ematics, geology, or astronomy. The philosopher may point out the
deficient knowledge which his contender might have of the science; but, he
will never ask the impolite question, if he knows the science on which
they are discussing. Philosophy, now a days, is no more under the banner
of stoicism, peripateticism, cynism, or platonism, which were, at those
times, nothing better, than religious sects. In our days, every one, who
is able to demonstrate a truth, is a philosopher. And since the reasoning
faculties were given to woman as well as to man, I do not see why man
would not permit woman to reason as well as himself?

Once, being invited to an evening party in Virginia, I was so much pleased
in the conversation of a young lady, that, had I not seen many gentlemen
smiling and looking askance at us, I think the interesting subject we had
on hand, would have taken all our evening time, before we could arrive to
the conclusion of it: and nothing is more agreeable at an evening party,
when we have matter on hand to keep off the chilling silent look. But, as
the smiles at us, were too many, we postponed our subject for another
time. So, the young lady, turning to the next gentleman, who was very fond
of riding, spoke with him of his beautiful horse, and I went into the
adjoining room to drink with several gentlemen a glass of madeira. After
having drunk to our health, the gentlemen asked me if I had enough of the
learned young lady. I had not yet answered the question, when another
gentleman said, that he would not give three straws for all the learned
ladies of the world. I answered the gentlemen, that I was very much
pleased of her conversation; and could I spend every evening with ladies
like her, I would give up the practice of pouring out my sight on books,
because such conversations would give me more information, than what I
could get in my own closet.

It is a fact: while out of ten ladies you find nine, who know two modern
languages, besides their english; out of ten gentlemen, you can scarcely
find two. It is not because I teach the italian language that I praise the
study of languages; I praise my profession, because I think it the most
useful, and the most able to develop the faculties of human understanding.
I cannot deny that few american ladies, as gentlemen, study also
imperfectly the greek, and latin languages, and for which I do not see why
their parents do not wish rather, that their young ladies would stu