I intend to give my Idea of a woman; if it at all answers any Original I shall be pleased; for if such a person really exists as I would describe, she must be far superior to my Description, and such as I must love too well to be able to paint as I ought.
She is handsome, but it is a Beauty not arising from features, from Complexion and Shape. She has all these in a high degree, but whoever looks at her never perceives them, nor makes them the topic of his Praise. 'Tis the Sweetness of Temper, Benevolence, Innocence, and Sensibility which a face can express, that forms her beauty...
Her Eyes have a mild light, but they awe you when she pleases; they command, like a good man out of office, not by authority, but by virtue...
Her Stature is not tall. She is not made to be the admiration of everybody, but the happiness of one.
She has all the Delicacy that does not exclude firmness.
Her Smiles are-inexpressible.
Her Voice is a low, soft music, not formed to rule in Public Assemblies, but to charm those who can distinguish a Company from a Crowd. It has this advantage: you must come close to her to hear it.
To describe her body describes her mind: one is the transcript of the other...
She discovers the right and wrong of things not by Reasoning, but by Sagacity...
She has a true generosity of Temper. The most extravagant cannot be more unbounded in their liberality; the most covetous not more cautious in their Distribution.
No person of so few years can know the world better. No person was ever less corrupted by that Knowledge...
She does not run with girlish eagerness into new friendships which, as they have no foundation in Reason, serve only to multiply and embitter Disputes. It is long before she chooses, but then it is fixed for ever, and the first hours of Romantic friendships are not warmer than hers after the lapse of years
Who can see and know such a Creature, and not love to Distraction?
Who can know her, and himself, and entertain much hope?