Acquaintance with History to inform us; nor is any thing more obvious
to observe than the power of Education. This matter yet has no where
been ordinarily look'd after, proportionably to the moment it is
visibly of: And even the most sollicitous about it, have usually
employ'd their care herein but by halves with respect to the Principal
Part in so great a concernment; for the information and improvement of
the Understanding by useful Knowledge, (a thing highly necessary to
the right regulation of the Manners) is commonly very little thought
of in reference to one whole Sex; even by those who in regard of the
other, take due care hereof. But to this omission in respect of one
Sex, it is manifestly very much to be attributed, that that pains
which is often bestow'd upon the other, does so frequently, as it
does, prove ineffectual: Since the actual assistance of Mothers, will
(generally speaking) be found necessary to the right forming of the
Minds of their Children of both Sexes; and the Impressions receiv'd in
that tender Age, which is unavoidably much of it passed among Women,
are of exceeding consequence to Men throughout the whole remainder of
their Lives, as having a strong and oftentimes unalterable influence
upon their future Inclinations and Passions.

As those Persons who afforded that agreeable Conversation I have
mention'd, were the greater part of them Ladies, it was not strange if
they express'd much displeasure at the too general neglect of the
Instruction of their Sex; a Reflection not easily to be avoided by
them, when their thoughts upon the miscarriages and unhappiness of
Mankind in general, terminated in a more peculiar Consideration of
that part which those of their own Condition had in the one, and the
other. Wherein the Conversation concluded where it had begun; the
occasion which introduced it having been the Enquiry of a Lady, What
was the Opinion of one in the Company concerning a Book Intitled