A Vindication of the Rights of Woman | Page 6

that one of such splendid talents, and high
toned feelings, should, after the former seemed to have been fully
developed, and the latter had found an object in whom they might
repose, after their eccentric and painful efforts to find a resting
place--that such an one should at such a time, be cut off from life is
something which we cannot contemplate without feeling regret; we can
scarcely repress the murmur that she had not been removed ere clouds
darkened her horizon, or that she had remained to witness the
brightness and serenity which might have succeeded. But thus it is; we
may trace the cause to anti-social arrangements; it is not individuals but
society which must change it, and that not by enactments, but by a
change in public opinion.

The authoress of the "Rights of Woman," was born April 1759, died
September 1797.
That there may be no doubt regarding the facts in this sketch, they are
taken from a memoir written by her afflicted husband. In addition to
many kind things he has said of her, (he was not blinded to
imperfections in her character) is, that she was "Lovely in her person,
and in the best and most engaging sense feminine in her manners."
TO
M. TALLEYRAND PERIGORD,
LATE BISHOP OF AUTUN.
Sir:--
Having read with great pleasure a pamphlet, which you have lately
published, on National Education, I dedicate this volume to you, the
first dedication that I have ever written, to induce you to read it with
attention; and, because I think that you will understand me, which I do
not suppose many pert witlings will, who may ridicule the arguments
they are unable to answer. But, sir, I carry my respect for your
understanding still farther: so far, that I am confident you will not
throw my work aside, and hastily conclude that I am in the wrong
because you did not view the subject in the same light yourself. And
pardon my frankness, but I must observe, that you treated it in too
cursory a manner, contented to consider it as it had been considered
formerly, when the rights of man, not to advert to woman, were
trampled on as chimerical. I call upon you, therefore, now to 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 tenor of their political and civil
government taught, have given a sinister sort of sagacity to the French
character, properly termed finesse; and 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 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 fellow-citizens, by