The Study of the Life of Woman

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Preface

The delight received from the perusal of this work in the original language, and the ardent desire of imparting to others the same pleasure and advantage, alone induced the translator to undertake the task; encouraged by the belief that thoughts so rich and beautiful would still be valuable, although divested of the graceful and flowing style in which they first appeared.

Although the French language is generally studied, there are many to whom this book would be useful, who do not read it fluently, and books in that language are for many reasons only accessible to the few ; if, therefore, a labour which has been in itself so pleasant, may be the means of difiusing more extensively the admirable instructions of this author, it will be doubly rewarded.

Madame Necker de Saussure is the daughter of the celebrated naturalist Horace Benedict de Saussure, who was, in 1762, at the age of twenty-two, so distinguished as to be appointed Professor of Philosophy at Geneva, a situation which he filled with high reputation for twenty-five years. He also wrote several valuable works.

This lady has, in this country, sometimes been confounded with Madame Necker, the wife of the Minister of Finance, and mother of the celebrated Madame de Stael, who belonged to the preceding generation.

▼1 PSBFACX.

M. de Barante, in his " Melanges LitteraireSy^ mentions in terms of high encomium, our author's work, in two volumes, entitled ^Education progressive, which relates to the education of infancy and childhood of both sexes. The first volume of this work has been translated, the second, we believe, has not.

The volume before us appeared in Europe, some years after those here mentioned under the same general title, Progressive Education, with a second title, peculiar to itself. The Study of the Life of Woman, and an introduction which begins by stating, that although connected with, and forming an appropriate sequel to the former two volumes, it is nevertheless perfectly distinct and complete in itself. The first paragraph of the Introduction, of which this is the purport, is here omitted; what follows is an admirable prospectus of the work, which will recommend it more to the favour of the public than any thing the translator could say on the subject.

M. de Barante also commends highly this author's Memoir of the Life and Writings of Madame de Stael, with whom she was connected, we believe, by marriage ; and who once bore the following graceful testimony to her intellectual and moral merit. " Elle a tout I'esprit que I'on me prete, et toutes les vertus que I'on me refuse."

Translator.

Book I. General Considerations

Chap. L — Actual state of women in society - - 15 IL — ^The idea of the destination of women has been founded

on a principle not sufficiently elevated - - 22 IIL^ — ^True destination of women ... 32 IV. — ^Distinctive faculties of women - • - 40 V. — Ordinary defects of education - - - 40 VI. — Prospects of diminution in the obstacles to the improvement of the female sex - - - 60

Chap. I. — Moral education— general duties of human nature

considered with respect to girls - - 70

II. — Continuation of moral education— cultivation of the

dispositions peculiar to women • - 77

nL— Spirit of intellectual education of the present day 86

IV. — Studies which relate to the exercise of the reasoning

powers .----- 08 V. — Studies relating to the cultivation of memory and

imagination - . . - . 103

VL— The fine arts 112

VJI. — Employment of time distinct from intellectual cultivation ..... 122 Vra.— EndofchUdhood - '- - - - 132 i via CONTENTS.

BOOK IlL

ADOLESCENCE AND WOMANHOOD.

t ' Chap. I. — Sixteenth year — admission to the communion - 141 II. — Adolescence — period from sixteen to eighteen years

— Moral and intellectual occupations - 151

' III. — Continuation of adolescence — social life • - 160

' IV.— The first period of youth - - - 171

j V. — The same age— romantic dispositions - - 180

■ VI. — The time immediately preceding marriage - 190

VII.— Marriage 199

VIIL— Early maternal happiness - - - 209

; IX. — Second part of youtii — conclusion - - - 215

Book IV. I

j MATURITY AND OLD AGE.

Chap. L — ^Approach and commencement of mature age - 224

I n. — Maturity— the maternal career - - - 233

in. — Sequelofmaturity— career of charity - - 243

! IV. — ^The same age — career of studies - - 252

v.— Entrance to old age - - - - 264

, VL — Old age in a state of health— observations and advice 272

i VII.— The last period of life - - - - 281

INTRODUCTION.

It is in examining the career of woman that we may find human life divested of the various obligations imposed by the diversity of social pursuits, and brought back to its most simple elements. It is here possible to inquire whether the events which follow each other in habitual succession have any hidden signification ; whether they are designed to bring us nearer to the true end of our existence, and whether we have any reason to hope that the transitory scenes of time are commanded by God to prepare us for eternity.

But before we set out, it will be well to settle where we wish to arrive.

The first objects of our examination should be the actual situation of woman in society — the restrictions usually imposed upon her education, and the still higher conditions which we deem it essential to impose. It is important to declare our views of the destination of the female sex, of the obstacles which tend to diminish its perfectibility, and, in short, to explain our meaning on many points which might embarrass us as we advance. This will be the aim of our first book.

The second will treat of the education of girls until the age of fifteen. With respect to morals, we shall find the way clearly traced by the principles of the gospel ; but the intellectual part, so often allowed to follow blindly the customary path, will occasion some inquiry. We mean to examine the principles which ought to govern instruction, and direct the choice of studies.

The third book will embrace the period of youth. In the earlier part, instruction, and especially religious instruction, should continue to occupy us. With early youth finishes that education of which the plan is previously

10 iirTRODircnoif.

formed, but the casual and irregular developement which real life brings on, modifies the results of previous education, and often renders its defects obvious. Here we must observe the opening scenes of womanhood ; a season so replete with emotions, with events, and with trials of various kinds.

In the fourth book, devoted to middle age and to old age, we shall have no new events to present; facts are here wanting to the historian, but the moral lessons are rich in importance. During the long period of middle life, in which all the privileges of youth pass away, but the faculties remain in full vigour, a woman receives in this world the just retribution for the use she has made of her former years : weariness, disgust, and vain regret on the one hand, or, on the other, a career of usefulness still attended by happiness.

A different perspective opens to age. Faculties gradually enfeebled, find fewer occasions for exercise ; but the education of the soul steadily proceeds. God, who hitherto instructed us by what he bestowed, now disciplines us by what he withdraws ; a still more internal work is in progress, — but this becomes too deep, too intimate, perhaps too personal, to be depicted in detail by one who borders on this term. Old age keeps its own secret, and if we wished to offer some salutary reflections, we should shrink from tearing away the veil in which the sentiments are wrapped at this age.

The study of various portions of human life is always interesting with regard to religion ; but the period in which the well-being of the future is prepared, should chiefly engage our attention ; and so the interests of childhood will engross a large portion of this work. Our advice to mothers may probably be well received. Our views will be presented in a collected form, and the application of the principles we shall unfold will be found in the study of the subsequent parts of life.

The remainder of the work we are sensible will be a most imperfect sketch of the career of woman. Details yvould be too voluminous and too complicated. In seeking to mark the distinctions of various minds and characters, there would be danger of losing sight of the great features of human nature. Thus many important objects will pass iiiTBODvonoir. 11

rapidly before us, and a thousand interesting situations will be barely indicated.

In describing the sentiments experienced by woman during the period of youth, the rapidity of our glance may be thought disproportioned to the rich interest of the subject, but that age, which monopolizes the attention and the homage of man, rarely listens to advice, and feels but little the need of assistance. We therefore prefer seeking consolation for that obscure and forgotten period of life where women are so often given over to impressions of vacancy and desertion.

This external division of our labours is sufficiently pointed out by the subject itself; and besides, we consider it of minor importance. The form concerns us much less than the substance, and we fear that with respect to the latter we may have overrated our strength. It is not, indeed, an easy task to trace a line of conduct for woman. What delicate care does it not require to lead a sensitive being, so enveloped in restraints, susceptible of such exquisite sufferings, and designed to exert so powerful an influence ! The idea of an accomplished woman is composed of various elements, so equally poised, so just a proportion should prevail in her character, that we fear to disturb this happy equilibrium by the counsels we may venture to give. Besides, women have been the subject of such fascinating representations, the poetry of all ages has offered them such clouds^ of incense, that a flattering delusion conceals them from their own eyes. The worship of personal beauty as it has existed in all ages and countries — that corrupting worship which awakens in the bosoms of these immortal creatures feelings so incompatible with and unworthy of their destination — that worship, the source of so many sorrows, the divinities of which descend so quickly to the level of victims, — that worship has altars indestructible in the hearts of women.

Besides, serious men, deep thinkers, capable of estimating it as it deserves — mora lists, -who ought to diminish its influence, contribute to augment it. They seem fascinated by the simple notion of beauty, and those who might be expected to bestow upon woman severe remonstrance and salutary advice, are checked by the fear of lessening their attractions. And yet severity is necessary for their own

12 INTRODUCTION.

good, for that of their husbands, of their children, of humanity at large. It is indispensable, although it involves the risk of displeasing both sexes — for the men who sufler most from the defects of women, who dart against them the most envenomed shafts of satire, wish to keep them as they are, and resist every effort to improve them.

There are other trammels which we mean to impose upon ourselves. How could we consent to expose to the blaze of noon-day the wanderings into which passion leads the female sex i In those countries where the current of life is calm and peaceful — where jnanners, at least, are comparatively respectable — the picture of human life must be softened. The purity of the young female, and the sensibility of mothers, equally require it; and yet what truth, what force can we employ, if we refrain from indicating the emotions, of which literature and the arts have taken possession, to illustrate or to condemn ? Why undertake to give advice if we will not give warning of the quicksands where innocence may sink to destruction.

Nevertheless we shall endeavour to treat these subjects soberly. Christian principle, in fixing the attention upon motives, need not dwell fxiinutely upon external effects. We shall seek to reveal the consequences which affect the soul, those which concern the conduct and the life may be conjectured or divined. In order to bring this vast subject into narrower limits, we shall treat it only with reference to the class in easy circumstances. Among these, at least, we find a general desire to improve education. The good which may be done here, will not be lost to the other classes. Example is given from high to low, and the actual march of events which is tending to efface social distinctions, is favourable to the influence of enlightened minds, so that superior intelligence is beginning to take the place of superior rank.

But in limiting ourselves to the consideration of this class of females, it will still be difficult to speak the same language to them all. An extreme diversity of opinions and characters prevails among women of the same class in different countries. It is perhaps singular, that with interests so nearly identical all over the world, the tints of local colouring among them should present stronger contrasts than those of men. I speak not here of those travelling liTTRODUCTION. 18

hordes who bear the burden of their weariness and opulence all over Europe, exhibiting every where the monotonous manners of the fashionable world. I speak of. the mass of women, rooted to their native soil, who are so imbued with the prejudices, and so shackled by the usages, of their own country, that they cannot comprehend those of other nations, and are ever finding subjects of censure, or of ridicule, in whatever differs from their own. We can therefore only address the same reproofs to a German, French, or English female, by sounding the depths of the female heart to find among them some similarity, and designate their common defects. We can only avoid giving offence to all, by restricting ourselves to the highway, and the general principles of morals.

But delicate as the enterprise may be, I will not be discouraged ; that which skill could not accomplish, an humble and religious sentiment may facilitate. My path is traced — my time is short — it presses within and without The present moment is critical, perhaps decisive. The convulsions of this earth have rendered every position tottering and unsound. No one can desire that this stale of things should continue. An order of things not yet understood, is about to arise. In the midst of opinions diverging in all directions, all minds are imbued with one idea, and that idea is an anticipation. Every one believes that all things may and will be better than they are ; but in order to arrive at the results to which all aspire, the improvement of the female sex is indispensable. Mould them, and you will find in them the most valuable auxiliaries; neglect them, and you will have to encounter obstacles perhaps insurmountable. At all events, to make sure of their cordial concurrence, it is necessary to do them justice, and to consider their interests more earnestly than has hitherto been done. It is necessary to view them independently of their power over others, and to care for their welfare in those situations and at that age when they possess no power, and all their influence is independent of their attractions.

It is henceforth to women that we shall address our remarks, deeply penetrated with the conviction, that whatever happiness they may enjoy even in this life, depends on their attachment to the Christian faith. We shall follow the course of their years to prove it. Undoubtedly our work is not

14 INTSODUCnON.

what it should be, but we believe that a work where the great subject of religion and that of human life should be combined and viewed together, is very much wanted. In most religious books, the peculiar impressions of women, their natural and, so to speak, inevitable sentiments have not been considered; advice has not been given in detail, and yet how useful it might be to show them that the powerful affections which engross them at certain periods of their lives, may by celestial aid correspond to the successive degrees of their religious developement.

On the other hand, in treatises of morals, religion (much as her influence is lauded) remains aside ; she is presented sometimes as a curb added to other restraints, sometimes as a melodious lyre, from which may be drawn some harmonious tones ; but after all, only as an accessory resource with which enlightened reason might dispense.

In all these books, religion is not viewed as the soul of our existence, at once the impetus and the end of our actions. She is not the divine breath which can re-animate when the breath of nature passes away, and thence it is not religion which speaks in these books. Can I presume to discuss it ? Shall I not fear to profane this great subject by combining it with a multiplicity of earthly concerns ? No, I will not fear it. I cannot admit that there is in life one single interest, one single thought, that does not require to be hallowed by piety. The most precious of all aid is, no doubt, that which raises our hearts to God by detaching us from earth, but we need other helps to enable us to apply to the business of this world the great truths of religion. The dew which falls from heaven seems to lose its purity in mingling with the earth, but the soil that is thus watered is soon clothed with verdure, and becomes fruitful.

BOOK L

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS.

Chapter I. , The Actual State Of Women In Society

Since the diffusion of the sentiments of justice and charity attendant upon Christianity, has raised the female sex from its ancient slate of degradation, women have undoubtedly made great progress in liberty, knowledge, and social influence. In this last respect, however, a great change has occurred in our own day ; if women enjoy more liberty, and more knowledge, their influence has diminished. This is a fact to which the present generation can bear testimony. It could scarcely have been otherwise. The engrossing pursuits of political interests have left women out of the questions which most strongly agitate the minds of men ; the homage they received from a superannuated gallantry has vanished with the feudal system, and the frivolous world, the brilliant theatre of their power and success, has lost its former importance, since business is transacted elsewhere, and women no longer dispose of high situations. Although they have left some brilliant traces of their influence in the numerous vicissitudes of the present age, their part has become less conspicuous, less gratifying to their vanity. The efforts they have made to recover public attention have had little success. Talents, often very distinguished, which would have covered them with glory, half a century ago, are acknowledged and appreciated without exciting enthusiasm ; and their more frequent exhibition of private virtue is less remarked. ' That which conceals itself is no longer sought, that which displays itself to the light of day is scarcely looked upon, and woman perceives on every side that her worship is at ati end, and she is no longer an idol.

Is this to be Umented ? We think it is not. We cannot

16 ACTUAL STATE OF WOMEN IN 80CIETT.

consistently with our views, regret for them a kind of influence which has been only a usurpation — an empire acquired by seduction, retained by stratagem, which divested men of their dignity, women of their native modesty, and equally perverted both. But there is a happy influence which women are formed to exert; there are qualities which are possessed by a people only in proportion as women seek to develope them. If the peculiar gifts bestowed upon them were withdrawn from the common stock, the patrimony of the human race would lose much of its value. The effect of those qualities which are peculiar to women may be compared to that of their voices in a choir — there is an entire succession of pure and elevated sounds which would never be heard without them. Not only do they give extension to the general scale of thought and feeling, but they communicate to men the power of expressing shades of impressions, which they would not themselves have experienced or discerned. In short, they enrich the. moral world with the gifts they have received, and with those which they develope. The general level of the moral dignity of women in all classes, is, we believe, capable of being immeasurably raised ; and their influence would then be truly salutary, but mingled as it has been with abuses, its diminution may be regretted in certain respects.

In proportion as public interests have encroached on those of private life,.wom6n have become morally isolated. The spirit which animates them is withdrawn from society; thus the equilibrium of faculties has been destroyed in the entire mass, and those which are pecuUar to women are precisely those which are most wanted in our times.

Is not the loss of religious belief and religious sentiment, the greatest evil that could befall a generation? Is it not the dissolution of the tie which unites man to his Maker — man to man, — and makes him faithful to himself?

Welli this great evil — this destruction of the vital principle in humanity, women have not concurred to produce; they have even sought to arrest its progress with all their power. The general contagion may have seized a few, their extreme flexibility may have caused them to bend to the spirit of the times, but they have resisted the torrent more than men ; the revival of religion is more plainly perceptible among them. They who embraced Christianity with such

AOTUAL STATB OF WOMEN IN fOOUrrr. 17

ardour at its birth, they who have lived but to diffuse it, and died rather than abandon it, must ever feel that their interests are bound up with those of religion.

How could it be otherwise ? Does not oppressed weakness find support and protection in the Christian law ? Does not the Gospel consecrate the superiority of virtue, of reason, of all that woman may possess,, over animal and material force? And in the interior of families, is it not religion which secures to women the fidelity of their husbands, the obedience of their children, the docility of those who serve them 1 Does it not restore to them, in the peaceful possession of domestic rule, equitably exercised, more than is refused to their ambition in the various walks of public life? But why should we speak of interest ? Women are naturally religious — the voice of God speaks to their hearts — they know it to be as powerful as it is sweet, in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Often wounded in their affections, often gifted with imagination which the realities around them cannot satisfy, every thing leads them to anticipate that better world, where their hopes will be fulfilled, and their anxieties will find relief. Obliged to acknowledge a superior here, it is sweet to feel that they have God for a master — their grade seems to rise when the equality of souls in eternity possesses their thoughts, and they see the human race appear in the presence of a common Judge — then the hope of pardon through a Divine Intercessor pours a stream of confidence into their tender and fearful hearts.

Thus the religious sentiments which have their counterpart in the hearts of men are there continually nourished and . developed by women, who yield to them more unreservedly.

Without them men would doubtless receive the truth; they would acknowledge a divine work in the gospel ; access to assistance from above is equally open to them ; but do they equally feel the necessity of imploring Heaven for it? Does not a proud consciousness of their own strength appear to constitute a part of their very virtue? We often see in them a religion, founded on reason, knowledge, and morality; the powerful motives that the gospel supplies operate also upon them ; but do not women better comprehend the secret charm of that internal and involuntary reli-

18 ACTUAL 8TATB OF WOMEN IN SOOIBTr.

gion in which faith and love are their own reward, and yield a disinterested worship 1

Without them nnany other sentiments would become cold. It is to them that the power of loving has been bestowed in overflowing measure. Women, faithful to their nature, love immensely ; they love from infancy to old age, without desiring other happiness than that of loving. The feelings of the heart are never suspended in them: a mother feels herself a mother in every moment. While in man, the least destructible of all the sentiments, parental love, responds indeed, always to a call, but does not constantly abide in the thoughts.

Affection is almost certainly the impulse of the most various actions in women; if, indeed, vanity has not destroyed her native character. It follows th?it this impulse, always operating, awakens and maintains incessantly a tender disposition in the heart of man. It is a fact that in those countries where women are enslaved and little developed, men have rarely any attachments among themselves.

As soon as these powerful affections cease to be communicated by those wno have the most vivid experience of them, other happy dispositions seem to vanish. Thus the tact of society, the natural aversion from all that shocks the fancy or offends morality, is pot found among nations where women (worthy of the name) possess no influence ; the perception of delicate gradation is there lost; in the fictions, the most violent and scandalous scenes are scarcely sufficient to produce impressions; the arts are degraded, civilisation is arrested, and loses the flowers that composed her crown. It will be said, women are accomplices in these abuses ; they like strong emotions, and seek them equally with men. If this were not a transitory evil, if they had resigned for ever the power of inspiring respect by their presence, the most cutting reproaches ought to be addressed to men. Since when are they no longer bound to be the guardians of the weaker sex 1 Since when has the modesty, the delicacy ofwiv.es and mothers ceased to be the objects of their anxious solicitude? Why put these excitable beings to such severe trials ? why subjeci them to the alternative either to renounce their share in pleasures to which they have been but too much accustojned, or to sacrifice their

dignity wither their imagination, and thus lose their greats est charm ?

How is it possible that men who could not bear to see the slightest personal indignity offered to a woman, can quietly bear to see them insulted collectively 1 Vigorous laws are provided for the safety of individuals. Fathers, husbands, brothers, no longer need to protect their frail dependants by force of arms. Ought not valour now become useless to women, to be replaced by the care of their virtue, of their sentiments, of all that may keep or render them amiable and holy 1

When we neglect to consult the delicate taste which is natural to women, we lose the benefit of the impulsion which they would give to the liberal arts. Yet these arts require their applause. Enthusiastic admirers of beauty, eager in quest of novelty, women seem destined to keep alive the flame of inspiration which never exists apart from a lively sensibility; and if as artists the creative power is deficient in them, if (notwithstanding some brilliant successes) we cannot attribute to them any of the great works which are the glory of an age or a nation, they are, however, made to place themselves before and after the efforts of genius, first to suggest the undertaking, and then the finishing strokes.

In this, and in some other respects, the influence of estimable women offers, perhaps imperfectly, but still offers, some analogy to that of Christianity. The principle of this influence is less elevated, less thoroughly renewing, but some of its effects are similar. So we may attribute to the diminution of these two influences the evident diminution of happiness in the present day. We speak not of the perfect happiness which we are permitted to dream of, but not to find upon earth. That contentment which we may obtain here, includes the idea that we aim not at impossibilities, and thus resignation becomes one of its elements; but the words religious resignation are almost obliterated from the French language. A very different temper of mind is now indulged from that exhibited in the beautiful saying of St. Paul, " I have learned in whatsoever stale I am, therewith to be content ;" and the means used to stimulate advancement, is to make every one dissatisfied with