| Citation |
BG.740.002
17-24 Mar 1740:11,12,22 (1052)
From a late magazine, In the war which is proclaim'd
against Spain should become general and very destructive,
the following scheme by a lady, who is a new correspondent,
will probably meet with attention, and perhaps that calamity
may be the only means to restrain luxury, and restore
frugality.
A new method for making women as useful and as capable of
maintaining themselves, as the men are, and consequently
preventing their becoming old maids, or taking ill courses.
By a lady.
This is the misfortune of this nation that the most part of
our gentlemen and tradesmen bring up their daughters at a
boarding school, where miss is taught to work a cushion, or
a picture, in seven years, a little dancing, and French,
with English and writing, which she is never made perfect
in. . .
[21, para.3:] Let all gentlemen who have several
daughters, and tradesmen, who can't give above 1000 or
1500l. a piece to their daughters, and some who are able to
give no more than two or three hundred pound, on the
interest of which no woman can live genteelly, and still
less if interest should be lower'd; let such, I say, take
care their daughters be taught the most useful part of
needle work, all the arts of oeconomy, writing, and book-
keeping, with enough of dancing and French to give them a
graceful early freedom both of discourse and behaviour; And
when they have acquire'd these necessary accomplishments in
some degree of perfection, let them at the age of fifteen or
sixteen be put apprentices to genteel and easy trades, such
as linnen or woollen drapers, haberdashers of small wares,
mercers, glovers, perfumers, grocers, confectioners,
retailers of gold and silver lace, buttons, &c. . .
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