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FENELON's TREATISE

ON THE

EDUCATION OF DAUGHTERS.




[Illustration: Woman reading to girl]

  _Delightful task! to rear the tender thought,
  To teach the young idea how to shoot._




  FENELON's TREATISE

  ON THE EDUCATION OF DAUGHTERS:

  _TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH_,

  AND

  ADAPTED TO ENGLISH READERS,

  With an Original Chapter,

  "On Religious Studies."


  BY THE REV. T. F. DIBDIN, B.A. F.A.S.

  Author of
  "_An Introduction to the Knowledge of the best Editions of
  the Greek and Latin Classics_," _&c._

  "Chaste and modest writings never alter the honour of any gentlewoman.
  For as the remembrance of infamous persons is much detested and hated
  by the _Muses_--so is the glory and renown of the virtuous installed
  by them in eternal memory for ever."
                       PASTORALS OF JULIETTA.  _Fol. Edit._ 1610.
                                _Pt. 3_, _p._ 88.

  So in this pilgrimage I would behold
  You, as you are--VIRTUE'S TEMPLE!
             DONNE'S POEMS.  _Edit._ 1650. _p._ 156.
                      [_To the Countess of Bedford._]


  _CHELTENHAM_:

  PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY H. RUFF: AND SOLD BY
  LONGMAN, HURST, REES AND ORME, LONDON.

  1805.


Entered at Stationers' Hall.




  TO
  HER GRACE GEORGIANA
  _DUCHESS OF BEDFORD_,
  WHOSE AMIABLE DISPOSITION,
  ACCOMPLISHED MANNERS,
  AND
  ELEVATED RANK,
  _RENDER HER_
  THE ESTEEM AND ADMIRATION
  OF
  _THE GREAT AND THE VIRTUOUS_,
  This small Tribute
  OF GRATITUDE AND RESPECT
  _IS DEDICATED_
  BY HER OBLIGED
  AND OBEDIENT HUMBLE SERVANT,

  H. RUFF.




PREFACE.


The Translation of the following Work was undertaken at the request of
Mr. RUFF, the Publisher, who wished me to paraphrase what I thought
might more particularly interest and edify the English reader.

It is dedicated, by the Publisher, to her Grace the DUCHESS OF BEDFORD
--and he is anxious that it may be found worthy of her patronage.

The original French work was first published in 1688; and the earliest
English translation appeared in 1707. This translation, which was by
Dr. Hickes, I have never seen. In the year 1797, another [anonymous]
English translation was printed at Hull, in a duodecimo volume. In this
performance there is so close an adherence to the idiom of the French
language, that almost every page abounds with gallicisms. It is not,
however, entirely destitute of merit; but it appears, on the whole,
to have been hastily executed for the purpose of ensuring a cheap and
extensive sale.

The present translation is offered to the public, with a full conviction
of its inadequacy to give a just idea of the beauty and force of the
original. The author of "_Telemaque_" and "_De l'Education des Filles_"
appears, on a comparison of these two performances, very