University of Virginia Library

I SYMPATHIZE with you, my dear
Sophia, in the disappointment you received in
your expectations from beauty and wit.

You may nevertheless derive advantage from
it. Your refined and delicate ideas raise you too
far above the scenes of common life. They paint
the defects of your inferiors in such lively
colours, that the greater part of the community
must be displeasing to you. Few, you should
remember, have had the advantages which you
have enjoyed; and still fewer have your penetrating
eye, correct taste, and quick sensibility. Let
charity then draw a veil over the foibles of others,
and candour induce you to look on the best
and brightest side.

It is both our duty and interest to enjoy life,
as far as integrity and innocence allow; and, in
order to this, we must not soar above, but accommodate
ourselves to its ordinary state. We
cannot stem the torrent of folly and vanity; but
we can step aside and see it roll on, without suffering
ourselves to be borne down by the stream.

Empty conversation must be disgusting to every
rational and thinking mind; yet, when it
partakes not of malignity, it is harmless in its effects,
as the vapour which floats over the mead in

a summer's eve. But, when malice and envy
join to give scope to detraction, we ought to
avoid their contagion, and decidedly condemn
the effusions of the ill-natured merriment which
they inspire.

Our sex have been taxed as desamers. I am
convinced, however, that they are not exclusively
guilty; yet, for want of more substantial matter
of conversation, I fear they too often give occasion
for the accusation! A mind properly cultivated,
and stored with useful knowledge, will despise
a pastime which must be supported at the
expense of others. Hence only the superficial
and the giddy are reduced to the necessity of
filling the time in which they associate together,
with the degrading and injurious subjects of
slander. But I trust that our improved country-women
are rising far superior to this necessity,
and are able to convince the world, that the
American fair are enlightened, generous, and
liberal. The false notions of sexual disparity, in
point of understanding and capacity, are justly
exploded; and each branch of society is uniting
to raise the virtues and polish the manners of
the whole.

I am, &c.