1825.] Vindication of Literary Ladies. "Some that will evermore peep thro' their And laugh like parrots at a bagpiper." But (to give one instance from merry Finally, I profess myself to be what you must have discovered long ere this, farther removed from the discipline of Heraclitus than even A. H.-a friend to Laughter, provided the object be innocent, for this is indispensable,-yea, and occasionally having no objection to "Laughter holding both I. L. his sides." 503 her sex, against an odium attempted by ours to tarnish or destroy the just fame of those who have been denominated "Literary Ladies." A very little reflection will furnish us with ample proof how great has been the obligation of Literature to the illuminations of Female writers,-how powerfully they have vindicated her cause, when she was at any period either stiffened in the buckram of fastidious pedantry, or when she became relaxed into fatuity by the rapid trifles of a too airy Muse. Can we forget in such dangerous moments the mighty power of Seward; the swelling numbers of Smith; the taste and narrative of Barbauld; the sanctified labours of More and Trimmer; and the wonder-working genius and sentiment of hundreds more who ornament the Feminead of Parnassus? Would the vain and selfish Wranglers of the Schools deny to these the bays which they have so justly won? Would they refuse to the Vales of Literature the prospect of their successors? Could such rigid rules for once be granted, Tempe would be shrouded in Cimmerian darkness, Illissus would for ever be arrested by a killing frost, and Pegasus would drop wings upon Ida's summit, covered with perpetual snow! his This article, written by a Lady moving in polished society above 50 years ago, suggests a remark, that there is a singular change in the public mind since that period. Then it appears it was considered almost disgraceful in a Female to be an Author; now, it is thought, and justly so, that a successful Female Author confers honour not only on herself, but on all with whom she is related, and is looked up to with general respect. But let us see what our venerable Relative has said in their cause. A.H. "A Literary Lady may be talked of, admired indeed by a few, but envied by many more, especially of her own sex, who will say all the spiteful things that ignorance and malice can suggest. They too often conclude, that if a woman has a taste and talent for Poetry, &c. that she must be proud of that talent, and fancy herself superior to the rest of her sex; be vain, conceited, and regardless of the common accomplishments that become the ladies.-Some men will like to converse with her, but declare they would not chuse such a wife, 504 Vindication of Literary Ladies. a wife, who would, say they, be above minding the economy of her family, and would spend that time with her books and her pen that ought to be employed in the management of household affairs-and jealous of an understanding better than their own, exclaim against learned ladies. But I am very much afraid the ladies in general, tho' not much addicted to the vices of reading and writing, bestow few of their hours in the domestic duties of life; cards and a continual round of company and diversion, seem to take up all their attention: Surely a less eligible way of spending time, than would be the study of books, and the use of the pen? When a woman is vain of her uncommon talents, when she is affected, desirous of shewing in all companies her learning and taste, or when she despises the generality of her sex, and the becoming duties of a woman; then let her meet with the ridicule she deserves. Some there are who deserve it, and certainly meet with it; many there are who meet with it, and deserve it not. Why must all indiscriminately suffer the same censures, because a few fools have thought themselves something more extraordinary than they were? for those who have really the best understandings, are never so conceited as the pretenders to taste and literature "A little learning is a dangerous thing, Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring." However, as those who deserve the censures I have mentioned, are persons of but middling capacities, so I hope those who give such general censures, are persons of that class also; and that those who are blessed with the greatest share of sense and wit, will be generous enough to acknowledge, and be pleased with, uncommon merit, wherever they can find it. But how inconsiderable is the number of the truly wise, compared with the multitude that make up our companions and necessary connexions in this world! The discouragements I have mentioned, I believe never fail to attend female writers, even though they never publish, which were they to do as freely as the men, what bad consequences could arise from it? Those whose fortunes set them above taking the profit of their works, should give it away, and publish for the instruc [Dec. tion or amusement of the world; and let fame also be an inducement, for there is nobody to whom that is not, and ought not to be, an incentive. Those who are not in so high a sta tion, should take the profit their ge nius and study can procure them; nor ought it to be reckoned a disgrace so to do, or an indelicacy as the men call it; nor could it be so regarded if once custom could be brought to authorize what reason cannot disapprove. But it is thought shameful for a woman to get money, and yet more shameful to want it. I think I do not misrepresent the case, and is it not then glaringly unreasonable and absurd? "Tis very hard upon a woman who is capable of entertaining and improving herself and friends, and perhaps the public, that she must conceal her talents from the world, be afraid it should be known that she can write, that she must restrain her genius, if she can, or suffer for the exercise of it. But a person who has the genius can no more forbear writing, than the envious who have none can forbear railing. If it is said that the unjustifiable customs of the world should be broke through, and that a very ingenious woman should be above regarding the vulgar opinion, since she will always meet with due respect from persons of sense of both sexes; it may be answered, that when customs are established, though a few, and a few perhaps of the wisest, are convinced the customs are wrong, yet it would very ill become the modesty, mildness, and diffidence expected and admired in women, to set themselves in opposition to any general received notion; nor ought they to disregard what the world, and even the vulgar part of it, will say of them; they ought to be desirous of gaining the good opinion of every one, and had much better lose the reputation they might acquire of an ingenious writer, than lose in the world's eye those amiable qualities which should be the characteristics of the female sex." 1825.] Alleged Impropriety in certain Cathedrals. distinct reply to Colonel Macdonald's questions, in his Letter of November the 4th, inserted in your valuable Miscellany of the same month (p. 400), and shews that the same impious custom did then, and (as I believe) does now prevail in Norwich Cathedral, as in Exeter. I say does now prevail at Norwich, because I was given to understand, that soon after the appearance of my letter, a full meeting of the Corporation was convened, and it was then resolved that the practice should be continued. JOHN HOLMES. "SIR, Norwich, Sept. 4, 1815. About a year since I addressed to the printer of the Norfolk Chronicle a few lines on the subject of an act of indecorum committed by the City Swordbearer in placing his cap of office (if so it might be called) upon his head within the choir of the Cathedral immediately after the good Bishop had blessed the Congregation; and I then observed that his Majesty never permitted a similar practice in any of his Chapels. On my attending divine service again at the Cathedral yesterday morning, I saw the same act of indecorum repeated, and therefore I conclude that it is the settled and allowed custom, and that the offence does not originate with the officer. Permit me then, through the channel of your useful paper, to remark, that a reformation in the particular alluded to, ought to be commanded by those in authority. That the Bishop of Norwich, the Dean, Chancellor, Prebendaries and Canons of the Cathedral, and Clergy in general, the Mayor and Aldermen of the City, and all persons in authority, might with the same propriety wear the insignia of their respective offices upon their heads in the house of God, if every one of them, as many of them undoubtedly are, was entitled to some such distinction, cannot be disputed, but would the Bishop ever think of wearing his mitre, the Clergy their caps of degrees, the Mayor his hat, &c. in that sacred place? certainly not. Why therefore is a person (a Christian I will suppose) being part of the retinue of the Mayor, permitted to do that which the heads of Government would be ashamed of? I cannot, Mr. Editor, help adding to this address (as GENT. MAG. December, 1825. 505 not impertinent to the matter in question) that when his present Majesty * was crowned-he, guided by his own sense of what was fit and right in the presence of his Maker, and without the suggestions of the Spiritualty, took off his crown when he approached the altar to receive the blessed sacrament, and all the persons present saw and applauded the good young King. There can be no objection for all persons in office to resume their appropriate state and costume, as soon as they are out of the Church; nay, I praise them for keeping up their authority, by continuing and supporting the forms belonging to each; but if the Bishop, Mayor, &c. carry their head-coverings in their hand whilst in the Cathedral, I cannot imagine how it ever was conbearer to wear his hat in the Temple sidered right to permit the Sword of the Lord. Mr. URBAN, VIATOR." YOUR Correspondent COLONEL taken offence at the Sword-bearer of MACDONALD appears to have "the ancient and loyal City of Exeter," walking into the Cathedral with the cap of maintenance on his head; the reign of Henry the Seventh, by a practice which has existed ever since whom the sword and cap of maintenauce were presented; and which has not been objected to, or considered as testant" Sovereigus who have visited an impropriety, by any of the " Prothe Cathedral subsequent to that pe riod. In extenuation of this supposed impropriety, I will not adduce the custom among the Jewish people; nor among the people called Quakers, and their hats during divine service in other sects of Christians; of wearing their places of public worship; betablished Church; but I do not concause it would not apply to the Essider it any way irrelevant, to refer to the known circumstance of Memin the Chapel of St. Stephen, during bers of Parliament wearing their hats the time of Parliamentary business; although certainly not during divine service there; nor is this laid to the charge of the unlucky Sword-bearer; his Cap to and from the CHOIR of the who is only charged with "wearing 506 Alleged Impropriety in Exeter Cathedral. Exeter Cathedral, before and after, but not during divine service!" Whether therefore the HATS worn in the Chapel of St. Stephen in London, will cover the diminitive CAP worn by the Sword-bearer in the Cathedral of Exeter, must be left to Colonel Macdonald, and the publick to determine; although it will be difficult to conceive how an act, considered as perfectly innocent in one place of worship, should in a privileged person be regarded as a flagrant and gross instance of impiety in another! Let us not, Sir, in the present en [Dec. lightened age, thus continue to "strain at gnats, and swallow camels!" Had the custom alluded to been a glaring impropriety, would it have escaped the penetrating eyes of Queen Elizabeth? of Charles the First? and of George the Third? Would it also have been sanctioned by all the Bishops of Exeter since the reign of Henry the Seventh; and have passed unnoticed by every one of those venerable Judges of England, who have visited the Cathedral during their circuits? SURELY NOT! Yours, &c. E. T. PILGRIM. COMPENDIUM OF COUNTY HISTORY. WORCESTERSHIRE. (Continued from p. 416.) Seats: CROOME PARK, EARL OF COVENTRY, Lord Lieutenant. Aldenham House, Sir Richard Edward Ac- Apley Park, Thos. Whitmore, esq. Belswardine, Mrs. Harnage. Beoly Hall, Thomas Holme Hunter, esq. Blackmore Park, Thomas Horny hold, esq. John Pritchard, esq. Buildwas Abbey, Wilkinson, esq. Caughley Place, Brown, esq. B. Dickinson, esq. Conderton Lodge, Wm. Walter, esq. Cotheridge, Rev. Dr. Berkeley. Cotton Hall, Rev. J. H. Petit. Grafton Hall, R. Lucas, esq. Himley Hall, Visc. Dudley and Ward. Nevers, near Worcester, Visct. Eastnor. Norton Lodge, W. Watkins, esq. Drake's Place, near Hanley, John Allen, esq. Ombersley Court, Marchioness of Down Drayton House, T. S. Vernon, esq. Dupshill, Wm. Chambers, esq. Eardiston, Sir Wm. Smith, bart. Eatou, Rev. E. Williams. Eaton Court, Wm. Hull, esq. Enville Hall, Earl of Stamford and War- Evesham Abbey, E. Rudge, esq. Eyton, Christopher Scott, esq. Farnham Abbey, Col. Cotterell. Glasshampton, Rev. Denham Cooke. shire. Pigeon House, Northfield, S. Ryeland, esq. Perdiswell House, H. Wakeman, esq. Sion Hill, Wolverley, John Smith, esq. 1825.] Compendium of County History.-Worcestershire. Spring Grove, Bewdley, John Taylor, esq. Stanley, Sir Thos. Tyrwhitt Jones, bart. Temple Lawn, Worcester, R. H. Harrison, West Coppice, Miss Smitheman. 50% Wick House, Pershore, John Sayer, esq. Peerage. Dudley Viscounty to Ward; Evesham Barony to Cocks Earl Somers; Frankley Barony to Lord Lyttleton; Kidderminster Barony to Foley; Northwick Barony to Rushout; Ombersley, Sandys of, Barony to Hill; Powicke, Beauchamp of, Barony to Lygon Earl Beauchamp; Worcester Marquisate, Earldom, and Viscounty to Somerset Duke of Beaufort. Members to Parliament. For the County 2; Bewdley 1; Droitwich 2; Evesham 2; Worcester 2; total 9. Praduce. Corn, pulse, hops, cherries, pears, and other fruit in abundance. Wool. Alabaster, calcareous flag-stone, salt, quartz, coal, free-stone, limestone, gravel, brick-clay, hornblendie, mica. Manufactures. Glass, porcelain, pottery, iron, carpets, gloves, hosiery, stuffs, lace, needles, leather, Dutch and sailors' caps, horn, flannels, oil-inills. POPULATION. Hundreds 5; Market towns 11. Whole Parishes 152, Parts of Parishes 5. Inhabitants, Males 90,259; Females 94,165; total 184,424. Families employed in Agriculture, 14,926; in trade, 18,566; in neither 5,514; total 39,006. Baptisms, M. 27,457; F. 26,381; total 53,838. Marriages 13,178. Burials, M. 16,819; F. 16,722; total, 33,541. Places having not less than 1000 Inhabitants : 418. The Romans left this Island, carrying with them all their treasures. Mr. Milner thinks they constructed the brick kiln found at Soddington in 1807, and which they were obliged to leave. (See vol. LXXVII. 1009.) 628. Worcester taken by Penda, King of Mercia. 1016. Canute defeated with great slaughter by Edmund Ironside near Blockley. 1041. A tumult happened at Worcester in collecting the danegelt tribute. The King, incensed at the riot, completely plundered the city, and burnt it to the ground. The inhabitants having retired for security to Bevere, an island in the Severn, two miles distant, were there attacked by the vindictive Mo narch. |