, was a profi- 

 cient in classic literature. " She had attained a familiar knowledge of the 

 Latin and Greek languages, besides modern tongues ; had passed most of 

 her time in an application to learning, and expressed a great indifference 

 for other occupations and amusements usual with her sex and station. 

 Roger Ascham having one day paid her a visit, found her employed in 

 reading Plato, while the rest of the family were engaged in hunting in the: 

 park ; and on his admiring the singularity of her choice, she told him that 

 she received more pleasure from that author than the others could reap 

 from all their sport and gaiety.'' Hume. Queen Elizabeth was no 

 less remarkable for her learning. She is said to have spoken both Greek 

 and Latin with readiness, and to have been familiarly acquainted with the 

 French, Italian, and Spanish languages. Other instances of the same kind 

 might be adduced as belonging to that age. 



b A few females of the eighteenth century distinguished themselves by 

 their profound and accurate acquaintance with the Latin and Greek classics. 

 The names of Madame Dacier, Mrs. Grierson, Mrs. Carter, and a few- 

 others, will be remembered with respect as long as the ancient language* 

 are studied. But there was certainly less disposition among the literary 

 females of the eighteenth century to devote themselves to this pursuit than 

 among those of the two preceding centuries. 

 VOL. II. *Q 



