Mary Ann Radcliffe

Name: The Female Advocate — Introduction
Author: Mary Ann Radcliffe

The Female Advocate — Introduction (1799)

Summary

“The Female Advocate — Introduction”, published in 1799, is a work by Mary Ann Radcliffe. It explores elements such as protection, generality of women and undertaking.

Quotes from The Female Advocate — Introduction (Mary Ann Radcliffe)

Mary Ann Radcliffe, The Female Advocate — Introduction (1799)

“ Therefore I am led to keep firmly to the assertion, that it is not power, but protection, which is required; for the generality of women, natives of this country, are so perfectly tamed, either through custom or compulsive submission, that, let but the lenient hand of protection be stretched out to their aid, and, doubtless, content and happiness will resume their seat, and cheerfulness form the leading feature, to bespeak the tranquillity of those souls, which have been so long depressed. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Mary Ann Radcliffe, The Female Advocate — Introduction (1799)

“ It must be allowed, however, when custom has given permanency to any practice, however evil in its tendency, it is next to impossible to effect its removal, or to succeed in any reasonable claim; therefore I contend not with the lords of the creation, for any other privilege than that protection, which they themselves avow to be the real rights of women. I would not have it understood, that the generality of women, any more than men, are incapable of acquiring the same degree of knowledge and improvement in literature ”

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Source: Wikisource

Mary Ann Radcliffe, The Female Advocate — Introduction (1799)

“ But these advantages, in Britain, being monopolized by the male sex, permit me to ask, if it is not their duty, at least, to afford protection in their stead; for, surely, if they refuse to protect, they have no right whatever to govern. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Mary Ann Radcliffe, The Female Advocate — Introduction (1799)

“ LET not the fair fame of this country be tarnished with an unnoticed appeal; in particular, an appeal of such magnitude as to involve, at once, the peace, the happiness, and the welfare of every individual. The author's design is by no means to contend for power, but protection for this oppressed people; imagining that to be the firmest basis on which to establish the happiness of both sexes. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Mary Ann Radcliffe, The Female Advocate — Introduction (1799)

“ A serious statement of facts, it is to be hoped, will be productive of good to great numbers, who would be happy to relieve their fellow-creatures, but whose exalted situations in life too generally preclude them the opportunity of obtaining a knowledge of the real wants of the wretched, or the causes of their sufferings ”

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Source: Wikisource

Mary Ann Radcliffe, The Female Advocate — Introduction (1799)

“ Many excellent charities this country supports, and many worthy individuals seem to exult in stepping forward to the aid of the distressed; nor is it to be doubted, that many more would as cheerfully contribute in support of the still unfortunate and oppressed, were they made acquainted with the real objects: but, alas! when keen adversity strikes its pointed dart into the bosom of the afflicted, the pain is too great to admit of an explanation ”

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Source: Wikisource

Mary Ann Radcliffe, The Female Advocate — Introduction (1799)

“ Nor is there a doubt, were a similar enquiry to take place, it would as soon be solved; for what undertaking is too bold for man to attempt, when a restoration of happiness to his fellow creatures is the object. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Mary Ann Radcliffe, The Female Advocate — Introduction (1799)

“ It seems, however, very necessary to call in some able assistants, and consequently I make my appeal to reason, justice, and truth, which, in checking the spirit of malevolence, should it rear its hydra head to the prejudice of the cause, will also be the means of shielding the writer from the common censure which the narrow-minded, in general, bestow on a first production. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Mary Ann Radcliffe, The Female Advocate — Introduction (1799)

“ All women possess not the Amazonian spirit of a Wolstonecraft. But, indeed, unremitted oppression is sometimes a sufficient apology for their throwing off the gentle garb of a female, and assuming some more masculine appearance ”

Mary Ann Radcliffe

Summary

Quotes from The Female Advocate — Introduction (Mary Ann Radcliffe)

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