'An Abraham Man (hence to "Sham-Abraham") is he that walketh bare-armed and bare-legged, and feigneth himself mad, and carryeth a pack of wool, or a stick with a bauble on it, or such-like toy, and nameth himself "Poor Tom."'
AN ESSAY IN DEFENCE OF THE FEMALE SEX.
DEDICATED TO THE PRINCESS ANNE OF DENMARK.
As this book does not bear the reputation of being generally familiar, we give a slight sketch of its contents. The vitality of a work depends in so large a degree on the estimation which its subject happens to secure at the date of publication, that, as a rule, it may be held when a book is forgotten, or extinguished before its first spark of life has time to catch popular attention, the fault is its own, and, being buried, it is a charity to allow its last rest to remain undisturbed. We are inclined to believe, however, that this little treatise forms an exception. The 'Essay in Defence of the Female Sex' is written by a lady. The third edition, which now comes under our consideration as having formed one of the works in Thackeray's library (illustrated with original little sketches of the characters dealt with by their authors), was published in 1697, at the signs of the 'Black Boy' and the 'Peacock,' both in Fleet Street. The authoress disclaims any participation in a brace of verses which appear on its title:—
'Since each is fond of his own ugly face,
Why should you, when we hold it, break the glass?'
Prol. to 'Sir F. Flutter.'
The second couplet appears under an engraving of the 'Compleat Beau,' an elaborate creation adjusting his curls with a simper, whilst a left-handed barber bestows a finishing puff from his powder-box:—
'This vain gay thing set up for man,