keep up the allusion of the poet, just
quoted, she would ask if we do not put the finest vases, and the
costliest images in places of the greatest security, and most remote
from any probability of accident, or destruction? By being so situated,
they find their protection in their weakness, and their safety in their
delicacy. This metaphor is far from being used with a design of placing
young ladies in a trivial, unimportant light; it is only introduced to
insinuate, that where there is more beauty, and more weakness, there
should be greater circumspection, and superior prudence.

MEN, on the contrary, are formed for the more public exhibitions on the
great theatre of human life. Like the stronger and more substantial
wares, they derive no injury, and lose no polish by being always
exposed, and engaged in the constant commerce of the world. It is their
proper element, where they respire their natural air, and exert their
noblest powers, in situations which call them into action. They were
intended by Providence for the bustling scenes of life; to appear
terrible in arms, useful in commerce, shining in counsels.

THE Author fears it will be hazarding a very bold remark, in the opinion
of many ladies, when she adds, that the female mind, in general, does
not appear capable of attaining so high a degree of perfection in
science as the male. Yet she hopes to be forgiven when she observes
also, that as it does not seem to derive the chief portion of its
excellence from extraordinary abilities of this kind, it is not at all
lessened by the imputation of not possessing them. It is readily
allowed, that the sex have lively imaginations, and those exquisite
perceptions of the beautiful and defective, which come under the
denomination of Taste. But pretensions to that strength of intellect,
which is requisite to penetrate into the abstruser walks of literature,
it is presumed they will readily relinquish. There are green pastures,
and pleasant vallies, where they may wander with safety to themselves,
and delight to others. They may cultivate the roses of imagination, and
the valuable fruits of morals and criticism; but the steeps of
Parnassus few, comparatively, have attempted to scale with success.
And when it is considered, that many languages, and many sciences, must
contribute to the perfection of poetical composition, it will appear
less strange. The lofty Epic, the pointed Satire, and the more daring
and successful flights