  Source: ——. "Mrs. Mary Astell." English Churchwomen of the Seventeenth Century. 3rd ed. New York: J. A. Sparks, 1846. 116-119. english literature degrees, masters english literature, english literature courses, GRE Test Prep, British, History Mary Astell was born at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, [about 1666], and was the daughter of a merchant of that place, who gave her a good education; she was taught all the accomplishments commonly learned by young gentlewomen in her station, and though at that time she learnt no foreign language except French, she afterwards gained some knowledge of Latin. Her uncle, who was a clergyman, observing her quick natural parts and eagerness for learning, undertook to be her preceptor, and under his tuition she made a considerable progress in philosophy, mathematics, and logic. At about twenty years of age she left Newcastle and went to London, where, and at Chelsea, she spent the remainder of her life. here she pursued her studies very diligently, and in a little time made great additions to her knowledge of the sciences, in which she had been already instructed. her own delight in learning made her wish that it should be more sought after by her own sex, under the idea that it would keep them from many follies and inconveniences. With this impression she wrote and published a treatise, entitled, "A Serious Proposal to the Ladies, for the advancement of their true and greatest interest," &c., and some time after she published a second part, "Wherein a method is offered for the improvement of their minds." In the first part she proposed a scheme for a kind of college for the education and improvement of the female sex, and to serve as a retreat to such ladies as were averse to the bustle of the world, and wished for a peaceful retirement. The name of a convent was to be avoided, if likely to give offence, and the inmates were to be bound by no vows; but during their residence, were to observe all fast days, and other appointments of the Church, to spend much of their time in devotion and charity, to educate young persons, especially orphans, and to cultivate their own minds by reading. "The scheme seemed so reasonable, and wrought so far upon a certain great lady, that she had designed to give £10,000 towards the foundation of such an establishment; but this design coming to the ears of Bishop Burnet, he immediately went to that lady, and so powerfully remonstrated against it, telling her it would look like preparing a way for Popish orders, that it would be reputed a nunnery, &c., that he utterly frustrated that noble design."* Soon after Mrs. Astell had published the first part of her Proposal, she read Mr. John Norris' s Practical Discourses, upon several Divine subjects; these upon careful study raised some doubts and scruples in her, concerning the love of God, and she addressed herself to the author for the solution of her difficulties. Several letters passed between them on the subject, which were afterwards published at the desire of Mr. Norris, and with Mrs. Astell' s consent, though she did not put her name to these or any other of her writings. Notwithstanding her care to conceal herself, her name was discovered by some learned persons, and her letters greatly applauded. She continued to apply so diligently to her studies, especially at this time to the classic writers, that "when she saw visitors coming, whom she knew to be incapable of discoursing upon any useful subject, but to come for the sake of chat and tattle, she would look out at the window, and jestingly tell them, ' Mrs. Astell is not at home;' and in good earnest keep them out, not suffering such triflers to make inroads upon her more serious hours."* In 1700, she wrote and published a book, entitled, Reflections on Marriage. It was thought that in this work she carried her arguments for the birthrights and privileges of her sex rather too far, nor is the reason assigned by her biographer for this excess, such as to make it seem more justifiable, for he accounts for it by her disappointment in a marriage contract with an eminent clergyman. On hearing that her book had given some offence, she prefixed a preface to the second edition, in which she defended herself, it is said, with a great deal of wit and smartness. Continuing to support a character which seems more fitted to a man than to a woman, she courageously and successfully attacked the secretaries who were at this time carrying on designs against the Church; and whilst she engaged the attention of the world by her productions of this kind, she also wrote refutations of heretical doctrines. In spite of all her endeavours to conceal herself, she was discovered to be the author, by learned men, and received high commendations from Dr. Hickes, Dr. John Walker, Mr. Dodwell, and Mr. Even, and others. Dr. Atterbury, in a letter to Dr. Smallridge, gave this account of his meeting with her: "Dear George, Her biographer [Ballard] defends her against the bishop' s charge of a want of civility in her expressions, of which, he says, he never heard her accused by any other person. She wrote several political pamphlets, her principles being those of a loyal subject, but not of a nonjuror. She also wrote a treatise on the Christian Religion, as professed by a daughter of the Church of England, which was addressed by way of letter to a great lady. This book is referred to by Dr. Waterland, who, objecting to some points of doctrine set forth by Dr. Tillotson, adds in a note, that one of these points has been modestly and judiciously examined by an ingenious lady. As much of her earlier life had been spent in the advancement of learning and virtue, so the latter part of it was chiefly employed in the practice of those religious duties which she had earnestly recommended to others; and although, from the very flower of her age, she lived and conversed with the gay world of London, yet she resisted its temptations, "and in the midst of it led a holy, pure, and even angelical life. She did not only approve things that are excellent, but practised them also, and yet her severe strictness of holy discipline was not attended by sourness or moroseness of temper; her mind being generally calm and serene, and her deportment and conversation highly entertaining, and innocently facetious. She would say, ' The good Christian only has reason, and he always ought to be, cheerful.' And that ' dejected looks and melancholy airs were very unseemly in a Christian.' But, though she was easy and affable to others, to herself she was severe; she would live like a hermit, for a considerable time together, upon a crust of bread and water with a little small beer. And at the time of her highest living, (when she was at home,) she very rarely eat any dinner till night, and then it was by the strictest rules of temperance. She would say, abstinence was her best physic; and would frequently observe, that those who indulged themselves in eating and drinking, could not be so well disposed or prepared either for study, or the regular and devout service of their Creator."* She seemed to enjoy an uninterrupted state of health till a few years before her death, when she was obliged to have an operation performed for a cancer, which she had long concealed. She then went to the Rev. Mr. Johnson, eminent for his skill in surgery, with only one person to attend her; she refused to have her hands held, and showed no timidity, but endured the pain without a groan or a sigh. "Her excellent friend, Lady Elizabeth Hastings, made use of Mr. Johnson on the same occasion. This great lady' s friendship to Mrs. Astell continued inviolable to the last date of her life; and well knowing that she did not abound in riches, her generosity to her was such, that she has given her fourscore guineas at one time.* "Her health and strength now declined apace, and at length by a gradual decay of nature, being confined to her bed, and finding the time of her dissolution draw nigh, she ordered her coffin and shroud to be made, and brought to her bedside, and there to remain in her view, as a constant memento to her of her approaching fate, and that her mind might not deviate or stray one moment from God, its most proper object. Her thoughts were now so entirely fixed upon God and eternity, that for some days before her death, she earnestly desired that no company might be permitted to come to her; refusing at that time to see even her old and dear friend, the Lady Catherine Jones, purely because she would not be disturbed in the last moments of her divine contemplations. She departed this life about the 11th of May, 1731, and was buried at Chelsea."* * [AJ Note: The unnamed editor does not explicitly give the source for the quotes, but they are from the text mentioned previously, namely, George Ballard' s Memoirs of Several Ladies of Great Britain who have been celebrated for their writings, or skill in the Learned Languages, Arts, and Sciences. Oxford: 1752.] Source: ——. "Mrs. Mary Astell." English Churchwomen of the Seventeenth Century. 3rd ed. New York: J. A. Sparks, 1846. 116-119. |
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