have been genteelly brought up, how
can they, when family connexions are dissolved, support themselves? A
man can rise in a profession, and if he acquires wealth in a trade, can
get above it, and be respected. A woman is looked upon as demeaning
herself, if she gains a maintenance by her needle, or by domestic
attendance on a superior; and without them where has she a retreat?

You speak, good Mrs. Reeves, said Sir Charles, as if you would join with
Dr. Bartlett and me in wishing the establishment of a scheme we have
often talked over, though the name of it would make many a lady start.
We want to see established in every county, Protestant Nunneries, in
which single women of small or no fortunes might live with all manner of
freedom, under such regulations as it would be a disgrace for a modest or
good woman not to comply with, were she absolutely on her own hands; and
to be allowed to quit it whenever they pleased.

Well, brother, said Lady G----, and why could you not have got all this
settled a fortnight ago, (you that can carry every point,) and have made
poor me a lady abbess?

You are still better provided for, my sister. But let the doctor and me
proceed with our scheme. The governesses or matrons of the society I
would have to be women of family, of unblamable characters from infancy,
and noted equally for their prudence, good-nature, and gentleness of
manners. The attendants, for the slighter services, should be the
hopeful female children of the honest industrious poor.

Do you not, ladies, imagine, said Dr. Bartlett, that such a society as
this, all women of unblemished reputation, employing themselves as each,
(consulting her own genius,) at her admission, shall undertake to employ
herself, and supported genteelly, some at more, some at less expense to
the foundation, according to their circumstances, might become a national
good; and particularly a seminary for good wives, and the institution a
stand for virtue, in an age given up to luxury, extravagance, and
amusements little less than riotous?

How could it be supported? said Lord W----.

Many of the persons, of which each community would consist, would be, I
imagine, replied Sir Charles, no expense to it at all; as numbers of
young women, joining their small fortunes, might be able, in such a
society, to maintain themselves genteelly on their own income; though
each, singly in the world, would be distressed. Besides, liberty might
be given for wiv