policy--such as _Joan of Naples_, the _Maid of Orleans,
Catherine de Medicis, Margaret of Mountfort, Madame Dacier, Mrs Behn, Mrs
Manly, Mrs Stephens_, Doctor of Physic, _Mrs Mapp_, Surgeon, the valiant
_Mrs Ross_, Dragoon, and the learned _Mrs Osborne_, Politician. I had
almost forgot the present Queen of _Spain_, who hath not only an absolute
ascendant over the counsels of her _husband_, but hath often outwitted the
_greatest statesmen_, as they fancy themselves, of _another kingdom_,
which hath already felt the effects of her _petticoat government_.

"If we look back into history, a thousand more instances might be brought
of the same kind; but I think those already mentioned sufficient to prove,
that the best capacities of _our sex_ are by no means inferior to the best
capacities _of yours_; and the triflers of _either sex_ are not designed
to be the subject of this letter. But much as _our sex_ are obliged to you,
in general, for your proposal, I have one material objection against it;
for I think you have carried the point a little too far, by excluding _all
males_ from the enjoyment of any office, dignity, or employment; for as
they have long engrossed the public administration of the government to
themselves, (a few women only excepted,) I am apprehensive that they will
be loth to part with it, and that if they give us power for _seven years_,
it will be very difficult to get it out of our hands again. I have,
therefore, thought of the following expedient, which will almost answer
the same purpose--viz. that all power, both _legislative and executive,
ecclesiastical and civil_, may be divided among _both sexes_; and that
they may be equally capable of sitting in Parliament. Is it not absurd
that _women_ in _England_ should be capable of inheriting _the crown_, and
yet not intrusted with the representation of a _little borough_, or so
much as allowed to vote for a representative? Is this consistent with the
rights of a _people_, which certainly includes both _men and women_,
though the latter have been generally deprived of their privileges in all
countries? I don't mean that the people should be obliged to choose
_women_ only, as I said before, for that would be equally hard upon the
_men_--but that the _electors_ should be left at their own liberty; for it
is certainly a restraint upon the _freedom of elections_, that whatever
regard a _corporation_ may have for a _man of quality's family_, if he
happened to hav