THOUGHTS ON THE EDUCATION OF DAUGHTERS: WITH REFLECTIONS ON FEMALE CONDUCT, IN The more important DUTIES of LIFE, By MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT. LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. JOHNSON, N^o 72, ST. PAUL’S CHURCH-YARD. M DCC LXXXVII. PREFACE. In the following pages I have endeavoured to point out some important things with respect to female education. It is true, many treatises have been already written; yet it occurred to me, that much still remained to be said. I shall not swell these sheets by writing apologies for my attempt. I am afraid, indeed, the reflections will, by some, be thought too grave; but I could not make them less so without writing affectedly; yet, though they may be insipid to the gay, others may not think them so; and if they should prove useful to one fellow-creature, and beguile any hours, which sorrow has made heavy, I shall think I have not been employed in vain. CONTENTS PREFACE The NURSERY MORAL DISCIPLINE EXTERIOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARTIFICIAL MANNERS DRESS The FINE ARTS READING BOARDING-SCHOOLS The TEMPER Unfortunate Situation of Females, fashionably educated, and left without a Fortune LOVE MATRIMONY DESULTORY THOUGHTS THE BENEFITS WHICH ARISE FROM DISAPPOINTMENTS ON THE TREATMENT OF SERVANTS THE OBSERVANCE OF SUNDAY ON THE MISFORTUNE OF FLUCTUATING PRINCIPLES BENEVOLENCE CARD-PLAYING THE THEATRE PUBLIC PLACES THOUGHTS ON THE EDUCATION OF DAUGHTERS. THE NURSERY. As I conceive it to be the duty of every rational creature to attend to its offspring, I am sorry to observe, that reason and duty together have not so powerful an influence over human conduct, as instinct has in the brute creation. Indolence, and a thoughtless disregard of every thing, except the present indulgence, make many mothers, who may have momentary starts of tenderness, neglect their children. They follow a pleasing impulse, and never reflect that reason should cultivate and govern those instincts which are implanted in us to render the path of duty pleasant—for if they are not governed they will run wild; and strengthen the passions which are ever endeavouring to obtain dominion—I mean vanity and self-love.