Difficulties in the way of woman's studies. - Method indis- pensable in study. — Three principal points in study: -I. Com- prehension; difficulties; careless readers. How to read. — II. To form Opinion on what we read. — Reading critically. - Cau- tion against hasty opinions. - III. Retention Assistance to be derived from the influence of association on memory. - Works of reference. Advantage derived from the practice of writing. - Natural division of subjects; essentials and non-essentials. Study of Scripture. - Mathematics. Interest of Science. Desire of knowledge; a natural impulse requires cultivation. - Its influence on the mind. - Low state in the present day. - CHAPTER XIII. CULTURE OF THE IMAGINATION. Importance of imagination. —Not cultivated in education.. Repressed in English society. 391 Effect on character when it is Its evil influence on wanting. Sympathy, tact, and influence. women when not duly cultivated - Day dreams, morbid feelings. - - - - Love of the beautiful. - Beauty of nature. - Art. How to cultivate imagination; com- - Accomplishments.— CHAPTER XIV. RELIGION - Object of this chapter to consider essential principles of Chris- - - - - General method of - study. Definite object in study. — The 417 THOUGHTS ON SELF-CULTURE. CHAPTER I. PART I. GENERAL VIEW OF WOMAN'S POSITION AND INFLUENCE. THROUGHOUT the many changes that woman's social position has undergone in past and present times, its importance has never been wholly overlooked. The condition of woman may vary from slavery and degradation, to refinement and freedom, according to the age or country we consider; but the Asiatic who dreads her emancipation, the savage who enforces her labor, or the enlightened European who seeks in her a companion and friend, all alike, with hope or with fear, tacitly or avowedly, acknowledge the vital consequence of the position she occupies. An able writer of our own day has spent much research in tracing through the various phases of human society the influence of different institutions and forms of civilization upon woman's position, as an introduction to considering that position in the present day. To her brilliant sketch we refer our readers as establishing more clearly than any reasoning could prove it, the constant and inevitable reaction upon society of the different modes of estimating woman's condition and influence.* When we have traced this reaction upon the stern patriotism * Woman's Rights and Duties, Vol. I., first four chapters. of Sparta or Rome, on the polished and licentious freedom of Athens, on the voluptuous barbarism of the East, and on savage life wherever it exists; when we have followed it through the changes effected by the spread of Christianity and the successive developments of modern civilization; through the rude chivalry of feudal times, the corruption of subsequent periods, and the dawn of an age of better knowledge, we shall more fully understand how necessary it is, in all schemes of moral and social reform, to consider first what position women hold in the social system, and the nature of the power they exercise. In our own day, if we consider woman's external position only, it is still one of entire subjection. To judge from the rights conceded to her by law in our own country, she seems scarcely to have been considered worthy to attract the attention of the legislator. In estimating public opinions, her opinions. are passed over in silence; in questions that most nearly concern herself, her claims are unheard in the national councils; whenever her interests clash with those of men, they must at once give way in every thing she is subordinate and powerless. But if we look more closely, we find her armed with a power which man can neither cast off nor abridge, for it springs from her natural position towards him, which cannot be altered whatever be the outward forms of society. The source of this indestructible influence lies deep in the passions and affections of men, and its empire not only moulds the child from the cradle, but sways the man throughout the period when his mind is most active and his feelings most ardent. For good or for evil, the power thus exerted must be immense, corrupting and enervating, or refining and ennobling men; training in a new generation the worthless and selfish qualities, or breathing into them the spirit of a more earnest usefulness, and a higher patriotism. By this influence given to women, the Creator provided against their sinking into the mere passive instruments of man's will. They must, indeed, depend on his power, but whatever he forces them to become, the effect will inevitably, through the influence he cannot prevent, react upon himself, to punish |