THE PROJECTOR. N° 69.

"Credula res Amor est."

OVID.

April 1807.

THE complaint many years ago repeated often and bitterly, that the fair sex was neglected, by being left out of our systems of education, and but indifferently treated in the œconomy of social order, cannot, perhaps, be urged in the present day with so much propriety. Either from a sense of justice, or an increase of gallantry, numerous Projectors have appeared of late, vigorously bent on raising the ladies above every degree of depression or inferiority; and not only on assigning, but preparing them to hold their just rank in society.

The means by which this favourable change has been brought about are various. Some have supposed that the ladies, being by nature fitted to shine in all the honourable departments usually filled by the other sex, have conceived that nothing more was wanted than to restore to them a right of which they had

in some dark and barbarous age been deprived. Others, conceiving that whatever the original intentions of nature were, continual oppression may vitiate the breed of the noblest animals, have proposed to restore the capabilities of the fair sex, by alloting them the same education as is given to the males, and instructing them in such manly branches of science as may revive, if I may so speak, their lost nature, and restore that equality which the advocates for this system have found, or imagined they have found, in some distant period of the golden age.

Whether these schemes are founded upon sound principles, and are calculated to produce wise effects, is a question which I shall not venture to discuss. I am assured, however, by some of the most amiable, and some of the most learned of the fair sex, that in attempting to cure a positive evil, some of these Projectors have lost themselves; and have bewildered their readers, in the search after an imaginary good. While they have very properly contended against the barbarians who would consider women as mere children, or mere instruments of pleasure or tyranny, they have at the same time forgot that, under every modification of their condition, they ought to retain

the feminine character in order to be objects of superior respect and attachment. My informants also assure me, that the best interests of the sex do not require that they should be admitted into a participation of the amusements or of the business hitherto pursued by men only; and that it is no more necessary for them to learn their athletic sports of hunting and horse-races, than it is to learn the manual exercise, and be qualified to hold commissions in the army and navy. And even with regard to literature, although some of the sex have been admired for excelling in those studies that have almost universally been pursued by men, and although a much more considerable portion of useful knowledge may be easily acquired by the fair sex than has hitherto been taught them, yet those who are candidates for the honourable offices of wives and mothers are of opinion, that a critical knowledge of the learned languages, and of some abstruse parts of the sciences, are not absolutely necessary to the proper discharge of those offices, but may on the contrary interrupt the usual process of

election.

Notwithstanding these opinions, which have operated as a check on the writers who some years ago were more intent on reversing the

qualities of the sexes, than on giving proper strength to the weakest; the subjects which necessarily arise from the main contest have since been better understood, and a visible improvement has certainly taken place in many essential articles, while enough is yet left to the masters of ceremonies and arbiters of taste, if they are not unreasonable in their demands, and will but now and then consent to yield to such trifling circumstances as common sense and common decency. They have, I am willing to allow, been robbed of some of their votaries, who have thought proper to judge for themselves in matters of female delicacy and family happiness; but they have still a sufficient number left, who are contented to submit without a murmur to their decrees, and are ready to make every sacrifice that may be required.

But, although much has been done to ameliorate the condition of the fair sex, there is yet an opinion that farther steps ought to be taken, particularly in providing young ladies with proper advice in that very essential affair, LOVE, or COURTSHIP. This advice, some of my readers may remember, used formerly to be given by fathers and mothers, or any other grave relations, such as uncles and aunts, in

case of the absence or death of the said fathers and mothers. But of late, I know not why, it has been supposed that relations are the most improper persons in the world to consult in such matters, and it has been urged, that they have a very awkward trick of tendering scruples, making objections, and throwing impediments in the way of a preconcerted scheme. And indeed if, according to some very sensible young people, asking advice means no more than desiring approbation, such scruples, objections, and impediments, are certainly strong symptoms of impertinent and intolerable interference, and to be treated accordingly. But as the abovementioned relations do not content themselves with a simple statement of objections, but often go so far as to back them by the strong hand of power, so that sundry young persons have been prevented from doing what they had the greatest mind to do, it has been found necessary to call in other aid, and other counsellors of a more pliant disposition. And so convenient has this been found, that I have known an affair of courtship brought to an ultimate conclusion without any other advice than that of a lady's maid, or a postillion, although there was a numerous family of very near relatives, who might have had the honour