vantage of faying, that their minds are not fufficiently contracted to be fyftematic; for, in my idea, all fentimental fyftem implies a certain degree of contraction."-Albert would not allow of this conclufion; he called system the helm of science, and gave us a metaphorical difcuffion of the fubject, in which he difplayed more ingenuity than I expected.

I think there is great propriety in giving to our fex every poffible advantage refulting from education. It must be recollected that, as we are precluded joining in the common business of life, we must neceffarily

ceffarily pafs many hours alone: many of our domeftic employments are fuch as not to require much attention; and many hours we are obliged to pass without any peculiar object of purfuit. The mind is the most active of all principles: it must be employed; and furely it is of the utmost confequence that it be employed on proper objects: on objects which education only can fupply; and the more extenfive the education, the more inexhaustible the fource of contemplation.

It is generally allowed, that there is in human nature, a propenfity to evil; that the mind not occupied

in virtuous, will be employed on vicious pursuit. And hence it is, that vice is generally the daughter of idleness. Viewed in this light, a fcientific education feems more effentially neceffary to women than to men, their sphere of action being confined to the domeftic duties, which presently becoming an almost mechanical routine, leave the mind at liberty to indulge itself in fcientific or rational enquiry, or in the reveries of fancy.

The idea, therefore, that the posfeffion of any accomplishment can tend to weaken virtuous principle, is extremely erroneous. Singing,

VOL. I.

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dancing,

dancing, playing, exhilarate and expand the mind: they are the most innocent and the most delightful of all our pleasures, and

Where virtue is, these are most virtuous.

That they are too frequently perverted is too true; but that is no argument againft their excellence; for is not every bleffing liable to abuse?

As ignorance is a principal fource of vice, fo knowledge is a principal fource of virtue. Let us, then, my Carolina, endeavour to contribute to the happiness of each other, by furnishing ourselves with fuch

ideas as may expand the mind, and ftrengthen the habits of virtue. Con tinue, my dear girl, to make your Charlotte wifer and better,-for one, I hope, will be the natural confequence of the other, by communicating those fentiments, for which I fo much admire and love you.-Adieu!

LETTER XXVII.

F I did not love my Carolina,

could I excufe that excefs of

praise the bestowed on me in her laft letter?-But I do love her, and I do

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