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TO THE

FAIR FEMALES OF THE BRITISH

ISLES.

LADIES,

I HAVE taken the liberty of dedicating to you the following humble publication, by which it is intended to shew, there is not so great an inequality between the understandings of men and women, as some have imagined; and that if the same pains were taken with girls as with boys, to instruct them in their mother

DEDICATION.

mother tongue, your style would perhaps be superior to our's.

For, probably, owing to a quicker flow of animal spirits, you are naturally eloquent, and writing is only expressing our thoughts with the pen.

But as words are only the vehicles of ideas, nere volubility is of little use without knowledge, and knowledge is to be attained only by study, and observation.

When such a habit is acquired too, in early life, it gives the mind a literary bias, which it never loses, and furnishes a solitary residence in the country, with resources inexhaustible.

Botany, drawing, music, and the belleslettres, with usual domestic amuseyour

ments, would then leave scarce a mo

ment

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ment unemployed, whilst ennui, and vapours, the common attendants of a vacant mind, would be expelled from those unfurnished fair mansions, they have so long tenanted.

I have the honor to be, with the most profound respect,

LADIES,

your very sincere friend,

and admirer,

THE EDITOR.

PREFACE.

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