Memoirs of Modern PhilosophersWhen the Anti-Jacobin Review described Memoirs of Modern Philosophers in 1800 as “the first novel of the day” and as proof that “all the female writers of the day are not corrupted by the voluptuous dogmas of Mary Godwin, or her more profligate imitators,” they clearly situated Elizabeth Hamilton’s work within the revolutionary debate of the 1790s. As with her successful first novel, Letters of a Hindoo Rajah, Hamilton uses fiction to enter the political fray and discuss issues such as female education, the rights of woman and new philosophy. The novel follows the plight of three heroines. The mock heroine, Bridgetina Botherim—a crude caricature of Mary Hays—participates in an English-Jacobin group, leading her to abandon her mother and home to pursue her beloved to London in hopes of emigrating to the Hottentots in Africa. The second heroine, Julia Delmont, is another member of the local group; she is seduced by a hairdresser masquerading as a New Philosopher. She is left pregnant and destitute only to discover that her actions caused her father’s untimely death. The third heroine is the virtuous Harriet, whose Christian faith enables her to resist the teachings of the New Philosophers. |
From inside the book
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... gentleman - like man , and so civil - spoken , I thought there was no fears of his behaving ungenteelly at the last ... gentlemen , a friend of mine , one who helps 34 ELIZABETH HAMILTON Volume I.
Elizabeth Hamilton Claire Grogan. gentlemen , a friend of mine , one who helps to make the almanacks , he laughed at ... gentleman of great worth and knowledge , to whom I had freely communicated all the objections of the criticks , and ...
... gentlemen ; " though , in my opinion , the world went as well when people were contented with the names that were given them by their godfathers and godmothers in their baptism . Bridget is a good christian name , and I pray the Lord ...
... gentleman himself had oftener than once dropt some hints about the needless expence of formal entertainments among friends and neighbours ; and it was certain , that neither he , nor his sister , nor his daughters , appeared to enjoy ...
... gentlemen taken their seats , than they were addressed by Sir Anthony upon the late fall of stocks , a subject in which he well knew himself to be the only person in company at all inter- ested . The confessed ignorance of his audience ...
Contents
6 | |
27 | |
Contemporary Works | 391 |
The Hottentots | 401 |
Reviews of Memoirs of Modern Philosophers | 407 |
Select Bibliography | 415 |