Page:Elizabeth Elstob - An English-Saxon homily on the birth-day of St. Gregory.djvu/21

 ''Where this happens it is a Fault. But it is not the Fault of Learning, which rather polishes and refines our Nature, and teaches us that Method and Regularity, which disposes us to greater Readiness and Dexterity in all kinds of Business. I do not observe it so frequently objected against Womens Diversions, that They take them off from Houshold Affairs. Why therefore should those few among us, who are Lovers of Learning, altho' no better account cou'd be given of it than its being a Diversion, be deny'd the Benefit and Pleasure of it, which is both so innocent and improving. But perhaps most of these Persons mean no more than that it makes them neglect the Theatre, and long sittings at Play, or tedious Dressings, and visiting Days, and other Diversions, which steal away more time than are spent at Study.''

I shall not enter into any more of the Reasons why ''some Gentlemen are so eager to deny us this Privilege: I am more surpriz'd, and even asham'd, to find any of the Ladies even more violent than they, in carrying on the same Charge. Who despairing to arrive at any eminent or laudable degree of Knowledge, seem totally to abandon themselves to Ignorance, contenting themselves to fit down in Darkness, as if they either had not Reason, or it were not capable by being rightly cultivated, of bringing''