a vindication of the rights of woman-第47节
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The memory is loaded with unintelligible words； to make a show of； without the understanding's acquiring any distinct ideas： but only that education deserves emphatically to be termed cultivation of mind； which teaches young people how to begin to think。 The imagination should not be allowed to debauch the understanding before it gained strength； or vanity will become the forerunner of vice： for every way of exhibiting the acquirements of a child is injurious to its moral character。 How much time is lost in teaching them to recite what they do not understand！ whilst； seated on benches； all in their best array； the mammas listen with astonishment to the parrot…like prattle； uttered in solemn cadences； with all the pomp of ignorance and folly。 Such exhibitions only serve to strike the spreading fibres of vanity through the whole mind； for they neither teach children to speak fluently； nor behave gracefully。 So far from it； that these frivolous pursuits might comprehensively be termed the study of affectation： for we now rarely see a simple； bashful boy； though few people of taste were ever disgusted by that awkward sheepishness so natural to the age； which schools and an early introduction into society； have changed into impudence and apish grimace。 Yet； how can these things be remedied whilst schoolmasters depend entirely on parents for a subsistence； and when so many rival schools hang out their lures to catch the attention of vain fathers and mothers； whose parental affection only leads them to wish； that their children should outshine those of their neighbours？ Without great good luck； a sensible； conscientious man； would starve before he could raise a school； if he disdained to bubble weak parents； by practising the secret tricks of the craft。 In the best regulated schools； however； where swarms are not crammed together many bad habits must be acquired； but； at common schools； the body； heart； and understanding； are equally stunted； for parents are often only in quest of the cheapest school； and the master could not live； if he did not take a much greater number than he could manage himself； nor will the scanty pittance； allowed for each child； permit him to hire ushers sufficient to assist in the discharge of the mechanical part of the business。 Besides； whatever appearance the house and garden may make； the children do not enjoy the comforts of either； for they are continually reminded； by irksome restrictions； that they are not at home； and the state…rooms； garden； etc。 must be kept in order for the recreation of the parents； who； of a Sunday； visit the school； and are impressed by the very parade that renders the situation of their children uncomfortable。 With what disgust have I heard sensible women； for girls are more restrained and cowed than boys； speak of the wearisome confinement which they endured at school。 Not allowed； perhaps； to step out of one broad walk in a superb garden； and obliged to pace with steady deportment stupidly backwards and forwards； holding up their heads； and turning out their toes； with shoulders braced back； instead of bounding； as nature directs to complete her own design； in the various attitudes so conducive to health。 The pure animal spirits； which make both mind and body shoot out； and unfold the tender blossoms of hope are turned sour； and vented in vain wishes； or pert repinings； that contract the faculties and spoil the temper； else they mount to the brain and sharpening the understanding before it gains proportionable strength； produce that pitiful cunning which disgracefully characterizes the female mindand I fear will ever characterize it whilst women remain the slaves of power！ The little respect which the male world pay to chastity is； I am persuaded； the grand source of many of the physical and moral evils that torment mankind； as well as of the vices and follies that degrade and destroy women； yet at school； boys infallibly lose that decent bashfulness； which might have ripened into modesty at home。 I have already animadverted on the bad habits which females acquire when they are shut up together； and I think that the observation may fairly be extended to the other sex； till the natural inference is drawn which I have had in view throughoutthat to improve both sexes they ought； not only in private families； but in public schools； to be educated together。 If marriage be the cement of society； mankind should all be educated after the same model； or the intercourse of the sexes will never deserve the name of fellowship； nor will women ever fulfil the peculiar duties of their sex； till they become enlightened citizens； till they become free； by being enabled to earn their own subsistence； independent of men； in the same manner； I mean； to prevent misconstruction； as one man is independent of another。 Nay； marriage will never be held sacred till women by being brought up with men； are prepared to be their companions； rather than their mistresses； for the mean doublings of cunning will ever render them contemptible； whilst oppression renders them timid。 So convinced am I of this truth； that I will venture to predict； that virtue will never prevail in society till the virtues of both sexes are founded on reason； and； till the affection common to both are allowed to gain their due strength by the discharge of mutual duties。 Were boys and girls permitted to pursue the same studies together； those graceful decencies might early be inculcated which produce modesty； without those sexual distinctions that taint the mind。 Lessons of politeness； and that formulary of decorum； which treads on the heels of falsehood； would be rendered useless by habitual propriety of behaviour。 Not； indeed put on for visiters like the courtly robe of politeness； but the sober effect of cleanliness of mind。 Would not this simple elegance of sincerity be a chaste homage paid to domestic affections； far surpassing the meretricious compliments that shine with false lustre in the heartless intercourse of fashionable life？ But； till more understanding preponderate in society； there will ever be a want of heart and taste； and the harlot's rouge will supply the place of that celestial suffusion which only virtuous affections can give to the face。 Gallantry； and what is called love； may subsist without simplicity of character； but the main pillars of friendship； are respect and confidenceesteem is never founded on it cannot tell what。 A taste for the fine arts requires great cultivation； but not more than a taste for the virtuous affections： and both suppose that enlargement of mind which opens so many sources of mental pleasure。 Why do people hurry to noisy scenes and crowded circles？ I should answer； because they want activity of mind； because they have not cherished the virtues of the heart。 They only； therefore； see and feel in the gross； and continually pine after variety； finding every thing that is simple； insipid。 This argument may be carried further than philosophers are aware of； for if nature destined woman； in particular； for the discharge of domestic duties； she made her susceptible of the attached affections in a great degree。 Now women are notoriously fond of pleasure； and naturally must be so； according to my definition； because they cannot enter into the minutiae of domestic taste； lacking judgment the foundation of all taste。 For the understanding； in spite of sensual cavillers； reserves to itself the privilege of conveying pure joy to the heart。 With what a languid yawn have I seen an admirable poem thrown down； that a man of true taste returns to； again and again with rapture； and； whilst melody has almost suspended respiration； a lady has asked me where I bought my gown。 I have seen also an eye glanced coldly over a most exquisite picture； rest； sparkling with pleasure； on a caricature rudely sketched； and whilst some terrific feature in nature has spread a sublime stillness through my soul； I have been desired to observe the pretty tricks of a lap…dog； that my perverse fate forced me to travel with。 Is it surprising； that such a tasteless being should rather caress this dog than her children？ Or； that she should prefer the rant of flattery to the simple accents of sincerity？ To illustrate this remark I must be allowed to observe； that men of the first genius； and most cultivated minds； have appeared to have the highest relish for the simple beauties of nature； and they must have forcibly felt； what they have so well described； the charm； which natural affections； and unsophisticated feelings spread round the human character。 It is this power of looking into the heart； and responsively vibrating with each emotion； that enables the poet to personify each passion； and the painter to sketch with a pencil of fire。 True taste is ever the work of the understanding employed in observing natural effects； and till women have more understanding； it is vain to expect them to possess domestic taste。 Their lively senses will ever be at work to harden their hearts； and the emotions struck out of them will continue to be vivid and transitory； unless a proper education stores their minds with knowledge。 It is the want of domestic taste； and not the acquirement of knowledge； that takes women out of t
