Extract from Letters on the Female Mind, its Powers and Pursuits; With Particular Reference to the Dangerous Opinions Contained in the Writings of Miss H. M. Williams, 2nd edn, 2 vols, London, 1801, Vol. I, pp. 192–197

Yet what is it we pretend to, when we take on ourselves to advise a people for their good, or in other words to decide on their policy?—It may be said that there have been female heads, female hearts, and female constitutions competent to all the fatigues of jurisprudence; that women have governed kingdoms and their rulers, with credit and with wisdom. Few, very few, are the instances; for in the case of female monarchy it will be found, that the female character bears with it all its infirmities, and that it is the advisers who rule it; and in the case of female ascendency, it is pretty evident that it gains its reputation, and produces its effect, only by adding its peculiar properties to those of the more powerful sex.