species of activity that might excite their ambition with propriety?
Without diminishing their grace, softness, or delicacy, might not they
cultivate their minds? Do you think ignorance, as well as indolence, an
amiable defect, essential to the female character?"

"Not essential. You do not, I hope, imagine that I am so much prejudiced
in favour of my countrywomen, that I can neither see nor feel the
superiority in _some instances_ of European cultivation? I speak only in
general."

"And in general," said Lady Anne Percival, "does Mr. Vincent wish to
confine our sex to the bliss of ignorance?"

"If it be bliss," said Mr. Vincent, "what reason would they have for
complaint?"

"_If_," said Belinda; "but that is a question which you have not yet
decided."

"And how can we decide it?" said Mr. Vincent, "The taste and feelings of
individuals must be the arbiters of their happiness."

"You leave reason quite out of the question, then," said Mr. Percival,
"and refer the whole to taste and feeling? So that if the most ignorant
person in the world assert that he is happier than you are, you are bound
to believe him."

"Why should not I?" said Mr. Vincent.

"Because," said Mr. Percival, "though he can judge of his own pleasures,