1792 A VINDICATION OF THE RIGHTS OF WOMAN ... - Pink Monkey

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2 DEDICATION To M. Talleyrand-Perigord, Late Bishop Of Autun. Sir, Having read with great pleasure a pamphlet which you have lately published, I dedicate this volume to you; to induce you to reconsider the subject, and maturely weigh what I have advanced respecting the rights of woman and national education: and I call with the firm tone of humanity; for my arguments, Sir, are dictated by a disinterested spirit- I plead for my sex- not for myself. Independence I have long considered as the grand blessing of life, the basis of every virtue- and independence I will ever secure by contracting my wants, though I were to live on a barren heath. It is then an affection for the whole human race that makes my pen dart rapidly along to support what I believe to be the cause of virtue: and the same motive leads me earnestly to wish to see woman placed in a station in which she would advance, instead of retarding, the progress of those glorious principles that give a substance to morality. My opinion, indeed, respecting the rights and duties of woman, seems to flow so naturally from these simple principles, that I think it scarcely possible, but that some of the enlarged minds who formed your admirable constitution, will coincide with me. In France there is undoubtedly a more general diffusion of knowledge than in any part of the European world, and I attribute it, in a great measure, to the social intercourse which has long subsisted between the sexes. It is true, I utter my sentiments with freedom, that in France the very essence of sensuality has been extracted to regale the voluptuary, and a kind of sentimental lust has prevailed, which, together with the system of duplicity that the whole tenour of their political and civil government taught, have given a sinister sort of sagacity to the French character, properly termed finesse; from which naturally flow a polish of manners that injures the substance, by hunting sincerity out of society.- And, modesty, the fairest garb of virtue! has been more grossly insulted in France than even in England, till their women have treated as prudish that attention to decency, which brutes instinctively observe. Manners and morals are so nearly allied that they have often been confounded; but, though the former should only be the natural reflection of the latter, yet, when various causes have produced factitious and corrupt manners, which are very early caught, morality becomes an empty name. The personal reserve, and
3 sacred respect for cleanliness and delicacy in domestic life, which French women almost despise, are the graceful pillars of modesty; but, far from despising them, if the pure flame of patriotism have reached their bosoms, they should labour to improve the morals of their fellowcitizens, by teaching men, not only to respect modesty in women, but to acquire it themselves, as the only way to merit their esteem. Contending for the rights of woman, my main argument is built on this simple principle, that if she be not prepared by education to become the companion of man, she will stop the progress of knowledge and virtue; for truth must be common to all, or it will be inefficacious with respect to its influence on general practice. And how can woman be expected to co-operate unless she know why she ought to be virtuous? unless freedom strengthen her reason till she comprehend her duty, and see in what manner it is connected with her real good? If children are to be educated to understand the true principle of patriotism, their mother must be a patriot; and the love of mankind, from which an orderly train of virtues spring, can only be produced by considering the moral and civil interest of mankind; but the education and situation of woman, at present, shuts her out from such investigations. In this work I have produced many arguments, which to me were conclusive, to prove that the prevailing notion respecting a sexual character was subversive of morality, and I have contended, that to render the human body and mind more perfect, chastity must more universally prevail, and that chastity will never be respected in the male world till the person of a woman is not, as it were, idolized, when little virtue or sense embellish it with the grand traces of mental beauty, or the interesting simplicity of affection. Consider, Sir, dispassionately, these observations- for a glimpse of this truth seemed to open before you when you observed, ‘that to see one half of the human race excluded by the other from all participation of government, was a political phaenomenon that, according to abstract principles, it was impossible to explain.’ If so, on what does your constitution rest? If the abstract rights of man will bear discussion and explanation, those of woman, by a parity of reasoning, will not shrink from the same test: though a different opinion prevails in this country, built on the very arguments which you use to justify the oppression of woman- prescription. Consider, I address you as a legislator, whether, when men contend for their freedom, and to be allowed to judge for themselves respecting their own happiness, it be not inconsistent
Page 1: 1 1792 A VINDICATION OF THE RIGHTS
Page 5 and 6: 5 the common law of gravity prevail
Page 7 and 8: 7 Yet, because I am a woman, I woul
Page 9 and 10: 9 which, coming from the head, neve
Page 11 and 12: 11 Chapter I. The Rights and Involv
Page 13 and 14: 13 Impressed by this view of the mi
Page 15 and 16: 15 purposes, and never thought of t
Page 17 and 18: 17 must obsequiously respect the op
Page 19 and 20: 19 Chapter II. The Prevailing Opini
Page 21 and 22: 21 body arrives at maturity; so tha
Page 23 and 24: 23 what they learn is rather by sna
Page 25 and 26: 25 unnatural; however it is not the
Page 27 and 28: 27 of virtue. I speak collectively
Page 29 and 30: 29 acknowledge that she can take mo
Page 31 and 32: 31 confidence in his children are l
Page 33 and 34: 33 If Dr. Gregory confined his rema
Page 35 and 36: 35 But to view the subject in anoth
Page 37 and 38: 37 and arts could not be practised
Page 39 and 40: 39 Chapter III. The Same Subject Co
Page 41 and 42: 41 agreeable to them, I hope my rea
Page 43 and 44: 43 most effectually arms it against
Page 45 and 46: 45 all sizes, and always the wrong
Page 47 and 48: 47 And that tribes of men, like flo
Page 49 and 50: 49 either be shut up like eastern p
Page 51 and 52: 51 render herself agreeable to him,
Page 53 and 54:
53 abstracted and exalted by grief,
Page 55 and 56:
55 Chapter IV. Observations on the
Page 57 and 58:
57 ‘Flowers to the fair: to you t
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59 ridicule. Your sport only elevat
Page 61 and 62:
61 Abilities and virtues are absolu
Page 63 and 64:
63 felt his own superiority.” The
Page 65 and 66:
65 render a rational creature usefu
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67 understanding to improve. And wh
Page 69 and 70:
69 But, when the brother marries, a
Page 71 and 72:
71 A fine lady, on the contrary, ha
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73 founded on property, or sterling
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75 nearly equal, or, if any differe
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77 pleasure carry some prudent men,
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79 these paradisiacal reveries are
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81 rendered woman a trifler. Man, t
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83 artful enough to leave this matt
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85 other hand, are fonder of things
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87 directed, will increase their af
Page 89 and 90:
89 ‘Daughters should be always su
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91 women.- Out of the abundance of
Page 93 and 94:
93 have already been obliged to quo
Page 95 and 96:
95 confidence is unchecked by suspi
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97 on the contrary, the reward whic
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99 them the language of truth and s
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101 they deserve; but as they have
Page 103 and 104:
103 There would be no end to rules
Page 105 and 106:
105 wishing to ward off sorrow and
Page 107 and 108:
107 Symmetry, that was not slighted
Page 109 and 110:
109 that way, though convinced they
Page 111 and 112:
111 to contract the heart and damp
Page 113 and 114:
113 Our trees are now allowed to sp
Page 115 and 116:
115 in perspective, and see every t
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117 vice. Those who are entering li
Page 119 and 120:
119 experience of another, as to ex
Page 121 and 122:
121 Chapter VI. The Effect Which an
Page 123 and 124:
123 receives new force when they be
Page 125 and 126:
125 in its own fires; and virtue gi
Page 127 and 128:
127 They have retired from the nois
Page 129 and 130:
129 fact, is so distinct from modes
Page 131 and 132:
131 shun the human eye, as a kind o
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133 as the very essence of modesty,
Page 135 and 136:
135 In order to preserve health and
Page 137 and 138:
137 As a sex, women are habitually
Page 139 and 140:
139 Chapter VIII. Morality Undermin
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141 for the opinion of the world, h
Page 143 and 144:
143 qualities, may not sometimes ob
Page 145 and 146:
145 Mrs. Macaulay has justly observ
Page 147 and 148:
147 sufficient strength to discharg
Page 149 and 150:
149 Chapter IX. Of the Pernicious E
Page 151 and 152:
151 tricks could ever raise; yet th
Page 153 and 154:
153 But, to have done with these ep
Page 155 and 156:
155 a being be generous who has not
Page 157 and 158:
157 accept of places under governme
Page 159 and 160:
159 Chapter X. Parental Affection.
Page 161 and 162:
161 calculated to inspire maternal
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163 The parent who sedulously endea
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165 enforce, an empty name; because
Page 167 and 168:
167 Chapter XII. On National Educat
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169 I still recollect, with pleasur
Page 171 and 172:
171 In public schools, however, rel
Page 173 and 174:
173 the parents some sample of the
Page 175 and 176:
175 babes could sport freely, he en
Page 177 and 178:
177 Is it surprising that such a ta
Page 179 and 180:
179 philosophy, might fill up the d
Page 181 and 182:
181 Besides, what can be more indel
Page 183 and 184:
183 virtues. Tenderness for their h
Page 185 and 186:
185 It is plain from the history of
Page 187 and 188:
187 I speak of the improvement and
Page 189 and 190:
189 in the improvement of the scien
Page 191 and 192:
191 Do you believe that there is bu
Page 193 and 194:
193 Yet the men who laid claim to t
Page 195 and 196:
195 SECT. II. Another instance of t
Page 197 and 198:
197 intellect, the power of gaining
Page 199 and 200:
199 black heroes inherit from both
Page 201 and 202:
201 which justice and humanity are
Page 203 and 204:
203 mother concur, the father who r
Page 205 and 206:
205 probability, to rise out of the
Page 207:
207 Be just then, O ye men of under
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1792 A VINDICATION OF THE RIGHTS OF WOMAN ... - Pink Monkey

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