and that you could name some of them that talk much better than several Gentlemen that make a Figure at Will’s:  This may possibly be, and no great Compliment, in my Opinion, even supposing your Comparison to reach Tom’s and the Grecian:  Surely you are too wise to think That a Real Commendation of a Woman.  Were it not rather to be wished we improved in our own Sphere, and approved our selves better Daughters, Wives, Mothers, and Friends?

I can’t but agree with the Judicious Trader in Cheapside (though I am not at all prejudiced in his Favour) in recommending the Study of Arithmetick; and must dissent even from the Authority which you mention, when it advises the making our Sex Scholars.  Indeed a little more Philosophy, in order to the Subduing our Passions to our Reason, might be sometimes serviceable, and a Treatise of that Nature I should approve of, even in exchange for Theodosius, or The Force of Love; but as I well know you want not Hints, I will proceed no further than to recommend the Bishop of Cambray’s Education of a Daughter, as ’tis translated into the only Language I have any Knowledge of, [2] tho’ perhaps very much to its Disadvantage.  I have heard it objected against that Piece, that its Instructions are not of general Use, but only fitted for a great Lady; but I confess I am not of that Opinion; for I don’t remember that there are any Rules laid down for the Expences of a Woman, in which Particular only I think a Gentlewoman ought to differ from a Lady of the best Fortune, or highest Quality, and not in their Principles of Justice, Gratitude, Sincerity, Prudence, or Modesty.  I ought perhaps to make an Apology for this long Epistle; but as I rather believe you a Friend to Sincerity, than Ceremony, shall only assure you I am, T. SIR, Your most humble Servant_, Annabella.

[Footnote 1:  Seneca, Citation omitted also in the early reprints.]

[Footnote 2:  Fenelon was then living.  He died in 1715, aged 63.]

* * * * *

No. 96 Wednesday, June 20, 1711.  Steele.

      ...  Amicum
      Mancipium domino, et frugi ...

      Hor.

  Mr. SPECTATOR,

I have frequently read your Discourse upon Servants, and, as I am one my self, have been much offended that in that Variety of Forms wherein you considered the Bad, you found no Place to mention the Good.  There is however one Observation of yours I approve, which is, That there are Men of Wit and good Sense among all Orders of Men; and that Servants report most of the Good or Ill which is spoken of their Masters.  That there are Men of Sense who live in Servitude, I have the Vanity to say I have felt to my woful Experience.  You attribute very justly the Source of our general Iniquity to Board-Wages, and the Manner of living out of a domestick Way:  But I cannot give you