University of Virginia Library

TO F. A. VANDERKEMP.[1]

Ever since your letter to the President, of December
last, I have had a great inclination to address a
letter to Mr. Vanderkemp; and, being now confined
to my chamber, by an attack of the rheumatism, I
find a leisure hour to address my friend in his solitude.

And in the first place, to put him perfectly at his
ease, I assure him that I make not any pretensions
to the character of a learned lady, and therefore,
according to his creed, I am entitled to his benevolence.
I can say with Gay's hermit,

I agree with Mr. Vanderkemp, that, in declaring
his opinion, he has expressed that of most gentlemen,
the true cause of which I shall trace no farther
than that they consider a companion more desirable
than a rival. In reading the life of Madame de Staël,

I learn that it was her superior talents and learning,
perhaps too ostentatiously displayed, which produced
that coldness, estrangement, and unhappiness, which
marred all her pleasure with the Baron de Staël,
soured every domestic enjoyment, and was the
occasion of that sarcastic question to her by the
Emperor Bonaparte. Upon some occasion, she had
solicited an interview with him, and recommended
to him some measure for him to pursue. He heard
her, but made her no other reply than this; "Madam,
who educates your children?"

I like your portrait of female excellence. Solomon
has also drawn one in the character of a virtuous
woman; but, if a sound understanding had not
been united with virtuous habits and principles, is it
probable that he would have represented the heart of
her husband as safely trusting in her? or that he
would have derived so much lustre from her character,
as to be known in the gates, when he sat with
the elders of the land? It is very certain, that a
well-informed woman, conscious of her nature and
dignity, is more capable of performing the relative
duties of life, and of engaging and retaining the
affections of a man of understanding, than one whose
intellectual endowments rise not above the common
level.

There are so few women who may be really
called learned, that I do not wonder they are considered
as black swans. It requires such talents and
such devotion of time and study, as to exclude the
performance of most of the domestic cares and duties

which exclusively fall to the lot of most females
in this country. I believe nature has assigned to each
sex their particular duties and sphere of action, and
to act well their part, "there all the honor lies."

Have you seen John Randolph's letter, and Mr.
Lloyd's reply?

Present me in friendly terms to Mrs. Vanderkemp.
Tell her, I wish we were neighbours. I
should then have a pleasure which our residence in
the country deprives us of, that of the society and
converse of a gentleman of taste, science, and extensive
information; and, although much of his
learning might be above my comprehension, his benevolence,
politeness, and urbanity would render it
grateful, and be in unison with the good-will and
friendship entertained for him by