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Art. XXI. A Gossip's Story and a Legendary Tale. In Two Volumes. By the Author of Advantages of Education. pp. 451. 12mo. Longman. London, 1796.
The Gossip's Story before us is well told, and is a most excellent lesson of morality, delivered in a history of Mr Dudley and his two daughters, Louisa and Marianne. The evil attendant on yielding to a romantic turn of mind, is shewn, in striking colours, in the character of Marianne, who refuses the addresses of an amiable man, because he does not render himself ridiculous by acting the whining lover. Louisa, by adhering to the principles of duty and plain sense, attains the reward of virtue by becoming the wife of the man whom her sister has refused. Marianne marries also; but is led, by an affected sensibility, into many errors, which terminate in the indifference of her husband, and her own unhappiness.
Extracts
The Character of Marianne.
In her character I wish to exhibit the portrait of an amiable and ingenuous mind, solicitous to excel, and desirous to be happy, but destitute of natural vigour, or acquired stability; forming to itself a romantic standard, to which nothing human ever attained; perplexed by imaginary difficulties; sinking under fancied evils; destroying its [481] own peace by the very means which it takes to secure it; and acting with a degree of folly beneath the common level, through its desire of aspiring above the usual limits of female excellence.
MR Dudley's Sentiments respecting the Duty of a Wife
'You asked me if the name of wife and friend are incompatible. Certainly not. They are titles which mutually reflect lustre on each other; and I have ever considered that young woman as particularly fortunate, who had secured the esteem of some discreet matron, and regulated her conduct by the dictates of experience. I must, however, repeat, that a wife should retain no connexions which her husband decidedly disapproves. A prudent woman, indeed, will never form any which can give pain to a reasonable man. She will choose her friends with judgment, confide in them with caution, and love them with sincerity, yet still with moderation. You may think these limitations cold and narrow: they are such as you ought always to regard.'
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This is only a short sketch of the many excellencies with which these volumes abound. We recommend them to the perusal of all ladies who wish to become good wives and mothers. The style, too, is charming. [complete]
Provided by Julie A. Shaffer, January 2000
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