Chap. XXV.] Education. 131 



Tliis revolution has been gradually elTccted, 

 and was produced by a variety of causes. The 

 progress of refinement, while it raised the female 

 character, naturally placed that sex in a situation 

 more favourable to the acquisition of knowledge. 

 The unexampled diifusion of a taste for literature 

 through the various ranks of society could 

 scarce!}'' fail of increasing the intelligence, and 

 meliorating tlie education, of females among the 

 rest. Added to these considerations, the example 

 and the writings of some celebrated women served 

 to excite emulation, and to produce a thirst for 

 knowledge among many others of their sex j these 

 latter, again, within the sphere of their influence, 

 produced the same good eftects on their associates; 

 academies for the particular instruction of females 

 soon became popular j and thus, within the last 

 fifty years, their literary interests have been con- 

 stantly gaining ground. , ^ 



Among the numerous females, whose names 

 might be mentioned as having contributed to this 

 revolution by their example and their writings, 

 particular distinction is due to Mrs. Coc'kburn *, 

 Mrs. Carter f , Mrs. Barbauld, Mrs. Lennox, Airs. 

 Montague, Mrs. Macaulay Graham, Mrs.Cha- 



iuto complacence by the blushes of modest apprehension. It no 

 longer imagines the pleading eye of feaunine diffidence, that 

 speaks a consciousness of comparative imbecility, or afeurfulness 

 of haying oH'ended by intrusion." 



*' An acute and celebrated metaphysician, who died in 1749. 

 Her works have been since printed in two volumes octavo. 



t Elizabeth Carter, a lady of great erudition, and of distin- 

 guished talents. H^ translation oiEpktctm j& generally known. 



