Page:Elizabeth Elstob - An English-Saxon homily on the birth-day of St. Gregory.djvu/20

 ''share in condemning and despising all that does not immediately tend, as they imagine, to their own Honour or Advantage. Those who set up for Censurers under the former of these Characters, are obliged to declare universally against all kinds of Learning, that Ignorance may seem not to be an inconsiderable thing. And yet I cannot help thinking all such, not to deserve to be confider'd. Those who please themselves with an Opinion of their own extraordinary Wit or Learning, usually think themselves obliged to overlook all that they do not know themselves, as useless, and impertinent. So that it is not a difficult Matter to foresee, what kind of reception a Work of this Nature will meet with, from this kind of Persons.''

''For first, I know it will be said, What has a Woman to do with Learning? This I have known urged by some Men, with an Envy unbecoming that greatness of Soul, which is said to dignify their Sex. For if Women may be said to have Souls, and that their Souls are their better part, and that what is Best deserves our greatest Care for its Improvement; furthermore, if good Learning be one of the Soul's greatest Improvements, we must retort the Question. Where is the Fault in Womens seeking after Learning? why are they not to be valu'd for acquiring to themselves the noblest Ornaments? what hurt can this be to themselves? what Disadvantage to others? But there are two things usually opposed against Womens Learning. That it makes them impertinent, and neglect their houshold Affairs.''