,
THE AUTHOR.

THE YOUNG MAIDEN.

Chapter I.

THE CAPACITIES OF WOMAN.

The appropriate sphere of woman--how ascertained. By considering
her Intellectual, Moral, and Physical Constitution; by a view of
the Scripture teachings on this point; by a reference to History,
observation, and experience. The women of Babylon. Patriotism of
Phoenician women. Grecians and Romans. Modern Pagan Women.
Occupations and Habits of Christian females friendly to
improvement. State of Society, especially in this country,
favorable. Effect of Chivalry on woman. The division of Duties
between the sexes, and their Mutual Influence demand separate
spheres. Woman should not engage in severe Physical toil. Milton's
opinion. Nor in Political life. Plato's theory. Nor in promiscuous
public Discussions. Home one part of her sphere. Private
Beneficence. The Statue of ivory better than that of brass.
Society requires Woman's presence. Lord Halifax's a good view of
Female capacities.

Before entering on any statement of duties, it is incumbent on us to
determine what power there is to perform them. An angel's task may not
be laid on a mere mortal. It is only where many talents have been given,
that great returns can justly be required. Nor should our requisitions
fall below the powers of those of whom they are made. We may not claim
simply a child's service, where the ability of a giant clearly exists.
Achilles would spurn the light offices of Adonis. So will that woman,
who regards her sex as co-equal in every part of their nature, with the
opposite sex, contemn the delicate tasks, usually termed feminine.

Much is said in our age and country of the appropriate sphere of woman.
The discussion of that point is too interesting and too important to be
passed over in this work, but the consideration of it involves another,
viz., What are her Natural Capacities? How does she compare with, and
wherein differ from man? This topic seems a fit introduction to what may
follow in our survey of the wide field now open before us.

The capacities of woman may be ascertained by the study of her Physical,
Intellectual, and Moral constitution; by the disclosures of the Sacred
Scriptures; and by a reference to History, observation and experience.

1. The Physical Constitution of woman is peculiar. In barbarous nations
she has often been subjected to the same manual exertions