Page:Vindication Women's Rights (Wollstonecraft).djvu/117

Rh and that all the power they obtain, mut be obtained by their charms and weaknes:

And, made by this amiable weaknes entirely dependent, excepting what they gain by illicit way, on man, not only for protection, but advice, is it urpriing that, neglecting the duties that reaon alone points out, and hrinking from trials calculated to trengthen their minds, they only exert themelves to give their defeats a graceful covering, which may erve to heighten their charms in the eye of the voluptuary, though it ink them below the cale of moral excellence?

Fragile in every ene of the word, they are obliged to look up to man for every comfort. In the mot trifling dangers they cling to their upport, with paraitical tenacity, piteouly demanding uccour; and their natural protector extends his arm, or lifts up his voice, to guard the lovely trembler—from what? Perhaps the frown of an old cow, or the jump of a moue; a rat, would be a erious danger. In the name of reaon, and even common ene, what can ave uch beings from contempt; even though they be oft and fair?

Thee fears, when not affected, may be very pretty; but they hew a degree of imbecility that degrades a rational creature in a way women are not aware of—for love and eteem are very ditinct things.

I am fully peruaded that we hould hear of none of thee infantile airs, if girls were allowed to take ufficient exercie, and not confined in cloe rooms&ensp;