Quote
Originally posted by: treegirl
What exactly should the ladies be doing?
"I want her to play and sing with some portion of taste and a good deal of assurance . . . those accomplishments which are now necessary to finish a pretty woman. Not that I am an advocate for the prevailing fashion of acquiring a perfect knowledge in all the languages, arts, and sciences, . . . it is throwing time away; to be mistress of French, Italian, German, music, singing, drawing, etc. will gain a woman some applause, but will not add one lover to her list. ... I do not mean, therefore, that Frederica's acquirements will be more than superficial, and I flatter myself that she will not remain long enough at school to understand anything thoroughly."
__Lady Susan in Lady Susan by Jane Austen, on her daughter's education.
