ABSTRACT
Anexemplaryyounglady,Harrietisbothcapableoflookingafterthehousehold andofbeingcultivated;forher,houseworkcomesbeforethepleasureofthemind, andthelatterdoesnotexcludetheformer,assheonlylistenstoHume'sworkbeing readouttoherwhilstsewing.ElizabethHamilton'smessageseemsclear:ifthe authordoesnotrejecteducationforwomen,needleworkisbettersuitedtothemthan thenewfashionofradicalphilosophyandfeminism.5Indeed,Bridgetinaisnever morethanacaricature;shemayrebelandrejectsewingforphilosophy,butshe neverrisesabovethelevelofafarcicalcharacter.AsforJulia,shemaybemore attractivetothereader,butshetooactsasafoil;shecomestoasadendandherfate actsasawarning.ItisHarrietwhospeaksforElizabethHamilton:'sofarfrom feelinganyderogationofdignityindomesticemployment,Ialwaysfeelexalted fromtheconsciousnessofbeinguseful,'Harrietsays(1:197).Useful,Harriet certainlyis,asshownbythesceneinwhichthenovelistdescribesherworkingfor herlessfortunateneighbours,'busilyemployedinpreparingbabylinenforthewife ofapoorlabourer,whohadbeenbroughttobedoftwins'(2:239).
