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ENQUIRY

INTO THE

DUTIES OF THE FEMALE SEX.

By THOMAS GISBORNE, M. A.

THE SECOND EDITION, CORRECTED.

LONDON:

Printed for T. CADELL jun. and W DAVIES
(Succeffors to Mr. CADELL) in the Strand.

M DCC XCVI?,

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PREFACE.

TH

HE following Work owes its origin to the favourable reception which the Public has been pleased to give to the " Enquiry into the "Duties of Men;" and to wishes intimated from different quarters very deserving of attention.

That I might have a reasonable chance of laying before the Reader a performance not destitute of all claim to originality; I purposely abstained, until the principal part was executed, from the perufal of

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other Treatifes addreffed to perfons of the Female Sex, or primarily defigned for their inftruction. I then thought it incumbent upon me to examine various works of that nature. The refult proved as was to be expected. I found many opinions coinciding with my own, many differing totally from them. The latter circumstance led to alterations, whenever reflection convinced me that I had been in a greater or a less degree under the influence of error; and to additions, when they appeared neceffary for the fupport of my own fentiments, and the matter in queftion feemed important enough to require them. On fuch occafions, however, my object has been to furnish ufeful rules and

just

juft conclufions, with a brief explanation of the grounds of them; rather than to point out and cenfure the individuals, who, in my apprehenfion, have recommended what ought to be fhunned, or have refted judicious maxims of conduct wholly or in part on improper motives. In one or two inftances I have been obliged, for the fake of perfpicuity, to state with plainness the objectionable pofition. But I have been folicitous not to load a practical work with controversy.

YOXALL LODGE,

O&. 18, 1796.

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