232 Education. 



lished little, those of that sex who have lately 

 gained literary distinction have made numerous 

 and valuable publications/ some of which will 

 doubtless descend with honour to posterity. 



Tr^is revolution has been gradually effected, and 

 was produced by a variety of causes. The pro- 

 gress of refinement, while it raised the female- 

 character, naturally placed that sex in a situation 

 more favourable to the acquisition of knowledge. 

 The unexampled diffusion of a taste for literature, 

 through the various grades of society, could scarcely 

 fail of increasing the intelligence, and meliorating 

 the education of females among the rest. Added 

 to these considerations, the example and the writ- 

 ings of some celebrated women served to excite 

 emulation, and to produce a thirst for knowledge 

 among many others of their sex ; these latter, again, 

 within the sphere' of their influence, produced the 

 same good effects on their associates; academies 

 for the particular instruction of females soon be- 

 came popular; and thus, within the last fifty years, 

 their literary interests have been constantly gaining 

 ground. 



Among the numerous females whose names 

 might be mentioned, as having contributed to this 

 revolution, by their example and their writings, 



* " In this country," (England) says Mr. Polewhele, in his Unsex*/ 

 Females, " a female author was formerly esteemed a phenomenon in Li- 

 terature ; and she was sure of a favourable reception among the critics, in 

 consideration of her sex. This species of gallantry, however, conveyed no 

 compliment to her understanding. It implied such an inferiority of women 

 in the scale of intellect as was justly humiliating : and critical forbearance 

 was mortifying to female vanity. At the present day, indeed, our literary 

 women are so numerous, that their judges, waving all complimentary civi- 

 lities, decide upon their merits with the same rigid impartiality as it seems 

 right to exercise towards the men. The tribunal of criticism is no longer 

 charmed into complacence by the blushes of modest apprehension. It no 

 longer imagines the pleading eye of feminine diffidence that speaks a con- 

 sciousness of comparative imbecility, or a fearfulness of haying offended by 

 intrusion." 



