A Father's Legacy to his Daughters, with a Biographical Sketch of the Author

by John Gregory, Sarah Pennington

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

Genres: Education, Classics

154 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1774

About the author

John Gregory, a.k.a. John Gregorie, was an eighteenth-century Scottish Enlightenment physician, medical writer and moralist.

Gregory moved to Edinburgh in 1764, where he established a medical practice. Two years later he was appointed the first physician in Scotland to George III and made a member of the faculty of Edinburgh University. He published some of his lectures as Observations on the Duties and Offices of a Physician and on the Method of Prosecuting Enquiries in Philosophy (1770). These writings have been called "the first philosophical, secular medical ethics in the English language". Gregory also published Elements of the Practice of Physic (1772), which investigated the nosology of disease and the diseases of children.

In what would become his most famous publication, Gregory wrote A Father's Legacy to his Daughters (1761) after the death of his wife in 1761 to honour her memory and record her thoughts on female education.

Reviews

[nastya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and endearing message by this 18th century papa to his girls. On religion: just don't think or question anything, you'll feel better that way. On health: do sit ups but don't tell anyone, also eat in your room in private, cause a good appetite is, you know, unwomanly. On marriage: the odds of you marrying for love are very bad, but you might not despise him and if you have brains, don't show them. Deceit is your best strategy. But also don't marry a bastard or rake (can't agree more). Maybe your papa is wrong about some things, but he loves you.

I wish to tell you that in 300 years since this guy lived, everything changed so drastically that I never heard some similar advice from my elders, but sadly it's not the case.

[Deborah Markus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of course reading a guidebook of female deportment written in the 18th century is going to make a 21st-century feminist scream. And certainly lines like "if you happen to have any learning, keep it a profound secret, especially from the men, who generally look with a jealous and malignant eye on a woman of great parts, and a cultivated understanding" aren't exactly guaranteed to win me over. And here's another gem:

"But though good health be one of the greatest blessings of life, never boast of it, but enjoy it in grateful silence. We so naturally associate the idea of female softness and delicacy, with a correspondent delicacy of constitution, that when a woman speaks of her great strength, her extraordinary appetite, her ability to bear excessive fatigue, we recoil at the description in a way she is little aware of."

EW. It couldn't just be, "Honey, you know how you're bored out of your mind when a guy goes on and on about how many pushups he can do? Well, just remember that when it's *your* turn to talk." Oh, no. It had to be all about how precious the idea of a wispy, delicate little *silken-thread* of a girl is to Mankind. Yech.

And yet I found this book not only fascinating but, in places, endearing. A man who isn't sure he'll live to guide his motherless daughters to womanhood writes anxious advice to them and hopes that, if he *does* live, they will always think of him as their friend and confidant. And some of his advice isn't bad, even now:

"I KNOW nothing that renders a woman more despicable than her thinking it essential to happiness to be married. Besides the gross indelicacy of the sentiment, it is a false one, as thousands of women have experienced. But if it was true, the belief that it is so, and the consequent impatience to be married, is the most effectual way to prevent it."

Okay, "despicable" is a little harsh. But he goes on to say:

"I am of opinion, that a married state, if entered into from proper motives of esteem and affection, will be the happiest for yourselves, make you most respectable in the eyes of the world, and the most useful members of society. But I confess I am not enough of a patriot to wish you to marry for the good of the public. I wish you to marry for no other reason but to make yourselves happier. When I am so particular in my advices about your conduct, I own my heart beats with the fond hope of making you worthy the attachment of men who will deserve you, and be sensible of your merit. But Heaven forbid you should ever relinquish the ease and independence of a single life, to become the slaves of a fool or a tyrant's caprice."

"I am not enough of a patriot" -- that's pretty adorable.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute book, full of common sense advice that is applicable today but a little more fun to read from an 18th century perspective.

[finn · Rating 2 out of 5]

L

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely. A father who loves his daughters and is concerned for their education leaves them a kind letter where he tries to explain "the system", how he calls it, and teach them how to navigate it. Sure, his view of women is of the late 18th century, but his intentions are pure. It is a great book for understanding how the male mind works, something we seldom see in writing. He discloses the "secrets" of men and how men sees women and the world. As a woman, I think this is a valuable work for understanding the world around me and where certain moral rules comes from.

[Bea Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perpetuating the 18th century woman’s subjugation under the guise of “fatherly love.” I’m sure he meant well, though; it’s such a relief that our society’s progressive now, and we don’t have to conform to the rules prescribed by conduct books such as this.

[فاطمة]

Outdated + tra**

[Lorialivres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great historical document! Horrible message, obviously.

[Lucy Neal · Rating 3 out of 5]

sweet but patriarchal!