No. 15.

The Erudition, Influence, and Fortitude of Women.

"Auld Nature swears, the lovely dears

Her noblest work she classes, 0:

Her 'prentice han' she tried on man,
An' then she made the lasses, O."

Burns.

"Her courteous looks, her words caressing,

Shed comfort on the fainting soul:

Woman's the stranger's general blessing
From sultry India to the Pole."

Mrs, Barbauld.

To the Ladies of India I dedicate this paper, which is an attempt to give an interesting description of some of the chief ornaments in the female character; it may also be entertaining to the British Ladies throughout the civilized globe. Every century has produced its share of men of genius, men who have stood conspicuous before the world, for talent in their several departments; I wonder how many female names of distinction could now be related, had woman instead of man been destined to hold the reins of literature, and government in the world; or had she been the active, instead of the passive creature.-I should say, many great names would appear on the list; as a chief reason

for such a dearth of well known women of talent is, they do not take any prominent part either in the literature or in the government of their country. When they became politicians they were immediately satirized by Dr. Swift and his brethren, and when lovers of literature, they were looked down upon with ignominy as "bluestockings." Such then may be the reason for Female Talent being so little known to the world. I have generally observed that woman in three points is superior to man, viz. quickness in comprehension, tenacity of memory, and temper (not so much in the latter) with which qualities if the possessor had the advantages of education that man has, she might even be of more use, than the lord of the creation. Woman's genius (that of our own countrywomen) in the days gone by is remembered with pleasure by the literary world who does not feel charmed, when he reads the letters of Lady Montagu, the Essays of Mrs. Chapone, the Novels of Miss Burney, (afterwards Madame D'Arblay) the Dramas of Joanna Baillie (so much esteemed by Sir Walter Scott), the poems of Mesdames Seward and Landon, and the devout writings of Hannah More; and the present time also can boast many distinguished female writers, which are now well

before the public, but I hope they will be better known to the after generation than those daughters of genius that have gone before. The influence which woman possesses over man is very great, love makes him her idol," she has caused the exchange of Empires, and the freedom and slavery of nations; strange it is that this magic influence should have such a power over man, but how many proofs from history can establish the fact. A fine instance of the influence of woman in Society is in the election of the great statesman Charles James Fox, for the city of Westminster, May 17th, 1784; he was almost despairing his election, when one of the most beautiful and talented women of the age, came to his assistance, and through the magic influence of talents and beauty, the vote was given to the Duchess of Devonshire. To quote from Wraxall, 66 nor were the eminent election services rendered by the Duchess of Devonshire, and other distinguished females forgotten, when celebrating so joyful an event; a flag, on which was inscribed "Sacred to Female Patriotism” being waved by a horseman in the cavalcade."

Fortitude is a great virtue, and frequently to be found in woman, also patience under affliction, take for instance several of our country

women who were so lately captives in Affghanistan, By Fortitude I mean, courage gained through reflection and resignation to providence. The two words Courage and Fortitude are frequently misunderstood, and used alike, when in fact courage in the general acceptation of the word is opposed to fortitude; a lion, a tiger, a drunkard, a ruffian, all these have courage, but reflection only, and a clear conscience can produce Fortitude. Many of our countrywomen have shown great Fortitude in the hour of death; for instance Mary Queen of Scots, Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Gray, and a host of others. Perhaps there is not to be found in the English Language, a finer or more touching specimen of the love and fortitude of woman, than the character of Belvidera in Otway's Venice preserved. “Otway (says Addison) has followed nature in the language of his tragedy, and therefore shines in the passionate parts, more than any of our English poets." I shall quote a passage for the benefit of those who may not have read or seen the tragedy.

BELVIDERA TO HER HUSBAND JAFFIER ON HIS MISFORTUNES. BEL." If love be treasure, we'll be wondrous rich;

Oh! lead me to some desert, wide and wild,

Barren as our misfortunes, where my soul
May have its vent, where I may tell aloud

To the high heavens, and ev'ry listening planet,
With what a boundless stock my bosom's fraught.

Oh! I will love thee, even in madness love thee!
Though my distracted senses should forsake me,
I'd find some intervals when my poor heart
Should suage itself, and be let loose to thine.
Though the bare earth be all our resting place,
Its roots our food, some cliff our habitation,

I'll make this arm a pillow for thine head;

And, as thou sighing liest, and swell'd with sorrow,
Creep to thy bosom, pour the balm of love

Into thy soul, and kiss thee to thy rest:

Then praise our God; and watch thee till the morning."

Having now touched slightly, on the subject of Erudition, Influence, and Fortitude in Women, allow me to conclude by wishing that every young lady may become a daughter of science, and gain what Dr. Johnson calls" the great end of education" a HUSBAND, and after she has found him, may he be of a good temper, enlightened, and with PLENTY OF MONEY: Then with such a husband she will find, in the words of Dr. Franklin, "that she has not paid too dear for her whistle."

Saturday, February 3, 1844.

POLYPHILUS.