| Citation |
BEP(F.739.030
15 Oct 1739:11,12 (219)
From the Craftsman, of July 21, 1739. I look upon France as
the hot-bed to our English youth, where they are immaturely
ripen'd, and therefore soon become rotten and corrupt at
home. . . [1 para.]
Having mention'd the ladies, I must beg leave to make a
few remarks upon their education, and to lament the
extravagancies which are grown so fashionable amongst them .
. . [5 lines]
If we consider their modern education (which consists
chiefly in dancing, singing and dressing) we cannot be
surpriz'd at that early tincture of hereditary vanity, which
we see in the young ladies of Great Britain; nor is it any
wonder that little miss should jilt her playfellows, when
her mamma coquets it with half the town. . . [9 lines + 3
paras.]
One day, as Semiramis, Queen of Babylon, was sitting at
her toilette, and adjusting her coif, a messenger came into
her chamber in great haste, (which, by the bye was a little
impertinent, considering there were then no valets de
chambre) who inform'd her undress'd majesty that there was a
riot in the city, which requir'd her immediate presence to
quell it. . . [she ran out in her state of undress and
stopped it] The disposition of a few patches might have
lost many a faithful subject, and the powdering her hair
have tumbled the crown off her head. . . [1 para.]
But I would not be thought to recommend any such military
virtues to our modern polite ladies. These masculine
exploits were perform'd in ages, long before standing armies
were known amongst us, and when we were oblig'd to call in
the female power to our aid; before operas, balls,
masquerades, ridottos, oratorios, gaming, and luxury of
every kind, had put frugality out of countenance, and turn'd
industry into ridicule.----. . . [5 lines + 3 paras.]
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