The conduct of both sexes, when mixed in what are generally termed parties, can only be known by the person who actually views it. How then am I (who had not received the breath of life in 1758) to draw a faithful picture of the manners of that period? There is but one way, quotation from contemporary moralists. The Craftsman says, "A Frenchman has no more idea of a party of pleasure without ladies, than an Englishman can entertain the least conception of enjoying himself until they retreat. From those opposite dispositions it arises, that the first introduces himself with a becoming unconcern into company, and master of that bienseance which distinguishes the gentleman, and performs all offices of life without the least embarrassment; whereas nothing is more common among us, than to find gentlemen of family and fortune, who know nothing of the fair sex but what they have collected from the most abandoned part of it, and can scarce reckon a virtuous family within
the scope of their whole acquaintance. It is not unpleasant to observe one of this class, when chance or necessity has brought him in a room with ladies of reputation. An awkward restraint hangs about him, and he is almost afraid to speak, lest he should inadvertently bolt out something, which, though extremely suitable to the dialect of Covent-garden, would be grossly offensive to those females who had not received their rudiments of education in that seminary. The gloom that hangs over an English company while the ladies remain, and the reciprocal restraint that each sex seems to be upon the other, has been frequently a subject of ludicrous observation to foreigners; and, indeed, the fair-ones themselves, though natives, and to the manner born, frequently express astonishment, what mysteries the men can have to celebrate, so opposite to those of the bona dea, that no female must be present at the ceremony.
"At the same time that I condemn my countrymen for separating themselves from those who have the art of refining every joy this world affords; I am sorry to be obliged to observe, that the ladies themselves do in some measure contribute to this great evil. The scandalous practice so prevalent at present of giving up their whole thoughts as well as time to cards, has made the company of women, pardon the expression, extremely insipid to those who would willingly
consider them as rational creatures, and do not depend upon superior skill in the game of whist for a subsistence. Is it to be imagined that a man, whose mind is the least raised above the vulgar, will devote that time which he may employ in conversing agreeably, either with the dead or the living, to those assemblies, where no ideas enter beyond the respective excellences of Garrick and Cibber; and the several possible cases so profoundly calculated by the incomparable Mr. Hoyle? Yet, from declining these places, I know many intimate friends who have acquired the odious character of women-haters; though at the same time they entertain the highest esteem for that amiable sex, and sincerely regret that the tyrant Fashion has put it out of their power to enjoy more of their company than a bare view of their persons, agitated by the various and uncertain revolutions of Fortune's wheel."
EDUCATION OF YOUTH.
Foreigners very justly conceive that a double advantage may be accomplished in teaching their languages to youth and adults, by introducing them into their families; the latter pronounce nothing but what is to be acquired, and the teacher obtains a handsome sum for lodgings and board. It may be supposed that this was a modern invention. Who is there that doth not recollect the Advertisements of Monsieur Du
M——d; but Monsieur Switterda precedes him a whole century; and proves that the rage for acquiring French was in full vigour when our grandfathers were infants. "Mr. Switterda has lately given, in the Postman, a very kind and candid invitation to the nobility and gentry to learn of him to speak Latin, French, and High Dutch fluently, with as good grace as if it were natural to them, and no wise pednatick, according to Grammar rules, and to explain any author, as Erasmus, C. Nepos, &c.; but few noblemen and ladies of quality have taken notice of his proposals, which, if he had sent them in any Country beyond Sea, had been well accepted, to his great advantage. He intends to dispose of two Copper-plates, containing the grounds of the Latin tongue. Those who will study in Divinity, Law, or Physick, may but come twice a-week to him to learn Latin. He can be aspersed by none, but by slanderous and interested persons, who have need to lodge a competent dose of hellebore in themselves. Youth may board with him at his house in Arundel-street, next to the Temple passage, where you may have the grounds of the Latin tongue in three sheets of paper, or grammatical, and Latin and French historical cards, and a packet to learn Copiam Verborum and Syntaxim ornatam. He teacheth also in Drury-lane, within two doors of the Dog-tavern, at Mr. Peache's house, or at any place where
ladies and gentlemen will appoint him, if it be worth his acceptance. Thursdays and Saturdays, from five till eight, he teacheth at the Cock and Bottle in the Strand, next to Salisbury-street. Invidiam solertia et virtute vincam." 1699.
Ladies boarding-schools were in high reputation at the same period, and had been so for many years before. Mrs. Bellpine, daughter to Mr. La Marre, a French Minister, who had kept one for thirty years, hired Mary-le-bon house, near the church, where she professed to teach every thing then taught in boarding-schools, together with musick, dancing, and singing.
Observers frequently attacked the general system of female education, and as frequently exposed the frivolous pursuits taught in the various schools near the Metropolis; even in the year 1759, two or three houses might be seen in almost every village, with the inscription, "Young Ladies boarded and educated," where every description of tradesmen sent their children to be instructed, not in the useful attainments necessary for humble life, but the arts of coquetry and self-consequence—in short, those of a young lady. The person who received the children had then the sounding title of Governess; and French and Dancing-masters prepared the girl for the hour when contempt for her parents' deficiencies was to be substituted for affection and respect. Instead of reading their native language with