This piece was particularly scandalous due to its use of roman a clef, the making of references to real people. In this manner, the book exposed the relationship of Queen Anne and one of her advisers, Sarah Churhcill. Along with this, Manley's piece examined the idea of female intimacy and its implications. The implications of female intimacy are important to Manley because of the many rumors of the influence that Churchcill held over Queen Anne.
The idea of female intimacy spawned another aspect of The New Atlantis, the idea of female communities, and more specifically the cabal. The cabal is concerned with secrecy, constancy and justice among the upperclass.

Astrea, Goddess of Justice

The female community that Manley sets up through the cabal promotes jealousy and rage towards women that choose to be with men. Her cabal promotes independence from men in every way possible, including sexual independence. This society is extremely private and secretive; this is its top priority. The cabal promotes tenderness through female friendship. The women of the cabal believe that by excluding men from all realms of their life they can achieve true independence and protect their honor and good fortunes.
Though the cabal takes the idea of female communities to the extreme they are still very useful, even in modern times. The secrecy that the cabal prided itself on is not as necessary these days. Nowadays female communities can be used to promote women's place in the world and build their confidence in their abilities to be completely independent. The idea of women coming together and sharing is still a scary one for many men, but it is a very useful idea for women.

Works Consulted

Rozny, Noel and Margaret Vincent. The Official Website of the Secret Society of British Gentlewomen. <http://www.umich.edu/~ece/student_projects/female_friendship/index.html>

Shevlin, Eleanor. Warwick Lane and the Remaking of New Atalantis: Print and Politics in the Age of Queen Anne. <http://www.indiana.edu/~sharp/sharp2000shevlin.html>

Images
1. http://www.umich.edu/~ece/student_projects/female_friendship/bibliography.html
2. http://www.umich.edu/~ece/student_projects/female_friendship/manley.html
3. http://elfwood.lysator.liu.se/loth/s/h/shayne69/astrea.jpg.html