conversation by
those who were themselves barely admitted, I returned to the ladies, and
resolved to dedicate my life to their service and their pleasure. But I
find that I have now lost my charms. Of those with whom I entered the
gay world, some are married, some have retired, and some have so much
changed their opinion, that they scarcely pay any regard to my
civilities, if there is any other man in the place. The new flight of
beauties to whom I have made my addresses, suffer me to pay the treat,
and then titter with boys: So that I now find myself welcome only to a
few grave ladies, who, unacquainted with all that gives either use or
dignity to life, are content to pass their hours between their bed and
their cards, without esteem from the old, or reverence from the young.

13. I cannot but think, Mr. _Rambler_, that I have reason to complain;
for surely the females ought to pay some regard to the age of him whose
youth was passed in endeavouring to please them. They that encourage
folly in the boy, have no right to punish it in the man. Yet I find,
that though they lavish their first fondness upon pertness and gaiety,
they soon transfer their regard to other qualities, and ungratefully
abandon their adorers to dream out their last years in stupidity and
contempt.

I am, &c. _Florentulus_.

[RAMBLER.]

_Learning a necessary Accomplishment in a Woman of Quality or Fortune_.

GUARDIAN, No. 155.

1. I have often wondered that learning is not thought a proper
ingredient in the education of a woman of quality or fortune. Since they
have the same improveable minds as the male part of the species, why
should they not be cultivated, by the same method? Why should reason be
left to itself in one of the sexes, and be disciplined with so much care
to the other?

2. There are some reasons why learning seems more adapted to the female
world than to the male. As in the first place, because they have more
spare time upon their hands, and lead a more sedentary life. Their
employments are of a domestic nature, and not like those of the other
sex, which are often inconsistent with study and contemplation.

3. The excellent lady, the lady _Lizard_, in the space of one summer
furnished a gallery with chairs and couches of her own and her daughters
working; and at the same time heard all Dr. _Tillotson's_ sermons twice
over. It is always the custom for one of the young ladies to read, while
the others are at work; so