Letters on the Improvement of the Mind, Addressed to a Lady   By: Hester Chapone (1727-1801)

ADDRESSED TO A LADY.

BY MRS. CHAPONE.

WITH THE LIFE OF THE AUTHOR.

I consider an human Soul, without Education, like marble in the Quarry, which shows none of its inherent Beauties till the Skill of the Polisher fetches out the colours, makes the surface shine, and discovers every ornamental Cloud, Spot, and Vein, that runs through the Body of it. Education, after the same manner, when it works upon a noble Mind, draws out to view every latent Virtue and Perfection, which, without such Helps, are never able to make their Appearance.

ADDISON.

A New Edition.

LONDON :

Printed by Weed and Rider, Little Britain,

FOR SCATCHERD AND LETTERMAN, AVE MARIA LANE; LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN; CADELL AND DAVIES; F. C. AND J. RIVINGTON; SHERWOOD, NEELY, AND JONES; G. AND W. B. WHITTAKER; BALDWIN, CRADOCK, AND JOY; J. MAWMAN; J. HARRIS AND SONS; HARVEY AND DARTON; AND C. TAYLOR.

1820.

CONTENTS.

Letter Page

DEDICATION v

Life of Hester Chapone vii

I. On the first Principles of Religion 1

II. On the Study of the Holy Scriptures 15

III. The same Subject continued 34

IV. On the Regulation of the Heart and Affections 51

V. The same Subject continued 66

VI. On the Government of the Temper 98

VII. On Economy 121

VIII. On Politeness and Accomplishments 143

IX. On Geography and Chronology 170

X. On the Manner and Course of reading History 186

Conclusion 209

TO

MRS. MONTAGU .

MADAM,

I BELIEVE you are persuaded that I never entertained a thought of appearing in public, when the desire of being useful to one dear child, in whom I take the tenderest interest, induced me to write the following Letters: perhaps it was the partiality of friendship, which so far biassed your judgment as to make you think them capable of being more extensively useful, and warmly to recommend the publication of them. Though this partiality could alone prevent your judgment from being considered as decisive in favour of the work, it is more flattering to the writer than any literary fame; if, however, you will allow me to add, that some strokes of your elegant pen have corrected these Letters, I may hope, they will be received with an attention, which will insure a candid judgment from the reader, and perhaps will enable them to make some useful impressions on those, to whom they are now particularly offered.

They only, who know how your hours are employed, and of what important value they are to the good and happiness of individuals, as well as to the delight and improvement of the public, can justly estimate my obligation to you for the time and consideration you have bestowed on this little work. As you have drawn it forth, I may claim a sort of right to the ornament and protection of your name, and to the privilege of publicly professing myself, with the highest esteem,

MADAM,

Your much obliged friend, and most obedient humble servant,

HESTER CHAPONE.

LIFE OF HESTER CHAPONE .