An essay in defence of the female sex: In which are inserted the characters of a pedant, a squire, a beau, a vertuoso, a poetaster, a city-critick, &c. in a letter to a lady. — John Shaqi
An essay in defence of the female sex: In which are inserted the characters of a pedant, a squire, a beau, a vertuoso, a poetaster, a city-critick, &c. in a letter to a lady.Astell, Mary
General
An essay in defence of the female sex: In which are inserted the characters of a pedant, a squire, a beau, a vertuoso, a poetaster, a city-critick, &c. in a letter to a lady.
Astell, Mary
Women
I have yet another Argument from Nature, which is, that the very Make
and Temper of our Bodies shew that we were never design’d for Fatigue;
and the Vivacity of our Wits, and Readiness of our Invention (which are
confess’d even by our Adversaries) demonstrate that we were chiefly
intended for Thought and the Exercise of the Mind. Whereas on the
contrary it is apparent from the strength and size of their Limbs, the
Vigour and Hardiness of their Constitutions, that Men were purposely
fram’d and contriv’d for Action, and Labour. And herein the Wisdom and
Contrivance of Providence is abundantly manifested; for as the one Sex
is fortified with Courage and Ability to undergo the necessary Drudgery
of providing Materials for the sustenance of Life in both; so the other
is furnish’d with Ingenuity and Prudence for the orderly management and
distribution of it, for the Relief and Comfort of a Family; and is over
and above enrich’d with a peculiar Tenderness and Care requisite to the
Cherishing their poor helpless Off-spring. I know our Opposers usually
miscall our quickness of Thought, Fancy and Flash, and christen their
own heaviness by the specious Names of Judgment and Solidity; but it is
easie to retort upon ’em the reproachful Ones of Dullness and Stupidity
with more Justice. I shall pursue this Point no further, but continue
firm in my Persuasion, that Nature has not been so Niggardly to us, as
our Adversaries would insinuate, till I see better cause to the
contrary, then I have hitherto at any time done. Yet I am ready to yield
to Conviction, whoever offers it; which I don’t suddenly expect.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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