If so many women preserve a judgment which is proof against temptation, in spite of universal prejudice, in spite of the bad education of girls, what would their judgment have been, had it been strengthened by suitable instruction, or rather left unaffected by evil teaching, for to preserve or restore the natural feelings is our main business?  You can do this without preaching endless sermons to your daughters, without crediting them with your harsh morality.  The only effect of such teaching is to inspire a dislike for the teacher and the lessons.  In talking to a young girl you need not make her afraid of her duties, nor need you increase the burden laid upon her by nature.  When you explain her duties speak plainly and pleasantly; do not let her suppose that the performance of these duties is a dismal thing—­away with every affectation of disgust or pride.  Every thought which we desire to arouse should find its expression in our pupils, their catechism of conduct should be as brief and plain as their catechism of religion, but it need not be so serious.  Show them that these same duties are the source of their pleasures and the basis of their rights.  Is it so hard to win love by love, happiness by an amiable disposition, obedience by worth, and honour by self-respect?  How fair are these woman’s rights, how worthy of reverence, how dear to the heart of man when a woman is able to show their worth!  These rights are no privilege of years; a woman’s empire begins with her virtues; her charms are only in the bud, yet she reigns already by the gentleness of her character and the dignity of her modesty.  Is there any man so hard-hearted and uncivilised that he does not abate his pride and take heed to his manners with a sweet and virtuous girl of sixteen, who listens but says little; her bearing is modest, her conversation honest, her beauty does not lead her to forget her sex and her youth, her very timidity arouses interest, while she wins for herself the respect which she shows to others?

These external signs are not devoid of meaning; they do not rest entirely upon the charms of sense; they arise from that conviction that we all feel that women are the natural judges of a man’s worth.  Who would be scorned by women? not even he who has ceased to desire their love.  And do you suppose that I, who tell them such harsh truths, am indifferent to their verdict?  Reader, I care more for their approval than for yours; you are often more effeminate than they.  While I scorn their morals, I will revere their justice; I care not though they hate me, if I can compel their esteem.