FENELON's TREATISE ON THE EDUCATION OF DAUGHTERS. [Illustration: Woman reading to girl] _Delightful task! to rear the tender thought, To teach the young idea how to shoot._ FENELON's TREATISE ON THE EDUCATION OF DAUGHTERS: _TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH_, AND ADAPTED TO ENGLISH READERS, With an Original Chapter, "On Religious Studies." BY THE REV. T. F. DIBDIN, B.A. F.A.S. Author of "_An Introduction to the Knowledge of the best Editions of the Greek and Latin Classics_," _&c._ "Chaste and modest writings never alter the honour of any gentlewoman. For as the remembrance of infamous persons is much detested and hated by the _Muses_--so is the glory and renown of the virtuous installed by them in eternal memory for ever." PASTORALS OF JULIETTA. _Fol. Edit._ 1610. _Pt. 3_, _p._ 88. So in this pilgrimage I would behold You, as you are--VIRTUE'S TEMPLE! DONNE'S POEMS. _Edit._ 1650. _p._ 156. [_To the Countess of Bedford._] _CHELTENHAM_: PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY H. RUFF: AND SOLD BY LONGMAN, HURST, REES AND ORME, LONDON. 1805. Entered at Stationers' Hall. TO HER GRACE GEORGIANA _DUCHESS OF BEDFORD_, WHOSE AMIABLE DISPOSITION, ACCOMPLISHED MANNERS, AND ELEVATED RANK, _RENDER HER_ THE ESTEEM AND ADMIRATION OF _THE GREAT AND THE VIRTUOUS_, This small Tribute OF GRATITUDE AND RESPECT _IS DEDICATED_ BY HER OBLIGED AND OBEDIENT HUMBLE SERVANT, H. RUFF. PREFACE. The Translation of the following Work was undertaken at the request of Mr. RUFF, the Publisher, who wished me to paraphrase what I thought might more particularly interest and edify the English reader. It is dedicated, by the Publisher, to her Grace the DUCHESS OF BEDFORD --and he is anxious that it may be found worthy of her patronage. The original French work was first published in 1688; and the earliest English translation appeared in 1707. This translation, which was by Dr. Hickes, I have never seen. In the year 1797, another [anonymous] English translation was printed at Hull, in a duodecimo volume. In this performance there is so close an adherence to the idiom of the French language, that almost every page abounds with gallicisms. It is not, however, entirely destitute of merit; but it appears, on the whole, to have been hastily executed for the purpose of ensuring a cheap and extensive sale. The present translation is offered to the public, with a full conviction of its inadequacy to give a just idea of the beauty and force of the original. The author of "_Telemaque_" and "_De l'Education des Filles_" appears, on a comparison of these two performances, very unlike the same writer. In the former, his periods are flowing and luxuriant; in the latter, they are sententious and logical; and nearly as difficult to clothe in an English-dress as those of the philosophical Tacitus.