On this page

• Text (1)

  Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

  • 

    THE INFLUENCE OF CLASSICAL LITERATURE. 8...

• Transcript

  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

    Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

    We Give These Extracts From An Excellent...

    • "With . such , a literature it was almost a miracle that one virtuous woman or one honest man was left in tlie country to create that

    revolution which , was to purify its pestiferous atmosphere . Admirable for its geniusthis work is still more so for its honesty . "

    , In the praise given to this new literature is implied the censure passed upon the old . Of direct educational literature we may say

    that all writers , from Rousseau to Gregory , Fordyce , and the very latest in our own country , have exercised an enervating influence

    over public opinion , and helped to form the popular estimate of female ability . Rousseau ' s influence is still powerful . Let me quote

    from his " Emilius . " " Researches into abstract and speculative truths , the to generalise principles ideas and axioms is out of of science the province , in short of woman everything . All which her tends ideas

    should be directed to the study of men . As to works of genius they are beyond her capacity . She has not precision enough to succeed

    in . accurate science , and physical knowledge belongs to those who are most active and most inquisitive . "

    Alas ! for Mary Somerville , Janet Taylor , and Maria Mitchell , as well as for the popular idea that women are a curious sex ! He goes

    on : — _:- " Woman should have the skill to incline us to do everything which her sex will not enable her to do of herself . She should

    learn to penetrate the real sentiments of men , and should have the art to communicate those which are most agreeable to them without

    seeming This sounds to intend somewhat it . " barefacedbut it is the model of all the ;

    first advice leam which of something society is still better giving from . the It is author refreshing of " Sandford to catch and the

    Merton g . " " If women , " says Mr . Day , " are in general feeble both in bodand mindit arises less from nature than from education .

    We encourage y a vicious , indolence and inactivity , which we falsely call delicacyInstead of hardening their minds by the severer

    prin-. which ciples terminate of reason in and vanity philosop or sensuality hy , we . breed They them are to taug useless ht nothin arts g

    commend "but idle postures s dissimulation and foolish . Dr . accomp Ford lishments advises . " women Dr . Gregory to increase re _^ yce

    tional their power restraint by s reserve still exercised and coldness of the ! innocent When we amusements hear of the forbid _educa- - _*

    den , the compositions which may , be written but not read , lest the young that the girl step mig is ht not some so time become long from the lecturer that tim , we e and cannot country but feel to

    this , and wonder at the foll very y which still refuses to trust the laws of Crod to a natural development . It is mortifying too to listen to the

    sill deavored y rhapsodies , _" she says of Madame , " to prevent de Stael women . " Thoug from h interfering Rousseau in has public enin

    affairs , and acting a brilliant part in political life , yet , speakhe - ing wished for of eve them to r deprive asserted , how much them for them of has some he all those done rights it to forei to which their gn it to satisfaction has their a claim sex , / how . What If has he >

    voij . it . 2 js

    The Influence Of Classical Literature. 8...

    THE INFLUENCE OF _CLASSICAL LITERATURE . 893

• Citation
  • English Woman’s Journal (1858-1864), Feb. 1, 1860, page 393, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ewj/issues/ewj_01021860/page/33/