| Citation |
PG-P.730.039
7-14 May 1730:11,12,21,22 (78)
The Plain Dealer. No. 4.
Look round the habitable world how few
Know their own good! or knowing it pursue!
How void of reason are our hopes and fears!
What in the conduct of our life appears
So well design'd, so luckily begun,
But when we have our wish, we wish undone? [ signed] Dryd.
Juv.
In my second paper, I intimated my design of improving
the fair sex, by giving some finishing touches to them who
are already the most beautiful pieces in human nature: . . .
[1 column, advice to women, pointing out their "defects" and
criticising their activities, followed by an allegory of a
country woman and a fairy who offers choice of beauty and
unhappiness or plainness and content for her baby. She
chooses beauty. The baby grows up.]
She was of a ready apprehension; and soon learned every
thing so as to excel her teachers. Every holiday, she
danced upon the green with a superior grace to any of her
companions. Her voice was sweeter than any shepherd's pipe;
and she made the songs, which she used to sing . . . [2
columns, is discovered by Prince, made Queen, betrayed by
Queen-mother, rescued by fairy and returned to village.]
She frequently heard people relate, and lament over her
adventures: songs were made upon them, which drew tears from
all eyes: she often took a pleasure in singing those songs
with her companions and would often weep with the rest. But
still she thought herself happy with her little flock; and
was never once tempted to discover her self to any of her
acquaintance.
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