s, or
drown them in a stream of mohair. The heroic writers may
work of battles as successfully, and inflame them with
gold, or stain them with crimson. Even those who have
only a turn to a song or an epigram, may put many
valuable stitches into a purse, and crowd a thousand
graces into a pair of garters.

"If I may, without breach of good manners, imagine that
any pretty creature is void of genius, and would
perform her part herein but very awkwardly, I must
nevertheless insist upon her working, if it be only to
keep her out of harm's way.

"Another argument for busying good women in works of
fancy is, because it takes them off from scandal, the
usual attendant of tea-tables and all other inactive
scenes of life. While they are forming their birds and
beasts, their neighbours will be allowed to be the
fathers of their own children, and Whig and Tory will be
but seldom mentioned where the great dispute is, whether
blue or red is now the proper colour. How much greater
glory would Sophronia do the general if she would choose
rather to work the battle of Blenheim in tapestry than
signalise herself with so much vehemence against those
who are Frenchmen in their hearts!

"A third reason I shall mention is, the profit that is
brought to the family when these pretty arts are
encouraged. It is manifest that this way of life not
only keeps fair ladies from running out into expenses,
but is at the same time an actual improvement.

"How memorable would that matron be, who shall have it
subscribed upon her monument, 'She that wrought out the
whole Bible in tapestry, and died in a good old age,
after having covered 300 yards of wall in the Mansion
House!'

"The premises being considered, I humbly submit the
following proposals to all mothers in Great Britain:--

"1. That no young virgin whatsoever be allowed to
receive the addresses of her first lover, but in a suit
of her own embroidering.

"2. That before every fresh humble servant she shall be
obliged to appear with a new stomacher at the least.

"3. That no one be actually married until she hath the
child-bed pillows, &c., ready stitched, as likewise the
mantle for the boy quite finished.

"These laws, if I mistake not, would effectually restore
the decayed art of needlework, and make