The Online Library of Liberty

A project of Liberty Fund, Inc.

• To M. Talleyrand-pÉrigord Late Bishop of Autuna
• Advertisement
• Introduction
• Chapter I: The Rights and Involved Duties of Mankind Considered
• Chapter II: The Prevailing Opinion of a Sexual Character Discussed
• Chapter III: The Same Subject Continued
• Chapter IV: Observations On the State of Degradation to Which Woman Is Reduced By Various Causes
• Chapter V: Animadversions On Some of the Writers Who Have Rendered Women Objects of Pity, Bordering On Contempt
• Chapter VI: The Effect Which an Early Association of Ideas Has Upon the Character
• Chapter VII: Modesty %u2013 Comprehensively Considered, and Not As a Sexual Virtue
• Chapter VIII: Morality Undermined By Sexual Notions of the Importance of a Good Reputation
• Chapter IX: Of the Pernicious Effects Which Arise From the Unnatural Distinctions Established In Society
• Chapter X: Parental Affection
• Chapter XI: Duty to Parents
• Chapter XII: On National Education
• Chapter XIII: Some Instances of the Folly Which the Ignorance of Women Generates; With Concluding Reflections On the Moral Improvement That a Revolution In Female Manners Might Naturally Be Expected to Produce

ADVERTISEMENT

When I began to write this work, I divided it into three parts, supposing that one volume would contain a full discussion of the arguments which seemed to me to rise naturally from a few simple principles, but fresh illustrations ocurring as I advanced, I now present only the first part to the public.

Many subjects, however, which I have cursorily alluded to, call for particular investigation, especially the laws relative to women, and the consideration of their peculiar duties. These will furnish ample matter for a second volume, which in due time will be published, to elucidate some of the sentiments, and complete many of the sketches begun in the first.^a