Mag. Nay, there’s the least Danger from that Quarter according to your Way of Working; because you take all the Pains you can not to know any Thing of Latin.

Ant. The common People are of my Mind, because it is such a rare unusual Thing for a Woman to understand Latin.

Mag. What do you tell me of the common People for, who are the worst Examples in the World that can be follow’d.  What have I to do with Custom, that is the Mistress of all evil Practices?  We ought to accustom ourselves to the best Things:  And by that Means, that which was uncustomary would become habitual, and that which was unpleasant would become pleasant; and that which seemed unbecoming would look graceful.

Ant. I hear you.

Mag. Is it becoming a German Woman to learn to speak French.

Ant. Yes it is.

Mag. Why is it?

Ant. Because then she will be able to converse with those that speak French.

Mag. And why then is it unbecoming in me to learn Latin, that I may be able daily to have Conversation with so many eloquent, learned and wise Authors, and faithful Counsellors?

Ant. Books destroy Women’s Brains, who have little enough of themselves.

Mag. What Quantity of Brains you have left I cannot tell:  And as for myself, let me have never so little, I had rather spend them in Study, than in Prayers mumbled over without the Heart going along with them, or sitting whole Nights in quaffing off Bumpers.

Ant. Bookishness makes Folks mad.

Mag. And does not the Rattle of your Pot-Companions, your Banterers, and Drolls, make you mad?

Ant. No, they pass the Time away.

Mag. How can it be then, that such pleasant Companions should make me mad?

Ant. That’s the common Saying.

Mag. But I by Experience find quite the contrary.  How many more do we see grow mad by hard drinking, unseasonable feasting, and sitting up all Night tippling, which destroys the Constitution and Senses, and has made People mad?

Ant. By my Faith, I would not have a learned Wife.

Mag. But I bless myself, that I have gotten a Husband that is not like yourself.  Learning both endears him to me, and me to him.

Ant. Learning costs a great Deal of Pains to get, and after all we must die.

Mag. Notable Sir, pray tell me, suppose you were to die to-Morrow, had you rather die a Fool or a wise Man?

Ant. Why, a wise Man, if I could come at it without taking Pains.

Mag. But there is nothing to be attained in this Life without Pains; and yet, let us get what we will, and what Pains soever we are at to attain it, we must leave it behind us:  Why then should we think much to be at some Pains for the most precious Thing of all, the Fruit of which will bear us Company unto another Life.