A serious proposal to the Ladies, for the advancement of their true and greatest interest (In Two Parts)

A serious proposal to the Ladies, for the advancement of their true and greatest interest (In Two Parts)

The favourable reception which the graver and wiser part of the World were pleasd tafford to a former Essay towards thimprovement of the Ladies, has encouraged her who made it to prosecute that design a little further, and to try if she can reduce to Practice what appears so 2 well in Notion and Speculation. For how customary soever it be for Writers to mind no more than their own Reputation, to be content if they can make a handsom flourish, get a Name among the Authors, come off with but a little Censure and some Commendations; or if there are a few generous Souls whore got above either the Hope or Fear of vulgar Breath, who do not matter much what is dispensd more commonly by fancy or passion than by Judgment, they rest satisfied however in a Good Intention, and comfort themselves that theyve endeavourd the Reformation of the Age, let those look tot who will not follow their Advices: Yet give her leave to profess that she desires the Good of the World rather than its Applauses, and coud with much greater pleasure have found her Project condemnd as foolish and impertinent, than see it entertaind with delight and approbation, and yet no 3 body endeavouring to put it in Practice; since the former woud only have reproachd her own Understanding, but the latter is a shame to Mankind, as being a plain indication that tho they discern and commend what is Good, they have not the Vertue and Courage to Act accordingly. Weret altogether impossible timprove her Sex, were Women irremediably condemnd to folly and impertinence, how much soever she desires their amendment, she woud make a Vertue of Necessity and endeavour to be content without it, but it will give her the greatest uneasiness tove found out a Method which every one judges so much to their advantage, if she cant persuade them to make use of it. And can you Ladies deny her so cheap a Reward for all the Good-will she bears you, as the Pleasure of seeing you Wise and Happy? Can you envy her the Joy of assisting 4 at Your Triumphs; for why does she contend for Laurels but to lay em all at the Ladies feet? Why wont you begin to think, and no longer dream away your Time in a wretched incogitancy? Why does not a generous Emulation fire your hearts and inspire you with Noble and becoming Resentments? The Men of Equity are so just as to confess the errors which the Proud and inconsiderate had imbibd to your prejudice, and if you still allow them the preference in Ingenuity, theyre convincd it is not because you must, but because you will. Can you be in Love with servitude and folly? Can you dote on a mean, ignorant and ignoble Life? Shall an Ingenious Woman be stard on as a Prodigy, since you have it in your power to inform the World, that you can every one of you be so, if you please your selves? It is not enough to wish and to would it, or tafford a faint Encomium upon what you pretend 5 is beyond your Power; Imitation is the heartiest Praise you can give, and is a Debt which Justice requires to be paid to every worthy Action. What Sentiments were fit to be raisd in you to day ought to remain to morrow, and the best Commendation you can bestow on a Book is immediately to put it in Practice; otherwise you become self-condemnd, your Judgment reproaches your Actions, and you live a contradiction to your selves. If you approve, Why dont you follow? And if you Wish, Why shoud you not Endeavour? especially since that woud reduce your Wishes to Act, and make you of Well-wishers to Vertue and Good sense, become glorious Examples of them. And pray what ist that hinders you? The singularity of the Matter? Are you afraid of being out of the ordinary way and therefore admird and gazd at? Admiration does not use to be uneasy to our 6 Sex, a great many Vanities might be spard if we consulted only our own conveniency and not other peoples Eyes and Sentiments: And why shoud that which usually recommends a trifling Dress, deter us from a real Ornament? Ist not as fine to be first in this as well as any other Fashion? Singularity is indeed to be avoided except in matters of importance, in such a case Why shoud not we assert our Liberty, and not suffer every Trifler to impose a Yoke of Impertinent Customs on us? She who forsakes the Path to which Reason directs is much to blame, but she shall never do any thing Praise-worthy and excellent who is not got above unjust Censures, and too steady and well resolvd to be shamd from her Duty by the empty Laughter of such as have nothing but airy Noise and Confidence to recommend them. Firmness and strength of Mind will carry us thro all these little persecutions, 7 which may create us some uneasiness for a while, but will afterwards end in our Glory and Triumph. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 54984
Author: Astell, Mary
Release Date: Jun 26, 2017
Format: eBook
Language: English