are most of them not
only highly becoming, but often indispensably necessary, and a polite
education cannot be perfected without them. But as the world seems to be
very well apprised of their importance, there is the less occasion to
insist on their utility. Yet, though well-bred young women should learn
to dance, sing, recite and draw, the end of a good education is not that
they may become dancers, singers, players or painters: its real object
is to make them good daughters, good wives, good mistresses, good
members of society, and good christians. The above qualifications
therefore are intended to _adorn_ their _leisure_, not to _employ_ their
_lives_; for an amiable and wise woman will always have something better
to value herself on, than these advantages, which, however captivating,
are still but subordinate parts of a truly excellent character.

BUT I am afraid parents themselves sometimes contribute to the error of
which I am complaining. Do they not often set a higher value on those
acquisitions which are calculated to attract observation, and catch the
eye of the multitude, than on those which are valuable, permanent, and
internal? Are they not sometimes more solicitous about the opinion of
others, respecting their children, than about the real advantage and
happiness of the children themselves? To an injudicious and superficial
eye, the best educated girl may make the least brilliant figure, as she
will probably have less flippancy in her manner, and less repartee in
her expression; and her acquirements, to borrow bishop Sprat's idea,
will be rather _enamelled than embossed_. But her merit will be known,
and acknowledged by all who come near enough to discern, and have taste
enough to distinguish. It will be understood and admired by the man,
whose happiness she is one day to make, whose family she is to govern,
and whose children she is to educate. He will not seek for her in the
haunts of dissipation, for he knows he shall not find her there; but
he will seek for her in the bosom of retirement, in the practice of
every domestic virtue, in the exertion of every amiable accomplishment,
exerted in the shade, to enliven retirement, to heighten the endearing
pleasures of social intercourse, and to embellish the narrow but
charming circle of family delights. To this amiable purpose, a truly
good and well educated young lady will dedicate her more elegant
accomplishments, instead of exhibiting them to attract admir