An enquiry into the duties of the female sex / By Thomas Gisborne.

  • Gisborne, Thomas, 1758-1846.
Date:
1813
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An enquiry into the duties of the female sex / By Thomas Gisborne. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    58/254 (page 44)
    namely, tl.at they are designed, in the first place, to supply her hours of leisure with innocent and amusing occupations; occunations which may prevent the languor and the snares of idleness, render home attractive, refresh the wearied faculiies, and contribute to preserve the mind in that state of placid cheerfulness, which is the most favourable to sentiments of benevolence to mankind and of gratitude to God : and in the next place, to enable her to communicate a kindred pleasure, with all its beneficial effects, to her family and friends, to all with whom she is now or may hereafter be, intimately connected. In addition to this general view of the purposes of ornamental accomplish- ments, let any prominent advantage, by which one is dis- tinguished from another, be noted with the degree of atten- tion which it deserves. If, for example, the uses of music are explained! let not its effects in heightening devotion be overlooked. If drawing is the subject of remark ; let the student be taught habitually to contemplate in the works of creation the power, the wisdom, and the goodness of their Author. If just conceptions respecting the end of these and all similar acquisitions are not sedulously implanted in the breast of the scholar; ideas of a very different nature will prevail. And when a young woman steps forth into active life, gniced with splendid accomplishments, and possessed with an ojunion that she is to emp’oy them in outshining her associates and competitors ; her proficiency may fitly be to those, who are truly concerned for her welfare, a matter of sori'ow rather than of congratulation. The mistaken opinions respecting the proper-end of per- sonal accomplishments, and the extravagant opinions of their worth, which either the inculcation of wrr'ng princi- ples on the subject, or the neglect of impressing those which are just, establishes in the youthful mind, extend their in- fluence to all matters similar in their nature to such accom- plishments, and capable of being united with them in pro-