BEfore the late unhappy Troubles in England, it was the usual Observation of Forreigners, who had been acquainted with this and other Nations, that the En­glish Lady was the most mo­dest, chast, and pious Woman in Europe; that she was eminent for Reverence, Obedience, Faithfulness, and Affectionateness to her Hus­band, for discreet, frugal management of her [Page 2] House and Family, for Sobriety, Retiredness, Taciturnity, Humility, Patience, and all other Graces and Vertues, wherewith the holy Wo­men of old were endowed: Since which, by a general licentiousness, during our late unnatural War, not only all kind of Sects, and with them Irreligion, Atheism, and Debauchery, were in­troduced amongst the Men of this Nation; but also most of those fore-mentioned excellent Qualifications are now at length (to the great grief of all sober persons) become more rare a­mongst Women, then perhaps in any of our Neighbouring Countreys: which having been seriously and sadly considered, it is by many Godly prudent men judged very expedient, that most earnest endeavors should speedily be used by some extraordinary way of Education to re­duce (if possible) the Female Sex of England to their Pristine Vertues; that so by their Godly Conversation, and good Examples, their Hus­bands, Children, and Servants may in time be won, and at length a general Reformation wrought in this Kingdom.

Some have thought best to set their Daugh­ters to be educated in the Maiden Schools in and about London, where either through the Unskilfulness, or Negligence; through the Un­faithfulness, [Page 3] or Covetousness of the Mistresses, too much minding their private profit, the Suc­cess oft times hath not answered the Expectati­on of their Parents and Friends; whereof there are divers lamentable Examples, and grievous Complainings.

Others therefore (though of the Protestant Religion) have chosen rather to be at the great Charges, and hazard of sending their Daughters to be bred up (till the time of their Marriage) in some Popish Monasteries of our next Neigh­bouring Countreys: whence they have return'd otherwise very vertuous, but generally tainted with, and enclined to Romish Superstitions, and Errours.

Some have assayed to educate their Daugh­ters alwayes at home, but thereby have found them apt to be corrupted, or betrayed by Ser­vants, (of whose unfaithfulness and viciousness there is now a more general complaint than ever;) or else in continual danger to be stoln away by some debauched indigent Neighbours; or if they are rich Orphans, to be sold by the Trustees; whereof there are also divers Exam­ples; or to be wholly ignorant and unac­quainted with the World; or at least to want that handsome becoming Deportment, which [Page 4] usually sets off, and recommends young Ladies to good Husbands, and is to be acquired onely abroad in a vertuous converse with others.

Lastly, Divers Gentlemen of this Kingdom have, of late for the Education of their Daugh­ters, had recourse to the Families of some Non-Conformists, where perhaps a stricter Education may sometimes be found, but then if any ad­vantage be there had, it is usually attended with this great mischief, that thereby schismatical and rebellious principles are insensibly instilled into them, which may one day occasion (if not timely prevented) the final overthrow of the present established Church and State.

Now the Premisses considered, and also, that for the Education of Sons in all Vertue and Piety, no way hath been found to succeed bet­ter generally, then to let them pass their youth in a Collegiate life, under the eye and care of a discreet, learned, pious Tutor, and under the regular Government of the Head and Fellows of a Colledge: It is not to be doubted but that some such Collegiate life (if rightly instituted) may prove as successful, and perhaps much more, for the Education of Daughters; and that thereby may be founded not onely excel­lent Seminaries and Nurseries, out of which, [Page 5] Persons of Honour and Worth may at all times make choice of Vertuous Wives; but also Pro­vision (whereof there is great want in England) may be made for sober, pious, elder Virgins and Widdows, who desire to separate them­selves from the vanities of the World, and yet employ their Talents to the benefit of the Publick.

These are therefore to give notice, to all whom it may any way concern, that near Lon­don, in a pleasant healthy Soil and Air, there is for both the purposes above-mentioned, propo­sed a large House, with a Chappel, fair Hall, many commodious Lodgings, and Rooms for all sorts of necessary Offices; together with plea­sant Gardens, Orchards, and Courts, all encom­passed and well secured with strong high Walls: Also there is a Reverend, Learned, and Pious Divine in the same Parish, ready to officiate dai­ly Morning and Evening as Chaplain; a grave discreet Lady to be Governess, with divers other Matrons, who having taken up a resolution to live a retired, single, and religious life, are to as­sist in the Government of the Colledge, without expecting any gain, profit, or emolument for themselves; but to bestow gratis all their care and pains in governing the Colledge and [Page 6] the young Ladies in their Education. Moreover, there will come at due times the best and ablest Teachers in London for Singing, Dancing, Mu­sical Instruments, Writing, French Tongue, Fashionable Dresses, all sorts of Needle Works; for Confectionary, Cookery, Pastery; for Di­stilling of Waters, making Perfumes, making of some sort of Physical and Chyrurgical Mede­cins and Salves for the Poor, &c.

There are also prepared a Body of Statutes and Rules, whereunto all upon their Admissi­on are to submit themselves; until the whole So­ciety, with the consent of the Visitor, who is a Person of great Eminency and Worth, shall think fit to alter, or repeal any of them, for the better promoting this Pious Design.

If therefore any Honourable and Worthy Persons desire that their Daughters, or any Trustees, that their Orphans, should be admit­ted Commoners or Pensioners of this Colledge; or any Devout Widdows or Elder Virgins, who intend not to marry, desire to be admitted Fel­lows and Assistants in this Government, and to lead the rest of their dayes without cares and troubles of the World, to live with honour and reputation, to devote themselves to the service of God and the good of their Countrey, by [Page 7] contributing their advice and assistance in the training up of young Ladies and Gentlewomen, and securing their Persons and Fortunes, till the time of their Marriage: let them repair either to Mr. Horn a Stationer at the South-side of the Royal Exchange, to Mr. Martyn a Stationer at the Bell in St. Pauls Churchyard, to Mr. Thomas Collins Stationer, at the Middle Temple Gate, to Mr. Herringman Stationer in the New Exchange, to Mr. Mortlack Stationer in Westminster-Hall, or to Mr. Tayler a Stationer on London-Bridge, and they shall be farther informed.