University of Virginia Library

Text of A Serious Proposal to the Ladies, Part II [1]

Introduction

Astell made use of a variety of markings and methods for correcting or com-
menting upon her own text. Emendations are sometimes interlined within the
text itself, but more often are found in the margins and linked to particular points
in the text with corresponding asterisks. I have recorded as faithfully as possible
in the Original column all emendations, including Astell's abbreviations, using
a modified version of the system of bracketed transcription and editorial explana-
tion proposed by David L. Vander Meulen and G. Thomas Tanselle:

In our system, square brackets surround editorial record and comments; braces are used
for the next level of parenthesis when commentary is required for alterations within altera-
tions. The editorial statements are italicized and thereby differentiated from words quoted
from the document, which consequently do not need quotations marks…. Generally the
basic element in each editorial comment is a participle, such as canceled or inserted. (205)
Vander Meulen and Tanselle suggest emphasizing either the original or the re-
vised reading by consistently including within brackets either deleted or added
words; I have modified slightly their system by reporting within brackets all af-
fected words, i.e., both the original and the revised text. Astell's changes are
then standardized in an admittedly speculative New Edition? column in order
to provide a clean text of her revisions. Thus, where the opening entry in the
Original column reads "and Inconsiderate had [taken up inserted in left margin for
canceled
imbib'd] to," the same phrase in the New Edition? column reads "and
Inconsiderate had taken up to." Astell's marginal references to particular texts
or authors likewise have been recorded within brackets in the ORIGINAL column
following the italicized phrase marginal note inserted.

Astell made her changes and marginal comments primarily in pencil, but
sometimes in pen, and with no discernable pattern; in the emendation of 17.6
(76.2-1 fb), for instance, she crossed out two words, one in pencil, the other in
pen. All changes made in pen are recorded as such; where confusion might arise,
pencil markings are also explicitly noted. Editorial silence thus indicates that the
markings are in pencil.

The majority of the changes here transcribed stem from Astell's engagement
with Berkeley's revised plagiarism of the third chapter of SPII, which comprises
the bulk of his chapter on "IGNORANCE" in the first volume of The Ladies Li-
brary
(1714), pp. 438-524 (Berkeley's appropriation of Astell covers pp. 447-524).
Her documentation of Berkeley's work is consistently three pages discrepant
from the copy I first consulted, "printed for J. T. and Sold by W. Mears … and
J. Brown," according to the title page. As it turns out, The Ladies Library was pub-
lished in two different editions in 1714, the other one, according to its title page,


210

Page 210
"printed for Jacob Tonson," without further amplification. This form does indeed
match the pagination provided in Astell's marginal citations, and it appears to
be the earlier of the two versions. Where appropriate, I have drawn attention in
my notes to revisions made in the second edition. Berkeley often changed Astell's
punctuation, capitalization, and spelling, but I have made note of such variants
only where they seem to have been of interest to Astell. Astell frequently cites
Berkeley's text by page in the margins; where she does not, I do so in a footnote.
In the footnotes I have also tracked significant departures from The Ladies Library
and made note of those occasions on which Astell herself seems to lose the thread
of her emendatory intentions.

All references are keyed by page and line number both to Astell's copy of
the 1697 edition of SPII and to Patricia Springborg's modern edition of A Serious
Proposal to the Ladies Parts I & II
(Pickering & Chatto, 1997); the 1697 edition is
given first, followed by the Springborg edition in parentheses. The abbreviation
"fb" stands for "from the bottom of the page."

Text

                 
Original   New Edition
4.11 (72.13-14)] and Inconsiderate had
[taken up inserted in left margin for canceled
imbib'd] to 
and Inconsiderate had taken up to 
5.3-4 (72.22-23)] which [in interlined]
Justice [should interlined above canceled
requires to] be paid 
which in Justice should be paid 
6.4fb (73.9)] nothing but [airy canceled]
Noise 
nothing but Noise 
8.6fb (73.4fb-3fb)] tho I shou'd [?wth
?our Clearest Demonstration have
prov'd it easy inserted in bottom margin for
canceled
have prov'd it feasible with the
clearest Demonstration], and 
tho I shou'd with our clearest Demon-
stration have prov'd it easy, and 
12.12 (75.9)] lost its [relish inserted in left
margin for canceled haut goust
{previous two
words italicized in original
}]; Wisdom 
lost its relish; Wisdom 
12.14 (75-10)] than a [good interlined in
pen above canceled Bon
{previous word itali-
cized in original
}] -mien  
than a good-mien  
14.6fb (76.4)] Petitioners, [the comma
inserted
] who 
Petitioners, who 
17.6 (76.2fb-1 fb)] they've [per-
haps canceled in pencil] almost lost … 
they've almost lost … which were
afforded 

211

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which [probably canceled in pen] were
afforded 
22.1-2 (78.11 fb-10fb)] know [what it is
to be interlined in pen above canceled in pen
wherein the Nature of] a true Chris-
tian [consists canceled in pen]; and 
know what it is to be a true Christian;
and 
22.8 fb (78.2fb)] duly serv'd [yet can-
celed in pen
][2] in 
duly serv'd in 
24.14 (81.10-9fb)] for its [Nourishmt
inserted in left margin for canceled Nutri-
tion], as 
for its Nourishment, as 
24.2fb (81.4fb)] much [Sharpness in-
serted in pen in left margin for canceled in
pen
Acumen] and 
much Sharpness and 
26.7 (82.21-22)] them [is inserted in pen
in left margin
] he [is canceled in pen] to be
accounted [of interlined in pen], if 
them is he to be accounted of, if 
29.8-9 (83.17-18)] I do to [supply in-
serted in pen in right margin for canceled in
pen
fill up] my [W written over V of next
word
] Va[nts interlined above canceled cu-
ities], to 
I do to supply my Wants, to 
31.12 (84.8)] precipitately, [not only
canceled in pen] without[, but against
canceled in pen][3] its 
precipitately, without its 
32.3 (84.16)] cou'd [deny his assent in-
serted in pen in bottom margin for canceled in
pen
demur] to[4]  
cou'd deny his assent to 
41.14-19 (89.9-15)] Disengage….
search after Truth [marginal note inserted
Rapin Refl D 1 5.31][5]  

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47.4-5 (91-13)] we [stumble inserted
in pen in right margin for canceled in pen

grope][6] in 
we stumble in 
49.2fb-50.2 (92.13-14)] An Opinion …
thing considerable [marginal note inserted
Lock][7]  
68.9fb-7fb (99.1)] The perfection of the
Understanding consisting in the Clear-
ness [marginal note inserted in left margin
?
Liv'Libro p 448- v. 1][8]  
69.9 (99.9)] For being [as inserted in
right margin for canceled
that] we are, [the
comma inserted
] but [marginal note inserted
448] 
For being as we are, but 
70.3fb-1fb (100.5-6)] different, [as …
follows canceled].[9]  
different. 
71.8-11 (100.11-13)] things at once:
[There are som particular Truths of
wch inserted in right margin for canceled
And likewise, because] GOD has not
thought fit to communicate such Ideas
to us, as are necessary to the disquisi-
tion of [ym inserted in right margin for can-
celed
some Particular Truths], [marginal
note inserted
449] 
things at once: There are some
particular Truths of which GOD has
not thought fit to communicate such
Ideas to us, as are necessary to the dis-
quisition of them. 
71.18 (100.16-17)] by [Intention inserted
in right margin for canceled
Intuition] or[10]  
by Intention or 

213

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78.7fb (102.1fb)] real [Vertues inserted
in left margin for canceled
Verities], if [mar-
ginal note inserted
454] 
real Vertues, if 
79.9-10 (103.8)] neither [is interlined for
canceled
do I think] there's [the 's can-
celed
] any[11]  
neither is there any 
81.15-18 (104.1-2)] In a word …
proper Object. [marginal note inserted 15-
17? Rapin Ref D1-5 23][12]  
83.8fb-6fb (104.8fb-7fb)] what is truly
the Object of Faith, [marginal note in-
serted?
Rap D 1 5 23][13]  
84.10fb-9fb (105.5-6)] had? ¶ [In a wd
inserted for canceled To sum up all]: We[14]  
had? ¶ In a word: We 
86.1fb-87.4 (105.1fb-106.2)] estimate.
¶ [It is therefore very fit that after we
canceled] have [ing interlined] consider'd
the Capacity of the Understanding in
general, we [must inserted in right margin
for canceled
shou'd] descend [marginal
note inserted
460] 
estimate, ¶ Having consider'd the Ca-
pacity of the Understanding in general,
we must descend 
88.7-8 (106.16-17)] that [some inserted
for canceled
so we] may be [continually
inserted in left margin for canceled mutually]
useful [marginal note inserted 461] 
that some may be continually useful 
90.1fb (107.14-15)] train of [un inter-
lined for canceled
im at beginning of next
word
] immortified[15]  
train of unmortified 
93.14-16 (108.11-12)] except the little
[soules yt envy ym inserted in right mar-  
except the little Souls that envy them.
¶ To help 

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gin for canceled Soul'd Enviers of 'em].
¶ To help[16]  
94.7-8 (108.20-21)] for, [thereby can-
celed
] to gratify [thereby inserted in left
margin
] their Secret Envy, [as interlined
for canceled
by] diverting us from[17]  
for, to gratify thereby their Secret
Envy, as diverting us from 
95.2fb-96.5 (109.5-8)] him, [he con-
tradicts … bear canceled]. Their Gall
[marginal note inserted 466] 
him. Their Gall 
96.15-16(109.14)] a Wo on those [of in-
serted in left margin
] whom all Men shall
speak well [of canceled] so[18]  
a Wo on those of whom all Men shall
speak well so 
96.6fb (109.17)] commonly [has ye
Applause of ye world inserted for canceled
bears away the Bell]. If [marginal note
inserted
467][19]  
has the Applause of the world. If 
97.6fb-98.7 (109.8fb-2fb)] them. [But
is there. … beautify canceled]. If [then
canceled] instead of [Jostling and can-
celed
] Disputing [& Laughing with ym
inserted in left margin for canceled with our
Fellow Travellers], of [marginal note in-
serted
467] 
them. If instead of Disputing and
Laughing with them, of 
98.15-19 (110.3-5)] another. [What.…
rectify'd? canceled] We[20]  
another. We 
98.8fb-7fb (110.6-7)] reach, [& in-
serted for deleted
move … Sphere] not
abuse[21]  
reach, and not abuse 
98. 3fb-1fb (110.8-g)] others, [be …
'em canceled]. ¶ We[22]  
others. ¶ We 
99.2fb (110.21)] is [yn inserted in right
margin for canceled
thus] defective [mar-
ginal note inserted
468] 
is then defective 

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100.8fb-7fb (110.6fb)] have, [tho inserted
in left margin for canceled
till] clearness
[marginal note inserted 469] 
have, tho clearness 
101.11-4fb (111.3-11)] Imagination.
[But … of. canceled] They[23]  
Imagination. ¶ They 
105.5 (112.19-20)] shew of [very great
canceled] Ingenuity[24]  
shew of Ingenuity 
105.1 fb (112.10fb)] perfectly [perhaps
canceled] it[25]  
perfectly it 
107.7fb (113-15)] does not [next word
underlined
] choak [marginal note inserted
Err][26]  
does not choque 
108.6-7 (113.21-22)] If then [for ye
Future inserted in left margin] we wou'd
[hereafter canceled] think [marginal note
inserted
474][27]  
If then for the Future we wou'd think 
109.6fb-110.13 (114.5-15)] System.
['Tis impossible … purpose. Canceled]
¶ [Volatileness of Thought occasions
inserted in left margin for canceled Doing so
we shall prevent] Rashness and Precip-
itation in our Judgments, [as also too
great a conceit of inserted in left margin for
canceled
which is occasion'd by that Vol-
atileness we have been speaking of, to-
gether with an over-weaning opinion]
of[28] our Selves. All the irregularities of
our Will proceed from those [e interlined
for
0 in the previous word] false Judgments
[we make canceled], thro [marginal note
inserted
475][29]  
System. ¶ Volitileness of Thought oc-
casions Rashness and Precipitation
in our Judgments, as also too great a
Conceit of our Selves. All the irregu-
larities of our Will proceed from these
false Judgments, thro 

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Page 216
               
110.5fb-4fb (114.19-20)] Mind, [before
… Glory! Canceled]. But we seek[30]  
Mind. But we seek 
111.3-4 (114.15fb))] This Precipitation
is [wt inserted for canceled that which]
gives[31]  
This Precipitation is what gives 
112.4-5 (114.1fb))] For [first four letters
canceled in the next word
] hereby [this
means inserted in left margin] the [marginal
note inserted
476] 
For by this means the 
112.4fb-113.11 (115.9-17)] them. [We….
him. ¶ In sum, canceled] whatever[32]  
them. Whatever 
113.5fb-3fb (115.22-24)] into, [nor …
Truth, canceled] The General Causes[33]  
into. The General Causes 
114.5-6 (115.11 fb)] And the best way
[that canceled] I[34]  
And the best way I 
114.8-9 (115.10fb-9fb)] Errors [proceed
from ever what inserted in left margin for
canceled
proceed they from what] Cause
they may[35]  
Errors proceed from ever what Cause
they may 
114.9fb-115.8 (115.5fb-116.4)] of any
[palbable {sic} inserted in left margin for
canceled
Culpable] Error, [we shou'd
inserted in left margin] Not [to canceled]
Judge of any thing which we don't Ap-
prehend, [we shou'd inserted in left mar-
gin for canceled
to] suspend our Assent
till we see just cause to give it, and to
determine nothing till the Strength and
Clearness of the Evidence oblige us to
it. [we shou'd inserted in left margin for can-
celed
To] withdraw our selves as much
as may be from Corporeal things, that
pure Reason may be heard the better;
[we shou'd inserted in left margin for can-
celed
to] make that use of our senses for 
of any palpable Error. We shou'd not
Judge of any thing which we don't Ap-
prehend, we shou'd Suspend our As-
sent till we see just Cause to give it, and
to determine nothing but the Strength
and Clearness of the Evidence oblige
us to it. We shou'd withdraw our
selves as much as may be from Cor-
poreal things, that pure Reason may
be heard the better; we shou'd make
that use of our senses for which they
are design'd and fitted, the preserva-
tion of the Body, but not to depend on
their Testimony in our Enquiries after
Truth. We shou'd particularly divest
ourselves of mistaken Self-love, little 

217

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which they are design'd and fitted, the
preservation of the Body, but not to
depend on their Testimony in our En-
quiries after Truth, [we shoud inserted
in right margin
] Particularly [to canceled]
divest our selves of mistaken Self-love,
little Ends, and mean Designs, and [we
shoud inserted in right margin for canceled
to] keep [marginal note inserted 477][36]  
Ends, and mean Designs, and we shou'd
keep 
115.4-5fb (116.8-12)] so. [we shoud in-
serted in right margin for canceled
But to]
be passionately in Love with Truth, as
being throughly sensible of her Excel-
lency and Beauty, [we shd inserted in
right margin for canceled
To] embrace her
how opposite soever she may some-
times be to our Humours and Designs,
to bring these over to her, and never
attempt to make her truckle to them.
[we shd inserted in right margin for canceled
To] be so[37]  
so. We shou'd be passionately in Love
with Truth, as being throughly sensi-
ble of her Excellency and Beauty. We
shou'd embrace her how opposite so-
ever she may sometimes be to our Hu-
mours and Designs, to bring these over
to her, and never attempt to make her
truckle to them. We shou'd be so 
116.2-4 (116.15-16)] Miscarriages.
[These are ye Tr inserted in left margin for
canceled For indeed] it concerns us most
to know [such Truths as these canceled],
it is not material [marginal note 478] 
Miscarriages. These are the Truths
it concerns us most to know, it is not
material 
117.5-8 (116.g-8fb)] She does not treat
them so tenderly and [familiarly inserted
in right margin for canceled fawningly, with
so much Ceremony and Complaisance]
as [marginal note inserted 479] 
She does not treat them so tenderly
and familiarly as 
117.16-119.2 (116.3fb-117.18)] and Var-
nish. [But to…. ¶ Above all…. Ex-
cites them, canceled] ¶ §IV. As to[38]  
and Varnish. ¶ §IV. As to 
119.5-119.11 (117.18-21)] Thinking, [we
inserted in right margin for canceled if …
I] shall [39]  
Thinking, we shall 

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119.6fb-2fb (117.12-10fb)] For as a
[very canceled] Judicious Writer on this
Subject [of ye Art of Thinking inserted
in right margin for canceled
(to whose In-
genious Remarks and Rules I am much
obliged)] well observes[40]  
For as a Judicious Writer on this Subject
of the Art of Thinking well observes 
122.7 (118.20-21)] it. [And canceled]
since Truth [marginal note inserted 481] 
it. Since Truth 
123.13-15 (118.1fb-119.1)] shou'd Think
as Justly, [they can interlined above tho']
not as [Copiously inserted in right mar-
gin for canceled Capaciously
{previous word
italicized in original
}], as [marginal note
inserted
482][41]  
shou'd Think as Justly, tho' they can-
not as Copiously, as 
125.10 (119.14fb)] Equality between 2
[times interlined in ink above canceled in ink
and] 2 [& 4 interlined in ink]is[42]  
Equality between 2 times 2 and 4 is 
128.15-16 (120-9fb-8fb)] Words and
Actions as it becomes Wise Persons
and Good Christians [marginal note in-
serted
?Rapns Refl D1 5 32][43]  
129.7fb-6fb (121.8-9)] Who [final three
letters in next word canceled
] cannot [bear
inserted for canceled endure] to be [mar-
ginal note inserted
486[44]  
Who can bear to be 
130.4fb-131.1 (121.23-25)] conse-
quently [how canceled] can we be Un-
derstood [? And canceled] if sometimes
we annex one Idea to a Word, and
sometimes another [? interlined for can-
celed,
] we [first letter of previous word capi-
talized
] may [marginal note inserted 487][45]  
consequently can we be Understood
if sometimes we annex one Idea to a
Word, and sometimes another? We
may 

219

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132.11-12 (122.6)] Thus [are inserted in
left margin for canceled
many times] our
Ideas [often inserted in left margin for can-
celed
are] thought [marginal note inserted
488] 
Thus are our Ideas often thought 
132.6fb (122.11)] them. [Thus inserted
in left margin for? canceled
So that] after
[marginal note inserted 488][46]  
them. Thus after 
133.10-14 (122.19-21)] Always obser-
ving … highest Evidence and Convic-
tion [marginal note inserted Locke][47]  
134.1fb-135-1 (123.4-5)] Distinct, ¶
[open bracket before next word] That[48]  
135.16 (123.12)] as he ought. Thus
we may have [marginal note inserted Les
Princip de la Philos de M Des Car-tes
Pt 1 45][49]  
136.9-137.1 (123.17-8fb)] not. [And
were it…. complain of canceled]. ¶ As
Judgments[50]  
not. ¶ As Judgments 

220

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138.7fb-6fb (124.15-16)] by Equiva-
lents, [the comma canceled] conversation
[marginal note inserted 492][51]  
by Equivalents conversation 
139.8-143.13 (124.15fb-126.4)] Bal-
lancing. [But….'em. canceled] ¶ But
because[52]  
Ballancing. ¶ But because 
141.13 (125.15-16)] regularly [cted in-
serted in pen in right margin for canceled in
pen
nex'd in next word] connex'd[53]  
regularly connected 
143.7fb-4fb (126.7-10)] following Rules,
[which Rules, … of 'em. canceled] ¶We
have[54]  
following Rules. ¶We have 
144.11-18 (126.17-20)] Rule I. [And
therefore we shou'd in the first place,
canceled] Acquiant [y interlined at beginning
of next word
] our selves throughly with the
State of the Question, have a Distinct Notion
of
[y interlined at beginning of next word] our
Subject whatever it be, and of the Terms
[you
interlined above next word] we make use of,
knowing precisely what it is [you interlined
above next word] we drive at: [that so we
may in the second canceled], [marginal
note added
493] 
Rule I. Acquiant your selves throughly with
the State of the Question, have a Distinct
Notion of your Object whatever it be, and of
the Terms you make use of, knowing precisely
what it is you drive at.
 
145.3fb-1fb (126.2fb-1fb)] Rule III.
[Our Business … {next word italicized
in original
} To canceled] conduct [y inserted
in left margin as first letter of next word
] our
Thoughts
[55]  
Rule III. Conduct your Thoughts  
146.3-19 (127.1-10)] Compos'd. [I need
not … that canceled] Order makes ev-
erything, Easie, Strong and Beautiful,
and that the Superstructure is neither
like to Last or Please unless the Foun-
dation be duly laid, [for this is obvious 
Compos'd. Order makes everything,
Easie, Strong and Beautiful, and that
the Superstructure is neither like to
Last or Please unless the Foundation
be duly laid. Nor are they likely to
solve the Difficult, who have neglected 

221

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to the most Superficial Reader, canceled]
Nor are they likely to solve the Dif-
ficult, who have neglected or slightly
pass'd over the Easie Questions. [Our
Knowledge … more Abstruse, canceled]
¶Rule IV. [In this Method … {next two
words italicized in original
} Not to canceled]
leave any [56]  
or slightly pass'd over the Easie Ques-
tions. ¶Rule IV. Leave any  
147.1 (127.13)] Object, if we [read in-
serted in right margin for canceled
view] but
[marginal note inserted 494] 
Object, if we read but 
148.4 (127.11 fb)] Pieces: [And let us
take inserted in left margin for canceled
Ever taking] care to [marginal note in-
serted
494] 
Pieces: And let us take care to 
148.9 (127.8fb)] Rule V. [To which pur-
pose we must canceled] Always keep [yor
inserted in left margin for? canceled our {pre-
vious word italicized in original
}] Subject [57]  
Rule V. Always keep your Subject  
149.9-12 (128.6-7)] Rule VI. [All
which … which is, {next word italicized
in original
} To canceled] judge no further
than we Perceive [58]  
Rule VI. Judge no further than we Perceive  
149.17 (128.10)] did so only, [the comma
inserted
] where[59]  
did so only, where 
151.8-9 (128.7fb)] found, [final letter of
next word canceled
] enjoyns us[60]  
found, enjoyn us 
151.11-15 (i28-5fb-4fb)] But by this we
may learn ([the open parenthesis canceled]
and so we may by every thing that such
weak and fallible Creatures as we are 
But by this we may learn and so we
may by every thing that such weak and
fallible Creatures as we are be sure to
think Candidly 

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[be sure inserted for canceled perform])
[the close parentheses canceled] to think
Candidly [marginal note inserted 497][61]  
152.5 (129.5-6)] Idea. ¶ [For ?canceled]
if[62]  
Idea, ¶ If 
153.1 (129.17)] But if it be [made can-
celed
] a Question [marginal note inserted
498] 
But if it be a Question 
153.9fb (129.13fb)] This. [If therefore
inserted in right margin for canceled So that]
if we[63]  
If therefore we 
154.2fb-1fb (130.5-6)] Being. ¶ [For in
the first place, canceled] what ever[64]  
Being, ¶ What ever 
155.14-15 (130.13)] Nor can they derive
[their inserted in right margin for canceled
either] Being [& interlined above canceled
or] Perfection [marginal note inserted
500] 
Nor can they derive their Being and
Perfection 
157.10-11 (130.1fb-131.1)] hastning? ¶
[To Sum up all: canceled] Since[65]  
hastning? ¶ Since 
158.4 (131.10)] must needs [entertain
inserted in left margin for canceled contain]
in [marginal note inserted 502] 
must needs entertain in 
158.10-1fb (131.14-22)] necessary, ¶
[Perhaps these Arguments…. forgot
again. But canceled] if some[66]  
necessary. ¶ If some 
159.8fb-7fb (131.7-6fb)] Happy must
be Rich, and [all canceled] who are Rich
[marginal note inserted 502] 
Happy must be Rich, and who are
Rich 
160.16-18 (132.7-8)] Happy ([the open
parenthesis canceled
] in the Enjoyment… 
Happy in the Enjoyment … Silver,
therefore 

223

Page 223
                 
Silver,) [the close parenthesis closed]
therefore[67]  
160.7fb-161.15 (132.8-20)] disting-
uish'd. [& inserted for canceled ¶We may
further…. we find, that] we cannot
[marginal note inserted 503] 
distinguish'd and we cannot 
162.6fb-5fb (132.2fb-1fb)] Banners
[final letter of previous word canceled] of
Error[68]  
Banner of Error 
163.1fb-164.17 (133.15-24)] Truth. ¶
[Neither…. of 'em. ¶ But canceled]
it[69]  
Truth. ¶ It 
167.1-4 (134.19-20)] We all pretend ¶
to this [it's true ?canceled], and think
our selves Injur'd if it be not believed
[semicolon interlined for canceled that] we
are Disninterss'd [marginal note inserted
507][70]  
We all pretend to this, and think our
selves Injur'd if it be not believed; we
are Disinterss'd 
168.17-18 (135.3-4)] of Education,
Capacity, [ye inserted in pen for canceled
of] Leisure, and [ye interlined in pencil]
Opportunity[71]  
of Education, Capacity, the Leisure,
and the Opportunity 
169.9-10 (135.13)] not conclude [it
inserted in right margin for canceled in]
such[72]  
not conclude it such 
169.2fb-1fb (135.21)] Present Interest,
[wch inserted for canceled which is that
which] weighs [marginal note inserted
509][73]  
Present Interest, which weighs 
173.6 (136.11fb)] expect. [So that can-
celed
] when we [marginal note inserted 511] 
expect. When we 

224

Page 224
                 
173.14-15 (136.7fb)] us ([the open pa-
renthesis canceled
if other Considerations
will not) [the close parenthesis canceled]
to be[74]  
us if other Considerations will not to
be 
174.4-5 (137-3)] hereafter, [semicolon in-
serted in left margin
] When [first letter of
previous word crossed through
] we[75]  
hereafter; when we 
174.9 (137.5)] Encouragement, [the
comma changed to a period
] how [first letter
of previous word capitalized
] low[76]  
Encouragement. How low 
175.12-13 (137.19-20)] Beauty. [So
that… well observes, canceled] all[77]  
Beauty. All 
178.1fb-179.1 (138.8fb-7fb)] we're [ye
inserted in right margin] then [the final letter
of the previous word canceled
] perplext and
Obscure Writers [marginal note inserted
515][78]  
we're the perplext and Obscure
Writers 
179.12-13 (138.1fb)] yet not [verbose in-
serted for? canceled
Wordy] and tedious[79]  
yet not verbose and tedious 
179.2fb-1fb (139.7)] believe, [the pe-
riod changed to a semicolon
] [also inserted
in right margin
] Always [marginal note in-
serted
515] 
believe; also always 
180.7fb-181.6 (139.17-24)] meant it.
[But this…. Minds. ¶In a word, can-
celed
] I know[80]  
meant it. ¶ I know 
183.4-6 (140.13)] Meditations, [yt in-
serted in right margin for canceled
This]
affects a Grave that a Florid Style [mar-
ginal note inserted
517][81]  
Meditations. That affects a Grave that
a Florid Style 

225

Page 225
               
183.14-16 (140.18)] Reason, the [parity
inserted for canceled purity] and propri-
ety of Expression [marginal note inserted
517] [82]  
Reason, the parity and propriety of
Expression 
184.13 (140.8fb)] were [first letter of next
word underlined] Impartial [marginal note
inserted 518][83]  
were impartial 
184.2fb-1fb (140.1fb-141.1)] us. ¶ [In
doing this inserted for canceled And if we
do so I believe] we shall[84]  
us. ¶ In doing this we shall 
188.2fb-190.4 (142.17-34)] recommend
it. ¶ [And since Piety…. do good to.
¶[Besides, by being canceled] [marginal
note inserted 521] True Christians [we
canceled] have Really that Love for oth-
ers which all who desire to perswade
must pretend to; [they have inserted for
canceled we've] that [marginal note inserted
521] 
recommend it. ¶True Christians have
Really that Love for others which all
who desire to perswade must pretend
to; they have that 
191.9 (143.13-14)] Provoke, [now
arriv'd to a more scandalous degree of
Rage & Insoln yn ever inserted in ink in
top margin
] whence [marginal note inserted
in pencil
522][85]  
Provoke, now arriv'd to a more scan-
dalous degree of Rage and Insolence
then ever whence 
193.8 (144.3-4)] we. ¶ [I've said can-
celed
] nothing [has been sd inserted in
right margin] of [marginal note inserted
524] 
we. ¶ Nothing has been said of 
194.6-7 (144.16-17)] Conversation ¶
But for [marginal note inserted thus for L
Lib][86]  
216.2fb-1fb (153.15-16)] them, ¶ [For
inserted in left margin for canceled But] as 
them, For as 

226

Page 226
   
293.9 (180.2fb)] disagreeableness [in
them interlined]? 
disagreeableness in them? 
298 (182[87] )] ERRATA. [marginal note in-
serted
p 107 cho / que][88]  
 
[2]

Springborg correctly notes that "yet" is marked for deletion in the list of errata, and she
brackets it accordingly; Astell nevertheless has crossed through the word several times. Both Astell's
copy and the British Library copy show a comma not recorded in Springborg: "serv'd, yet."

[3]

Astell again crosses through words marked for deletion in the list of errata; as before,
Springborg brackets these words.

[4]

An emendatory road not taken: in the left margin of this passage, Astell has written, and
scratched out, "find fault"—another possibility for the rejected "demur."

[5]

René Rapin (1621-1687), French Jesuit, influential neoclassical critic, and prolific au-
thor of theological and philosophical tracts, many of which were translated into English. Astell's
passage parallels in both logic and phrasing section 5 of his Some Christian Reflections (1673):
"All the wisest among the antient Philosophers have believed they knew nothing: In summe,
the uncertainty of the Senses which are such deceivers, the natural obscurities of the Heart of
man, the weakness of his Spirit, Education, Custom, Opinion, the tumult of ordinary Passions,
and those prepossessions no power can surmount, have so utterly effaced all those footsteps of
Truth which remained in man, that the most common Secrets of Nature appear inconceiveable
[sic] to the most wise and knowing" (203-204).

[6]

Astell crossed out the original, "grope," heavily in pen, and added "stumble" in the
margin. The British Library copy also has "grope." Springborg's copy-text (held in the Folger
Shakespeare Library), however, had "stumble," suggesting a stop-press change.

[7]

The "new way of ideas" John Locke had presented in An Essay Concerning Human Under-
standing
(1690) had been attacked most famously by Bishop Stillingfleet, of course, but also by
Astell in her Christian Religion (1705). Assuming this pencil note, like the others, was made after
1715, Astell may be pointing to Locke as representative of those thinkers who valued novelty
over truth, and/or as one who disables his own truth claims by refusing the Platonic concept of
divine ideas. It is also possible, however, that Astell is simply noting her own Lockean dismissal
of historical consensus as a necessary arbiter of truth.

[8]

Astell here signals the beginning of the section of SPII George Berkeley plagiarized in
The Ladies Library (1714). This passage actually begins in the final line of 447.

[9]

Ladies Library 449.

[10]

Ladies Library 449.

[11]

Ladies Library 454.

[12]

Rapin's comment in section 17 of his Reflections does indeed adumbrate perfectly
Astell's argument in this section: "We ought to know how to distinguish the knowledge of things
by their Principles; that is to say, to know Sensible things by Sense, Intellectuals by Reason,
and Supernatural and Divine things by Faith" (211 [misnumbered as 112]). I have been unable
to decipher what the later portion of Astell's reference might indicate.

[13]

Again, Astell's citation would seem to refer to Rapin's Reflections, wherein he too com-
plained that "Philosophers," by "accustoming their Spirits too much to knowledges palpable,
sensible, and evident," have rendered themselves "very unfit for the Submissions of Faith." In
a paradox Astell would readily have accepted, Rapin argued that in order truly "to be reason-
able," a person must recognize the need for "Reason" to "be submitted to Faith." See sections 15
and 16, pp. 210-211 [misnumbered as 112].

[14]

Ladies Library 459.

[15]

Ladies Library 463.

[16]

Ladies Library 464.

[17]

Astell has tinkered with the revision she found in Ladies Library: "to gratify thereby their
secret Envy, diverting us from …" (465).

[18]

Ladies Library 466.

[19]

Springborg explains that Berkeley's substitution is a paraphrase of Astell's colloquial-
ism (188, note 73).

[20]

Ladies Library 467-468.

[21]

Ladies Library 468.

[22]

Ladies Library 468.

[23]

Ladies Library 469.

[24]

Ladies Library 472.

[25]

Ladies Library 472.

[26]

Astell underlined this word in pencil. The erroneous "choak" is a solecism for
"choque," an archaic form of "shock" (see OED, s.v. shock). It seems likely that "err" refers to
the now updated list of errata; see the entry for 298 (182) and note.

[27]

Ladies Library: "If for the future then…." Astell keeps her original positioning of
"then."

[28]

Astell should also have canceled this "of" to avoid repetition of the preposition—an
oversight.

[29]

Slightly revised in the second edition of Ladies Library, which has "and" for "as also"
and a colon rather than a period between "selves" and "All" (472). For an account of the two
versions of Berkeley's text, see the introduction to this Appendix.

[30]

Ladies Library: "Mind. We seek … "(475).

[31]

Ladies Library 475.

[32]

Ladies Library 476-477.

[33]

Ladies Library: "into, the general Causes …" (477). Astell has made a note in the right
margin reading "The General Causes," the capitalization perhaps indicating her dissatisfaction
with Berkeley's decision to join the two sentences into one.

[34]

Ladies Library: "The best way I … "(477).

[35]

Ladies Library: "Errors, whatever Cause they proceed from …" (477).

[36]

Astell does not substitute "and determine" for her "and to determine" or "not depend"
for her "not to depend." The awkwardness of the current phrasing suggests an oversight on
Astell's part, not a deliberate rethinking of Berkeley's changes.

[37]

Ladies Library 478. The final passage has been revised in the second edition of Ladies
Library:
"… Designs, we should labour to bring these over to her, and …" (475).

[38]

Ladies Library 479.

[39]

Ladies Library 479.

[40]

Ladies Library: "For, as the judicious Author of The Art of Thinking well observes …"
(480). Astell had cited Arnauld's work marginally in her original and would likely have done
so again; her new phrasing would appear to stress the aptness of Arnauld's title to its subject
matter.

[41]

Ladies Library: "shou'd think as jusdy, tho' not as copiously …" (482).

[42]

Unlike the vast majority of the changes in this section of the text, this correction is
made in ink. Astell's revision is an obvious improvement on her original tautology.

[43]

Perhaps a reference to Rapin's argument in section 15 of Reflections that religious faith
provides the foundation both for morality and for epistemology.

[44]

Although "can" maintains parallel syntax, it vitiates the meaning of the rhetorical
question. The second edition of Ladies Library makes the correction: "cannot bear" (483).

[45]

Berkeley actually keeps the "how" that Astell elects to cut: Ladies Library reads "con-
sequently, how…" (487).

[46]

Astell neglects to mark the words she would need to cancel (and which Berkeley did
cancel) to insert, as she does, Berkeley's "Thus." An oversight seems likely.

[47]

Compare Astell's paragraph to Locke's Essay: "Some of the Ideas that are in the Mind,
are so there, that they can be, by themselves, immediately compared, one with another: And in
these, the Mind is able to perceive, that they agree or disagree, as clearly, as that it has them….
And this, therefore, as has been said, I call Intuitive Knowledge; which is certain, beyond all Doubt,
and needs no Probation, nor can have any; this being the highest of all Humane Certainty. In
this consists the Evidence of all those Maxims, which no Body has any Doubt about, but every
man (does not, as is said, only assent to, but) knows to be true, as soon as ever they are proposed
to his Understanding" (4.17.14.683). Astell would appear to acknowledge her debt to Locke
on this point, though she, unlike Locke, held to the Augustinian guarantee for the validity of
such self-evident ideas by maintaining that "all Truth is Antient, as being from Eternity in the
Divine Ideas" (SPII92).

[48]

Astell opens a bracket before "That" but never closes it. See Ladies Library 490, where
the first portions of Astell's paragraph are significantly cut and rewritten. Perhaps Astell had
second thoughts about considering Berkeley's substantial revision?

[49]

Astell adds the citation to Descartes just where her quotation of him ends (at "he
ought"); this correction is indicated in the list of errata—it calls for the citation to be placed
at the beginning of the quotation, not the end—and Springborg adds it to her edition ac-
cordingly (though without the close quotation mark—an oversight). In the British Library
copy of Astell's work, the correction has been made to the text and is included in the list of
errata—another indication of stop-press changes. Compare this discrepancy with 47.4-5
(91.13), where Springborg's text shows the correction but neither the British Library copy nor
Astell's copy does the same. It would appear that corrected and uncorrected sheets were mixed
in no discernable pattern as copies of SPII were being compiled, a process which Melvyn New
and I encountered in our work with the first edition of Astell and John Norris's Letters Concerning
the Love of God
(1695); see Letters, "A Note on the Text" (50-52).

[50]

Ladies Library 490.

[51]

Ladies Library: "equivalent Conversation." Astell's rejection of the singular "equivalent"
may be deliberate; Berkeley's revision borders on nonsensical. Indeed, Astell's original comma
helps, though she follows Berkeley in deleting it.

[52]

Astell brackets these two pages for deletion as per Berkeley (492).

[53]

One of the few corrections in this section not inspired by Berkeley—and one of the few
made in ink. Note that the previous emendation would render this change pointless—another
clue that Astell corrected her text at different points in time.

[54]

Ladies Library 492.

[55]

Ladies Library 494.

[56]

Ladies Library 494. Berkeley's revision includes the syntactically necessary "strong and
beautiful. That Superstructure" as well as a shift to second-person necessary to maintain paral-
lelisms "Leave no part of your Subject unexamin'd…." Given Astell's attempts elsewhere to follow
Berkeley's emendations of her first—person plural to the second person—and note the inconsis-
tent "any" for Berkeley's "no"—it seems likely that Astell simply lost track of the changes she
was attempting to record.

[57]

Ladies Library 495. Astell neglects to cancel "our" to match her insertion of "yor,"
surely an oversight.

[58]

Ladies Library 496: "Judge no farther than you perceive…." Again, Astell inadvertently
neglects to follow Berkeley's shift to second person.

[59]

Ladies Library 496.

[60]

Ladies Library 497. The second edition of Ladies Library reverts to Astell's original,
"enjoyns" (494). The syntactical question is whether "Reason … enjoyns" or "Enquiries …
[they] … enjoyn."

[1]

In Ladies Library commas separate these clauses, though the phrasing—as in the
original—remains opaque: "But by this we may learn, and so we may by every thing, that such
weak and fallible Creatures as we are, be sure to think candidly…."

[62]

Ladies Library 498. Astell provides a close bracket around "For," but neglects to provide
an open bracket—an oversight.

[63]

Ladies Library 499. Astell neglects to cancel the "if" rendered redundant by her
insertion.

[64]

Ladies Library 500.

[65]

Ladies Library 501.

[66]

Ladies Library 502.

[67]

Ladies Library 503.

[68]

Ladies Library 504.

[69]

Ladies Library 505.

[70]

Astell's intentions here are difficult to decipher. She has inserted a "Q," in the margin
before the first word of this passage ("We"), and she fails to close the bracket she opens around
"its true," a canceled phrase in Berkeley. Ladies Library reads as follows: "'Tis true, we all pre-
tend to this, and think our selves injur'd if it be not believ'd; we are disinterested…."

[71]

As in several other cases, the correction in pen answers to the fist of errata, "the" for
"of" in this case; Springborg includes the corrected reading in brackets. The correction in
pencil is an improvement on Berkeley, "the" for "that" (Ladies Library 508).

[72]

Ladies Library 508.

[73]

Ladies Library: "present Interest, is what weighs…." The line actually falls at the very
bottom of 508.

[74]

Ladies Library 511.

[75]

Ladies Library 511.

[76]

Ladies Library 511.

[77]

Ladies Library 512. Unlike Berkeley, Astell would likely have retained her marginal
acknowledgement of the quotation from Arnauld.

[78]

Astell's corrections prove redundant—the marginal insertion of "ye" and the emenda-
tion of "then" record the same change. The second edition of Ladies Library further revises this
passage: "we are perplext and obscure Writers" (512).

[79]

Ladies library 515. Astell does not cancel "Wordy," surely an oversight given her inser-
tion of "verbose."

[80]

Ladies Library 516. Astell excises her laudatory reference to Locke, but it is important
to note that she is following Berkeley's lead.

[81]

The second edition of Ladies Library has "this affects a grave, that a florid Style …"
(515).

[82]

Again, Astell's citation is off by a page; this passage falls at the very top of 518. OED,
s.v. parity: "3. Equality of nature, character, or tendency; likeness, similarity, analogy; parallel-
ism; as in parity of reason or reasoning."

[83]

Berkeley frequently changes the capitalization of Astell's original; that Astell here
makes note of it suggests that she may indeed be looking for changes that improve her text.

[84]

Ladies Library 519.

[85]

This is the single place where Astell records any of Berkeley's emendations in ink, and
even here, as usual, she cites the page number in pencil.

[86]

Astell pencils in a close bracket after "Conversation"; indeed, Berkeley's pilfering does
end on this word (524). Springborg's note on this fact (192, note 146) mistakenly has 534.

[87]

Springborg has incorporated into the text the changes noted in the list of Errata and
so does not include the list itself; it falls at the bottom of the page in the 1697 edition, just after
the end of the text of SPII.

[88]

See above, 107.7fb (113.15) and note 26. It is not clear why Astell makes the change
here instead of making it, as elsewhere, directly to the text. It is possible that this represents a
very early change that Astell had hoped to include in the list of errata—but it should be noted
that this change, unlike other potentially early changes, is made in pencil; cf. the entry for
47.4-5(91.13) and note 6.

 
[1]

I am extremely grateful to Jacqui Minchinton for her careful and thorough recording
of Astell's in-text emendations and comments.