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PAULINE FORE MOFFITT LIBRARY

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\ SKETCHES

OF TH£

Kiftory, Genius, Difpofition, Accomplifhraeats,

Emplo/moottf Cuftoms, Virtues, and Vices, OF THE

FAIR SEX,

-IN ALL FARTS OF THE WORLD.

INTERSPERSED

"-— •'•?"- SINGULAR AND ENTERTAINING

ANECDOTES.

By a Friend to the Sex.

*' Graceful in all her fteps— Heaven in her eye— In ev?ry gcfturc^ dignity and love——'*

BOSTON :

fRINTED FOR JOSEPH BUMSTEAD^ (Printer and Bookfcller)

&W f»y him at No. 2o, Union-Street, and by Bo'^clkr:

m varmt Parts nf the United StaUi»

i8o7»

ADVERTISEMENT,

TO give a hrtef detail of the hijiory of the Fair X — to fpccite them to Laudable purfuiti — to teach them

:,t

*' Virtue alone is happinefs below — ^^

that an amiable conduB can only fecure Uve and ejleem — and to furnijh them with innocent amufement — is the dfftgn of this work,

^ he following authors have been confulted for f^,ate-' rialsy viz — Drs. Robertfon, Alexander, Hawkefworthj Goldfmith, Gregory, Fordycc, and Schomberg — Pro^ fejors Fergufon and Miller — Fcnelon, Montaigne, Thomas, Groiley, Knox, and Hayley — Lady Penning- ton, Mrs. Kinder (ley, and others.

HISTORICAL SKETCHES-

OF THR

FAIR SEX.

CHAP. L

0/ the Firjl IFimmn^ and her AnteiUluvian Befccndants*

HE great Creator, having formed man

of the duft of the earth, " made a deep fleep to fall upon him, and took one of his ribs, and clofed up the fltjfh infteaJ thereof. And the rib, which the L rd God haJ taken from man, made he a woman, and broug.^ her unto the man." Hence the fair fex, in ihe opinion of f^me authors, being formed of matter d )ubly refined, derive their iuperior beauty and ex tUcr.ce. -

N r I ng after the creation, the firft woman was tempted by the ferpent to eat of the fruit of a C'-nnin tree, iu the mid '. ( f the garden of Eden, ^ ' n which God had (aid, '* Ye lliall not

t a.-r (hall y.e touch it, left ve die/'

'i i\i6 deception, aud tae fatal confequences ari- Cng Iroin it, farnidi the moH intcrclling ftory in the whole hiftory of the L;-:.

1 .

6 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

On the offerings being brought, and that of Abel accepted ^Cain's jealoufy and refentment role to inch a pttei ' ^UT, as C^^^jsthey cams down from the hioimt" -v^ere Ixydf'^ifSS^efi lac^lSiLcing^ he fell upon his brother and flew him.

For this cruel and barbarous aftibn^Cam and his poiterity, being banifned from the reft of the human race, indulged themfelves in every fpecies of wicked- nefs. Gn this account, it is fuppofed, they were caU ied the Sons and Daughters of Men. The pofterity ot Seth, on the other hand, became eminent for virtue, and a, regard to the divine precepts. By their regular and amiable conduft, they acquired the appellation of Sons arid Daughters of God.

After the deluge there is a chafm in the hiftory of women, until the time of the patriarch Abraham* They then begin to be introduced into the facred flory. Several of their affions. are recorded. The Jaws, cuftoms, and ufages, by which they were gov- erned, are. frequently exhibited,.

^j^SJga

CHAP.. IK

Gf the Women in the Patriarchal J g£S 4

f HE condhionof women, among the ancient pa-^ tnarchs, appears to have been but extremely indif- ferent. When Abraham entertained the angels, fent to den -unce the deftruftion of Sodom, he feems to have treated his wife as a menial fervant; " Make ready quickly,'' iaid he to her, " three meafures of fine meal, kner.d it, and make cakes on the hearth/' In many parts of the Ewft, water is only to h^ met with deep in the earth, and to draw it from the w-ells is, ccyijiequently, fatiguing and laborious. ThiSj hQwcv€r5was the talk of the daughters of Jethro

bKETCiiio o: Aiih SEX. 7

theMidianite; to whom fo little regard was paiJ^either on account of their lex, or the rank of their father, as high-prielt of the couiury, tnat the neighboring fhep- . her Js not only infutted them, but forcibly took from them the water they had drawn.

I'his was the talk of Rebecca, w^ho not only drew w^ater for Abraham's fcrvant, but for his camels alio, while the fervant Itood an idle fpeftator of the toil. Is it not natural to imagine, that, as he was on an embaffy to court the d.unfel for Ifaac, his mafter's fon, he would have exerted his utnioit eftbrts to pleafe, and become acceptable ?

W^hea he had concluded his bargain, and was carrying^her home, we meet with a circumitance wor- thy of remark.. When (he lirtt approached Ifaac, who had walked out into the fi Ids to meet her, fhe did it in tha moft fubmiflive manner, as if fhe had been approaching a lord and mafter, rather than a fond and pailionate lover. From this circumdance, as well as jrom fcverai others, related in the facred \ iftory, it would fetm that women, inftead of endea- vourir.g, as in modern times, to perluade the world that they confer an immenle favour on a lover, by dcigmng to accept of him, did not fcruple to confefs, tiiat the obligation was conferred on themfelves.

'Ihis was t: e cafe wh Ruth, who had laid hcrfelf down at the feet of lioaz ; and being aikrd by him who fhe w;'s, anfwered, '' I am Ruth, thine hand- maid ; iprcad, therefore, thy ikirt ovct thine hand- maid, tor thou art a ne?r kinlman."

When Jacob went to v fi: his uncle La^.an, he met Rach.d, Laban's daughter, in the ficli^:, atten- ding on the fljcks cf her f.aher.

In a much later period, Tamar, one of the 'tx^R cf king David, was lent by her father to , . nn the fervile ciii:e of making cakes for her brother Amnon.

Thefimplicityof ihetimesin v/hich thefe things happened, no doubr, very much invalidates tne Ib-ength

3 SKETCHES of the SEX.

of the conclufions that mtnrally arife from thero.

liut, notwiihftanding, it ftill appears that women

were not then treated with the delicacy which they

have experienced aiiiODg people more polifhed ami

refined.

Polygamy alfo prevailed; which is fo contrary to the inclination of the fex, and fo deeply wounds the delicacy of their feelings, that it is impoflible for any woman voluntarily to agree to it, evea where it is authorized by cuftom and by lalv. Whereever therefore, polygamy takes place, we may aflure our- felves that women have but little authority, and have fc^rcely arrived at any confequence in fociety.

=:SS2^

CHAP. III.

Ofihc Woyyien of Ancient Egypt,-

w.

HEREVER the human race live folitary^ and unconnected with each ether, they are favage and barbarous. Wherever they sffociate together, that afE:ciation produces fofter manners, and a more en- gaging department.

The Sgyptiacs, from the naiure of their coun- try, annually cverflowed by the Nile, had no wild beafts to hunt, nor could they procure any thing by fifhing. On thefe accounts, they were ur-der a ne- ceffity of applying themfelves to agriculture, a kind of life which naturally brings mankind together, for mutu'cd consilience and alFifiance.

They were, likewife, every year, during the in- undation of the river, obliged to aifemble together, and take fhelter, either on the rifmg grounds, or in the houfes, whcch were raifed upon piles, above the reach of the waters. Here, almoft every employment being fufpended; and the men and women long con

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 9

fined together, a thoufend inducements, not to be found in ii folitary- ftate, would naturally prompt them to render themielves agreeable to each other. Hence their manners would begin, more early, to afllime a (otter polifh, and more elegant refi::eraenr, than thofe of tl^ other nations who iurrouaded them.

The praftice of confining women, inltituted by jealoufy, and maintained b^ unlawful power, was not adopted by the ancient Egyptians, I'his appears from the ftory of Pharoah's daughter,, who was go- with her train of maids to bathe in the river, leu Ihe fuund Mofes hid among the reeds. It is. _ ni more evident, from thac of the wife of Potiphar* who, if fhe had been confined, could not have found the opportunities fhe did, to folicit Jofeph to her adulrerous embrace.

The queens of Egypt had the greatefl attention paid to thera* They were more readily obeyed than the kings. It is alfo related, that the hufbands were In their marriage-con trafts, obliged to promife obe- dience to their wives y ^'^an obedience,'^ fays an in- genious author,* " which, in our modern times, we are often obliged to perform, though our wives en» tered in.to the promife.'*^

The behaviour of Solomon to Pharoah's daugh- ter is a convincing; proof that more honor and refpeft was paid to the Egyptian women, than to thofe of any other people. Solomon had many other wives belides this princefs, and was married to feveral of them hefore her, which, according to the Jewifh law, on^'"' f f > ivM/.. Mntwi^d them to a preference. But, no , we hear of no particular pahce

haviij- ,;ccu uu.ii ior any of the others, nor of the; worfhip of any of their gods havii^g been introduced into Jc ' 'TV - " Pit palice was ereft-

cd h r . ihe was permitted,

th' Lrary to the liws ol Ifrael, toi

^'•' her own country.

io SKETCHES of the SEX.

CHAP. IV. Cffthe Modern Egyptian Women.

HE women of modern Egypt are far from being on lb refpe£lable a footing as they were in ancient times, or as the European women are at prefent.

In Europe, women a6t parts of great confe- quence, and often reign fovereigns on the world's vaft theatre. They influene^jmanners and morals, and decide on themoft important events. The fate of nations is frequently in their hands.

How different is their fituation in Egypt ! There they are bound down by the fetters of flavery, con- demned to fervitude, and have no influence in public affairs. Their empire is confined within the walls of the Harem.* There are their graces and charms en- tombed. The circle of their life extends not beyond their own family and domeitic duties.

Their firft care is to educate their children ; and a numerous pofterity is'their moft fervent wiih. Mo- thers always fuckle their children. This is exgrefsfy commanded by Mahomet : Let the mother fuckle her child full two years ^ if the child does not quit the hreafl ,- hutfhefljall be permitted to wean it^ with the confent of her hiifhand^

The harem is the cradle and fchool of infancy. The new-born feeble being is not there fwaddled and fiUetted up in a fwathe, the fource of a thoufand dif- eafes. Laid naked on a mat, expofed in a vail cham- ber to the pure air, he breathes freely, and with his delicate limbs fprawls at pleafure. The new element, in which he is to live, is not entered with pain and tears. Daily bathed beneath his mother's eye, ha grows apace. Free to acl, he tries his coming pow- ers ; rolls, crawls, rifes ; and, fhould he fall, cannot

* The Women's apartment,

SKETCHES OF the SEX. n

inch hurt hinalelf on the carpet or mat which cov- rs the floor.

The daughter's education is the fame. Whale- one and bulks, which martyr European girls, they now not. They are only covered with a (hift un- il iix years old : and the drels they afterwards wear oniiaes none of their limbs, but fuffers the body to ake its true form ; and nothing is more uncommon han ricketty children, and crooked people. In Egypt, nan rifes in all hismajefty, and woman dii'pkys eve- y charm of perfoR.

Subjeft to the immutable laws by which cuftom governs the Eaft, the women do not aflbciate with the Tien,not even at table, where the union of fexes pro- .luces mirth and wit, and makes food more fweet. When the great incline to dine with one of their wives, fhe is informed, prepares the apartment, per- fumes it with precious eflences, procures the moil delicate viands, and receives her lord with the utmoft attention and refpeft.

Among the common people, the women ufually Sand, or lit in a corner of the room, while the huf- band dines. They often hold the baton for him to walh, and ferve him at table.

Cuftoms like thefe, which the Europeans rightly rail barbarous, and exclaim ugainft with juftice, ap- pear fo natural in Egypt, that they do not fufpeft it '-an be otherwife eli'ewhere. Such is the power of habit over men. What has been for ages, he fup- potes a hw of nature.

The Egyptian women, once or twice a week, are permitted to go to the bath, and vifit female relations and friends. They receive each other's vifits very af- feftionatelv. When a lady enters the harem, the nv.ftreis rifes, takes her hand, prefllsit to her bofom, kJfles, and makes her fit down by her fide ; a flave haflecs to take her black mantle ; (he is entreated to be at eale. qdts her veil, and difcovers a floating robe lied round the waill with a fafh, which perfeftly dif-

i^ SKETCHES OF the SEX.

plays her fliape. She then receives compliments a cording to their manner: " Why, my mother, or my , lifter, have you been ib long abfent ? We fighed to fee you ! Y cur prefence is an honour to our houfe I It is the happinefs of cur lives !'*

Slaves prefent coffee, fherbet, and confeftionary. They laugh, talk and play. A large difh is placed on the fofa, on which are oranges, pomegranates, bananas, and excellent melons* Water, and rofe- ■ water mixed^ are brought in an ewer, and with them a Giver bafon to waih the hands ; and loud glee and merry con verfation feafon the meal. The chamber is perfumed by wood of aloes, in a brazier ; and, the repaft ended, the flaves dance to the found of cym- bals, with v/hom the miftreffes often mingle. At parting they feveral times repeat, " God keep you ia health 3 Heaven grant you a numerous offspring \ Heavea preferve your children ; the delight and glo- ry of your family !'*

When a vifitor is in the harem, the huf band muft not enter. It is the afylum of hofpitality, and can- not be violated without fatal confequences ; a cher- ilhed right, which the Egyptian women carefully maintain, being interefted in its prefervation. A lover, diiguifed like a woman, may be introduced in- to the harem, and it is n.^ceffary he fhould remain undifcovel-ed ; deathvwould otherwife be his reward* In that country, where the paffions are excited by the climate, and the difficulty of gratifying them, love often produces tragical events.

The Egyptian women, guarded by their eunuchs, go alfo upon the water, and enjoy the charming prof- pects of the banks of the Nile. Their cabins are pleafant, richly embellifhed, and the boats well carv- ed and painted. They are known hy the blinds over the windows, and the muiic by which they are accompanied.

When they cannot go abroad, th^-pdeavor to be merry in their prifon. Toward ^la-wtingy they

SKETCHES or the SEX. 13

f:o on the terrace, and take the frefli air among the kowers which are there carefully reared. Here they often bathe ; and thus, at once, enjoy the cool, lim- pid water, the perfume of odoriferous plants, the balmy air, and the ftarry hoft, which fhine in the firmaments

Thus Bathfheba bathed, when David beheld her from the roof of ! is palace.

Such is the uiual life of the Egyptian women. Their duties are to educate their children, take care of their houfhol 1, and live retired with their family : their pleafures, to vifit, give feafts, ia which they of- ten yield to exceffive mirth and licenticulbefs, go on the water, take the air in orange groves, and liften to the Almai. They deck themfcives as carefully to receive their acquaintance, as European women do to allure the men. Ufually mild and timid, they become daring and furious, when uuder the domin- ion of violent love* Neither Iccks nor grim keep- ers can then prefcribebounds to their paffions ; which, though death be fufpended over their heads, they fearch the means to gratify, and are feldom unfuccelsf ul.

.-fi^Qji

s.

CHAP. V.

Of the Perfian Women.

_>EVERAL hiftorians, in mendoning the ancient Perfians, have dwelt with peculiar feveiity on the manner in which they treated their women. Jea- lous, aim .it 10 diltn^ftion, they conUi^ed the whole -lex with the ftrifteft attention, and ccuLi not bear that tlie eye of a flranger fhould behold the beauty whom rhcv adored.

1 Mahomet, the great legiilator of the mod- s, was juft expiring, the hit rd vice that lois faithful adherents, was, '' Be watch- II

14 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

ful of your religion, and your wives." Hence they pretend to derive not only the power of confioing, !>ut alio of perfuading them, that they hazard their falvation, if they look up-)n any other man befides their huf])ands. 'i he Chriftian' religion informs us, that in the ether world they neither marry, nor are given in marriage. I'he religion of Mahomet teaches us a different d. ftrine, v/hlch the Perfians believing, carry the jealcnfy of Afia to the firlds of Elyfium, and the groves of Paradiie ; where, according to them, the hiefled inhabitants have their eyes placed on the crown of their heads* left they fliould fee the wives of their ne ghbors.

Every circumiiance in the Perfian Mfrory tends to perfuade us, that It e motive, w^hich induced thera to confine their women with fo much care and fohci- tude, was only exuberance of love and affedion. In the enipymeoi of their firjiies. and iheir embraces, the happinefs of the men coniifted, and their approbation was an incentive to deeds cf glory and ofheroifm* For thale realbns they are faid to have beeu the firft who introduced the cuftomof carrying their wives and concubines to the field, ^*That the light," faid they, *' of all that is dear to us, may animate us to fight more valiantly/''

lb offer The lei-ft viol nee to a Perfian woman, w^as to incur certain death from her hulband or guar- dian. E\'en their kings, though the mdi abfokite in tl^e univerfe, could net rlter the mr.nners or cuftoms of the Country, which related to (he fair fex.

Widely diH^rent from this is the prefeut ftate of Peifi 1. By a law of t'r at country, their monarch is now authcrV/ed to go. whenever h:^ pleaDs, into the har^m of anv of his fubj:fts ; and the fubjeft,^ on wnofe prerrgative he thu? encroiirhes, fo far from exerting his\ifuil jer.loufy, thinks himfelf highly honored by fuch a vifit.

' A laughable frory, on this fubjcft, is told of Shah Al-b3S5 who having got drunk at the houie of one 0/

SKETCHES OF the SEX, ig

his favourites, and intending to go into the apart- ment of his wives, was flopped by the door-keeper, who blantly told him, " Not a man. Sir, befides my mafter, Ihali put a muftacho here, fo long as 1 am porter." " What,'' faid the kine, *' doit thou not know me r" ".Yes," anfwered the fellow, "Ilcnow you are king of the men, but not of the women.** Shah Abbas, pleafed witn the anfwer, and the fideli- ty of the fervant, retired to his palace. The favor- ite, at whofe houfe the adventure happened, as fooa as he heard it, went and fell at his mailer's feet, in- treati :g that he would not impute to him the crime committed by his domeilic. He likewife added, " I have already turned him away from my fervica for bis prefumption." — ^' 1 am glad of it," anfwered the king ; "i will take him into my fervice for his fidelity.^'

=:^

I

ClIIAP. VL Of the Grecian Wcincn.

_T is obferved by an able panegyrift for the fair, ** That the gfeateft refped has always been paid them by liie wilcii and bePc of nations." If this be true, the Greeks certainly forfeited one great claim to that vifdom wlr.ch has always befn atiribu'.ed to, them ; for wc h;iv3 good reaC^n to believe, that they regard- ed their wom-iii only as inflruments of raifmg up ijierol^ers to the ft ue.

in order to tileera the fex, we mu£b do Fxiorc than fee them. By f^cial^ intercourfe, and a mutual reciprocatirm of good office?, we m.ufl become ac- Quainied with their Wv.rth and excellence. 1 his, to the G reeks, was a pleaiin:^ totally unknown. As the womrn Uved retired in their own apartments, if they T, .1 . ,. .,„.; >. 1.. -ualities, they were iT^uiied in per- Evcn hu [bands were, in Sparta,

t6- sketches of the sex.

limited as to the time and duration of the vifits made to their wives ; and it was the cuftom at meals for the two fexC'S always to eat feparately.

The apartiiients detaaed for the women, in order to keep them more private, were always in the back, and generally in I he upper part of the houfe* The famous Helen is laid to have had her chamber in the iof tieil: part of it ; and fo wTetched were their dw^el- Imgs, that even Penelope, qiieea of Ulyfles, leems to have deicended from hers by a ladder.

Unmarried women, whether maids or widows, were under the ftrifteft confinement. The former, indeed, were not allowed to pafs without leave from one part of the houfe to another, left they fhould be feen.

New married women were almoft as flriftly con- tined as virgins. Hermoine was feverely reproved by iier old duenna, for appearing out of doors ; a iree- dom, wnich, (he tells her, was not ufually taken by v/omen in her fituation, and which would endanger her reputation fhould fhe happen to be feen.

Ariliophanes introduces an Athenian lady, loud- ly compiaininp;, that women were confined to iheir chambers, under lock and key, and guarded by maf. tiifs, gobiiiis, or any thing that could frighten away admirers.

The confinement however of the Grecian wo- men, does npt appear, in fome cafes, to have been fo much the titcft of jealoufy, as of indifference. The men did not think them proper companions ; and that ignorance, which is the refult of a reclufe life, gave them too good reafoo to think fo. Nothing in Gretce was held ia efiimarion, but valor and elo- quence. Nature hi'd difqualified the fair fex for both. They were therefore confidered as mean and con- temptible beings, much beneath the n-'tice cf heroe and of orators, who feldcm favored them with thei. company. Thus def-rted by a fex which onght to bethefource of knov/ledge, the ucderftaiiding^ of the

SKETCHES OF the SEX. i-

women were but fliallow, and their company unin- tereftiag ; circumlbiDceo which invariably happen in every country wh.^re the two fcxes have Utile coin- Hionication with each other.

In pauiing the Grecian Iiiftory, weevtry where meet wiih the mofl convincing proofs of the low condition of their women. Homer confiders Helen, the wife of Mei daus, of littb other vulue than as a part of the goods which were ilolen along with her; and the reflitutioii of thefe, and of her, are common- ly mentioned in the lame fentence, in fuch a m.anner, Hs to ih^w, that fuch reftitution would be co::lidered .^ a full reparation of the .injury fu5:ained.

The fame author, in eeltbrating Penelope^ the :, :fe of UlyiTes, £;r refufing in his ablence fo many luitors, does not appear to pla:e the merit of her con- duct, in a fuperi.:r regard to chaftity, or in love to her hufband ; but in preferving lo his fam'ly the the dowry the had brought along with her, woich, oa a f !Cond marriage, mull kive be:;n reliored to her father Icarius.

Telemachusis always reprefented as a mcft du- tiful foDr But, notwithttanding this, we find him re- proving Ills mother in a manner which ihrws that the fex, in general, were not treated wi'.h il.ftnefs and delicicy, however dignified, or wiih whatever au- thority inverted.

** Ycur widowed hours, apart with female toil, •' And various labors of tiie loom, beiiuile. '* I here rufc, from palace cares ren^'^te and free ; " That care to man belongs, and moll to me."

If wc take a view of the privileges beltow^ed by iw or cuftom on the Grecian women, we fhall fincf, that, in the earlier ages, they were allowed a vote in the publ'c aiTemblics. This p^-ivile^e, however, was afterwards taken from th-m. They fucccedrd equally with brothers to the iniieritance of their fathers; ani to the whcle of that inheritance, if they had nu broth-

II 2 '

1 8 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

ers. But to this laft privilege w.^s always tinnexed a circuiiiftance, which muft have been extremely difa- greeable to every woman of fentiment and feeling. An heirefs was obliged, by the laws of Greece, to marry her neareft relation,' that the eftite might not go our of the family ; and this relation, in cafe of a refufal, had a right'to fue for the delivery of h^r perfon, as we do for goods and chattels.

He who divorced his wife was obliged either to return her dowry, or pay her fo much per month, by way of miiiiteiiance. Ke w^ho ravifhed a free woman w^as obliged in fome ftates to marry her, in ethers to pay a i.undred, and in others again, a thou* land drpxhmas.

But, when' we imp3rtially confider the good and

.cut of the Gr5chin wom.en, we find that the

i:.. ....„ Vv'as much egaintt them, and may therefore

conclude, that, though tke Greeks were emir.ent in ;irts, and ilhiftricus in arms ; yet, in politenefs and elegance of manners, the higheft pitch to which t'ey ever arrived, was ci:ly a few degrees above lavage barbarity.

In the different cer*as of Grecian hiftory, howev- er, we muPc not fupp'Te that thev/onnen were always the fame. It appears that the mam-ers in the Ifles of Greece, in geiier.il, v/ere much purer than on the -ontiiient. 1 ncfct ifl^inders, by being lefs expofedto 'orcrign intercourfe, could more eafily preferve their ■:ws and their virtues. The war-like converts of jrxeclemxon, the nurferies oily of foldicrs, would be much more rigii i^ian the fmihng retreats of Athens, v/he: ce p iirenefs was prcpa^aed, and fafhion an- nounced; and the city ofThetes, where a rufcic groiihi:-rs lupplied the place of an el-gant luxury, muft have been very different from Corinth, wykh on iccouf.t cf its fitu'Uion and commerce, obtained the ame of the " The two feats of Wealth and Plcalure."

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 19

CHAP. VIL

Cf the Grecian Courtezans.

X HE rank which the courtezans enjoyed, even in t le bri^hteft ages of Greece, and particularly at Athens, is one of the greateft fingularities in the manners of any people. By what circumftances could that order of wo;aen, who debafe at once their own fcx an.i ours — in a country, where the womea were poflelTed of raodefty, and the men of fenti- ment, arrive at diftinftion, and fomelimes even at the higheft degree of reputation and confequence ?— ^ Several reafons may be aliigned for that p-ienomen^ oji in ibciety.

In Greece, the courtezans were in fome mea- fure connefted with the religion of the country. The godJefs of Bep.uty had her altars ; and flie was fup* poled to pr teft pVoflitution, which was to her a fpe- cies of worfhip. The people invoked Venus in limes of danger; and, after a I atile, they thought they had done honor to Milriades and I'hemiftocles, be- caufe ihc Laifcs and t ::e Glycenis of the age had ' ' aunted hym.is to their goddefs.

The courtezans v/ere likewife connefted with re- r^ion, by means of the arts. 1 heir perfons alFcrd- ea models for flitues, which were afterwards adored jr. ■ nl^s. Phri e ferved as a model to Prax-

it- !'s Venus of ClriJcs. During the feafts

or \pp:-'les hiving feen the

1*. .jie, wiriiout any other

cr loofe ar.d ib wing hair, was fo much ^^-r apfie-raiice, tnat he borrowed from

''■ Veaus rifing from the wnves. v>vi\3, therefore, connefted with ft:ituc>ry . ?;, as they fumilh-d thepradifcrs of thofe

«?

20 SKETCHES of the SEX,

and, as that art was attended with higher effects in Greece, than it has ever been in any other country, it mull hiive pjffeffed, in their hands, an. irrefiftible charm.

Every one knows how enthufiaflic the Greek's were of beau<y. They adored it in the temples. They admired it in the principal works of art. They ftudied it in the exercif -s and the games. They thought to pcrfeft it by their m.irriac^es. They offer- ed rewards to it at the public feftivals. But virtuous beauty was feldom to be feen. The. modeii women were confined to their own apartments, and were vifited only by their huibands and nearefc rdations* The courtezans offered themfelv; s every where to view ; and their beauty, as might be expefted, ob- tained univerfal homage.

Society only can- unfold the beau ies of the mlndo Modefl women were excluded from it. The cour- tezans of Atnens, by living in public, and converfmg freely wi'h all ranks of people, upon all manner of iubjects, acquired by degrees, a knowledge of hiltcry, of philolbphy, of policy, and a tafle in the whole cir- cle of the arts. Their ideas were more extenfive and various, and their con verfation was more fpright- ly and entert:iining, than any thing that was to be found among the virtuous part of the iex. Hence their houfes became the. fchools of elegance. The poets and the painters went there to c.:tch the fleets- ing forms of gracey and the changeable features of ridicule ; the muficians, to perf eft the delic?.cy of harmony ; and the philofophers, to colleft thofe par- ticulars of human life, wliich had hitherto efcaped their obfcrvation.

The houfe of Afpafia was the refort of Socrates and Perlcle?, as that of Ninon was of St. Evremont and Cende. They acquired from ihole fair liber- tines talbe and politenefs, and they gave them in ex- change knov/ledge and reputation.

Greece was governed by eloquent men ; and

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 21

the celebrated courtezans, having an influence over thofe orators, muit have had an influence on public affairs. There was not one, not even the thundering, the ir.flexible Demouhenes, lb terrible to tyrants, but vt? :?d to their fway. Of that great inafter

ct . . ce it has been iaid, '^ What he had been a whole year in erefting, a woman overturned in a day." That influence augmented their conieque^icc; and their talent of plealiug increafed with the occa- iions of exerting it.

The laws and the public inflitutions, indeed, by authorizing the privacy of women, fet a high value on the lanaity of the marriage vow. But in Athens, imagination, fentiment, liLxury, the tafte in arts and pleaTures, was oppofite to the laws. The courtezans, thercft re, may be faid to have come in fupport of the manners.

'I'here was no check upon public licentioufnefs ;^ but private infidelity, which concerned the peace of families, was punifh. d rs a crime. By a ftrange and perh-'ps unequalie.i iingularity, the men were cor- rupted, yet the domeilic .nanners were pure. It feenas as if the courtczin? had not been confidered to be- long to iheir lex ; an.^, by a convention to which the lawsaud the man trs beaded, while other wcmea were elUmated mer ly by t. eir virtues, they were ef- timatcdonly by their ace :;mpli(h.ne rs.

'Ihclerwalons will, in Tme rneafure, pxcount for the honours, wi.ich the votaries of Venus f "^ ofcen re- ceived in Greece. Otrerwife we Ihould have beea at a lofs to c^rxeive, why fix or feven writers had ex- erted t. eir talents to celebrate the courtezans of A- thsns— why three great painters had unifor.nly de- voted their pencils to repref^nt them on canvafs — and why fo many poets rtad ftr ve to immr^rt-'lize them

in "" Ihould 1 ve 1 that fo

jii men h2 . iety — that

AfpaiiA lia : at ions of peace

and war— of gold piaced

22 SKETCHES OF THE SEX,

between the fte.tues of two kings at Delphos— that, after death, magnificent tombs had been erefted to their memory.

"The traveller/' fays a Greek writer, " who, approaching to Athens, fees on the iide of tnc way a monmnent which attracts his notice at a diftance, will imagine that it is the tomb of Miltiades or Per- icles, or of fome other great man, who has done hon- our to his country by his fervices. He advances, he reads, and he learns that it is a courtezan of Athens w^ho is interred with fo much pomp/'

Theopompus, in a letter to Alexander the Great, {peaks alfo of the fame monument in words to the following effeft — ■" Thus, after her death, is a prof- titute honoured ; while not one of thofe brave war- riors who fell in Afia, fighting for you and for the fafety of Greece, has fo much as a fcone erefted to his mem.ory, or an infcription to preferve his afhes from inliilt."

Such was the homage which that enthufiaftic people, voluptuous and paffionate, paid to beauty. More guided by fentiment than by reafon, and hav- ing laws rather than principles, they bacifhed their great men, honored their courtezans, murdered So- crates, permitted themielves to be governed by Af- pafia, prelerved inviolate the marriage bed, and. pla- ced Ehrioe in the temple of Apcllo !

CHAP. VIII.

Of the Roman Woiiien^

jnLMONG the Romans, a grave affd auflere peo- pie, who, during five hundred years, v/ere unac- quainted with the elegancies and the pieafures o^ hfe, and who, in the middle of furrows and field^. of bat- tie* were employed in tillage or in war, the manners

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 23

of the women were a long time as folemn and fevere as thofe of the men, and without the fmaliefi: mix- ture of corruption, or of weaknefs.

The time when the Roman women began to ap- pear in public, marks a particular a^ra in hiftTry.

in the infancy of the city, and even until the nonqueft of Carthage, fhut up in their houfejj, where a ilmple and ruftic virtue paid every thing to inftinft, and nothing to el gance— fo nearly allied to barbar- ifra, as only to know what it was to be wives and mothers— chafte without apprehending they could be othsrwife — tender and afF ttionate, before they had •learned Ihs meaning of the words— occupied in du- ties, and ignorant that ti^ere were other plcafures ; they fpei^t their life in retiremenr, in dcmefcic ojcon- omy, in r urfiag thair children, and in rearing to the Tepubl'c a nice of l.ibourerF, or of iolciers.

1 he Roman women, for many ages, were ref- pefted ' .ver the whole world. Tleir viftorious huf- banc^s re-vifited them with tranfport, at tneir return from battle. They laid at their feet the fpoils oi the enemy, and endeared themfelves in th ir eyes, bv the wounds which they had received for them and for the Itate. Thofe warricrs often came from impofing Ci'- ' up.^n kings ; and in their own houfes ac-

c. . an honour to obey. 1q vain the too rigid

laws nad made them the arbiters of life and death. More powerful than the laws, the women ruled their judges. In vain the legillature, forefeeing the wants which exift only among a c."^rrupt people, permitted divorce. 'I'he indulgence of the polity was profcrib- ed by the manner?.

Such wLis the influence of beauty at Rome be- fore the licentious i* ':-*' -'^ --: '':\es had cor- rupt-d both.

'1' '' " i^-3ao no' leem to havepcfTef-

fel ti wrirh Piuf^.rch has praifed

*'* '^ women: they par-

'f >; ; or, at leaft, thev

24 SKETCHES OF thk SEX,

departed lefs from its charafter. Their firfl: quality was decency. Every one knows the ftory cf Cato the cenfor, ivho Jiahhed a B&man Senator for kij/in^ his ^wn wife in the prefcncc of his daughter*

To thefe aufiere m?.nners, t' e R man women joined an enthufnftic love of tr.eir country, which difcovered itfelf upon many great cccaficns. On the dearh of Brutus, they all cloathed themfelves in mourning. In the time of Coriolanns they faved the city. That incrnfed warrior v« ho hud infulted the fenate and tiie priefts, and w'lo was fuperior ev^n to the pride of pardoning, could not r: fift the te:irs and entreaties of the women, Ihey melted his obdurate heart* The fenate decreed them public thanks, or- dered the men to give place to triem upon all occa- iions, caufed an altar to be erecl-d for them on the fpot where the mother a i f^ftened ^er fon, and the wife her hulband ; and the fex were permitted to add another ornament t^ their hea- -dr<^fs.

It is to be wifhed tha^ our modern ladies c uld affign as go,^d a reafon for'the fize of their caps.

The Roman women faved the city a fecond time, when befi -ged by Brennus. They gave up aH their gold as its ranfom. For that inli ancc of their generofity, the fenate granted them the honour of having funeral orations pronounced in the roftrum, in common with patriots and nerres.

After the battle of Cmn^e, w 'en Rome had no o'her treafures ^ut the virtues of their citizens, the women iacrificed both their gold and their jewels. A new decree rewarded their 7.e?l,

Valerius Maxim^ts, who lived in the reign cf Ti- berius, informs us that, in the fecond triumvirate, the three aflaflinr, who governed Rome, tldrRing af» ter gold, no lefs than Uood. and having already prac*^ tifed every fpecies of r-^bbery, and worn out every' method of plunder^ refolved to tax the -women, llie] impofeda heavy contribun'n upon each of theip. The women fought an orator to defea J their caufe.

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 2t;

but found none. Nobody would reafon agalnft thofe who had the power of life and death. The daughter of the celebrated Hortenfius alone appeared. She revived the memory of her father's abilities, and fnp- ported with intrepidity her own caufe, and that of her fex. The ruffians bluflied, and revoked their orders.

Horteniia was conduced home in triumph, and had the honour of having given, in one day, an ex- ample of ccurnge to men, a pattern of eloquence to vyomen, and a leiTon of humanity to tyrants.

But the ocrjL of the talents of women at Rome is to be found under the emperors. Society was then more perfefted by opulence, by luxury, by the ufe and abufe of the arts, and by commerce. Their re- tirement was then lefs (tricl ; their genius, beii^g more aftive, was more exerted; tkeir heart had new wants ; the idea of reputation Iprung up in their minds ; their leifure increafed with the divifion of employments.

During upwards of fix hundred years, the vlr^ tues had been found fufiicient topleafe. They now found it neceflkry to call in xh^ ncamphjlments. They were defirous to join admiration to eiieem, *till they learned to exceed efteem iti'elf. For in all countries, in proportion as the love of virtue diminifhes, we find the Icve of talents to increafe.

A thoufand caufes concurred to produce this

revolution of manners among the Romans. I'he

Vc\?\ ' I'ty of ranks, the enormous fortunes of in-

l^i ie ri 'xule,aflixed by the imperial court to

m , all contributed to haften the period of

CCi

'i here were dill, however, fome great ?nd vir- tuous characters among the Roman women. Portia, the daughter of Cato, and wife of Brutus, in the con- {pyrr^ ---.intt Cujlhr, (hewed herfelf worthy to he ail vith the firft of human kind, and iruded

\V'M tuc iate of empires. After the battle of Philin- III

26 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

pi, (ke would neither furvive liberty nor Brutus, but

died with the bold intrepidity of Cato.

The example of Portia was followed by that of Arria, who feeing her hufband hefitaling and afraid to die, in order to encourage him, pierced her own breaft, and delivered to him the dagger with a fmile.

The name of Arria's hufband was Paetus. The manner of their death has furnifhed Martial with the fubjeft of an elegant epigram, which may be thus paraphrafed :

'^ When to her hufband Arria gave the fword,

^' Which from herchaft, her bleeding breaft Ihe drew;

'' Sh'^ faid, My P^tus^ this I do not fear ;

^' But^ 01 the wound that muft he made by you !

'' She could no morer-but en her Panus ftill

^'' She fix'd iier feeble, her expirir.g eyes $

*'' And when (he (aw him raife the pointed fteel,

^" She funk, and feeiii'd to (ay Now Arria dies !'*

Paulinia to:\ the wife of Seneca, caused her V( ins to be opened at the fame tfine with her huiband's ; but being forced to live, during the few years which file furvived him, 'Mhe bore in her countenancej' fays Tacitus, '^ the honourable tefiimony of her love, Ti /)^/^v?6/r, which proved that part of her blood had fympathetically iflued with the blood of her (pcufe."

The fame exalted virtues were difplayed, though in a cTHlerent manner, by Agrippina, the wife of Ger- nranicus-; who, naturally haughty and fenfnie, after the death of that great man, buried herfeif in re- tirement in all the bb^m. of youth ; and who, nei- ther bending her flat.linefs under Tiberius, nor al- lowing herCelf to be corrupted by the manners of her age~as implacal:)le in her hatred to the tyrant, as ihe had been faithful to her huiband— fpent her life in lamenting theone, and in detefUug the other. Nor fhould the celebrated Epiniana be forgot, whom Vef- pafian ought to have admired, but whoiu he ib bafc^ ]y put to death.

SKETCHES OF rm SEX. 27

To take notice of all the celebrated women of the ^^plre, wcul \ much txceed the bounds of the pref- ect undertaking. But the emprefs Julia, the \yite of Septimius Severn s, poffelTed a fpecies of merit fo very different from any of thofe already mentioned, as to claim part' cular attention.

Ihis laJy was born in Syria, and the daughter Li a pri.eft of'the fun. It was predicted that fhs ihould rife to ibvereign dignity ; and her charafter ''nlihed the prophecy.

Julia, while on the throne, loved, or pretended paffionateiy to love, letters. Either from tafte,from a defire to inllruft tierielf, from a love of renown, or pofiibly from all thefe together, (he fpent her life with philofophers. Her rar.k of emprefs would not, perhaps, have been fufficient to fubdue thofe bold {pints ; but fhe joined to that the mere powerful in- fluences of wit and beautv. Thefe three kinds of empire rendered lefs neceffary to her that which con- fiils only in art ; and which, attentive to their lades and iheir weakneiles, governs great minds by little means.

It is fa:d that fhe was a philofopher. Her phi- lofophy, however, did not extend fo far as to give chail'ty to her manners. Her huiband, who did not love her, valued her underftanding fo much, that he confulted her upon all occafions. She governed ia the fame mr.nner under his fon.

Julia was, in (h^rt, an emprefs and a politician, occupied at the fame time about literature and affairs of flate, while (he mingled iier pleafures freely with both. She had courtiers for her lovers, fchcir.rs for her friends, and philcfophers for her counlellors. Id the midll of a fcciety, where (lie reigned and v^as in- ftrufted, Julia arrived at the highelt Cilebrity; bur as, among all her excelknrics, we find not ihofe o^* her fex, the virtues of a woman, our admiration h loft in blame. In her lile time fhe obtained mojc praife than rcTpc^f : kind \\ (tcrity, while it b;:s dcLC

'2S SKETCHES OF the SEX.

juftice to her talents and her accomplifhments, has agreed to deny her efteem.

At laft, in following the courfe of hiftory, the famous Zeaobia preferits herfelf : fhe was worthy to have Deeaapupii ofi>^^^^i?2?/x; for (he knew how to v/rite, as v/eli as how to conquer. When (he was afterward unfortunate, fhe was fo with dignity, ^jhe confoled herfelf for the bis of a throne, and the plea- lures of grandeur, with the fweets of lohtude and the jvyii of reafon.

T.

CHAP. IX.

Ldws and Cujloms refpe&ing the Roman Women,

HE Roman women, as v/ell as the Grecian,

were under perpetual guardianfhip ; and were not at any age, nor in any condition, ever trufted with the management of their own fortunes.

Every father had a power of hfe and death over his own daughters : but this power was not reftric- ted to dauf2;hters only ; it extended alfo to fons.

The Oppian law prohibited women from having more than half an ounce of gold employed in oma* menting their perfons, from wearing clothes of divers colours, and from riding in chariots, either in the city, or a thoufand paces round it.

They were llriftly forbid to ufe wine, or even to have in their polTeffion the key of any place where it was kept. For either of thefe faults they were lia- ble to be divorced by their hufbnnds. So careful were the Romans in reftraining their women from wine, that they are fuppofed to have firft introduced the cuitom of fainting their female relations and ac- quaintances, on entei'ing into the hovifeof a friend or neighbor, that they might difcover by their breath, whether they had tafted any of that liquor.

I'his ftriftaefs, however, began in time to be re-

SKETCHES OF thh SEX, 29

laxcd ; until at lad, luxury becoming too ftrong; for every law, the women indulged themlelves in equal Hberties with the men.

But fuch was not the ca(e in the earlier ages of Rome. Romulus even permitted hufbands to kill their wives, if they found them drinking wine. And if we may believe Valerius Maxim us, Jignatins MeteU huy having detefted his wife drinking out of a calk, aftualiy made ufe of this permiffionj and was acquit- ted by Romulus.

Fabius Piftor relates, that the parents of a Ro- man lady, having detected her picking the lock of a chell which contained fome wine, fhut her up and flarved her to death.

Women were liable to be divorced by their huf- bands almoft at pleafure, provided the portion was returned which they liad brought along with them. They were alfo liable to be divorced for l)arrennels, which, if it could be conftrued into a fault, was at lealt the lUuIt of nature, and might fometimes be that of the hulband.

A few fnmptuary laws, a fubordination to (he men, and a total v/ant of authority, do not ib much afteft the fex, as to be cciJly and indelicately treated by their hufbands.

Such a treatment is touching them in the ten- dered part. Such, however, we have realon to be- lieve, they often met with from the Romans, who had not yet learned, -^.s in modern times^ to blend the ri^idiiv of the patriot, and rcughuefs of the warrior, with tfiat foft and incfulging behaviour, fo confpicu- ous in our modej^.i patri ts and heroes.

Hufbands among the Romans not only them- felves behaved roughly to their v/ives, but even Ibme- tiKies permitted their fe-rvanfs and llaves to do the fame. The principal eunuch of Juflinian the Second, threatened to c-^allife the Emprefs, his matter's wife, in the manner that children are chaitifcci at (Ihool, it Ihe did not obey his orders. Ill 2

30 wSKErCHES OF THE SEX.

With reg irJ to the private diverfions of the Ro man ladies, hiflory is iileat. Their public ones were iuch as were common to both lexes ; as bathing, tiieatrical reprelentations, horfe-races, Ihows of wild f)earLS, which fought againil one another, and fome- times againfl men, whom the emp'r rs, in the plen- itude^ of their d.fpotic power, ordered to engage them. ^ I'he Romans, of both fexes, fpent a great deal of time at the baths ; which at firft, perhaps, were interv/oven with their religion, but at lad were only coniiiered as refine.nents in luxury. They were places of public refort, where all the news of the times were to be heard, where people met with their -icqaaiatancss and friends, where pubhc libraries were kept for fuch as chofe to read, and where poets recited their works to fuch as hid patience to hear.

In the earlier periods of Rome, feparate baths were appropriatevl to each fex. Luxury by degrees getting the better of decency, the men and women at ialt bathed promifcuoufly t.^'g^ther.. Though this in- decent manner of bathing was prohibited by the em- peror A Irian ; yet, in al'hort time, inclination over- came the prohibition ', and, in fpit(? of every effort, promircuous bathing continued until the time of Con- fiantine, who, by the coercive force of the legiilativs authority, and the rewards and terrors of the Chrif- tiaa religion, put a iiaal liop to it.

=:2S^^=

CHAP. X.

O/ the B.Jc3s^ of Chriflianlty en the Manners of Womcn^

i HILOoOPIIY had no fixed principles for wo- men. Tne religion of antiquity was only a kind of Ikcred p^icy, which had rather ceremonies th n pre- cepts- The anci<?nts honored their go.ls as we hon-

SKETCHK3 of the SEX. ^i

our our great men : they offered them incsnfe, and expefted their prot:(ftion in exchange. The gods .re their guardians, not their legiflators.

Chriftianity on the other hand, was a legiflation : it impofed laws for the regulation of manners ; it Itrengthened the marriage knot ; to the pohtical it added a iacred tie, and placed the matrimonial en- gagements under the jurildiclion of Heaven.

Not fatisfied with regulating the adions, Chrif- tianity extended its empire even to the thoughts. Above all, it combated the ierifes. It waged war even with inch inanim:ne objt-fts as might be the ob- jefts of reduction, or were the means of ieduftion. in a word, routing vice i:i her fecret ceil, it made her become her o'^a tormentor.

The legiilation of the Greeks and Romans re- .-rred the motive of every aftion to the political in- t reftof foclety. But the new and facred Icgillarion, infpiring only contempt for this world, referred all things to a future and very different iiate of exiitence.

The detachment of the fenfes, the reign of the

foul, and an ii"iexprelli:>ly fublime and iupernatural

fomething, which blendcvi itfclf wit.i both, becam.e

the dcftnne of a body of the people. Hence the vow

continence, and the confjcnition of celibacy.

Life was a combat. The fanftity of the man- ners threw a veil over nature and over fociety ; Beauty was afraid to pleafe ; Valor dropt his Ipear ; the p.iffions were taug.u to fubmit ; the feverity of the ijui '. -- '>• ' '---\- ^ - ^-: the lacrifices of the feIlle^^

Thevvo:v.3n, v/nj g.neruiiy poffcfs a lively im- agination, and a warm heart, devoted ihemlelvcs to virtue??, which were as flattering as they were diOi- cult, and no \e[f> elevated than aullere.

Th' ' % of chriftianity were taught to love

atul ecu ; . .'■ another, Hke children of the fame family. In confeciuence of this doilrine, the more tLTi^lerfeXj'convcrtu^g to pity thefenfib^l'^^' '^^^' rrjtnr.*

32 SKETCHES OP the SEX.

devoted their lives to the farvice of indigence and dif- trefs. Delicacy learned to overcome dlfguft. The tears of pity were feen to flow in the huts of mlfery, and in the cells of dilbafe, with the friendly fympathy of a fifter.

The perfecutions which arofe in the empire, foon after the introdutlion of chriftianity, afFordea that religion a new opportunity of difcovering its efiicacy. To preferve the faith, it v/as often necenary to fuffer imprifonment, banifhraent, and death. Courage thea became neceffary.

There is a deliberate couragCr which is the refult of reafon, and which is equally bold and calm : it is the courage of philofophers and of heroes. There is a courage which fprings from the imagination, which is ardent and precipitate ; fuch is moft commonly the courage of martyrs, or religious courage.

The courage of the Chriftian women was foun* ded upon the nobleft motives. Animated by the glorious hope of immortality, they embraced flames and gibbets, and offered their delicate and feeble bodies to the moft excruciating tortures.

This revolution in the ideas, and in the man- ners, was followed by another in the writings. Such as made women their fubjeft became as auitere and feraphic as they.

Almoft all the doftors of thofe times, raifed by the church bolh to the rank of orators and of faints, emulated each other in praifing the Chriftian women. But he who fpeuks of them with moft eloqdence and with moft zeal, is Saint Jerome ; who, born with a foul of fire, fpent tv/enty-four years, in writing, ia combating, and in conquering himfelf.

The manners of this faint were probably more fevere than his thoughts. He had a number of il- luftrious women at Rome among his difciples. Thus furrounded with beauty, though he efcaped weak- nefs, yet he was not able to efcape calumny. At laft, flying from the world, from women, and from

SKETCHES OF the SEX. r^

himfelf, he retired to Paleftiae ; where all that he had fled from ttill pnrfued him. tormented him under the penitential lackloth, and, in the middle of folita- ry defarrs, re-echoed in his ears the tumult of Rome. "^ Such was Saint Jerome, the mod eloquent pane- gyrifl of the Chriftian women of the four h centurv. That warm and pious writer, though generally harm -^•^d obfcure, foftenshis ftvle, in athoufandplaces,to life a great number of Roman women, who at the L.:\pitol, had embraced chrifiianity, and fcudied in Rome the language of the Hebrews, that they might read and underltand the books of Mofes.

5=^1:22?

CHAP. XL

Of JVonien in Savage Life,

IVJl AN, la a ftate of barbarity, equally cruel and indolent, aftive by necefTity, but naturally inclined to repofe, is acquainted with little more than the phyfi- cal effects of love ; and, having none of thofe moral ideas which only can foften the empire of force, he is led to confider it as his fupreme law, fubjefting to his defpotifm thofe whom reafon had made his equals, but wliofe imbecility betrayed them to his flrength.

Call in the lap of naked nature, and expofed to

every hardfnip, the forms of women, in favage life,

are but li;tle engaging. With nothing thtt deferves

the namJ'v^f culture, their latent qualities, if they have

" ^ the diamond, while inclofed in the rough

hie of fhewinj? ?.ny luftre. Thus deftitute

can ex':ite love, or ac-

i luty to charm, or art to

I lie tyrant man ; they are by him deftined to

/ - a every mean and fervile om^e. In this the

American ana other favage womerj differ widely from

f V. r,. rr \ r. , ^^^,.^ ;r ^j^^^^ ^^ delUtute of the qual-

34 * SKETCHES OF the SEX. Afications neceffary for gaming efteem, have beaiity-p orilaments, and the art of exciting iove.

in civilized countries a woman acquires fome power by beii^g the mother of a numerous family, who obey her maternal authority, and defend her honour and her hfe. But, even as a mother, a fe- male favage h^s not much advantage. Her chil- dren, daily accuftomed to fee their father treat hei nearly as a Have, foon begin to imitate his example, and either pay little regard to her authority, or fhake it off altogether.

Of this the Hottentot -boys afford a remarkable proof. They are brought up by the women, till they are about fourteen years of age. Then, with fever- ai ceremonies, they are initiated into the fociety of men. After this initiation is over, it is reckoned manly for a b3y to take the earlieft opportunity of returning to the hut of his mother, and beating her in the moft barbarous manner, to fhow that he is now out of her jurildift'on. Should the mother complain to the men, they wouM only applaud the boy, for fnewing lo laudable a contempt for the fociety and authority of women.

*' Nothing,'' fays Profeflbr Miller, fpeaking of the women of barbarous nations, " can exceed the dependence and fubjeftion in which they are kept, or the toil and drudgery which they are obliged to un- dergo. The hulband, when he is not engaged in fome warlike exercife, indulges himfelf in idlenef?, and devolves upon his wife the whole burden of his domeftic atiairs. He difdains to afTift her'^-n any of thofe fervile employments. She fleeps in a different bed, and is feiiom permitted to have any converfa- tion or correlpondence with him."

In the BraziU', the females are obliged to follow their hufbands to war, to fupply the place of beails of burden, and to carry on their backs ^ their chil- dren, provifuns, hammocks, and every thing wanted in the field.

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 35

In the Ifthmus of Darien, they are fent along wirh warriors and travellers, as we do baggage horfes. Even their Queen appeared before tome Eiigiifh gentlemen, carrying her fucking child wrapt ina red blanke'.

The women amorg the Indians of America are what the Helots Were aincng the Spartans, a van- quifhed people obliged to toil for their conquerors. Hencr- on the banks of the Oraonoko we have heard of mr t^ers flaying their daughters out of compafTion, and fmothcring them in the hour of their birth, TTiey confi er this barbarous pity as a virtue.

Father Jcfeph Guinilh, reproving one of them for this inbunian crime, received th^ following an- fwer : — " I wi(h to God, Father, I wifh to God, that my mother hid, by my death, prevented the mani- fold diftr-fi'es I have endured, and have yet to en- dure as Icng as I live. Had Ihe kindly Hifled me in ray birth, 1 fhculd not have felt the psin of death, nor the numlerlefs other pains to wh<:h life has iub- jecled me. Confidrr, Father, cur deplorable condi- tion. Our hufbands go to hunt w'th their bows and arrows, and trouble themf Ives no farther: we are dragged along with ore infant at our breaft, and another in a bafket. They return in the evening withr ut any burden : we return with the burden of our children. Though tired with I rg walking, we are not^allowed to deep, but mift labor the whole night, in grinding ma'ze to make chica for them. They get drunk, and in theirJrunkennels beat us,draw us by the hair of the head, and iread us und^er foot. What then have we to comfort us for flavcry, per- haps of twenty years ?— A ycurg wife is brought upon us and permitted to pbufe us and our children. Can human na*. ure endure furh tynnny ? What kind- ncfs can we (hew to our female children, equal to that of relievirg them from fuch fervitude, more bit- -ra thoufand times than death? I repeat again, culd to God my mother had put me under grc^nd, ti;e moment 1 was born.'*

36 SKETCHES of the SEX.

If the great outlines of this comphiat be true, they fully evince the deplorable condition of favage women ; and that they are propable, fimilar inllan- ces among barbarous nations will not permit us to doubt.

"The men/' fays Commodore Byron, in his account of the inhabitants of South America, " ex- ercife a moft defpotic authority over their wives, whom, they confider in the fame view they do any other part of their pr jperty, and difpofe of them ac- cordingly. Even their common treatment of them is cruel. For, though the toil and hazard of procur- ing food lies entirely on the women, yet they are not fuftered to touch any part of it, until tne huf- band is fatisfied ; and then he affigns them their por- tion, which is generally very fcaoty, and fuch as he has n" t a ftomach for himfelf.''

The Greenlanders, who live moftly upon feals, think it fufficient to catch and bring them on fhore ; and would almoft rather fubmit to ftarve, than affift their women in Ikinning, dreffing, or dragging the cumbrous animals home to their huts.

In fome parts of America, when the men kill any game in the woods, they lav it at the root of a tree, fix a mark there, and travelling until they arrive £t their habitation, fend their women to fetch it ; a tall<: which theii;cwn lazinefs and pride equally forbid.

Among many of the tribes of wandering Arabs, the women are not only obliged to do every domeftic and every rural work, but alfo to feed, to drels, and faddle the horfes, for the ufe of their hulbands.

The Moorifh v/omen, befides doing all the fame kinds of drudgery, are alfo obliged to cultivate the fields, v/hile their hufbands Hand idle fpeftators of the toil, or fleep inglorious beneath a neighbouring (hade. t

In Madura the hufband generally fpeaks to his v/ife in the moft imperious tone ; while fhe with fear and trembling approaches him, waits upon him while

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 37

at meals, and prjnouaces not his name, but with t' e additi©*:! of every dig^if^Mng title fli:? can devife. la Terurn for all this fuoJiillion, he fr^^quently I^eats and abufes her in the moft barbarous manner. Being alkjd the reafon of ^Uch a behaviour, one of them aa- fwered, "A« our wives are fo much our inferiors* why fh:uld we allow them to eat and drink with usi Wny fho'uld they not ferve us with whatever we call for, an i afterwards fit down and eat up what we leave ? If they commit faults, why fhould they not fufFer correftion ? It is their bufinefs only to bring up cur children, pound cur rice, make our oil, and do every other kind of drudgery, purpofes to which only their low and inferior natures are adapted/'

In feveral parts of America women are not fuf. fered to enter into their temples, or join in their re- ligious aflemblies. In the houles where the chiefs meet to confult on the aiFairs of Hate, they are only permitted to enter and feat themfelves on the floor on each fide of the p'fi^'age.

The Circaliian cullom of breediiig yourg glr!'^, on purpofe to be f:idin the public market to the higheft hidder, is generally known. Perhaps, how* ever, up:n minute examination, we fh ill {mi \\r.t women are, in fotne degree, bought and fold in ev.i / countrj^ whether favage or civilized.

Tne f. blowing remark may very proprrly con- clude this chapter: As, among favages, we almcft c^nftantly find women condemned toeverv fpeciesof flavifh drudgery; fo we as conftantly find them emerging from this ftate, in the fame prop riion as we find the men emerging from ignorance and brutal- ity. The rank, therefore, and condition in which we find women io any country, mark out to us with the greateft precifioi theexaft point in th.e icale of ci-- vil fociety, to which the people of fuch counirv have arrived.^ And, indeed, were their hilto'v filer too c\(: ' r fubje£t, and only mentioned the manner iu - .. aiey treated their women, we (hould from

IV

38 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

thence be enabled to form a tolerable judgment of

the barbarity or culture of their manners.

r^^^;^^

T.

CHAP. Xll.

Of the Eqjlern Wonwfi.

___ HE women of the Eaft have, in general, always exhibited the fame appearance. Their manners, cuf- f oms, and fafhions, unalterable like their rocks, have flood the teft of many revolving ages. Though ^he kingdoms of their country have often changed maf- rers, though they have fubmitted to the arms of al- moii: every invader, yet the laws by which their fex are governed and enflaved, have never been rcvifed nor amerded.

Had the manners and cuftoms of the Afiatic wo- men been fubjec): to the fame changes as they are in Eurcp3, we might have expected the fame changes in the fentiiiicnts and writings of their men. But, as th^s is not the cafe, we have reafon to prefurae that the fentinients entertained by Solomon, by the apoc- ryphal writers, and by the ancient Bramins, are the fentiinevits of this day.

Tlioiigh the confinement of women be an un- lawful exer:ion of fuperior power, yet it affords a proof that the inhabitants of the Ea'it are advanced fomie degrees far' her in civiiiy^tion than mere fava- ges, who have hardly any love, and confequently as iittrejea^oufy.

Tnis confinement is not very rigid in the empire rf the Mcgu^. It is, perhaps, iefs lb in China, and in J =pan hardly exifts.

'I^hcugh women are confined in theTurkifh em- p're, they experier.ce every other indulgence. They rrc allowed, at dated times, to go to the public luths ; their apartments are richly, if not elegantly

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 39

t urnifned ; they have a train of female Haves to ferve and ainufe them ; and their perfons are adorned with evcrv collly ornament which their fathers or huf- bands can adord.

Notwithlhndlng the ftrictnefs of confinement in Perfia, their women are treated with leveral indul- gences. They are allowed a variety of precious li- quors, of coltly perfumes, and beautiful flaves : their apartments are furnilhed with the mofl elegant hang- ings and carpets ; their perfons ornamentei with th2 fineil filks, and even loaded with the fparkling jew- els of the Eart. But all thefe trappings, however el- egant, or however gilded, are. only like the golden chains fometimes made ufe of to bhid a royal prilbner.

Solomon had a great number of queens andvon- cubiaes ; but a petty Hindoo chief has been knowu to have two thoufand women confined within the walls of his harem, and appropriated entirely to his pleafure. Nothing lefs than unlimited power in the hulbind is able to reftrain women fo confmed, from the utmoft diforder and coafufion. They m.ay repine in facrer, but they mull clothe their features with cheerfulnefs when their lord appears. Contumacy draws down on them immediate punifhment : they are degraded, chaflifed, divorced, fhut up in dark dungeons, and fometimes put to death.

Thsir perfons, however, are fo facred, that they raufc net in the leaR be violated, nor even looked at^ by any one but their hulbanis. This female privil- ege has given an opportunity of executuig ma:ay con- fpiracies. Warriors^ in fuch vehicles as are ufually employed to carry women, have been often convey- ed, without examination, into the apirtmcnts of the ^reat ; from whence, inftead of iflbiug forth in tiie Imiles of beauty, they have rufhed out in rhe terror of arms, and hid tne tyrants at their feet.

No Rranger is ever iiUowed to fee the women of Hind jilan, nor can even brothers vifit their filters in private. . To .be coafcicua of the exiltence of a man's

.0 SKETCHES OF THE SEX;

wives feems a crime ; and he looks i'urly and offend- ed, if their h:alth is inquired after, la every coun- a-y, hoviOi' coniifts in fomething up.n which the pof- (cltr lets die higheft value. This, xv'^a the Hindoo, 'aityofhis wives; a point ukhout whicli ... . ;u.. net live.

In the midtl of daughter and devaftation, tlirrogh- out ail the Eaft, the harem is afanftuary. Ruffians, covered with the blood of a huiband, (lirink back w ilk veneration froui the iccret apartment of his wives*

At Conftantinople, when the fultan lends an or- der to ftrangle a ftate-criminal, and feize on his ef- fefts, the officers who execute it enter not into the harem, nor touch any thing belonging to the women.

Mr. Pope is very far from doing juflice to the fair fex, when he fays —

" Moft women have no charaftcr at all."

The caar?.fter, however, of the Afiatic ladies cannot be eafiiy afcertained. The narrow and Umitedipherc in which they move, almoft eniirely divefts them of every charafteriliic diiWncfion w4iich arifes from lib- erty and fociety. Shut up for ever in impenetrable harems, they can hardly be called creatures of the world, having no intercourfe with it, and no ufe for the fecial and oeconomical virtues which adorn its citizens. Frugality and induflry are entirely out of their power, f o the joys of friendfhip they are, per- haps, entire ftrangers. The men treat them in fuch a manner, that it is impoffible they can efleem them. 'J'he women are their conftant rivals. As they are not allowed to attend public worfhip, they can have no other religion than the filent adoration of the heart. With refped to chaftity, the manner in which they are difpcfed of to their huibands, and the treatment they meet with from them, are the moft unlikely methods in the world to make them famous for that virtue.

1 iiofe females who are the leaft expofed to fe^l

SKETCHES OF the SEX. ^x

the oppreiTive eTefts of defpotlfm, employ thetnfelvts in a maimer well aiipted to the lex. To the womeo of Hiadollaa we owe a great part of thofe works of tade, fo elegmtly ex^carei on the manufadtures of the Eail ; the beautiful colorings and exquifite de- Cgaings of th^^ir printed cotteiis; all the embroidery, and a part of that fillagree work, which fo much ex- ceeds any thing in Europe. The deficiency of tafte, therefore, withr which we fo commonly charge them,^ does not feem to be fo much a defeft of nature, as or education. Brought up in luxurious indolence, ex- cluded from all the bufy fcenes of hfe, and, like chil- * dren, provided with all thofe things, the acquifition of which calls forth the powers of the mind and body, they feldom have any motive to exert themfelvesj but, when fuch a motive ex-ifts, they have often ex- ' 'bited the moft convincing proofs of iheir ability.

Every Turkifh feraglio and harem has a garden adjoining to it, and in the middle of this garden a large room, more or lefs decorated, according to the wealth of the proprietor. Here the ladies fpend moft of their time, with their attendant nymphs around em, employed at their mufic, embroidery, ordoom.

la thefe retreats, perhaps, they find more real plea- fureand enjoyment, than in the unbounded freedom of Europe, where love, intereft, and ambition foof* ten deftroy their peace ; and where Scandal, with her envenomed fhafts, too often ttrikes equally at guilt and innocence.

It has long been a cuftom among the grandees of Afia, to entertain ftory-tellers of both fexes, who like the tarc^s of ancient Europe, divert them with tales, and little hiftories, mofUy on the fubjeft of bravery and love. Theie often amule the women, and be- guile the cheerlefs hours of the harem, by calling up images to their minds, which their eyes are for ever ' :b;irred from feeing.

All their other amuferaents. as well as this^ are iclently voluptuous. They Ipend a great part of

IV 2

4^ SKETCHES of the SEX.

their time in lolling on lilken Ibfas ; while a train of

female flaves, fcarcely leis voluptuous, attend tofmg

to them, to fan them, and to rub their bodies ; an ex-

€rciie which the Eafterns enjoy with a fort of placid

e.:iiacy,as it promotes the circulation of their languid

biood..

They bathe themfelves in rofe-water, and other baths, prepared with the precious odours of the EaiL They perfume themfelves wi^h coftlr elTences, and adorn their perfons, that they may pleafe the tyrant with whom they are obhged to live.

jA t the court of the Mogul, women are frequent-- ly admitted into a gallery, with a curtain before them^ through' which, without being feen, they can fee and hear what palies. It has fometimes happened that the throne has been occupied by a woman, who nev- er appearing; in open court, iiTue6 her imperial, man- dates from baiiind this curtain, like an invifible being, producing the greateft eiitcl:s, while the caufeof them "wu wrapt in darknefs and oblcurity.

CHAP. XIII..

Of the CImcfe Women*

V^^ ai^- tlie other Afiatics, the Chinefe have, per- haps, the bell title to modefty. Even the men wrap thcmfelvcs clofely up in their garments, and reckon it irdecent to diCcover ituy more of their arms and I'^gs than is neceffi^ry. The women, ftill more clofely wrapped up, never difcover a naked hand even to their neartit relations, if they can poffibly avcid it. Every pan of their drrfs, every part eft heir behavior is cal- culated to prefen^e decency, and infpire refpeft. And, what adds the greatest: hiilre to their charms, is that uncommon modePiy which. appears ia every look, and in every aftioa.

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 43

Charmed, no doubt, with lb engaging a deporU mcnt, the men behave to them in a rec procal man- ner. And, that their virtue may not be contamina- ted by tne neighborhood of vice, thefegiflature takes care that no proltitutes Ihall lodge within the walk of any of the great cities of China.

bome however iufpeft whether this appearance of modefty be any thing eife than the cuftom of the country ; and allege that, notwithftanding fo much fecming decency and decorum, they have their pe- culiar modes of intriguing, and embrace every poili- ble opp: rtuinty of putting them in praftice ^ and that, in thefe intrigues, they frequently fcruple not to ftab the paramour they had invited to their arms, as the furett method of preventing deteftion and lofs of character. Such relations, however, are EOt to be fcuud in any of our modern travellers, whofe verac- ity is moft to be depended on. A few perhaps, of the molt flagitious may b^ guilty of fuch enormous (xim^s.

CHAP. XIV. Cf the Wives of the Indian Priejfs.

X HE Bramins, or priefts of India, though, like the reft of thcii countrymen, they confine their wo- men; yet, by sealing them with lenity and indul- gence, they fecure their virtue by attaching their hear IS.

Married to each other in their infancy, they have iiie j^reaieft veneration tor the .^uptial tie. Their muiuLil iijndT.efs iiicreafes with their flrength ; and, in " " " - - r- ; '' *! cilory of the wives ccniifts in p' . This duty they confider as

one 0: the iTiOil iaored of ibeir holy religion, and

44 SKETCHES OF thk SEX,

which die gods will not liifFcr them to uegled with impunity.

While the refl: of the Hindoo women take eve- ry opportuaity to elude their keepers, thefe volun« tarily coaline themCelves^ at leaft from the company and converfatioaof all ftrangers, and in every rel- peft copy that {implicity of life and nr.anners for which their hufbands are fo remarkable.

=i^ri

CHAP. XV,

A' Cofnparifon between the Mahometans and Butch^ luith regard to their Women »

" W OMEN have naturally moft power," fays an ingenious lady,* " in thofe countiies where the laws relative to them are moit rigid; and, wherev- er legiflators have moft abridged their privileges, their power is moft confeffed.*'

If we take a flight view of the laws relative to the fex araongft people of different charaders, and the cuftoms which feem to throw light upon the fub- jeft, it will appear that women have often been, and Jillzre^ reftrained, confined, and fubj.fted to fevere laws, in proportion to the greatnefs of their natural power ; and that they are, by the laws and ufages, encouraged and fupported in proportion to their want of it.

Of this faft. the laws and cuftoms of the Ma- hometans in Alia refpefting women, and the laws and manners relative to them amongtt the people of Hol- land, ai*e a ftifficient proof.

A Mahometan places his fiipreme delight in his feraglio; his riches are beftowed in purchafmg wo- men to fill it : andj in proportion to his fortune, his fcmaleaare beautiful and numerous, la women he

♦ Mr9» Klfldcrfley.

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 4S-

places his chief amufement, his luxury, his prefent happinefs, and future reward.

But this violent fondnefs for the fex, divided as .: *o betwixt many favorites, iDforms hira that other nvan have the fame violent paliions. Tne beauties' of his feraglio, which delight him, he knows would de- light other men, could they obtain a fight of them, lience arife the ftridl confmement of liis women, the guards of eunechs, and every pcffiblebar to their be- ing vifible to ether men. Hence it is, likewiie, that, when he receives any new beauty into his houfe, the moft profound fecrecy is oblierved. But he docs not al'duays confine his wives and female flaves, becaufe he iiolds th m in contempt : he guards their perfons, as his mof I valuable treafures.

This extreme uxcrioufnefs of the men, is what gives the women tiieir natural power over them j and the knowledge of this power has caufed the men to eftablifh laws and cufloms, to prevent in fome mea* fare its effefts.

Thefe laws prevent the women from having any Ihare in government, debar them from entering the mofques, from holding any lands, or enjoying any fortunes, indepc ndent of their huibands or parents ; and, in (hort, give their huibands an abfolute author* ity over them.

In Holland, on the contrar^% where the men are of a phlegmatic difpofition, devoted to gain, enemies to luxury, prudent, felfiih, and cold in their attach- ments to the fex, the natural pov/er of women muft confequently be fmall. On this account, as there is little danger that the men will treat them with too much kindnefs, or be feduced by their allurements, the laws are calculate ! not to increale, but to reftrain the authority of hufl)ands ; and the magiftrates find it nectfl'ary to fupport the women in the privileges the laws have given them, by great attention to their complaints.

Ncverthelefs, in fpite of the feverity of the Ma»

46 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

hometan laws refpetling women, and the lenity of* the laws ref'pefting them in Holland, it appears that there have been numbers of Mahometans (-vea men on whom the fate of kingdoms has depended) who have given themfelves up to the entire dire£tion of their female favorites ; though it does not appear that Dutch huibands give up their intereft through the mfluence of their wives.

The manners of Mahometan women, and the manners of Dutch women, are no lefs different than the laws by which they are governed ; and, in both, the difference arifes from the fame caufes.

As a Muffulman procures wives and female flaves for his pleafure only, nothing is expefted in them but youth and beauty, or, at moft, the arts of finging and dancing. They are too precious to be fatigued by cares. As their bufmefs is only to make themfelves ao:reeable, they attire themfdvesin the mofl: expenfive dreffes,prafticf the mofl: becoming attitudes, and throw their eyes with the moll bewitching lan- guiihment ; are feeble and indolent in their youth ; and old age, which comes upon women early in their climate, is fpent in jealoufy of their more youth- ful rivals.

But as a Dutch woman is expefteJ to ferve, fhe attends to bufinefs, and neglefts her perfon : Ihe is inelegant and robuft ; her laughs are hearty, and her expreffions coarfe.

A Dutchman defires in his wife an affiftant, a fceward, a partner in his cares. She only expefts to be valued in proportion -to her induitry and occcno- my : as, therefore, the Mahometan women are ex- amples of the molt extreme indolcrxe ; ti:e Dutch v/omen are remarkable for the^r application to bufi- nefs. Thus they become of conlequence in them- felves, as well as ufeM in promoting the intereft of thiir hufbands, not only by their domeffic ccconc- iny, but by their knowleclge in traffic. I'he wife, indeed, is very often, both the efiiilant and thedireo-

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 47

tor of her hulband's affiiirs; and maoy unmarrhd women are very confiderabie merchants.

Bui though man V of them, by their induftry and application to bufmefs, gain a degree of conle- quence^it is a coafequeiice independent of their fex. It is not the woman, but the merchant, who is con- fidered.

Tne women of Holland are under very little ref- traint, beciufe tl.e Dutch are unacquainted with that jealouiy which torments a Muflulman ; and can, without any uneafinefs, fee tkeir wives carrying on bufmefs, and firiking bargains, with the greateit ftran.2;crs.

in contrafi: to the myftericus fecrecy with which a female is ufhered into a (eragiio, the marriages of the Dutch are procl^.imed long before they take place ; and their c our' (hips are earned on even with- out tnat referve and delicacy obferved in the politer nations of Europe,

In fpeaking of H( Hand, we muft be iinderftood to mean the bulk of the people. A few people of rank are imitators of the French manners. Among thefe, however, the national charader is vifible.

r^ss:^^-

r'HAP. XVI.

' ''".men.

X ^^ ^Vtrcars were tormeriy renowned for tlieir induftry in cultivating the ground, for their trade, navigation, carav.ms, and ufcful arts. At prelent they are remarkable for their idlenefs, ignorance, lii- perltition, treachery, and, above all, for their lawlefs methods of robbing and murdering all the other in- habitants of the globe.

Though they Itill retain fome feafe of their infa- mous charaftcr, yet they do not ch oofe to reform.

48 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

Their priefts, therefore, endeavor tojuftify thera,b'j the following ftory: ^' Noiih/Mby they, "was nc Iboner dead, than his tbree frns, the firft of whoir^ was iihite^ the I'ecord tawny y and the third blacky hzxA^ lEg agreed up.Ta dividing am-^ them his goods ana poffeiiioas, fpsot t' e gieate^ p rt of the day in fort3 ing theu'i ; fo tha' they wer.- •;i:)iiged to ndjourn thc^ divifion till the text m^-raiiig. Having fupped, and fmoaked a friendly pipe together, they all went to reft, each in hi% own te-it. After a few hours fleep, the v/hite brother get up, feized on the gold, filver, precious ftones, and other things of the greateft val- ue, loaded the beft horfes with them, and rede away to that country wherehis white pofterity have been fet- tled ever fince. The tawny, awaking foon after, and with the fame criminal intentioti, was furprifcd, when he came to the ftorehoufe, to find that his brother had been beforehand with him. Upon which, he haftily fecured the reft of the horfes and camels, and loading them with the beft carpets, clothes, and other remaining goods, direfted his rout to another part of the world, leaving behind him only a few of the coarfefc of the goods,andfomeprovifionsof littlevalue*

" When the third, or black brother, came next morning, in the fimplicity cf his heart, to make the propofed divifion, and could neither find h^s breth- ren, nor any of the valuable commodities, he eafily judged that they had tricked him, and were by that time fled beyond any poffibility of a difcovery.

^' In this mojl afllicted fituation, he took his/f>^, and begun to confider the moft effe6lual means of re- trieving his lofs, and being revenged on his perfid- ious brothers.

" After revolving a variety of fchemes in his miod, he at laft fixed upon watching every opportun- ity of making reprifals on them, and laying hold cf and carrying av/ay their property, as often ?s nlhould fall in his way, in revenge for the lofs of that patrimony of whicn they had fo uDJuftly deprived him.

1

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 49

" Having corae to this refc lation, he not only

vOiitinued in the praftice of it all his life, but on his

death-bed laid the iirongeft injunftions on his def-

ceodants to do To, to the end of the world/*

Some tribes of the Africans, however, when they have engaged themfclves in the prot-eftion of a ftran- gcr, are remarkable for fidelity. Many of them are CO', Ip: CUD us f.^r their temperance, hofpitality, and feveral other virtues. ^.

Their women, upon the whole, are far from be-

...^' indelicate or urxhafte. On the banks of the Ni-

g?r, they are tolerably icduftrious, have a confidera-

ble Ihare of vivacity, and at the fame lime a female

referve, which would do no difcredit to a politer

couatry.^ '1 hey are modett, affable, and faithful;

an air of innocence appears in - their looks, and in

their lingu'ge, which gives a beauty to then- whole

depcrtment. ^

When, from the Niger, we approach toward the

Ewft, the African women degenerate in Ilature, com-

xion, fenfibility, and chaltity. Even their lan-

'g^, like their features, and the (oil they inhabit,

.5 irih and difagreeable. Tneir pleafures referable

re the transports offary, than the gentle emotions

r.municued by agreeable fenfati )ns.

Beyond the river Volta, i;i the country of Benin,

1 :^e women, t^'oui<h far from bein^^ famous for any

the viraies, would not be difagreeable in their

ks, were ir not for th- abominable cu%m of raark-

v'ah (cars, for the fame purpofes as

dies hyon paint.

a few refpefls bitter than favages,

ular opinion all over this country,

to humanize the mind. ITiisisafirm

th-'t, to whatevf:r place they remove

- or are by any acci-^ent remove J, they

"^*^^: return to th-^^ir cwn ^oun ry, whicli

the mod delightful in the univerfe, i^nu delufive hope not only (bfteas the V

50 SKETCHES of the SEX.

llavery^ to which they are often condemaed in other countries, but alfo induces them to treat fuch flran- gers as come among them with much civility. They think they are come there to enjoy paradife, and to receive the reward of virtuous aftions done in other countries.

^^s:;^^

CHAP. XVil.

Of the Effeds of Chivalry on the Chara^er and the Man- ners, of IVomen*

jTjLISTORY does not afford fo fmgular a revolu- tion in policy and manners, as that which followed the fubvcrfion of the Roman empire.

It is to the barbarians, who fpread conflagration and ruin, who trampled on the monuments of arr, and fpumed the appendages of elegance and pleafure, that we owe the bewitching fpirit of gallantry vv^hich in thefe ages of refinement, reigns ifo the courts of Eu- rope. That fyftem, wliich has made it a princple of honor among us to ccnfiJer the women as fover?igns ; which has partly formed our cuftoms our manners^ and our policy ; which has exalted the human char- after, by Ibftening the empire offeree; which mingles politenefs with theufe of the fword ; which delights in protefting the weak, and in conferring that impor- tance which nature or fortune have denied — that fyf- tem was brought hither from the frozen Azores of the Baltic, and from the favage forefts of the North

The northern nations, in general, paid a grea' relpeft to women. Continually employed in huntj ing or in war, they condefcended only to foften theii ferocity in the prefence of the fair. Their forefts were the nurferies of chivalry : beauty was there thr reward of valour.

A warrior, to render himfelf worthy of his mi!

i

SKETCHES OF THE SEX. 51

trefs, went in fearch of glory and of danger. Jeal* Gufy produced challenges. Single combats, inffitU" ted by love, often ftained uith blood the woods and the borders of the lakes ; and the fword afcer- nined the rights of Venus as well, as of Mars.

Let us not be furprized at thefe manners. A-» mong men who have made few advances in civiliza- tion, but who are already united in large bodies, wo- men have naturally the greateft fway. Society is then fuiEclently cultivated to have introduced the ideas of preference and of choice, in the connedioa between the fexes, which feem to be little regarded, if at all known, among favages. It is however too rude to partake of th:- 1 ftate of effeminacy, in which the fenies are enfeebled, and the alTcftions worn out by habit.

People but little removed from barbarifm, in the perfeftion cf their animal powers, and ignorant of all thofe artificial pleafures created by the wants of po- lifhed life, feel niore exquifitely the pleafures of na- ture, and the genuine emotions of man. They min- gle even with their love a kind of adoration to the female fex.

Several of the northern nations imagined that

omen could lock into futurity, and that they had

.out them an inconceivable fomething appropxhing

10 divinity. Perhaps that idea was only the efteci: of

the fagaclty common to the fex, and the advantage

which their natural addrefs gave them over rough

and fimple warriors. Perhaps, alfo, thofe barbarians,

furprized at the influence which beauty has over

force, were led to afcribe to fupernatural attradioa

charm which they could not comprehend.

A belief, however, that the Deity communicates :nfelfmore readily to women, has atone time or other prevailed in every quarter of the earth: ncton- ly the Germans and the Britons, but all the people of Scandinav'i. nofTeffedof it. Among the Greeks,

iKnMB dt ■ . . e oracles. The rtfpe(fl which the

52 SKETCHES OF the SEX. .

Romans paid to the Sibyls is well known. Tlie Jews had their prophetefFes. The prediftions of the. Egyp- tian women obtained much- credit at Rome>even un- der the emperors. And in the mcft barbarous n:a- ti..ns, all things that have the appearance of being fii- pernaturalj.t- e niyft'.ries of religion, the fecrets of phyfic, and the rights of magic, are in the poffeffion cf the wcme-n.

The barbarians who over-ran Europe carried then* opinions alorg with their anrs. Arevclution in ih^ manner of living muft therefore f on have ta- ken place, The climatesof the r>orth required Hi tlere- ferve between the fexcs; and, during the invafions from that quarter, which continued for three or four hundred years, it was conim.on to fee women mixed with warriors.

By aflcciating with a corrupted people, who had ail the vices of former profperity, along with thcfe of prefent adverfry,,the conquerors v/ere not likely to imbibe more fevere ideas. Hence we fee thofe fons of rhe north, in fofter climates, unilir.g the vices of refinement to the flatehnefs of the warrior^ and the pride of the barbarian.

They embraced Chriftianity; but it rather mxd- ified than changed their charafter: it mingled i:felf with Their cuiloms, without altering the genius of •the people.

Thus, by degrees, were laid the foundations of new manners, which, in modern Europe, have brought the two fexes more on a level, by affigning to the women a kind of fovereignty, and affociating love with valcuro

The true a?ra of cHivalry was the fourteenth century. That civil and military inftitution took its rife from a train of circumfiances, and the native bent of the new inhabitants.

Shattered by the fall of the empire, Europe had not yet arrived at any degree of confiftency. After five hundred years v nothing was fixed. From the

SKETCHES OP THE SEX. 53

', Miiit^ of Chriftianity with the ancient cuftoms of

•ci barbariai s, fprung a conanuiil dilc-^rd in manners^.

rom the mixture of the rights of ihs priefthood with

.wfe of the empire, fprung a diicord in laws and pel--

=cs. From the mixture of the rights of fovereigns

vith thofe of the nobility, fprung a diicord in gov-^

erament. Anarchy and ccnfufion wxre the refult of

fo many contrafts.

Chriftinnity which had now lofl much of its orig-

.ii?A influence, like a feeble curb, was ftili fufficient to

reft rain the weak palfions, but wrs no longer able to

^-ijle theftrong. It produced remorfe, but could not

Twvent guilt.

Th? pe(3ple of thofe times made pilgrimage?, and \ey pillaged : they maflli-^red, and ih y afterwards did penance. Robbery and lieenticufnefs were blend- ed with fuperS-ition.

It was in this crra that the nobility, idle and

. p.riike, from a fentiment of natural equity, and that

aeafinefs which follows the peipetraticnof vilence,

:om the dcubk motive *of religion and of heroifm,

■bciated themfdve.s together to eff'eft, in a body,

..h:^.r --- - --- -ad ncglefted, or but poorly ex-

incir oi^jcct was to combat the Moors in Spain, e Saracens in Afia, t:ie tyrants cf the caftles and holds in Germaiiy and in France; to aflurs the of travellers, as Hercules and Ihelcus did of i ; and, above all things, to defend the hvonor and oteft the^ rights cf the feeble (ex, againll the too cquent viilany and cppreflion of the ftrong.

Anobie Ipirit of gallantry foon mingled it felf

th that inflitution. Every knight, in devoting

imfelf to danger, iifted himfelf under feme lady as

1 is lovereign : itwrs for her that he attacked, for

^r that he defended, for her that he mounted the

:dls of cities wd of caltles, anr^ for her honour that

■ ' "^ blood.

1 c Y/as only one large field of battle, where

54 SKETCHES of the SEX,

warriors clad in armour, and adorned with the rib- bands and with the cyphers of their miftreffes, en* gaged in clofe fight to merit the favour of beauty.

Fidelity was then aflbciated with courage, and love was infeparably connefted with honour.

The women, proud of their fway, and of receiv- ing it from the hands of virtue, became worthy of the great aftions of their lovers, and reciprocated paffions as noble as thofe they infpired. An ungener:us choice debafed them. The tender fen timer, t was Hever felt, but when united wi^h glory : and the man- ners breathed an inexpreffible fomethingof pride, he- roifm, and tendernefs, which was altogether arlon- ifliing.

Beauty, perhaps, never exerclfed fo fweet or h powerful an empire over the heart. Hence thofe ccn- flant paffions which our levity cannot comprehend, and which our manners, our little wenknelles, cur perpetual thirft of hopes and defires, cur liflleis anxie- ty that torments us, and which tires iifelf in purfuit of emotion without pleafure, and of impulfe wirhcut aim, have often turned into ridicule on our theatre?, in our converlations, and in our Uves.

But it is neverthelefs true, that thofe paffions, foftered by years, and roufed by obftacles ; where refpeftkept hope at a diftance ; where love, fed only by facrifices, facrificed itfelf unceafingly to honour — re-invigorated the characters and the fouls of the two fexes ; gave more energy to the one, and more ele- vation to the other ; changed men into heroes ; and infpired the women with a pride which was by nqt naeans hurtful to virtue.

^^^a^

SKETCliES o :;£X. :,

CHAP. XVIIL The Opinion of tiv9 Alod^rn Authors concerning Chivalrj*,

HE feniimentr, of two lata writers cf high repu- tation corroborate this account cf the origin and pro- grefs of chivalry.

*• The fyiiem of chivahy, when completely form- eJ/' fays Profeffor Fcrguion, '' proceeded on a marveiloiis refpeft aad venera'.ion to the f.ir fex, on

'fonns of combat eilabliflied, and on a fuppofed junc- tion of the heroic and fanftified charafter. The formalities cf the duel, and a kind of judicial chal- ' j'lg^, were known am:^ng the ancient Celtic cations > f Europe'. The Germans, even in their native fcr- efts, paid a kind of devotion to the female fex. The Chriftian religion enjoined meeknefs andco.T'paffioii to barbarous ages.

** Thefe different priociples, combined together, ■ ay have ferved as the foundation of a fyflem, in w-aich cour.'ge was direfted by religion and 1 jve, and th2 warlike and geiitte were united together. When '':e charafters cf ihe henj and the fa'nt w:-re mixed, e mild fpirit of Chriflianity, though often turned into venom by the bigo^ ry of oppofite parties ; though it could not always iubdue the ferocity of the war-

' rior, nor fupprefs the admiration of courage and fcrce ; may have confirms :1 tbe apprchenfions of men,

^ in what was to l;e held meritorious and fplendid, in the conduft of their quarrels.

*' The feudal eflablifhments, by the high rank to which they elevated certain families, no doubt greatly favoured this romantic fyfiem. Not only the luflre of a noble defcent, but the (lately caHle befct with batilemeots and towers, ferved to ii flame the ' nagination, and to create a veneration for the daugh- : c r and the fitfter of gallant chiefs, whofe point of han-

S6 SKETCiiLb OB THE SEX.

o!Jr it was to be inacceffibh and chaile ; and who could perceive no merit but tkat of the high-minded and the brave, nor be^ approached in any other ac- centsjhan thofe of gentienefs and refpeft."

Profeirbr Millar, in his Obfervations concerning the Dift^nfti. n of Ranks in Society, gives the follow- ing ieniible and plealing account of chivalry : ^^ From the prevailing fpirit of the times, the art of v/ar be-, came the (lu:!y of ev^ry one who was defirous of maintainirag the clraracber of a gentleman. The ^joutlr were early initiated in the proftiEon of arms, and ferved a icrt of apprenticefhip under perfons of rank' and experience.

^^ The ycung/c'z/'/T became in reality thefervant of that leader to vv^iicm he had-ati^achedhimfelf, and whofe virtues were fet before him as a mode which; he propofed to imitate.

" He was taught to perforrr:, with eafe and dex-. terity, thofe exerciie? which were either ornamental or uieful ; and. at the fame tirr.e, he endeavoured ta acquire thofe talents and acccmpiifhments which were thought Cuitable to his profeiTion.

" He. was taught to lock upon it as h*s duty to. check" the infokn% to reftrain the oppreffor, to pro- - teft the weak .L.d defencelefs ; to behave with frank- nefs and humanity even to an enemy, with modefty and poll ten efs to ail. ^ ^

"According to the profiriency which he had made, he was proportionably advanced in rank and ' charafter. He was honoured with new titles and ' marks of diftindion, till at length he arrived at the dignity of knighthood, i his dignity even the great* * eft potentates were ambitious of acqiilring, as it was fuppofed to diftinguifh a pt- Ton who had obtained the moft complete military education, and who had at- tained to a high degree of eminence in thofe particu- lar qualities which were then univerfaliy admired and refpefled.

t^ The fituation of mankind in thgfe periods had

SKETCHES OF THE SES. 57

: alfo amanifeft tendon :y (0 heig!:t€n and improve the paffion hetwv^en the/'AVT.

" It v/as not to oe expec^^d that thofe opulent chiefs, who -were fo oFen at variance, and who main- tained a c:^nft'mt opp fitim to each other, would al- low a ^y tort of fainllianty t "• take phce beiween the members ' f th-ir relpedive f ;m':ii s. Re: ireJ ia their ow'o cardec, and furn irided by iheirnunierous vaf- fab, ih ^y looked up jh their neighbours eit ler as m- ferior to them In rank, ^r as eneihies againlt whom they were obliged to be conllantly up ^^n theirguard. They behaved to each ciher with that ctremofiious civil ty which the law<? of chivalr-^ requred ; but, at the (am^ tiir^e, with that raferve and caution which a re- gard to their cwa fafcty made it ueceliiiry for them to obferve.

" The you- g kn-ght, as he mnrched to t\\e tour- nament, faw at a diftance the daughter of the chieftain by whom the fhow was exhibited ; and it was even with difficulty ihat he couid vibiain acctfs to her, in order to declare the fendments with which (he had infpired i^:im. He was ei^er^ained by l.er relations wi h that cold refpect wh^ii demo il^nted th ir un- wil'ingntfs to coniracl an alFrmce wit^^ him. The la- dy herfelf was taught to alliiir.e the pride of her fam- ily, and to think that no p-rfon was worthy of her aiTcclicn, who did nor poiTefs the moft exalted rank

d characler. To have give.n way to a fudden in- v,.i jation, wculd have difgr^red her for ever in the opinion of all her kindred \ and i*" was oidy by a long courfe of attention, and of the molt refpeclful fer- ▼ice, that the bver could hop:^ for any favour from his milhxTs.

"The barbarous ftate cfthe c:uatry at that " >e, and* the injury to which the inhabitants, efpe-

• ly thofe of the we.ikpr fex, were frequently ex- i le !, gave jiniple fcope for the difplay of military • r-nts ; and the kIl:^ht who had nothing to do at

ir.e wss encouraged to wander from place to place,

%

SS \ SKETCHES of the SEX.

and from one court to another^ in queft of adven- tures. Thus he endeavoured to advance his reputa- tion in arms, and to recommend himfelf to the fair of whom he was enamoured, by fighting with every perfon v/ho was fo inconfiderate as to diipute her un- rivalled beauty, virtue, or perlbnal accompliihments.

'' As there were many peribns in the fame fitu- aticn, fo they were naturally infpiredwith fimilar fen- timents. Rivals to cne another in military glory, they were often competitors, as Milton expreffeth it, to win her grace who7n all ccmjiiend ; and the fame emula- tion which difpofed them to ann at pre-eminence in one refpeft, excited them with nolefs eagernefs to difpute the preference in the other. Their difpofitions and manner of thinking became fafhlouable, and were grad- .laliy diffafeJ by the force of education and example.

" To be in loi?e v/as looked upon as one of the necefTary qualiiications of a knight; and he was no lefs ambitious of fliewing his cooftancy and fidelity to his miftrefs, than of difplaying his miUtary virtues. He afluTTieJ the title of herflave and fervant. By this he diflinguilhed himfelf in every confiift in which he v/as engaged ; and his fuccefs was fuppofed to re- dound to her honour, no lefs than to his own. If fhe had befiov/ed on Yiim z prefent io be worn in the field cf battle, in token of her regard, it was confid- ered as a fure pledge of viftory, and as laying upon him the ftrongeft obligation to aft in fuch manner as would render him worthy of the favour which he had received. .

" The fincere and faithful paffion, the diHant fentimcntal attachment which commonly occupied the heart of every warrior, and which he poflefled upon all occafious, v/as naturally produftive oi the utmoft purity of manners, and of great refpeft and venera- tion for the female fex.

" Perfons who made a point of defending the reputation and dignity of that particular lady to whom they were devoted, became thereby extremely can-

SKETCHES 01' the SEX. 59

tious and delicate, left, by any infmuation whatever, they fhculd hurt the charaller of another, and be ex- pofed to the juft cenfure and refentment of thofe by whom fhe was protefted.

" A woman who deviated fo far from the eflab- liOied maxims of the age, as to violate the laws of chaflity, was indeed defeated by every body, and was therefore umverfally condemned and infulteJ. But thofe who adhered to the ftrift rules of virtue, and maintaiued an unblemiflied reputation, were treated like beings of a fuperior order/'

Such was the fpirit of chivalry. It gave birth to an incredible number of performances in honour and in praife of women. The verfes of the bards, the Italian fonnet, the plaintive romance, the p::enis cf chivalry, the Spanifh and French romances, were fo many monuments of that kind, c?mpoIed in the time of a noble barbarlfm, and of a hcroifm, in which the great and ridiculous were often blended.

Thefe compofitions, all at once fo much celebra-

ed, are only calculated to gratify a vain curiofity.

i hey may be compared to the ruins of a Gothic pal- e. They have in general, the fame foundation ; and

re praifes in the one are as uniform as,the apartments

1 the other. All the women are prodhiics of beauty,

ad miracles of virtue.

In the courts, in the fields cf battle or of tourna- ment, every thing breathed of women. The fame tafle prevailed in letters. One did not write, one did not think, but for them. The fame man was often both poet and warrior. He fuDg with his lyre, and encountered with his lance, by turns, for the beautv that he adored.

=aCte=

6# SKETCHES OF the SEX.

CHAP. XIX.

Of the Great Enterprifei of IVomm m the Times of Chivalry,

^ JL HE times and the manners ofchivalry, bybring- ing great enterpnfes, bold adventures, and I know not wh'.it of extravagant here ifm into fafhion, infpir- ed the women with the fame tafce.

The two fex^s always imitate each other. Their manners and the:r minds are n-iined or corrupted, invigorated or diilclved t -gether.

Th : women, in confequence of the prevailing paffion, v/ere now feen in the middle of camps and of armie?. They quitted the foft and tender in- clinations, and the delicate offires of their owa fex, for the courage, and the toilf^me occupations of ours,

Durin^'; the crufaJes^animatedby the double en- thufiafm of religion and of valor, they often perform- ed trie moft romantic exploits. They obtained in- dulgences on th.^ field of battle, and died with arms in their hands, by the fide of their lovers, or of their hufbands.

In Eurv'^pe, the women attacked and defended fortificatii ns. Princeffjs commanded their armies, and obtained vi dories.

Such was the celebrated Joan de Mountfort, dif- pufmg for her duchy of Bre^agae, and engaging the enemy herlelf.

Such was the ftill m'^re celebrated M-^irgaret of Anjou, queen of England, and wife of Henry VI. She was acHve and intrepi.l, a general an:! a (oldier^ Her genius for along time fupported her feeHe huf- band, taught him to comiuer, replaced him up '^i the throne, twice releved him from prifon, and, though opprefl'ed by fcriun^and by rebelr^. Ihe did net yield^ till (he had decided in perfon twelve battles.

SKETCHES OF tpie SEX. 6i

The warlike Ipirit among the womei^, confiftent Vith ages of barbarifm, when every thiDg is irapem- ous becaufe noiiiir.g is fixed, and when all excels is the excels of force, continuevi in Europe upwards of four hundred ye^rs, {hewing itfelf frr m time to time, and always in the middle of convulfior-Sj or on the tve of great revolutions.

But there were neras and countries, in which that fpirit appeared with particular luflre. Such were the dilplays it made in the fifteenth and fixteenth cen- turies m Hungary, and in the Iflands of the Archip- elago and the Mediterranean, when they were in- vaded by the Turks.

Every thing o nfpired to animate the women of thofe ccuntries with an exalted courage : the prevail- ing fpirit of the foregoing ages ; the terror which the name of the Turks infpired ; the flill more dreadful apprehenfions of an unknown enemy ; the difl'erence oiilrefs^ whrch has a ftronger effe^ thnn is commonly fuppofed on the imagination of a people ; the differ- ence of religion, which produced a kind of facred horror ; the ftriking difference of m.anners ; and, above all, the confintment of the female fex, which prefented to the women of Europe nothing but the frightful ideas of fer\dtude and a maf ter ; the groans of honor, the tears of beauty in the embrace of bar- barirm, and the double tyranny of love and pride !

The conte!):platiou of thefe objeds, accordingly,' roufed in the hearts of the women a relclute courage to defend themfelves ; nay, (bmetimes even a cour- age of enthufafm, which hurled itielf againlt the en- emy.— That courage, too, was augmented, by the promifes of a religion, which ofiered eternal happi- nels in exchange for the fufltrings of a moment.

It is not therefore iwrprifing, that, when threfe beautiful women of the ifle of C'yprus wcr3 led prif- oners to Seh:^, to be fecluded in the feraglio, one of" them, preferring death to fuch a condition, conceived the projcft of letting fire to the mag?.zine 3 and after

(;i SKETCHES ^F THE SEX.

having communicated her defign to the reft, puf it la execution.

The year following, a city of Cyprus being be- fieged by the Turks, the women ran in, crowds, ming- led themfelves with the foldiers, and, figh<ing gal- lantly IR ths breach, were the means of laving their country.

Under Mahomet 11. a girl of the iile of Lemnos, armed with the fword and fhield of her father, who had fallen in battle, oppofed the Turks, when they had forced a gate, and chafed them to the fhore.

In Hungary the women diilinguiflied themfelves miraculoufiy in a number of fieges and bat'Ies aga'nft the Turks. A woman of Tranfylvania, in different engagements, is faid to have kilkdiix Janiffaries with her own hand.

In the tv/o celebrated fieges of Rhodes and Mal- ta, the women, ieconding the zeal of the knights, dif- covered upon all occalions the greateft intrepidity ; DCt only that impetuaus and temporary impulfe which defpifes death, but that cool 2nd deliberate fortitude which can fupport the continued harJfhips, the toiU, .and the miferies of war.

=i^j;2^

CHAP. XX.

Other curious ParticMhrs .concerning Fanaks in thofi Aires*

Wt

HILE Charlemagne fwayed the fceptre in France, confeiuon was confiidered as fo abfolateiy ner ceflary to fa!vitioQ,,thac in feveral cafes, and partjc*, ulariy at the point df death, where no priefl: or man' cculd be had, it was by the church a.llowed to b^ liiade to a woman.

In the fixteenth century-, it was no uncommon thing for church-livings, the revenues of abbey:^, afli

SKETCHES OF the SEX. * « even of bifhoprics, to be given away with the young ladies as a portion.

Thus women exercifed a kind of facerdo'cal func- tion : and, though they did not aftually ofliciate at the altar, they enjoyed (what many of the prielfe therafelves would have been ghd of) the emoluments of the altar, without the drudgery of its fervice.

In pofterior ages, women r.ave crept ftill farther into the offices of the church. The Chriftians of Cir- caflia allow t'neir nuns to adminifter the facraraent of baptifra.

When any material difference happened between man atid man, or when one accuf^^d another of a Cime, the decTion, according to an ancient cuitom cftablifhed by law, was to be by a fingle combat or the ordeal trial. From boih which ridiculous ways ©f appealing to heaven women were exempted.

When a man had (iiid any thing that reflefted dlfhonor on a womah, or accuied her of a crime, flie Was not obliged to light him to prove her innocence : the combat would have been unequal. But fne might choole a champion to fight in her caufe, or expofe himfelf to the horrid trial, in order to clear her repu*. Cation. Such- champions were generally I'elefted from her lovers or friends. But if (he fixed upon any oth- er, fo high was the Ipirit of mardiil glory, and fj ea- ger the thirtt of defen.^in<:: tha weak and helplefs fex, that we meet with no iiftance of a chanipicn evei^ having refufed to fijrhr fi t, rr undergo whatev r cuf- tom required in def iic" ^^ ^h" 1 ' i- v/!v- ^v] !>o^v red him with the appoinfr

To tb' -^ * ^ ' iiicmionc'^^wf m;iy add

atrother. 1 inuii inevitably have been

bru'^ * ' . c 'lame ol c(»ward : and, fo defpica-

H edition r.f u coward, in thole times of

! A m, :h..t ^ ?ath itCelf appeared the mord . ch' -ice. N ; V,- fiich was tae nige of fight- ing t . w .:n .n, that it occame ruftDmary for thofe wh-o could noi b^ honored with the deciGjii of thei**

64 SKETCHES OF thk SEX.

real quarrels, to create fiftitioiis ones concerning them, in order to create alfo a neceffity of fighting.

Nor was fighting for the ladies confined to fingle combatants. Crowds cf gallants entered the lifts againit each other. Even kings called out their fub- jefe, to ihew their love to their miflrefles, by cut- ting tl.e throats of their neighbors, who had not in the leafc oiFended.

^ In the fourteenth century, when the countefs of Blois and the widow of Moa?.tfort were at war againfl: each other, a conference v/as agreed to, on pretence cf fettling a pesce, but in repJity to appoint a combat. Inftead of negoclating, they ibon challenged each oth- er ; and Beaumanoir, who was at the head of the Britons, pabixiy declared that ti^.ey fought from na iher motive, than to fee, by the vi(ftory, who had ..:e faireLx milreis.

In the fifteenth century, we find an anecdote of this kind ftill more extraordinary. John, duke de. Bourbonnois, publifhed a declaration, that he would go over to England, with lixteen knights, and there fight it out, in order to avoid idlenefs, and merit the good graces of his miftrefs.

James IV. of Scotland having, in all tournaments^ profeifed himfelf knight to queen Anne of France, (he lummoned him to prove himfelf her true and valor- ous champion, by taking the field in her defence^ againft his brother in law, Henry VIII. of England* He obeyed the romantic mandate ; and the two na* tions bled to feed the vanity of a woman.

Warriors, when ready to engage, invoked the nidof their miftreffes, as poets^do that of the Mufes. If they fought valiantly, it reflefted honor en the Dulcineas they adored ; but if they turned thir backs on their enemies, the poor ladies were diflionored for ever.

Lcve, was, at that time, the raofl prevailing mo- tive to fghtine. Tne famous Gafton de Fcix, who commanded the French troops at the battle of Ra-

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 65

venni, took advantage of this foible of his army. He rode from rank to rauk, calling his officers by name, add even fome of his private men, recommending to themtheircountr}^5theirhonor,and, above all, to fnew what tney ccul.i do for the love of their miftrefles.

1 he women of thofe ages, the reader may ima- gine, were cenainly more completely ha]>py than in any other period of the world. This, however, was- uot in reality the cafe.

Cuftoiii, which governs all things with the moft abfclute fway, had, through a long fuccefiion of years* given her fanclion to fuch combats as were under- taken, either to defence the innocence, or difplay the beauty of women. Cuftom, therefore either obliged a man to fight for a woman who defired him, or marked the refufal with infamy and disgrace. But cuftom did not oblige him, in every other part of his conduct, to behave to this woman, or to the fex in general, with that refpecl and .politenefs w^hichhave happily diftinguifhed the charaftcr of more modern times.

The fame man who would have encountered giants, or gigantic difficulties, " when a lady was in file cafe,'* had but little idea uf adding to her happi- ncfs, by fupplying her with the comforts and elegan- cies of life. And, had Ihe aiked him to lioop, and eafe her of a part of that domeftic flavery which, al. moft in every country, falls to the lot of women, he would have thought himfelf quite afiVonted.-

But befides, men had nothing elfe, in thofe ages, tiianthat kind of romantic gallrntry to recommend them. Ip;norant of letters, arts, and fciences, and every thing tliat refines: human nature, they were, in every taing where gallantry was not concerned, rough and unpohftied in their manners and behavior. The:r time was fpent in drinking, var, galhntry, and idlenefs. In their hours of relaxation, they were but little in company with their women ; and when they were, the indelicacies of the carcufal, or the

Vi2

66 SKETCHES OF thj: SEX.

cruelties of the field, were alou^t the only fubjefl^ they had to talk of.

^From the iUbverfion of the Romaic empire, to the fourteenth or fifteenth century, women I'pent moft of their time alone. They were almoft entire ftrangers to the joys of focial life. They feldom went abroad, but to be ipeclatcrs of fuch puolic diverfions and amufements as the fafhicn of tne times counte- nanced. Francis I. was the firft monarch who inlro* duced them on public days to coxin.

Before his time, nothing was to be feen at any of the courts of Eun pe, but long-bearded pohticians^ plotting the deuruftion of the rights aad liberties of mankind ; and warrirrs clad in complete armour,, leady to put their plois in execution.

In tbe eighth century, ih flavifn was the condi- tion of women on the one hand, and lo much was: ?3eavit3^ covetied on the ctn.jr, thar, fcr about two hundrai ye.irs, the kings of Auilria were obliged to pay a tribute to the Moors, of one hundred beautiful, virgins per annum.

In the thirt-eenlh and fourteenth Genturi(^S5 ele^ gance had fcarcely any exiltence, and even clearlinefii: Wus hardly conn :ered as laudable. The ufe of linen, was nc t known ; and the nic ft delicate of the fair fex were wojJen iliilts,.

In the tim^ of Henry VIII.. the peers of ihe realm, carried their wives behind ihem on horfeback, when they went London ; and, in the fame manner, took them back to their country feats, with hoods of wax- ed linen over their heads, ard wrapped in mantles of ^loth, to fecure them from t)nx cold.

'liK-re was one misfortune ef a ftngular naturjj^ to which women wire liable in thoie days : they were- in perpetual danger of being ace uled of witchcraft, ard iuffering v\\ the cruelties and iodigHities-of a mob, in(lii:ated by fupeiftition aod direfted by enthufiafm;. QrcF being condemned by lav/s, which were at once a dil^race to humanity and to.fenfe* Jivea the blooiu

SKETCHES OF the SEX- 67

of youth and beauty could not lecure them from tor*, lure and from death. But when age and wrinkles attacked a woman, if any thing uncommon happened in her neighborhood, (he was almcft fure of atoninij with her life, for a crime it was impollible for her to commit.

-i^^^

CHAP. XXL

Of the Arabian JVomen^

X. HE confequence of the women in Arabia was annihilated by Mahomet. But before his time they feem to have poil'efTed privileges hardly inferior to ihofe with which they are honoured in i he poUteii. countries of Enrope.

The law gave them a right tSnndependent prop- erty, either by inheritance, by gift, or by marriage iettlement. llie wire had a regular dower, and an annual allowance, which (he might difpofe of in her Cfe-time, or at her death.

To the fortune he received with his wife Cad- hign, who carried on an exieofive trade to Spain and Syria, Ma'iomet himftlf was indebted for the origin ct his wealth and grandeur.

While his fefit was inrreafing, the women of rank took an active part both in civil and military affairs. Several of them liroDgly oppofed all his innovations. Henda, accompanied by fifteen other ladies of dif- tiixtioR, contributed to his defeat ut the battle of hod. After his death, Ayefha, one of his widows, V her influence and addreis, railed her father Abu* Itker to be the fucceflbr of her hu(band.>

But the religion which taught that women were only mere objefts of- pleafure, and the maxims which dictated that they fliould be gu^irded for tn:it particu-» br f urpofe, now becoming general, in little mere than

63 SKETCHES o^ the SEX.

a century they leera to have dwindled from crea- tures of importarxce, to beings only confecrated to dalliance and love.

Such were the confequences of Mahometanifm. But no innovation th^t could happen in the ages in which it was introduced, need much furpriie us. The politics of the Arabians were then regulated by no fixed principles. Their religion had dilgufted the mind with idle articles of belief, and improbable fic- tions. This was not the cafe in i^rabia only: hu- man nature, as was before obferved, feemed every where in a ftate of wavering and imbecility. In Eu- rope it endeavoured to blend the meek and forgiving fpirit of the religion of Jefus, with the fierce and in- tolerant fpirit of war and bloodflied ; and the fame tender fentiment which bound a lover to his miftrefs,, inftigated him, in the moft favage manner, to cut the throats of all thofe who openly profeiTed either to loTcor hate her.

^::i2^=

CHAP. XXIL

On the Learning of JVometL.

Vy HEN Chivalry began to decline in Europe, ir left behind it a tinfture of romantic gallantry iu the manners, which communicated itfelf to the v/orks of imagination.

Many verfes were then written, expreffive of paffions either real or feigned, but always refpeftful and tender. In France, v/here the difiipated nobili- ty fpent their life in war, love was generally painted under the idea of conqueft. In Italy, where another fet of ideas prevailed, it was always reprefented as an adoration or worfhip.

This confufion of religion and gallantry, of Pla-

SKETCHES OP the SEX. 69

tcnifm nnd poetry, of the ftudy of the languages and of the laws, of the ancient philofophy and the modern theology, formed the general chaiatter of the moft illuftrious men of ihofe times. The lame obfervation may be extended to the moft celebrated women.

Never were the women fo univerfally difttin- guifhed for profound learning, as in this period. Per- haps, as it follov/ed the ages of chivalry, when feveral women had difputed with men the- prize of valour, being defircus to eltablifh the equality of their fex in all things, they were ambitious to prove that they had as much genius as courage ; and to iubjeft, even by their talents, thofe over whom they reigned by their beauty^

The general fpirit of this period is worthy of obfer- vation . We mi g r. t then have Teen women preaching jand mix: ig themfelves in coitroverfies ; women occupy- ing tiie chairs or' philofophy and of juftxe; womea haranguing in L:uin before the Pope \ women wri- ting in Greek, and ftudying Hebrew. Nuns v/ere poeteffes, and women of quality divines. And young girls, who had fludied eloquence, would, with the fwecrteft countenances, and the moft plaintive voices in the world, go and pathetically exhort the pope and the Chriftian princes to declare war againft the Turks.

The religious fpirit, which has animated women in all ages, (hewed itfelf at this time ; but it changed its form. It had made them, by turns, martyrs, apoftles, warriors, and concluded m making them di- rines and fcholars.

An incredible value wa<; flill fet on the ftudy of t.v;:guages. In private fariiilies, in the convents, in the courts, and even upon thrones, the fame tafte reigned. It was but a p:)or qualification for a woman to read Virgil and Cicero. The mouth of a young Italian, Spanifh, or Britifh lady feeine-^ adorned witri a particular grjce, when fh? repeated fome Hebrew phrafe, or thundered out fome verf^^s of Homer.

Poetry, fo charming to the imagination and to

:^6 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

iufceptible hearts, was embrr.eed with ardcur by the women. It was a cew and pleafing exertion ot tal- entc, which flattered felf-love, and amufed the mind, -Perhaps, too, that want which they experienced, even without fufpecting it, in a fubtle philofophy, an ab- ftradt theology, and an empty ftudy of diak fts and of founds, would make them more fenfible to the charms of an art, which continually feeds the imagination with its images, and the heart with its feniiments.

I Ihall particularize a few of the women who were moft celebrated for their learning and talents ia that period.

In the thirteenth century, a young lady of Bol^ ogna devoted herfelf to the iiudy of the Latin lan- guage, and of the laws. At the age of t-wenty-thr-ec-, ihe pronounced a funeral oration in Latin in the great ciiurch of Bologna ; and, to be admitted as an ora- tor, ihe had neither need of indulgence, on account of her youth, nor of her fex. At the age of twenty- fix, fhe took the degree of a docT:or of laws,^and be- gan publicly to expound the Inftitutions of JuPdn« ian. At the ag€ of thirty, her great reputation raifr ed her to a chair, where fhe taught the law to a pro- digious concourie of fcholars from ail nations. She joined the charms and accomplifhments of a v/omaii to all the knowledge of a man. But fuchwas.the power of her eloquence^ that her kmity was only ad- mired when her tongue was filent.

In the fourteenth century, a like example wa^ exhibited in that city. In the fifteenth century, the farae prodigy appeared there a tiiird timV. And, ev- en at this day, in the city of Bolcgna, there is ftill a Uarned chair filled with honor by a woman.

At Venice, in the ccurfe of the fixteenlh cen- tury, two celebrated women attraft (ur notice. The one * compoled fuccefsfully a great number of pieces in verfe, ferious, comic, heroic, and tender ; and fome fajforals^ which were much admired. The other t:^

* Modcfta di Voiti di Zori. f Caipudra FTdcIe*,

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 7t

vrho was ona of the mofl le:iriied women of Italy, wrote equilty well the three languages of Homer, Virgil, and IJAnte, and in verfe as well as in prole- She pofTeffid all the philofophy of her own, and of the preceding ages. By her graces, ihe even embel- lirtied theology. She fupporte J thc/es with the greats ejl luftre. She gave public lectures at Padua. She joined to her ferious itudies the elegant arts, particu- larly muGc ; and fofteaed her learning iiill farther by her manners. She received homage from fovereigii pontiffs and fovereign prirxes ; and, that fne might be fmgular in all things, fhe lived upwards of a century.

At Verona, Iffotta Nogarolla acquired fo greit a reputation by her eloquence, that kings were curious to lilten, and fcholars to attend, to hear, and to fee.

At Florence, a nuo of the houfe of Strozzi dif- pelled the languor and indolence of the cloifter by her Uftc for Intas ; and, in her folitude, was known ever Iralv. Germany, and France.

At Maples, Sarrochia compofed a celebrated po- em upon Scandetjerg ; and, in her life-time, was compared to Boyardo and to Taffo.

At Rome, we find Victoria Colonna, marchion- cfs of Pefcaira, who p.iiuonately bved and fuccefs- fully cultivated letters. While {Mil young, fhe be- ^•ailed the lofs of a hufbmd, who was a great war- rior, and paffed tbe remainder of her life m ftudy and melixholy^ celebrating, in tlie moft tender po- etry, th:^ hero whom fhe loved.

Diiiiig the fame age, among the illuftrious wo- rsen of all ages, we find every where the fame charac- ter, and the fame kindof Rudies.

In Spain, Ifibdla of Rol'era preadied in fhe great cfcurch of Barcelona, came to Rome under Paul the Third, and converted the Jews by her eloquence. Ifabella of Cardoua un ^erflbod the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew; and, though poflelled of beauty, reputa- tion, and ricrhes, had (till (he fancy to be a <^<7r, aod tqok h^ degrees in the^loj^j.

7Z SKETCHES of the SEX-

In France we fee leveral women poiTefled of al! the learning of the ti-r.es, particularly thedutchefs of Retz, who under Charles IX. was celebrated evenia Italy, and who aftoaiih^d the Polifli nobility, when they came to demand the duke of- Anjou for their king. They beheld with wonder, at court, a young lady fo intelligent, and who Ipoke the ancient lan- guages with no lefs purity than grace.

In England, we meet with the three Seymours, fitters, nieces to a king, and daughters to a Regent, all celebrated for their learning, and for their elegant Latin verfes, which were tranllated and repeated all over Europe.

Jane Gray, whofe elevation to the throne was only a ftep to the fcaffold, read before her death, in Greeks Plato's Dialogue on the Immortality of the Soul.

The eldeft daughter of the illuflrious chancellor Sir Thomas More, was a wife and amiable lady. Her learning was almoft eclipfed by her virtues. She correfponded in Lafi?i with the great Erafmus, who ftylcd her the ornament of Briton. After fhe had confoled her father in priion, had rufhed through the guards to fnatch a laft embrace, had obtained the lib- erty of paying him Juneral honours, had purchafed his '^'iead with gold-— fhe was herfelf loaded with fetters for two crimes — for having kept the head of her father as a relic, and for having preferved his books and writings. She a^pe^.red before her judges with intrepidity, juflified herfelf with that eloquence which virtue beftows on injured merit, comm.anded admira- tion and refpect, and pafled the reft of her life in re- tirement, in melancholy, and in ftudy.

We behold in Scorlind, Mary Stuart, heir of that crown, the moft beautiful wom.an of her age, •and one of the moft learned, who could v/rite and fpeak Jix l-^.nguages, who made eleg?.nt verfes in French, and who, when very y^ung, delivered an cration in Latin, to the court of i rance^ to prove that

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 73

the ftudy of letters is confiftent with the female char- after. So lovely and fo happy an example of the truth which fhe advanced, could not fail to con- vince. Mary added to her learning a del'cate tafte in the polite arts, particularly mufic, and adorned the whole with the moll feminine courtly manners.

What has fv^ce been called Jlciety was not then indeed fo much known. Luxury, and the w^ant of occupation, had not introduced the cuftom of fitting five or 4ix hours before a glafs, to invent fafhions. Some ufe was made of time. Hence that variety of languages, arts, and fciences, which were acquired by women.

It is but juft, however, to obf^rve, that the vani- ty of undertaking every thing is peculiar to the infan- cy of letters. In childnood, all the world over- rate their powers. It is only by meafuring them that we come to know them. ^ The defires themfeives were then more eafily fatisfied than the thirit of learning. People were more anxious to know than to think ; and the mind, more adive than extended, was unable to comprehend the fecrets, or reach the depth of the fciences.

I

CHAP. XXIIi 0/ the European Women*

__N all polifhed nations, chaftity has ever been cf- teemed the principle ornament of the female charac- ter. For this virtue the European ladies are very eminent. Their conduft is influenced by a veneration for that purity cf manners and of charafter, fo llrong- ly inculcated by the precepts of ihe Chriftian religion. We m'4yjuflly affert that Kuropr , ir general, is more famou?^ for thecHaflity and other good qualities of itg wom'^n, than any -^ther part of the globe.

TTie virtues of moiefty and chaftity, however, do not net flourilh moft, where they are attempted VII

74 SKETCHES ©F THE SEX.,

to be torcedxipon the women by locks, bars, and governaiites, as in Spain; nor where unreftrained lib- erty and politenefs are carried to the greateft length, as- in Frarxe and Italy ; b^at rather where refinement k not arrived ib far, as to reckon every rellraint up- Oil iuclinaiion a mark of ill-breeding.

T^^Pi^

CHAP. XXIV.

Of the Frcnd) Women*

HOUGH the ladies of France are not very

haudfoiiie, they are fenfible and witty. To many of them, without the leaft flattery, may be applied the diilich which Sappho afcribes toherfelf :

*' Si mihi difficilis formam natura negavit, *^ Ingenio formse darana rependo me^.*'

• If partial nature has denied me beauty^ the charms of fny mind amply make up for the deficiency •

No women upon earth can excel, and few rival them, i.i their almoft native arts of pleafing all who approach them. Add to this, an education beyond that of moft Europ^rn ladies, a confummate /kill in thofe accomplifhrneits that fuit the fair fex, and the mou graceful manner of displaying that knowledge to the; utmoil advantage.

Such is the defcription that may fafdy be given of the French ladies in general. But the' fpirit, or rather the evU genius of gallantry, too often perverts all thefe lovely qualities, and renders them fubfervient to very iniquitous ends.

In every country, women have always a Kt^le to do, and a great deal to fay. In France, they diftate almoft every thing that is faid, and direft every thing that is done. They are the mcft reftlefs beings in the world. To fold her hands in idlenefs, and impofe iilence on hsr tongue, would b© to a Freuch womau

SKETCHES or the SEX. 75

xvorfe than death. The fcle joy of her life is to be engaged in the profecution of Ibme fcheme, relating eitncr to falhion, ambiiion, or love.

Among the rich and opulent, they are entirely the votaries of pleafiire, wnich they purfue through all its labyrinths, at theexpenfe of fortune, reputa- tion, and health. Giddy and extravagant ro the latl degree, they leave to their hufbands oeconomy and care, which would only fpoil their complexions, and furrow their brows.

When we defcend to tradefmen and mechanics, the cafe is reverfed : the wife manages every thing in the houfe and fliop, while the hulband lounges in the b:.ck-(hop an idle I'peftator, or ftruts about with his fword and bag- wig.

Matrimony among the French, feems to be a bargain enterea into by a male and iemale to bear the lame name, live in the fame houie, and purine their feparate pleafures without reicrai.^t or control. And, fo reUgioufly is this part of thebargain kept, that both p'.rties fliape their ccurfe exaftly as convenience and inclmation diftate.

There is no part of the world, however, where the company of men of letters is more acceptable to the fair fex than in France. This circumltance dif- fufes knowledge among the v/omen, gives an elegance and cheerfulnefs to the men, and renders thera mm of the worlrl as well as of learning. So^'reat isie- 1:1: ^': influence over literature, as w. 11 as over every ether thing in France, that by far the molt confid: r- able part of the produftions of the prefs are calcula- ted for their capac'ty.

In no country does real p-^litenefs ihew itf Ifmore than in France, where the company of the v/omen is acceflible to every man who can recommend himielf by his drefs, and I y hisaddrels. To uftc<^aticn and[ prudery the French women are equpjly flrangers. Kafv and unn " -^ their manners, th irpolitenef?

haslo much v.. _ ^ ranee of nature, that one woul .1

76 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

almoft believe no part of it to be the effect of art. An air of IprigntlineCs and gaity fels perpetually on their countenHncep, and their whole deportment Teems to indicate that their only bufinefsis to " ftrew the path of life with fljwers." Perfu fion iiangs on their lips; aad, though their volubility of tongue is inde- 2tr^able, ib (oft is their accent, fo lively their expref- iiOn,fo various their altitudes, that they fix the at- teution for hours together on a tale of nothing.

The Jewifh doctors have a fable concertiing the etymology of the word Eve, which one would almoft be tempted to fay is realized in the French women. *' Eve,'* fay they, ** comes from a word, which fjg- aifies to talk; and fhe was fo called, becaufe, foon after the creation, there fell from heaven twelve baf- kets full of chit chat, and fhe picked up nine of them, wiiile her hufband was gathering the other threeJ^

The wind, or the fafhions v/hich fhe follows, are hardly more inconfiftect than a French lady's mind. Her f:;le JGy is in the number of her admirers, and her ibie pride in chang'ng them as often as poffible. Over the whole of them (he exercifes the moft abfo- luttpov/er, anc} they are z-ealoufly attentive even to prevent her wifhes, by performing vhatever they think fhe has any inclination to. Their time, their interefl, and aftivity, are wholly devoted to her will, or ratlier to her caprice. Even the purfe, that moft i .acceflible thing about a Frenchman, muft pouir out its laft fous, at the call of his miilrefs. Should he fail in this particular, he would immediately be dif- carded from her ^j;;-^ -;*^, *^\- ^^i^ Cf halving

preferred Mercury to Venus.

While a French woman is able to drink at the ftream cf pleafure, fhe is generally an athcift. As her tafie for that diminifhes, (he becomes gra''ually religious ; and when fhe has loft it altogether, is the moft bigotted devotee.

Upon the whole, French females rather facrifice too much of their delicacy to wit, and of their chafti*

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 77

ty to good-breediog. They pay too little regard to their charafter, and too much to a ridiculous opinion that fafhionable people are above it. They are too much the creatures of art, and have almcft difcarded nature as much from their feelings as from their faces.

To what has been {'aid en this fubjeft, 1 ihall only add the following entertaining defcription cr French gallantrv, and French manners.

"A Frenchman,'' fays an ingenious writer, *.[r^Ques himfelf upon being polifhed above the na- tives of aiiy other country, by his converlktiou witht the fair fex. In the courfe of this communication, with which he is indulged from his tender years, he^ learns, like a parrot, by rote, the wh^le circle of French compliments, which area fet of phrafes, ridi- rulous even to a proverb ; and thefe he throws out indifcriminately to all women without diltinftion, in the exercife of that kind of addrefs, which is here diftinguifhed by the name of gallantry. It is an ex- ercife, by the repetition of which he becomes very pert, very familiar, and very impertinent.

" A Frenchman, in confequence of his mingling with the females from his infancy, not r.nly becomes acquainted with all their cuftrms and humors, bun grows wonderfully alert in performing a thcufand lit- tle offices, which are overlooked by otiu r men, whofe time has been fpent in making more valuable acquifi- I'ons* He enters, without ceremony a lady's bed- namber^ attends her at htr toilette, regulates the diftributnn of her patches, and advifes where to by on the paint. If he vifits her v/hen (he is drcfled, and percrives the leaft impropriety in her coiffure, he in- fills upon adjufling it with his own h mds. 1 1 he fe?s a curl, or even a fingle hair amils, he nro^^uces his comb, his rcflars,and pomatum, and fet's it to rights with the dexterity of a profefled frizeur. He fquires her to every place fhe villts, Hthercn bufinefs or pleafure ; and by dedicating his whole time to her, renders himfelf neceffarv to her occafions. In ihcrt!

'VII 2

78 SKETCHES of the SEX.

of all the coxcombs on the face of the earth, a French petit-maitre is the moil impertinent. And they are r.ll petits-nraitres, from themarquis who glitters in lace and embroidery, to the garcon barbiere (barber's boy) covertd with meal, who ftruts with his hair in a long queue, and his hat under his arm.

'' I Ihall only mention one cultom more, which feenis to carry human affectation to the very fartheft verge of folly^and extravagance : that is, the manner m which the f ?x s of the ladies are primed and paint- ed. It is generally fuppofed that part of the fair (ex, in feme othtr couxitries, make ule of fard and vermil- iion for very dilF.rent purpofes ; namely, to help a bid or laded complexion, to heighten the graces, or conceal the defefts of nature, as well as of the rava- ges of tiiiie. I Ihall net inquire whether it isjuft and honefh to impofe in this manner on mankind. If it IS not hcneft, it m-iy be allowed to be artful and po- litic, and fhews, at leaft, a defire of being agreeable. Bat to lay it on as the fafnion in France prefcribes to all the laaies of condition, who indeed cannot appear without this badge of dift:nftion, is todifguife them- f-ive*^ in fuch a manner as to render them odious and det'fraole to every fpeftator who h-rs the 1 aft relifh kf t for nnture and pre pri:ty. As for the fard, or white, v/ith v/h*:ch their necks and flioulders are piaiftered, it may be in feme meafure excuiable, as their ildnr are na'turally brown or fallow. But the rcuge wlr.ch is dau' ed' on their faces, from the chiit n to, the eyes, without the leaPc art or dexterity, not ' '-ly ddtroys all diftinaicn of features, but renders ihe'arpc-cl really frigllfal, or at lead conveys nothing bm ideas of dilguft and averfion. Without this hor- r-l;!c m::ik, no married l.idy is admitted at court, cr, in any po'ite rifimbly ; ana it is a mark of dilUcdicn which -ucne of the lower clafTes dare afiume.'*

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 79

CHAP. XXV,

Of the Italian Women.

JL HE elegant surhor Dr. GoUrmith thus charac- tenles the Italians in geaeral :

" CoulJ nature's bounty fatisfy the breafl:^ The fous of Italy wcre I'urely bleft. Whatever fruitj in diiFereot climes are found, That pi'ouJly rife, or humbly court the ground ; Wnarever bloorns in torrid tracls appear, Whole bright lucceffioa decks the varied year : Whatever iweets folare the northern iky. With vern;il leaves that bloflbm but to die : Thefe here difportin^, own the kindred foil, Nor aik luxuriance from their planter's toil ; While lea-born gales their gelid wings expand, To w nnow fragrance r ;uLd the imibng land,

" But Imall the blifs that fenfi alone bellows. And fenfual blifs is all tlie nation knows. In florid beauty groves and fiel is appear, Man leems the only growth that dwindles here. Coatr'r^ited faults thro* all his manners reign ; Though poor, luxurious ; though fubmifiive, vain ; Though grave, yet trifling ; ze.^lous, yet untrue j And e'en in penance plaunmg fins anew. All evils here contaminate the mind, That op'ilence departed leaves behind : For wealth was theirs, not fjr re:novM the date. When cr>ramerce prou :!ly flourifti'd thro' the Itate ; - -nd the pal celearn'd torife, -fV.li'u CLlumn fought the /kies; 1 iiC ^.iiivcii glow'd, beyond e'en nature warm ; 'i i^e pre |/nant quarry teeni'd with human formt 1 : ', '- 'f i! f ! ly than the fcu*h^rn gale, ( -jniii, (c o\\ 0 rjr fho;es difplay'd her fail ; While naught rcmain'd of all that riches gave. But towns unmann'd, and lords without a flavc ;

3o SKETCHES OF the SEX.

And late the nation found, with fruitlefs ikill. Its former ftrength was but plethoric ill.

" Yet ftill the lofs of wealth is here fupplied By arts, the fplendid wrecks of former pride ; From thefe the feeble heart and long-fairnmind An eafy compenfation feem to find. Here may be feen in bloodlefs pomp array'd, The pafteboard triumph, and the cavalcade ; Proceflions form'd for piety and love, A miftrefs or a faint in every grove.'*

Almofi every traveller who has vifited Italy ,^ agrees in defcribing it as the mod abandoned of all the countries of Europe. At Venice, at Naples, and kideed in almoft every part of Italy, women are taught from their infancy the various arts of alluring to their arms the young and unwary, and of ob- taining from them, while heated by love or wine, ev-' ery thing that flattery and falfe fmiles can obtain, ia thefe unguarded moments.

The Italian ladies are not quite fo gay and vola- tile as the French, nor do they fo much excite the rifibility of the fpeftator ; but, by the foftnefs of their language, and their manner, they more forcibly engage the heart. They are not fo much the cameleon or the weathercock, but have fome de- cent degree of permanency in their connexions, whether of love or friendihip. With regard to jeal- Gufy, they are fo far from being carelefs and indiffer- ent, in that refpeft, as the French are, that they often fuffer it to traafport them to the moft unwarrantable aftions.

The Italian women are far preferable to the French in point of exterior charms ; but their educa- tion is, in general, moft fcandaloufiy ne^lefted. Thofe accomplifhments, which render the ladies in England and in France fo acceptable in company, are but rare- ly found among the Italians, who depend chiefly on their native fubtlety and fineff?, to ingratiate them- felves with fuch as they deem worthy of their notice*

SKETCHES OF the SEX. tt

Love, in Italy, meets with very fmall encour- agement from the great. That ir.mjcent, pure, and fentimeutal paflion, which the facftion of fcricleft vir- tue aurhcrifes, is almoft obUterated among them. 1 he fordid motives, which to the difgr^ce of moft nations, have fo much undue influence over them in their matrimonial ccnneftions, are dill much more Infamoufly prevalent among the nobility and gejitry of Italy.

An Italian female of birth and fortune, bred in the priibn of a cloifter, is brought forth, when mar- riageable, to receive her fentence ; and condufted like a viftim to the altar, there to be made a facrifice to a man of whom fhe hardly knows the face. Among them, we find none of thofe antecedent hom- ages of a lover, none of thofe engaging proofs of at- tachment, which only can fecure a reciprocation. In (hort, no medium of courtfhip intervenes, and there- fore no opportunity is given to create an afftftion on either fide.

There exifls in Italy a fpecics of beings unknoi^Ti throughout the reft oF Europe ; who, though their rife be not remotely diitant, have wrought a change in the temper and manners of the Italians, that ren- ders them, in fome refpects, a people totally different from what they were a century ago. Thefe beings are well known by the name cicifieys^ and iTiay be confidered in the light of affiftants and fubftitutes to thofe nien of fafliion who hrv'e entered into the mat- rimonial flate, and whcfe fair partners require more attendance, t^an they are willing, or than their occu- paUOus and aflTairs will allow them to give. This in- ftitution appears an admirable relief to thofe young gentlemen, who are afraid, from fundry motives, to venture on a wife, and yet are unwilling to renounce the foft amufements reiulting from the fccieiy of a female companion.

Hence at fnft fi^l^t, this employment of a cicif- bey may feem delightful to perfons of a dilTclute and

82 SKETCHES of rm SEX.

libertine difpofition ; but many a one, who fought it with all the eagernefs of inexperience, has heartily re- gretted the day of his admiffion to a ier\dtude, which robs him of every moment of his liberty, and gives the lady, under whofe banners he has enlifted him- felf, an abf jlute command of his perfon, his time, his means, his credit, and whatever he can call his own. An Italian woman knows no referves ; and he that pretends to her good graces muft diveft himfelf of his will and paffions, and make an entire facrlfi:e of them to her caprce. Thus a cicilbey is a perfeft Have ; and though no favours are denied him, yet the price he pays is far beyond the value he receives, when we reflefl: that he barters for it the pe?xe of his mind, and the profperity of his circumftances ; as it very often happens that advancements in life arc retarded, and fometimes totally fruftrated, through the empedi- ments thrown in the way of aftivity by the atten- tions a lady infills upcn from him, who, by the fatal cfRce he has accepted, has bound himfelf to perpetu- al flavery.

But if fach a conneftion, viewei only in a light cf ple^ifure and gallantry, is fo very far from anfwer- ing the expeftalions even of the man of mere plea- fure, it ftill difplays a more fhocking pifture, when we examine it according to the rules of morality^ as it radic'.tlly d 'ftroys the very firft principles on which the reciprocal happinefs of the l'ex:s is founded, by introducing into the wedded fiate a mutual indiffer- ence or contempt.

r!«OS=

A.

CHAP. XXVI.

Of the Spanijb Wamen.

^S the Spanifh ladies are under a greater feclu-

*ion from general fociety, than the fex is in other European countries, their defires of an adequate de-

SKETCHES OF the SEX. B3

gree of liberty are coafequenly more flrong and ur- gent. A free and open communication being denied them, they m ke it their bufinefs to fecure themfelves a fecret and hidden one. Hence it is that Spain is the country cf intrigue.

The Spimifh women are little or notliing indebt- ed to education. But nature has liberally iupplied them with a fund of wit and fprightlinefs, which is certainly no fmall inducement to thofe, who have on- ly tranlient glimpfes of their charms, to wifh very eameltly for a removal of thofe impediments, that obflruft their more frequent prefence. This not be- ing attainable in a lawful way of cuftomary inter- courfe, the natural propenfity of men to overcome difliculties of this kind, incites them to leave no ex- pedient untried to gain admittance to what perhaps was at firft only the objeft of iheir admiration, but which, by their being refufed an innocent gratifica- tion of that p'iflion, becomes at laft the fubject of a more ferious one. Thus in Spain, as in all countries where the fex is kept much out of fight, the thoughts of men are continually employed indevifing methods to break into their corxealments.

^ There is in the Spaniards a native dignity; which, though the (ource of many inconveniences, has neverthelefs this falutary efleft, that it fets them above almoft every fpe:ies of meannefs and infidelity. This quality is not peculiar to the men ; it diifuftrs itfelf, in a great meai'ure, among the women alio. Its effefts are vifible both in their conftancy in love and friend- fhip, in which refpefls they are the very reverfe of the French women. Thtir afleftions are not to be gained by a bit of fparkling lace, or a tawdry let of liveries ; nor are they to be loft by the appearance of ftill fiuer. Tiieir deportment is rather grave and re- ferved ; and, on the whole, they have much more of the prude than the coquette in their comp fition. Be- ing more confined at home, and lefs engaged in bufi- Bcfci and pleafurc, they take more care of their chil-

t4 SKETCHES of twe SEX,

dren than the French, and have a becoming tender- nefs in their difpoliticn to all animals, except an hen^ tic and a rival.

Something more than a century ago, the Mar- quis D' Aftrogas having prevailed on a young woman of great beauty to b^^conie his raiftrefs, the Marchion- efs hearing of it, went to her hdging wirh fomeaf- faffins, killed her, tore out her heart, carried it home, made a ragout of it, and prefented the di(h to the Marquis. " It is exceedingly good," faid he, ^*No wonder,'* anfwered (he, *' fince it was made of the heart of that creature you fo much doated on.'* And, to confirm what fhe had faid, Ihe immediately drew out her head all bloody from beneath her hoop, and rolled it en the floor, her eyes fparkiing all the time with a mixture of pleafure arid infernal fury.

The Spaniards are indulgent almoft beyond meafure to their women ; and there are feveral fitu- ations in which they take every advantage of this in- dulgence. A kept miftrefs has, by indifputable cuf- tom, a right to a new fuit of cL thes, according to the quality of her keeper, as often as ihe is blooded. She need only feign a flight illnefs, and be on a prop- er footing with the doAor, to procure this as oftca as {he pleafes.

A lady to whom a gentleman pays his addref- fes, is iole miftrefs of his time and money ; and, fhould he refufe her any requelt, whether reafonable or capricious, it would rt fleft eternal difhonor up:n him among the men, and make him the deteflation of all the women.

But, in no fituation does their charafter appear fowhimfical, or their power fo confpicuouSj as when they are pregnant. In this cafe, whatever tiiey long for, whatever they aflc, or wh Ic ver they have an in* dinatioa to do, they mult be indulged in.

SKETCHES OF the SEX. a,^

CHAP. XXVIL

Of the Englijh Wsmtn.

X HE women of Enghn:! are eminent for many good qualities both of the head and of the heart. There we meet with that inexpreilible foftneCs and delicacy of manners, which, cultivated by educa- tion, appears as much fuperior to what it does with- out it, as the polifhed diamond appears fuperior to that which is rough from the mine. In ibme parts ©f tiie world, women have attained to fo little knowl- edge, and fo little confequence, that weconfider their virtues as merely of the negative kind. In England they confifl not only in abftinence from evil, but ia doing good.

There v/e fee the fex every day exerting them- felves in afts of benevolence and charity, in relievinp- the diiirefles of the body, and binding up the wounds of the mind ; in recon-', '.ng the differences of friends, and preventing the flrite of enemies ; and, to funi up all, in that care and attention to their offspring, which is fo neceflary and effential a part of the -: rluty* With regard to the Englilh ladies, Mr. Groiley, a French writer, makes the following jult, and very favorable remarks : " That fex," fays he, " is, in its preleat ftate, juft fuch as one could wifh it to be, ia order to form the felicity of wedlock. Their feriou5 and thoughtful dirix)fitioD, by rendering them f<fden- tary, attaches them to their hulbands, to their chil- dren, and the care of their houlfes. Ihey, for the moft part, nurfe their own children themfelves : and this cuftom, which gains ground every day, is a new iie of affection to the mothers.

" The E glifh women are by no me?.ns indifler- ent about public affairs. Their intereliing them- ftlves in thefe, givcs a new pleafure to focial life. llie hulband always finds at home fomcbody to

vm

86 SKETCHES of the SEX.

whom he can open himfelf, and converfe as long and as earneftly as he thinks proper, upon ihofe fubjeds which he has moft at heart.

" At an aflerably compofed of both fexes, a lady aiked me whether I iiili had many curiofities and ob- jects of obferration to vifit in London : I made an- fwer, that there v/as ftill one of great importance left for me to know, and that (he and her company could give me all the information I defired : this was, whether, in England, the hufband or the wife govenu ed the hoiife ? My queftion being explained to all the ladies prefent, they difcufled it, and amufed themfelves with it ; and the anfwer which they a:^^ reed Ihould be returned to me was, that hulbands alone could nfolve it. 1 then propoied it to the hulbands, who, with one voice declared that they durft not decide.

" The perplexity dTcovj:red by thofe genflemea, gave me the fclution I defired. In faft, the Englifh ladies and wives, with the i^ )ft mild and gentle tone, and with an air of indifference, coldnefs, and languor, cxercife a power equally defpotic over both hulbands and lovers ; a power fo m.uch the more permanent, as it is eftabhfhed and fupported by a complaifance and fal^miflivenefs, from which they rarely depart. ^

" This complaifance, this fubmiflion, and this mildnefs, are happy virtues of conititution, which nature has given tnem, to ferve as a fort of mafk to all that is moft haughty, proud, and impetuous, in the Engliih character.

" 'fo the gifts of nature add the charm of beau- tv, which is very common in England. With regard to graces, the Englifh women have th j(e which ac- company beauty, and not thcfe artificial graces that cannot fupply its place ; thofe (ranfient graces, which are not the lame to-day as yefterday ; thole graces, which are not fo m.uch the objefts themfelves, as in the eye of the Cpeftator, who has oftefii found it dif- ficult to difcover them/'

SKETCHES 0^ the SEX. 87

Indeed, almolt ail foreigners, on their arrival Ifcre, manifeft their confcioufoeis of the fuperior comelinefs of our women, by making it the continual topic of their coaverfation ; and though fome of them are not wUling to exclude from the right cf compar- ifon the females of their own country, yet their caufe is efpoufed with fo much faintnefs, that one may eafi- ly perceive it is only done by way cf faving their honour, and enal ling them to make a fort cf decent retreat from the field of contention, v/here they well know ! hey couli not maintain their ground, ^ and therefore wilV ly avoid much difcourfe on that fubjeft. Strangers unanimraifly agree in their delcrip- tions cf our EnelTn ladies, with whofe gentlenefs of temper and unteigiied mcdefty they feem chieiiy^ to be captivated ; and invariably concur in reprefenting them of a d cent, unaffefted deportment, and of a tender, affectionate dilpofitioc.

02^=

CHAR XXVIII. Of the Ruffian IVcmen.

XT is only a few years fi«ce the Ruffians emerged from a ftate of barbaritv.

A late empre!s of Ruffia, as a punifhment for fome female frailties, ordered a moft beautiful young lady of family to be publicly chaftifed, in a nianner whicti was hardly Itfa indelicate than fevere.

It is laid that the Ruflian ladies were formerly as fubmiffive to their hulbands in their families, as the latter are to their fuperiors in the fitld ; and that they thought themfelves ill treated, if they were not often reminded of their duty by the diicipline of a W;;>,marufafturedbythemlelves,whichtheyprefented to t^eir hulbands on the day of their marriage, The lateft travellers, however, alTert, ih:it they find no r-^mainiBg ^-act- o^ ^w^<^c^■^ ,^^^ '>t -^r-^?nt,

S8 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

Their nuptial ceremonies are peculiar to them- felves; and fcrmerly confifted of manv whimfical rites, many of which are now difufed. On her wed- diDg-day, (he bride is crowned with a garland of wormv/ood ; and, after the priefl has tied the nup- tial knot, his clerk or fexton throws a handful of hops upon the head of the bride, wifhing that fhe might prove as fruitful as that plant. She is then hd home^ \vith abundance of coarfe ceremonies, which are now wearing cif even among the lowell ranks ; and the barbarous treatment of wives by their hufbir.ds is either guarded againfl by the laws of the country, or l)y pcrticalar uipul:itions in the marriage contract.

In the converfatlon and adions of the Ruflian Ir.dies, there is hardly any thing of that fcftnels and delicacy which diftinguim the lex in ether parts of Europe. Even their exercifes and diverfions have mere of the mafculine than the feminine. The pre- fent eniprefs, with the ladies of her court, fometimes divert themfelves by {hooting at a mark. Drunken- Eefs, the vice of almcft every cold cRmate, they are lo Utile afhamed of, that not many years ago, when a lady get drunk at the houfe of a friend, it was cuf- tom?.ry for her to return next day, and thank him for the pleafure he had done her.

Females, however, in Ruffia, pcflefs feveral ad- vantages. They fhare the rank and fplendpr of the famiUes from which they are fprung, and are even al- lowed the fupreme authority. This at prefentj is en- joyed by an emprefs, v;hofe head does honour to her nation and to her fex ; although, on feme occafions, the virtues of her heart have been much fufpefted. The fex, in general, are prctefted from infult by ma- ny falutary laws ; and, except among tl:e peafants, are exempted from every kind of toil and flavery. Upon the whole, they feem to be approaching faft to the enjoyment of that confequence, to which they have already arrived in feveral parts of Europe-

SKETCHES OF the SEX. S9

CHxVP. XXIX. Of the German Women.

vJf all the German females, the ladies of Saxony are the molt amiable. Their peribns are fo (uperior- ly charming and preferable in whatever can recom- mend them to the notice of mankind, that tht German youtii often vifit Saxony in quelt of compsnicns^ for life. Exclufive of their beauty and comelineis of ap- pearance, they are brought up in the knowledge of all thofa arts, both ufeful and ornamental, which are fo briUiant an addition to their native attraftiors. But what chiefly enhances their value, and gives it reality and duration, is ^fojeetnefs^ of temper andfef- tivity of difpofition, that never fail to endear them on a very flight acquaintance. To crown all, they gener- ally become patterns of conjugal tendcrnefs and fidelity^,

As they are commonly careful to improve their mmds by reading and inftruftive converiation, they have no fmall fhare of facetioufnefs and ingenuity* From their innate livelinefs, they are extremely aa- di6bed to all the gay kind of amufements. They ex- cell in the allurements of drefs and decoration, and are in general Ikilful in mufic.

The charafter, however, of the women in mod other parts of Germany, particularly of the Auftrian, is very difl'erent from this. Notwithftanding the ad- vantages of fize and make, their looks and features, thou^jh not unfightly, betray a vacancy of that life and Ipirit, without which beauty is unintereiting, and, like a mere pifture, become.'* utterly void of that indication of ienfibility, which alone can awaken si dclxacy of feeling.

As their education is conduced by the mlcs of

the groflefl Tuperlliton, and they are taught little clfe

than fet forms of devotion, they arrive to the years

of maturity uninftrudted in the ufe of reafon, suad

VIII 2

po SKETCHES OF The SEX.

ufually continue profoundly ignorant the remainder of their days, which are fpenr, or rather loitered away, in apathy and indolence.

Having learned none of the ingenious methods of making time fit lightly, their hours of leifure, which their inaftivity fwells to a large amount, are heavy and opprelTive ; and, from their want of almoft ail fort of knowledge, the fubjeds of their difcourfe are poor and infipid, to a great degree. Soirkfome, even to themfelves, is that kind of fociety which con- fias in a communiGation of thoughts, that drefs and diverfion are the only refuge from the tedicufnefs which hangs over the general tenour of their lives. But whatever they attempt in either, fhews an ab- fencecf all tafceand elegance, fuch as one may natu- rally exped from the poverty and barrennefs of their fancy. In thefe tv/o articles, indeed, they are obli- ged to borrow from abroad all f^at is tolerable.

The princip:;! happinefs of the Auftrian ladies of fafhicn confjfts in ruminating on the dignity of their birth and families, the antiquity of their race, the rank they hold, the' refpcift attached to it, and the prerogatives they enj ;y over the inferior clailes, whom they treat with the utmoft fupercilioufnefs, and hold in the moft u*::r:-af3nab]e contempt. In the mean lim*^, their doraefac afEirs are condemned to the men: unaccountable negleft. They dwell at home, carelefs of whatpaffes there ; and fuffcr difcrderaod ccnfafion to prevail, without feelirg the leaft uneafi- iief?. Great frequenters of churches, their piety c'nfifls in the ftrfteft conformity to all the externals cf relip^ion. They profefs the moit bcundlefs belief in all the r^Hvl^^gen'/.s with which their treatifes of de- votion rre filled ; and thefe are the only bocks they ever read. The coldnefs of their ccnftitudon occa- ilons a fpecies of regulated gallantry, which is ratter the efFcft cf an opinion that it is an appendage of 'JhigJi life, than the refult of their natural inclination.

it muft at the Gvmc time be allowed, that the

SKETCHES OF the SEX. ^t

Auftrian women arc endowed with a great fund of fmcerity and cundour ; and, though too much on the referve, and prone to keep at an unneceffary diftance, are yet capable of the trueft attachment, and always warm and zealous in the caufe of thofe whom they have admitted to their friendlhip.

Though the Germans are rather a dull and phleg- matic people, and not greatly enflaved by the warmer pi'ffions, yet at the court or Vienna they are much given to intrigue : and an amour is fo far from being fcandalous, that a woman gains credit by the rank of her gallant, and is reckoned filly andunfafhionable if Ihe fcrupuloufly adheres to the virtue of chaftity. But fuch culloms are more the cufloms of courts, than of places lefs expofed to temptation, and confequently lefs diflblute ; and we are well afTured that in Ger- many there are many women who do honour to hu- manity, not by challity only, but alfo by a variety of other virtues.

The ladies at the principal courts, differ not much In the'.r drefs from the French and Englifh. They are not, however, fo exceflively fond of paint as the former. At fome courts, they appear in rich furs ; and all of them are loaded with jewels, if they can obtain them. The female part of the burgher's fami- Tes, in many of the German towns, drcfs ri a very different manner, and fome of ihem inconceivably fantaflic, as may be feen in many prints publifhed in books of travels. But, in this refpeft, they are grad- ually reforming, and many of them mr.ke quite a dif- ferent appearance in their drefs from what they did thirty or forty years ago.

Fhe inhabitants of Vienna live luxurioufly, a great part of their time being fpent in feafiing and caroufmg. In winter, when the different branches of the Danube are frozen over, and the ground cov- f rp-l wirh fnow, the ladies take their recreation in s of different fhapes, fuch as griffins, tyger^, * ^> aiii, fcallop-ihcHs, &c. Here the lady fits, drcffed

9z SKETCHES of the SEX.

in velvet lined with rich furs, and adorned with laces and jewels, having on her head a velvet cap. ITie fledge is drawn by one horfe, flag or other creature, fet off with plumes of feathers, ribbands and bells» As this diveriion is taken chiefly in the night time, fervants ride before the fledge with torches ; and a gentleman, {landing on the fledge behind, guides the horfe.

=:=i5ss::^

CHAR XXX.

On the Comparative Merit of the two Sexes,

X HE diflference of duties, of occupations, and of manners, muft certainly have a confiderable influence on the genius, on the fentiments, and on the charac- ter of the two fexes.

In comparing the intelleftual powers of men and women, it is neceflTary to difl:inguifli between the phi- lofophical talent, which thinks and difcriminates ; the talent of memory, which colle(5ts ; the talent of imag- ination, which creates ; the moral and pohtical tal- ent, which governs. It is alfo neceflTary to ir«quire to what degree women poflTefs thefe four kinds of genius.

The philofophical fpirit is rare indeed, even smong men. But ftill there are many great men who have pofl^eflTed it ; who have raifed themfelves to the height of nature, to become acquainted with her works ; who have (hewn to the foul the fource of its idea« ; who have afllgned to reafon its bounds, to motion its laws, and to the univerfe its harmony; who have created fciences in creating principles ; and who have aggrandized the human mind in cultivating their own. If there is a woman found ©n a level with thefe illuftrious men, is it the fault of education cr of nature.'*

SKETCHES OF tme SEX. #

Defcartes, abufeJ bv envious men, but admired by two generous princeiTes, bcafted of the philofoph- A talents cf women. We muft not, however, im- agine that his gratitude could lead him into a volun- tary error, eren in compliment to beauty. He would no doubt find in Elizabeth, and in Chriftiana, a do- dlity which prided itfelf* in liftening to fo great a man, and which feemed to affociate itlelf with his genius, in following the train of his ideas. He might per- haps even find, in the compofitions of women, per- (bicuity, order, and method. But did he find that KTong cii/ccTntnent yth:xt depth of intelleft, that difii- dence, which charafterifes the real philofopher ? Did he find that cool realbn, which, always inquifitive, advances flowly, and re-meafures all its fteps ? — Their enius, penetr:-tijg ar.d rapid, flies off, and is at relh i'hey have more fallies than efforts. What they do not fee at once, they feldom fee at all ; they either di/Iain or defpair to comprehend it. They are not poffeifed of that unremitting ajfiditity^ which alone cao purfue and difcover important truths.

Imagination feems rather to be thAr^froviiice, It has been obferved, that the imagination ct women lias in it fomething unaccountably Angular and ex- fraordinary. All things flrike it ; all things paint themfelves on it, in a lively manner. Their volatile fenfes embrace every obieft, and carry off its images, ^ome unkno-iun powers, lomefecretfympathies, enable them rapidly to feize the imprefCocs. The material world is not fufficient for them; they love to create Tintdeal ^ox\A oi their own, which they embellifh, and in which they dwell. Speftres, enchantments, prodigies, and whatever »ran(cends the ordinary; laws of nature, are their creation and their delight. They enjoy even their terrors. Their feelings are fine, and their fancy always approaches to enthufiafm.

But how far, it may be aiked, can the imagina- tion of females, when applied to the arts, unfold it- felf in the talent of creating and dcfcribing .^ Is thar

94 SKETCHES of the SEX.

imagination as vigorous as it is lively and verfatile ? Does it not unavoidably partake of their occupations, of their pleafures, of their taftes, and even of their weakneffes ? Perhaps their delicate fibres are afraid of ftrong fenfations, which fatigue them, and make them feek the fweets which would give them repofe.

Man, always aftive, is expofed to ftorms. The imag'.nation of the poet enjoys itfelf on the ridge of mountains, on the brink of volcanos, in the middle of ruins, on feas, and in fields of battle ; and it is never more fuiceptible of tender ideas, than afier having- exj^erienced fome great emotion.

But women, by means of their delicate and fe* dentary life, lefs acquainted with the contraft of the gentle and the terrible^ may be fuppofcd to feel and to paint lets perfeftiy, even that which is agreeable, than thofe who are thrown into contrary fituaticns, and pafs rapidly from one fenfation to another.

Perhaps too, from the habit of refigning them- felves to the irapreffion of the moment, which with them is very ftrong, their minds mutt be more replen- ifhed with images than pictures. Or probably their imagination, though lively, refembles a mirror, which refieds every thing, but creates nothirg.

Love is without difpute, the paffion which wo- men feel the ftrongeft, and which they exprefs the beft. They feel the other paflions more feebfy5and, as it were, by chance. But love is their own ; it is the charm and the bufmefs of their life ; it is their foul. They fhould therefore know w^ell how to paint it.

But do they know, like the author of Gthello, of Revenge ; or of Zara, to exprefs the tranfpcrts of a troubled foul, which joins fury to love; which is fometimes impetuous, and fometimes tender ; which now is foftened, and now is roufed ; which {heds blood, and which facrifices itftlf? Can they paint thefe doublings of the human heart, thefe llorms cf emotion and pallion ?— No ; nature herfelf ref-

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 95

trains them. Love in the one fex is a conqueft, ia the other a Ticrifice.

It mutt therefore generally happen that the wo- men of all countries, and in all ages, know better how to paint a delicate and tender ientiment, than a vio- lent and turbulent paffion.

And, bt fides, by their duty, by the referve of th^ir fex, by the defire of a certain grace which fof- tens all their expreffions, is more bewitching than wit, and more attraftive than beauty, they are oblig- ed always to conceal a part of their featiments. Mufl not then thefe fentiments, by being continually ref- trained, become weaker by degrees, and have lefs energy than thofe of men, who at all times bold and extravagant wih impunity, give to their paffions what tone they pleafe, and which are invigorated by exercife ?

A temporar^^ conftraint inflames the pafllons ; but a continued conflraint cools or extinguifhes them.

With regard to the talent of order and memory, which clafTes fafts, and ideas when necelTary, as it depe ids a good deal upon method and habit, there feems little reafon why the two fcxes may not pof- fcfs it in an equal degrte. But are not women foon- er dirgufled with the excels of labour, which is necet- f .ry in order to acqu're the quantity of materials from which erudition refults ? Mufl not their impatience and natural defire of change, which arife from fleet- ing and rapid imprelTions, prevent them from follow- ing, for a courfe of years, the fame kind of ftudy, and confequently from acquiring profound or exteu- five knowledge ? '1 ncugh this may be the cafe, they certiinly have qualities of mind which atone for it* It is not the fame hand which po!i/ba the diamond, .<nd which digs the mine.

We come now to a mere important objefl, the political or moral abilities, which confift in the direc- tion of ourfelves or of others. In order to weigh up- on this fubjeft, the ftdvantages or difad vantages pe-

^6 SKETCHES OF t^he SEX.

culiar to each fex, it is neceffary to diftingiiifh be- tween the ufe of thefe abilities in (ixiety, and their uie in government.

As women fet a high value upon opinion, they muft,by confequence, very attentively confider what it is which produces, deftroys, or confirms it. They muftknow how far one may direft, without appear- ing to be interefted ; how far one may premme upoa that art, even after it is known ; in what eftimation they are held by thofe with whom they live ; and to what degree it is neceffary to ferve them, that they may govern them.

In all matters of bufmefs, women know the great effects which are produced by little caufes. They have the art of impofing upon fome, by feem- ing to difcover to them what they already know ; and of diverting others from their purpofe, by con- firming their moft diftant fufpicions. They know how to captivate by praifes thofe who merit them ; and to raife a blufh, by bellowing them where they are not due.

Thefe delicate fciences are the kading-Jlrings in which the women condud the men. Society to them is Like a harpfichord, of which they know the touch- es ; and they can guefs ?,t the found which every touch will produce. But man, impetuous and free, iupplying the want of addrels by flren^th, and ccnfe- quently being lefs interefted to oblerve — hurried away, befides, by the nsceflity of continual adlion — can Icarcely be poffeffed of all thofe little notices^ and polite attentions, which tre every moment neceffary in the commerce of life. Their calculations, there- fore, on fociety, mull be more flow, and lefs fure, than thofe of women.

Let us now take a view of that fpecies of un- derftanding, in the two fexes, which is applicable to government.

In fociety, women govern men by their paffions, and the fmalleit motives often produce thegreateft

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 97

confequences. But, in the government of ftates, it is by comprehenfive views, by the choice of principles, and, above all, by the difcovery and the employment of talents, that fuccefs can \^ obtained. Here, infead of taking advantage of foibles, they mull fear them. They mu(i raife men above thtirweaknefles, and not lead them into them.

In fociety, therefore, the art of governinp: may be faid to confift in flattering charafters with ad- -drcfs ; and the art of adminiftration, in combating them with judgment. The knowledge ot mankind required in the two cafes is very different. In the one, they muft be known by their weaknefs ; in the oth^r, by their flrength. The one draws forth defefts fcr Utile ends ; the other difcovers great qualities, which are mingled with thofc very faults. The one, in fhrs feeks iiitle blemifhes in great men ; and the other, in deil^cling great men, muft often p.-rceive the fame fpots ; for p^rfecl charafters exifl only in Utopia,

Let us now inquire whether this fpecies of un- derftanding and obfervation belongs equally to the twofexes.

There are women who have reigned, and who Jiill reign with luftrc. Chriftiana in Sweden Ifabelia of Caflile in Spain, and El'zabeth in England, have merited the ef^eem of their age and p Iterlty.

We faw, in the war of 1741, a princefs, whom even her enemies ad m* red, defend the German em- pire with no lefs genius than cournge, and we Jcilely beheld the Ottman empire fhnken by a woman. But, in general queftions, we fhould beware of tak- ing exceptions for rules, and obferve the ordinary courfe of nature.

it therefore becomes neceffiry to inqtnre, wheth* erwjmen, who, a'^cording to the mode of fxiety, neit-^er are, ncr have n th^ir power to be, fo cften in acl'on as men, can io well judge (;f talents, their ufe, or their extent; vhet..er great views, and the

98 SKETCHES of the SEX.

application of great principlc-s, with the habit of per* ceiving confequences with tjie glance of an eye, are compatible with their wandering imagination, and with minds lb little accuflomed to the r.rra'.:!gement of their ideas. All this is neceflary to form the char- acter which governs. It is the vigor of the foul which ^ives activity to genius, which extends and W'hich ftrengthens pc>htical iders. This charadter, however, can hardly be formed but by great com- motions, great hopes, and great fears, as alfo then€- ceffity of being continually eDg?ged in aftion. ''^

Is it not in general, the character of women, t' at iheir minds are more pleafmg and ftrong ? Does not their rapid imagination, which often make^ fenti- ment precede thought, render them., in the choice of men, m^,re fufceptibie both of prejudice, and of er- ror ? Would not one be in danger of abufe, w^ould noto::e even run the r'ik of their difpleafure, if he ihould fay that, in the diftribution of their eflecra, they w^-^uld fet too high a value uprn external ac- complilhni nts ; and, in fhcrt, they would perhaps be too eafjly led to believe that an agreeable man was a great man ? ^ ^

El zabc-th was not fr^e from this cenfure. The inclinations of lier (ex iiole beneath the cares of the throne, and the greainefs of her cnar-'ft t. We are chagrined, at certain times, to fee thelitda weakneffes cf a wom'iu rningle v/ith the views of a great mind.

This tafte for coquetry, as is well known, fur- riiflied Ehzabetii with favorites, in the choice cf which fne judged more like a -u/^y/z^;! thnn like 2i fiver cign. She wt^s alv/ays too ready to believe, that the power of pl?aiing her, implied geniiK?.

That io much celebrated queen exercif d over England an alm'^ ft arbitrary fway ; at v^^liich, p3r- haps, we ought not to be furprifev'. Wom^n, in general, on the throne, src more inclined to defjotifwy and more impatient of reitraint, than men. 'i he fex to v/hv m nature has afli£;ried power, by giving theia

SKETCHES OF the SEX, 99

ftrcngth, have a certuia confidence which raifes them in th-ir own eyes ; fo that they have no need of man- felting to themfeives that fuperiority of which they are fare. But wcakriefs, aitjniflied at the Iway which (he polTefles,fhakes her fceptre on every fide, to eltablifh her dominion.

Great men are perhaps more carried to that fpe- . es of defpoiirm which ariles from lofty ideas ; and ^vomen, above the ordinary clafs, to the deipotilin which proceeds from palTion. The lad is rather a fdlly of the heart, than the effeft of fyftem.

One thing which favors the defpotiiin of female fovercir^ns is, that t!:e men confound the empire of their fex with that of their rank. What we refufe to^ grandeur, we pay to beauty. But the dominion of women, even when arbitrary, is feldom cruel. Theirs is rather a delpotifm oFciprice, than of op-

ErelTicn. The throne itfelf cannot cure their fenfi- ility. They carry in their bofoms the counterpoife cf their pnver.

Hence it follows, that in limited monarchies, fe- mle fovereigns will tend to delpotifm from their jeal- pufy ; and in abf lu'e government, will approach to monarchy by their miidaefs. This cbfervation is proved by experience.

CHAP. XXXI.

On the RalieUus and Dotncfitc Virtues of Wc/nien,

B<

^ >OTH experience and hiRory at^eft, that in all fcctj, in all countries, and in all ranks, the women have more religious virtues than the men. Natural- Iv pDffefredof more fenfibility, they have more ccca- iloa for an objedl which may conflantly occupy thwir

100 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

minds. Defirous of happinefs, and not finding enough in this world, they launch into a life end a world abounding with ineffable dehghts. More flexible in thw-ir du'ies than men, they reafon lefs, and feel more. More fubjefted to good opinion, they pay more at- te..tion to what concerns themfelves. Lefs occupied, and iefs aftive, they have more time for contempla- tion. Lefs abftracled or abfent, they are more ftrong- iy affected by the fame idea, ' becaufe it appears be- fore them continually. More ftruck by external ob- jects, they reUfh more the pageantry of ceremonies and of tempi- s ; and the devotion of the fenfes has no inconfiderable effeft on that of the foul.

The domeilic virtues are intimately connefted with thofe of religion ; they are doubtlefs common to both fexes. The advantage, however, feems ftill to be in favour of the women. At leaft they have more need of virtues which they have more cccalion to praftife.

In the firft period of life, timid, and without fup- port, the d:^ughter is mere attached to her mother. By f:ldom leaving her, ihe comes to love her more. The tremblmg innocent is cheered by the prefei^ceof her proteftref's ; and her weaknefs, while it heightens her beauty, augments her fenfibility. After becom- ing a mother herfelf, fhe has other duties, which eve- ry thing invites her to fulfil. Then the condition of the two fexes is widely different.

Man, in the middle of his labours, and among his arts, employing his powers, and commanding na- ture, finds pleafure in his induftry, in his fuccefs, and and even in his toils. But woman, being more f^li- tary, and lefs aftive, has fewer refources. Her pleaf- ure muft arife from her virtues ; her amufements are her children. It is near the cradle of her infant ; it is in viewing the fmiles of her daughter, or the fports of her fon, that a mother is happy.

Where are the tender feclingj?, the cries, the pow- erful emotions of nature ? Where is the fentiment^

SKETCHES OF the SEX. lot

at once fuMime and pathetic, that carries every feel- ing to excefs ? Is it to be found in the frolly indiiler- ence, and the rigid feverity, of lb mviny fathers ? No; it is in the warm impaflioned bofom of a mother. It is ihe wao, by an impnlfe as quick as involuntary, rulhes into th? flood to fnatch her child, whcfe im- pruJence had betrayed him to the waves 1 It is fhc v/ io in the middle of a conflagration, throws herfelf acrofs the flames to fave her fleeping infant !

Thefe great exprefllons of nature, thefe heart- rending emoti )ns, wnich fill us at once with wonder, compaffion and terror, always have beiongecj, and always w 11 belong only to women. They poffefs, ia thofe moments, an inexprefiible fom.etJiing, which cirri-. s them beyond themfelves. They feera to difcover to us new fouls, above the ftandard of hu- manity.

if we confider alfo the matrimonii! dutie":, the obligations of hulband and wife, which of the fexes is moll hktly to be faithful ? Which, in violating thf^m, has mofk obftacles to encounter ? Is not wo- man beft defended by her education, by herreferve, and by that modefcy which filen:es even her defires ? To thefe refl:raints we may add the power of the firft p'ifion, and ihe firil ties, over a heart endowed with fenfibiVity.

Nature, herfelf, attentive in this inftance to the manners of women, has taken care to i'urround them with the fLrcngeft, yet the gentleft: barriers. She has made inconftarcy more painful, and fidelity mon? ple?fing to their hear s. Eve;i in ages cf gen- eral corupticn, r^;?/^//^^/ infidelity in women has beeu one of the lait of crimes.

tfSgTiPg

IX z

102 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

CHAP. XXXII.

On Female FrieridJlAp*

\_T has lot^g been a queftion, Which of the twofex-. es is moil capable of friendfliip ? Moatagne, who is ib much celebrated for his knowledge ot human na- ture, h?.s given it pofitively againft the women ; and his opinbn has been generally embrace^!.

Friendfhip perhaps, in women, is more rare thaa among men ; but, at the i'ame time, it muft be allow* ed that where it is found, it is mere tender.

Men, in general, have more of the parade ihaa the graces of frieiidfliip. They often wound while they fsrve ; and their warmeft fentiments are not very enlightened, withTeipeft to thofe minute fenti- ments which are of fo much value. But women have a refined fenfibii'ty, v/hich makes them fee every thing ; nothing efcapes them. They divine the filent friendfhJp ; tiiey encourage the bafhful or timid friendlhip ; they oifer tb^ir fweeteft confolaticns to friendfhip in diilrefs^ Furnifhed with finer inftru- nientc, they treat more delicately a wounded heart* They compofe it, and prevent it from feeling i's ago* nies. They know, above all, how to give value to a thoufand things, which have no value in ihemfelves*

We ought therefore, perhaps, to defire the frienddiip of a man upon great cccafions ; but, for gen^r-l happinei-r, we muft prefer the fiiendfhip of a woman.

With regard to female intimacies, it may be taken fcr grant d that tiiere is no young wom-an who has not, or whiles not to have, a companion of her own lex, to whom {he may unbofom herfelf on every occafi 'X\. That there are women capable of friend* fh'p with women, few impartial obfervers will deny. '1 1 ere have hei n many evident proofs of it, and thofe carried as far as feemcd compatible with the imper-

SKETCHES OF the SEX- T03

feftions of our commcn nature* It is, however, queitioned bv Tome ; w-::ils others believe that it hap- pens exceedingly (eldom. Bet A^een m:irried and un- married women, it no doubt happens very often ; whether it does fo between thofe that are fi^gle, is not lb certain. Young men appear more frequently fufceptible of a gen-r^us an! fteady friendlhip for each other, than females as yet unconnected ; ei'pr dal- ly, if the latter have, or are fupp:fed to have, pre- tentions to beauty, not adjulied by the public.

In the frame and condition of females, however, compared with thofe of the other fex, there are fome circumftances which may help towards an apology for this uatavounble feature in thJr character.

The ftate of matrimony is necellary to the fupport, order, and comfort of fociety. Bat it is a ilate that fubj eels the women to a great variety of folicitude and pain. Nothing could carrv them through it with any tolerable i"atisfa6i:ion or fp rit, but very flrong and almoit unconquerable attachments. To produce thefe, is it not fit they fhould be peculiarly fenfible to the attention and regards of the men ? Upon the fame ground, does it not feem agreeable to the pur- pofes of Providence, that the fecuring of t'nis atten- tion, and thefe regards, fhoiili be a prin ipalaim? But can fuch an aim be purfued with :ut frequent competition ? And will net that too readilv occafioix je?lou(y, envy, and ail theunamiaole effefts of mu- tUcd rivaljhip ? Without the re(tr.\ints cf fuperior worh and fentiment, it c rtainly will. But can thefe be ordinarily expefted from t :e prevailing turn of female educativ^n ; or from the little pal- s that wo- men, as well as other human brings, C( mmonlv t. ke to csntrovi themfclvcs, and to aft no' ly ? In this /q^^ rcfpecl, the iexes appear pretty much on ihe laiiii

vCiinji;.

This reafcnipg is not meant to juf^ify t! e indul-

jrjre of thofe little and fometimes bale pafTi^'is to- wvards one another, with which females have been fo

T04 SKETCHES OF the SEX,

generally charged. It is only intended to reprefent (uchp-ffionsm the iirft approach ; and, wnile not enter aiaed, as Ids criminal than the men are apt to ftateth.^m; and to prove that, in tneir attachments to each other, the latter have n t always that merit above the v/om n, which they areapt tochim. In the mean time, let it be the bufmefs of the laJies, by emu- lating the gentlemen, where they app-ar good-na'ur- ed and diiintereited, to d'fprove their imputation, and to fn: w a temp r open lofriendjhip as well as to hve^

To ^ Ik much of the 1 itter is natural for both ; to talk much of the former, is confidered by the men as one v/ay of doing themff Ives honour. Frle:idfhip, they well kn w, is that dignified form, which, in fpec- Klati'^n at la ft, every heart mult refpeft.

But in friendfhip, as in religion, which on many account:? it refembl-^s, fpeculation is often fubflituted in 'he place of practice. People fancy thtm^elves p jflelTed of the thing, and hope that others will fancy lb too, becaufe th:^y are fond of the name, and have learnt co talk about it with plaufibility. "Such talk indeed impofes, till experience give it the lie.

To fay the truth, there feems in either fex but iitde of what a fond iraaginalion, unacquai:.ted with the falfehood of the worl!, and warmed by affefticns which its felfifhnefs h^.s not yet chilled, would reckon friendfhip. In theory, the fi-andard is railed too high ; • we ought not, however, to with it much lower. The honeft f-niibilities of ingenuous nature fliould not be checked by the over-cautious documents of political prudence. No advantage, obtained by fuch frigidity, cm comp^nlate f >r the want of thofe warm, eftufions of the heart into t"e bofom of a friend, which are dcu^:^tlefs among the mcft exquifite ple;ifures. At the f me time, h. wever, it muft he owned, that they often by the inevitable ht of humanity, m.-^ke u^ay for the hattereft pai^s which the breaft can experi- ence. Happy beyond the common conditic n of her fcxj is Qie who has found a friend indeed ; opea

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 105

hearted, yet difcreet ; generoufly fervent, yet fteady ; thorougnly virtuous, but not Tevere ; wile, as w Jl as cheerful ! Can fuch a friend be loved too much, or cheriihed too tenderly ? If to excellence and hnppi- nefs there be any one way mere compendious thin another, next to friendfhip wiih the Supreme Being, it is this.

But when a mixture of minds fo beautiful and fo fweet takes place,-it is generally, or rat' er always the refult of early prepoiTefTion, caiual intercoufe, or ialhor-,a combination of fuch caufes as are not to be brought togethf-r by iranagemcnt or defign. This nobl ^ plant may be cultivated j but it mull grow fpontaneoufly.

ggStT^f

CHAP. XXXIII.

On Femak Benevolence*

X\ ATURE is equally indulgent to every rank in life. As, in her vegetable kingdom, fne has kindly made the fweetefl of flowers the mott common ; fo, in the moral world, (he has placed the lovely virtue which conduces moft to human happinefs, equally within the reach and cultivation of the rich and the p:or.

Benerrlence may be confidcred as the rofe, which is found as beautiful and as fragrant in the narrow b. rder of the cottager, as in the ample and magnificent garJen of the noble.

Charity is a theme on whirh the fublimeft fpir- Its have rften and ably difccuHed. Many admirable things have been written on this lovely prefident of the angelic virtu s.

Ihatgererous rompafli.^n, which interefls the heart in the misfortune of others, is more partirui/rly the portion of women. Every thing indices them to

id5 sketches of the SEX.

generofity and pity. Their delicate ftTifes revolt at the prefence of diftreis and pain. Objects of niifery and averfion difcompofe the fofi: indolence of their minds. Their Ibuls are more hurt by images of forrow and of fpleen, than tormented by their own fenfibility ; they mult therefore be very anxious to afford relief. They poffcfs, befide.^, in a high de- gree, that inftinftive feeling, which operates withput reafoning ; and they often relieve^ while men ddibcr- ate. Their benevolence is perhaps lefs rational, but it is more adive ; it is alfo more attentive, and more tender. What v/oman has ever been w anting in com- iniferation to the unfortunate .?

^

CHAP. XXXIV.

On Feirkik Fafriofif/fu

Vy ^^ ^^?'l ^^^^ emmine whetlier women, fo fuf- ceprible of friendfiiip, of pity, of benevolence to in- dividuals, can elevate themWves to that pitriot'fm, or difr'terfled love of one's country, which embraces all its citizens ; and to that philanthropy, or univer- fal love of mankuid, which embraces all nations.

Patriotifin furely ought not to be depreciated. It IS the nobleft fentiment of the human mind ; at lead it is that which has produced the greafeft men, and which gave birth to thofe ancient heroes, whofe hiftory ftiU afconifiies our imagination, and accufes our weaknefs. Patriotilm, no doubt, is moft com* monly produceJ by the ideas of intereft and proper- ty, by the remembrance of pafl fervices, by the hope of fu:ure honours or rewards, and a certain enthufi* afm w>ich rob^ menof themfelves, to transform their txiftence entirely ino the body c f the (late.

J'h'jfe fentimen^s, it will re-^dily be perceived, do not correspond with the condition of wcratn. la

SKETCHKS OF the SEX. 107

aloioft all g,overnments excluded from honors and from oilias, poiltir^'d of littk property, andrcftrain- ed by the laws even in what they have, they cannot in general be fuppcfed to be eminent for patrictifm.^ Exifling mora in themfelves, and in the objefts of thrir fciifibility, and perhaps lefs fitted than men by nature tor tiie civil inftiiutions in which they have left (hare, they mull be \cis iufceptible of that eathu- fnfm, which makes a man prefer the ftjie to his family, and the coUcdtive bcdy of his fellow citizens to himfelf.

The example of the Roman and Spartan ladies, and the wonders perFornied by the Du'ch women in the revoUuion of the Seven Provinces, clearly prove that the [^Jorious enthufrafm of liberty can do all tnings ; tnat there are times when nature is arionilh- ed at herf:lf ; and that great virtuei; ipring from great .'>amiti(-s.

Th.it univerf;:! love of mankind which extends to all nations and to all ages, and which is a kiud of abllrac^ le niment, fcems to correfpond ft'll lefs with th^ character of females than patriotiim. They muH have an mn-:^e of v hat they love.

It is only by {ha pov» er of arranging his ideas, that thephiloCoph'^T is able to overleap fo many bar- riers ; to p.ifs from a man to a pec pie ; from a people ) I'uman kind ; from the time in wlii h he liv^s, to . ;es yet un.x)rn ; and from w: at he iee^, to what he dcCs not fee.

The tender f^x do not love to fend their fouls [o

f'.r a-waiderin'*r. They aficmlJe their fniimenr'and

■ ' about them, and cor.fine their affettions

-lercJto thtm nvMt. 'lliofe (bides of be-

.K ;, to women, are out of na^u!'.^ A mlfti to

is mv-rethan a nation ; and the hour in whicli

Uicy live, than a thoufand ages after ceath.

ic8 SKETCHES ©f the SEX.

CHAP. XXXV.

Of TFomen ■with regard to Polijhed Life.

T.

HERE are certain qualities which have gener- ally beea ranked among the focial virtues, but which may more properly be called the inrtues ofpoUJJjed life* They are the charm and the bond of company ; and are ufeful at all times, and upon all cccafions. They are, in the commerce of the world, what current mo- ney is in trade* They are fometimes not abfolutely n Ci^ffiry, butone caa never fafely be wihout them. They always procure the pofleffor a more favourable reception.

Such is that mild cmplacency which gives a foft- nefs to th- character, and an attraftive iweetnefs to tha manners ; that indusgence which pardons t^e jFaults pf oth?rs, even when it has no need of pardon itfelf ; the art of being blind to the vifible foibles of others, and of keepii]g ^he fecret cf t^cie which are ^ hidden ; the ;^rt of concealing our advantages, when we humble our rivals or opponents, and of dealing gen ly with thofe who cannot fubmit without being oftendf d. Such is that facility which adopts opin- ions it never had ; that freedom which infpires con- fidence ; and all that, pcliteneis, in fhort, w.:ich is fo very pleafing, though fometimes no more than a happy lie.

Politenfs IS a part of the female charafter. It is covnefted with their mind?, with their manners, and eve'i wi^h thir intereft. I'o the moft virtuous wo- man f xiety is a field of conqueft.

% Few men have formed the prcjeft of making ev:'ry body happy, and fo much the worfe for thofe who have. But 'many women have not only formed fuch a fcheme, bu^ have f icceeded in it.

We are, in gei^ier^l, lb much the morepolite^ as we are lefs devoted to ourfdvcs, aadmoreto others i

SKETCHES OF tHE SEX- zc/}

as we are mere attentive to opinion ; as we are mere zealous to be diflinguifhed ; and, perhaps, in propor- tion as we have fewer refources, and grer.ter means of having them. In fhort, whether we fpeak ofiiv dividuals or of nations, of the two fexes or the differ- - ent mnks, when we fay they are pi.hte, we aiw.;ys fiippofe them to be idle, becaufe we admit the necef- Cty cf their living together.

Hence the art of regulating, our behaviour, of adjufdng our looks, our words, and our motions, the need of attentions, and all the little gratifications of vanity.

We are nanirally inclined to pay that homage which we receive, and to exact that which we pay. Thus tie delicacy of felf love produces all the re- finements in f .ciety ; as the delicacy of the fenfeS produr-es nil the refnements in pleaiure ; and as the delicacy of tafte, which is perhaps only the refult of the ct^.er two, produces all the refinements in litera- ture, arts, and fcien^es.

It w'll b^ e:fy to difcem how thefe objefts are connefted with one another, and how they all relate t)wmen.

But refined jpolitenefs, it may be faid, is allied to falfchood. It fubflitutes the expreJIion of feati^ UKnf too often fi r lentiment itibir.

Flattery is common to both fexes. But the fiat- tcry of m n is often very difgttjling ; that of women is more li^ht, and has more the appearance of fenti- crtent. Lven when it is overdone, it is generally amu'"ng. The motive and the manner fave them fiom contempt.

Men generally owe their franknefs to pride ; wo- men to adilrefs. The o^e fex often utters a truth, without n!iy other view than truth itfelf. In the mouth of the other, even truth itfelf has an aim.

X

no SKETCHES of the SEX.

CHAP. XXXVI.

On the Idea of Female Inferiority.

It

__ ' is an opinion pretty generally eftablifhed, that in ftrength of mind, as well as of body, men are grentiy fuperior to women. Let us, however, duly confider the feveral propenfities and paths chalked out to each by the Author of their nature.

Men are endowed with boldaefs and courage, v/omen are not. The reafon is plain : thefe are beau- ties in our character \ in theirs ihey would l)e blem- ifhcs. Our genius often leads to the great and the arduous; theirs to the fcft and the'pler.fmg ; we bend our thoughts to make life co::V(ii ient ; they turn theirs to make it eafy and agreeaMe. If the en- clcnvments allotted to us by nature could not be eafl- ly acquired by women, it would be as dilEcult for us to acquire thofe peculiarly Hotted to them. Are we faperior to them in w^nat belongs to the male charafter ? They are no lefs fo to us, in what belongs to the female charaftcr.

Would it not appe?r rather ludicrous to fay, that a man was endowed only with inferior abilities, becaufe he was not expert in ihe nui-fmg of children, and praQiiing the various effeminacies which we reckon lovely in a woman ? Would it be reafonable to condemn hiai on thefe accounts ? Juft as reafona- ]-jle it is to reckon women inferior to men, becaufe their talents are in general not adapted to tread the horrid path cf war, nor to trace the mazes and intrica- cies cf icience.

The idea of the inferionty of female nature, has dra"v^n after it feveral others t^e mofcabilird,. unrea- fonable. and humiliating to the f"x. Such is the pride or nian, that in fome countries he has cocfider- ed immortality as a difiiuclion too gl rious for wo- men. Thus xle^radipg the fair paitacrs of his na^

SKETCHES OF THE SEX. in

ture, he places them on a level witk the bealls that perifhr^

As the Afiatics have, time immemor'al, con- jGdered women as little better than Haves, thi<? opinioa probally origmated among them. The Mahometans^ both ill Afia and Kwrop , are laid, by a great variety of writers, to entirtain this opinion.

Lady M ntag-ie, in lier Letters, has oppoM this general aC rtion of tne writers concernint^ the Ma- hoiietans ; and fays that they do not abfolutely de- ny the exiftence of female fouls, but only hold them to be .^f a nature inferior to thofe of mei ; and that they enter not into the fame, but into an inferior par- adile, prepared for them on purpofe. Lady M6n- tagiie, and the writers whom fhe has contradifted, way p'^rhaps be both right* The former irighi be tije opinion which the l^irks brought with them from Afia ; and ^he latter, as a rellnement upon it, they may : ave adopted by their intercoiu-fc with the Eu- ropeans.

This opinion, however, has had but a few vota- ries in Europe ; though fome have even here main- tai::ed it, and aliigned various reafons for fo doing. Among t.^.efc, tr.e following laughable reafon is not the leaft particular—" In the Revelations of St» John the divine," faid one, whofe wife was a defcen- dant of the famous Xantippe,* " you will find this p2fr.:ge : j^nd tiere vjas fiknce in heaven for about the- fpace of half an hour. Now I appeal to rnv one, whether that could pofTibly have happened, hacl there been any women there? And, fince there are none there, charity forbids us to imagine that they are all in a worfe place 7 therefore it follows that they have no immortal part : and happy is it for ti;em, as they are thereby exempted from being accountable for ail the noife and diHurbance they have raifed in this world."

• Xantippe, wa< the v If- of Sof-ates, and the moH famoui ScJld 4»> fti«l4^uit/«

ii:i SKETCHES of the SEX.

In a very ancient treatife, called the Wifdoni' 6f all Tira-^Sj af( ribed to Hiifh-ing, one of the earlieft kings of Perfia, are the following remarkable words ; *^ The p:iffions of men may, by long acqiaaintance, be th roughly known ; but the paJTions of womea arj hfcrutabl^^ : therefore they ought to be feparated from men, left the mutability of their tempers fhould infcft others."

Ideas of a limil?r nature feem to have been, at this time, generally diffufed over the eaft. For we find Sol rmon, dmoft every wliere in his writings, exclaiming ag^'.iill women ; and, in the Apocrypha,, the author cfScclvfiaiticus is fail more illiberal ia his refleftions.

Boih thefe authors, it is true, join in the moft enrrrptured manirer to praife a virtuous woman ; but take ore at the fame time to let us know, that 2ie: is fo gre-'t a rarity as to be very feldom met with.

N'^r have the Afiat'cs alone been addi^le^i to this illiberality of thinking conerning the fex. Satirift$ of all ages and countries, wtille (hey flattered them to their faces, have from the'r clofets moft profufely fcattere Uheir fpleen ancl ilUHat are Sg^itiu Xtz:p. Of this the Greek and Roman poets afibrd a variety of inftances: but theymuft iieverthelefs yield t^ epalmto fome of our moderns. In the following lines. Pope has outdone every one of them :

*^ Men feme to pleafure^fcme to hiifmefs take * *^ But every woman is at heart — a rakeJ^

Swift and Dr. Young have hardly been behind this celebrated fpleneic in illiberality. They perhaps- were not favourites of the fair, and in revenge vented all thdr envy and fple^n rgai: ft them. But a more modern and accomplifhed v/riter, who by his r:^nk in life, by his natural and acquired f^r^r^/, was undov bt- edly a favourite, has repaid their kindn.' ft by taking every cppor; unity cf exhibiting them in t^ e mft con- iemptible light. .'^'Aiinolt evtry man/* fays h^.

SKETCHES OF the SEX. trj

**maybe gamed fome way ; alinoft every womaa any way." Can any thing exhibit a flr^nger cau- tion to ike fex ? It is fraug t with inform tion ; and it Is to be hoped they wiltufe h accordingly.

CHAP, xxxvn.

On Female SimpHcitym

VV OULD we conceive properly of that fimplic- ity which is the fweetett expreffion of a well-inform- ed and weil-meaning mind, which every where dif- fufes tenderneis and dclicaey, fweetens the relations of life, and gives a zeil to the minuieit duties of hu- manity, let us contemplate every perceptible opera- tion of nature, the twilight of the evening, the pearly dew drops of the early morning, and all that various growth which indicates tre genial return of fpring. The fame principle from which all that is foft and pleafing, amiable or exquifite, to the eye or to the ear, in the exterior frame of nature, produces that talte for true fimplicity, which is one of the moft ufeful, as well as the moft elegant leffons, that ladies can learn.

' .'3^, is perhaps, the finefl: and moft perfefl . of funplicity. ^ It is a fate of genuine na- ture throughout. Ihe feelinp;s of children are un- der no kind of reftraint, but pure as the fire, free as the winds, honeft anil open as the fr.ce cfiheaven^ Their j'pys incefl'antly flow in the thickeft fuccefficn, and their grefs only feem fle-ting and conv^ltfcent. lb the calls of nature they are only attentive. They know no voice but hers* Their obedience to ali her commands is prom.pt and implicit. 1 hey never anticip:^!- her bounties, nr^r relinqu'.fli her plea- lures. "\V n renders them ip eperdant of artifice, i. d only by nature, their uianners.

IT4 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

like the principle that produces tnem, are alwayg

the fiime.

Genuine fruplicity is that peculiar quality of the mind, by which Ibme hippy charafters are enabled to uvoid the moft diftant approaches to every thing like aft'ectation, incoafiftenGy,or defign, in their in- tercourfe with the world. It is much more eafily un- derltood, however, than defined ; andconfills not in afpecific tone of the voice, movement of the body,, or mode impofed hy euHiom, but is the natural and permanent eifect of real modefly and good fenfe on tne wtiole behavior.

This has been coafidered, in all a[^e5, as one of thefirft andmofl captivaiing ornaments of the fex. The favage, the Plebeian, the m uiof the world, and the courtier, are agreed in ftamping it with a prefer- ence to every other feiii?ie excellence.

Nature only is lovely, and nothing- unnatural ean ever be amiable. The genuine expreflions of truth and nature are happily calculated to imprefs the heart with pkafure. No woman, whatever her other qualities maybe, v\^as ever eminently agreea- ble,, but in proportion as dillinguilhed by th-^fe. The world is good-natur:d eiKJUgh to give a l:\dy credit for all the merit fhe can poflefs or acquire, wii hour afFeftation. But the leali Ihade or coloring of thi^ odious foible brings certain and indeliaWe obloquy on the moft elegant accomplifhments. I'he blackdt fufpicion inevita.b!y refts on every thing aflumed. She who is only an ape of others, or prefers formali- ty^ in all its gigantic and prepofterous ihapes, to that plain, uiiembarafled conduS which natureunavoidably produces, uill aiTuredly provx)ke an abundance of ridicule, butnever can be an objecl either of love or clteem.

The various artifices of the fex difcover them- ftlves at a very early period. A paflir n f r expence and {how is one of the firfl they exhibit.- This gives them a taSe for refinement, which divefts theiryoung

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 115

hearts of alinoft every other feeling, renders their te;npers defultory and capricious, rep^ulates their drels only oy the moft flintattic models of finery and falh- ioD, and makes their company rather rirefome and awkward, than pleafing or eleg.inf.

No one pc^riiaps can form a more ludicrous con- traft to ever\^ thing juft and graceful in nature, than the woman 'whofe f:Ie objeft in hfe is to pifs for a Jini lady. The attentions (he every where and uni- tbrmly pays, expefts, and even exafts, are tedious and fatiguing. Her various movements and attitudes are all adjufted and exhibited by rule. By a happy fluency of the molt elegant language, (he has the art ofimparting a momentary dignity and grace to the raereft trifles* Studious only to mimic fuch peculiar- ities as are moft admired in others, (he afiects a lo- quacity peculiarly flippant and teazing ; becaufe ' fcaT.ial, routs, li.jery^ fans, china, lovers, lap-dogs, or fquirrels, are her conftant themes. Her amufe- ments, like thofeofa mag-pye, are only hopping over the Came Ipots, prying into the fame corners, and d jv )uring the lame (pecies of prey. I'he fim- pie atid beautiful delineations of nature, in her coun* tenance,^ geflure>, and v/hole deportment are habitu^ ally deranged, dKtorted, cr concealed, by the aftefted adopti ^>n of whatever grimace or deformity is lateft, or moft in vogue.

She accuftoms her face to a fimper, which every feparate feanire in it belies. She fpoils, p^arhaps, a blooming complxion with a profufion of artificial coloring. She distorts the moft exquifite fhape by 1 :)ads cr volumes of ufel^fs drapery. She has her head, her arms, her feet, and her gait, equally touched by art and afFeftation,. into what is called ihttajhy the fc/j, or ihe /ti/bion.

She little confiders to what a torrent of ridicule and farcafm this mode of condufh expofcs her ; or how exceedingly old an ! holiow that ceremony mull be, wi:ich is nu the language cf a warm heart. She

ti6 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

cloes not reflec!: how infipid thofe fmiles are, tv^hijh iiidica e no iatarnal plealantry ; nvor how awkward thofe graces, which ipriiig not from hauits of good- nature and t}e:ievolence. Thus, pertnefs lucceeds to delxa^y, alTuraoce to modefcy, and ail the vagaries of a l.iliefs, to all the fenfibilities of an ingenuous mind.

With her, puiiQifio is politenei's; diffipaiion, jife ; and levity, fpirit. The raiferable and contempt- ible drudge of every tawdry innovation in drefs or ceremony, fhe inceliantly miftakes extravagance for tafte, and finery for elegance.

Her favorite examples are not thofe perfons of acknowledged fincerity, who fpeak as they feel, and ?c\. as they think; but fach only as are formed to dazzle her fancy, amufe her f. nfes, or humor her whims. Her only ftudy is how to glitter or fhiue, how to captivate and gratify the gaze of the multi- tude, or how to fw,^il her own pomp and importance. 1 o this interefting objefl all her affiduities and time are religioufly devoted.

How often is debility of mind>and even badnefs of heart, conceale.i un er a fplendid exterior! The faircft of the fpecies, and of the fex, often want fiu- cerity; and wit h:ut fincerity every other qualifica- tic^n is rather a blerilh, than a virtue, cr excellence. Sincerity op-rates in the moral, fomewhat like the fun in t >e n'Uural work' ; a .d produces nearly the fame effects on ihe difpofuions of the human heart, which he does on in irimate objc-fts. Vvherever fincerity prevails, and is felt, all the failing and benevolent virtues flourifh moft, difcb.fe their fweeteft luibre, and diffufe their richefl: fragrance.

Heaven has not a finer or more perfect emblem on '^arth, than a woman of genuine firaplicity. She aff-fts r.o gra-^es w lich are not infpired by fincerity. H r I pinions refult rot from pafiioa and fancy, but fiom reafon and experience. Candor and humility give exp:nfion to her heart. She ftruggles for no •kicid of chimerical aedit^ difclaims the appearance of

SKETCHES OF the SEX. uj

every affeftation, and is in all things juft what fhe feems, and others would be thought. Nature, not art, is the great ftanJari of her ma' ners; and her exterior wears no varn fh, cr embellifhment, which is not the genuine fignature of an open, undefigning, and benevolent mind. It is not in her power, be- c?.ufe not in her nature, to hide, with a fawning air, and a mellow voice, her averfion or con-tempt, where her delicacy is hurt, her tenr.per ruffled, or her feel- ir.gs infuited.

In fhort, whatever appears moil amiable, lovely, or interelting in nature, ar% manners, or life, origin- ates ia limplicity. What is c rreftnei's in taite, piiri- ty in morals, truth in fcience, grace in beauty, but umplicKy ? It is th? garb of innocence. It adorned the firft ages, and fliil ador s the infant ftate of hu- manity. Without funplicity, woman is a vixen, a coquette, an hypocriie ; fociely a mafquerade, and pleafure a phantom.

The follQwing f ory, I believe, is pretty general- ly known. A hdy, v/hofe hufband had long been afflifted v.vh an acute but li'^gering difeafe, fudden^ ly f:'gned fuchan uncommon tendemefs for him,ast/5 nf ivj en dying in iiis ftead. ^^he liad ev^^, '{^(^ ad- x:r.-[i t- perfun Je him nr.t to ^-tll ve tnis extraorc^inary inftan.ce of her conjug..! fidelity and att .chm^nt. It was irftantiy agreed th.ey (houid mutually fwallow Inch a quanufy of arfenic, as would fpeedily effedt their dreadful purpofe, Sh^ compofed the fatal draught bef re his f?ce, and even let him the def- perate example ri drinking firft. By ti is device,

"vhich. h id all fhe aoperTarxe of the greatefl: aff c-

•d n and c.andcur, the dr f^s only were relerved for

^ him, ard f^on put a peri d t-o h^ life.

It then appe;.red tr.at the dofe was fo tempered,

-as, fr m the w ight rf the principal ingredient, to be deadly only a' fhe b'trcm, which fhe h?d ar'ful y

•arpr^pri^red fr h's (hr>r *. Even after all this fiiieffe. Ihe !i z d, we are tcid, his inheritance, and iufult^d his nicmory by a fccond m^ria^e.

MB SKETCHES OF the SEX.

CHAP, xxsviir.

On the milit Magnanimity «f fftmeni

A)

.LATJ^ eminent anatomifl^in a profefiionaldif-

courle on the female frame, is faid to have declared,. that it almott appeared au aft of cruelty in nature to produce fuch a being a^ woman. Th\s remark may, indeedjbe the naturalexclamationofrrfmedfenrihiilty, incontemphting the various maladies to which a creature of fuch delicate organs is innvitabiyexpofed; bur, if we take a more enhirged fttrvey of human exifcence, we (hall be far from difcovering any juit reafon to ari-aign the benevolence of its provident and gracious Author. If the delicr^cy of woman muft ren- der her familiar with pain and nclmefs, let us remem- ber that her charms, her plenfures, a-d her happinefs, arife alfo from the fame atrraftive quality. She Is a being, to ufe the forcible and elegant ex'preffion of a

*' Fine by dcfcB^ and amiably iveaL'^

There is, perhaps, no ciiarm by which fke more effeflually f cures the tender admiration and the laft- ing love of the more hardy fcx, than her fuperior indurance, her mild and graceful fubmiffion to the common evils of Ufe.

Nor is this thefole advantage fhe derives from her gentle fortitude. It is the prerogative of this lovely virtue, to lighten the preffureof iill thofe inccorrlgible evils which it cheerfully endures. The frame of man may be compared to the fturdy 9aky which is often Ihattered by refifting the tempeft. Woman is the pliant cfar^ which, in bending to the ftorm, eludes its violence.

The accurate obfervers of human nature will rea- dily allow, that patience is moft eminently the cha- rafterifcic of woman. To what a fublime and afto- nilhing height this \ irtue has been carried by beings.

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 179

ofthemoft delicate tex'^ire, wc have ftriking exarn^ pl^s in the many female martyrs who were cxpoied, ia the firft ages of chriflianity, to the mcft barbarous and iingeriDg torture.

Nor was it only from chrifiian zeal that v;oman derived the power of defying the utmcft rigors of perfecution with invinicble forti'udc. Saint Am- brofe, in his elaborate and pious treatife on tl is ftib- jcCt, records the refolurion of a fair difciple of Py- thagoras, who, being fevercly urged by a tyrant to reveal the fecrets ( f her fex, to convince him that no torments fhould reduce her to fo unworthy a breach of her vow, hit her own tongue af under, and darted it in the face of her oppr-iT r.

In confeqiience of thofe happy changes "which have taken place in the world, from the progrels of purified religion, the inflexible fpiiit of th.- tender fex is no longer expofed 10 fuch inhuman trials. But if the earth is happily delivered from the demons of torture and fnperftition ) if beauty nnd innocence are no more in danger of being dragged to perifh at the ftake— -perhaps there are iituations, in female life, that require as much patience and m;ignanimiry, as were formerly exerted in the fiery torment* of the virgin martyr. It is more difficult to fupport an accu- mulation of mhiutc infelicities, than any fiugle calani** ity of the moft terrific magnitude.

w.

CHAP. XXXIX. On Female Delicacy*

^ ^ HERE the human race has little other cul- tnre t an what it receives from nature, the two fcxes live tog-th.-r, uncrnfcious of ::lnu)ft any reftraint oa their worjs oron their adions. The Greeks, in the heroic aires, as apn:arsfrojn the wholchiftory of their

no SKETCHES of tke SEX.

condufl:, were totally unacquainted with delicacy. The Romans in the infancyof.theirempire, were ^he fame. TaritusinfcrmsusthattheancientGermarsh-^dnotfe- p rate beds for the two fcxes, but that they lay pro- mifcuoufly on reeds or on hearth, fpread along the walls of their houfes. This cufiom ftili prevails in L^ipland among the peafants of Norway, Poland and Ruffia ; and it is not altogether obliterated in fome pans of the highlands of Scotland and of Wales.

In Otaheite, to appear naked or in clothes, are circumftances equally indifferent to both fexes ; nor does 2ny word in their language, nor any r.ftion to which they areprompied by nature, feem more inde- licate or repr henfible than another. Such are the effefts of a total want of culture.

Effefts not very d^ffimilarare,in France and Italy, produced from a redundance of it. Though thefe are the politefi: countries in Europe, women there fet themlelves above fhame, and deipife delicacy. It is laughed out of exifieace, as a filly and unfalhionable wcaknefs.

But in China, one of the politeft countries in Afi:!, and perhaps not eyen, in t ?is refpeft, behind France or Italy, the cafe is quite otherwiC% No human be- ing can be more delicate than a Chinefe woman in her drefs. in her behaviour, and in her converfation ;and fhould (he ever happen to be exp-^fed in e^iy unbe- coming manner fhe f^^els with the greaieft poignancy the aukwardnefs of her fituation ^ and if p ffible, co- vers her face, that (he m:iy not be known.

in tt-e midft of foinany difccrdant appearances, the mind is perplexed, ana can hirdly fix upon any caufe to which female delicacy h to be .cTcribip-. if we izttenl^ however, to the whole ai jimRl creat'On, if we confider it attentively wherever it falls under our obfervatioDj it will difcover to us, that in the f^ip.ale there i? a greater d-gree of delicacy or ^oy r-f^^ve than in the male. Is not this a proof, th t,' through the wide ctteat of creation, the feeds of delicacy arc

SKETCHES OF the SEX. ur

more liberally beftjwed upon females thin uoou males ?

In the remotefl periods of which we have any hiftorical acoiint, we find that the women h?.da delicacy to which the other fex were fcrang :rs. Re- becca veiled herfetf when fhe firft approached Ifaac her Fuuire hufb md. Many of the fables of aoiiqui- ty mark, with the moft dift'nguifiiing charaders, the force of female delicacy. Of this kind is the fable of Aiftreon and Di.ma. Aftce^n, a famous hunter, b^ingin the woods with his hornds, benting for game, accidentally fpiei Diana and her nymphs bathing in a river. Prompted by curiofity, he ttole silently into a neig'^.bouring thicket, that he might have a nearer view of them. The goddefs difcovering him, was fo aifronted at his audacity, and fo much afnamed to have been fe^n naked, that in revenge ihe immediately transformed him ink) a flag,' fet his own hounds up- on him, and encouraged them to overtake and de- vour him. Befidesthi.*^, and other fables, and hifto- rical anecdotes of antiquity, their poets (eklom exhi- bit a female cl'arafter without adorning it with the f [races of modefty and delicacy. Hence we may in- er, that thef? qualities have not only been always cffential to virtuous women in civilized countries, but w. re alfo conftanily praifed and erceemed by men of f nfii^.irty; and that delicacy is an innate principle in the female mind.

There are fo many evils attending the lofs of virtue in won'. en, and fo great h^' are the minds of that fcx depraved when they have deviated from the path ofr-ctitude, that a general contamination of their morals may be confi.^ered as one of the greateft mif- t ' at can befal a (late, as m time it deftroys

a try pu!;Hc virtue of the men. Hence all

^ tors have flriftly enforced upon the fex a

i puritv of manners ; and not fatisfied that

t. cv i'j v.\(\ :\-]\\]n from vice only, have required ilirn cvju to ih\\:i every appearance of it, XI

112 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

Such, in fome prrloJs, were the 1 W5 of the Ro- mans ; and fuch were the ellecls of thefe b.ws, that if ever female delicacy flione forth in a corfpicuous manner, it was perhaps among thofe people, after they had worn oif much of the barbarity of their firft ages, and before they became contaminated by the we:ilth and manners of the nations which they plun- dered and fa' jefle.^. Then it was that we find ma- ny of their wcmen furpafiing in modefty almofl; every thing related by fable ; and thc:n it^ was that their ideas of delicacy wt^re fo highly reiined, that they could not even bear the fecretconfcioofnefs of an in- voluntary crime, and far kfs of having tacitly coo-* fentcd to it.

22S=

CHAP. XL.

On Fcmak Wit,

VV I^' ^^ been well compared to the dancing of a meteor, that blazes, allures, and mifleads. Mcft certainly it alone can never be a fleady light ; and too probably it is often a fatal one. Of thofe who have refigned theinfelves to its guidance, how few has it not betrayed into great indifcretions at leaft, by in- flaming their thirll of applaufe; by rendering them little nice in their choice of company; by feduclng them into ilrokes of fatire, too oHenfive to the per- fons againfl whom they were Lweled, not to be re- pelled upon the authors with fall ven^^eance; and, fi- nally, by making them, in confequence of thit heat which produces, and thit vanity v/h.ich fofters it, forgetful of thofe cool and moderate rules that ought to regulate their conduft !

A very few only have b^en endowed with ju.lgment and temper fuflicient to refirain, 'the;.i: from indulging " the ralh de^^terity of wit,"

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 123

and to direft it to purpofes equally agreeable and be- nehcial. But one thing is cercain— -that witty men, for the m:ft pirt, have had few friends, though mnny admirers. Iheir converfation has been courted, while th^ir 2.biliiies have been feared, or their cba- rafters hated— or both. In tru^h, the lajl have fel- dom merited aft ^dion, even when the firft have ex- cited efteem. Sometimes their hearts have been lo bad, as at length to bring their heads into diigrace. At any rate, the faculty termed wit is common- ly boked on with a (uipici jus eye, as a two-edged Iword, from wliich not even the facrednefs of friend- Ihip can feoure.

It is generally more dread-d in women than in men. In a Mrs. Rowe. we may prefume, it was not. To great bril'iancy of imagination, that argelic female j.:i»-ied yet greater gcodneis of difpofition; and never wrote,* nor w^.s evcr fnppoled to have fud, in her whole life, an ill-naturf.d,or even an indelicate thing. Of fuch a woman, with ail her talents, none could be afni i. In her company, it mufl have been inipofiible not to feci refpecl. If aught on eanh can prefent the image of celefLiiil excellence in its fofteft array, it is iurely an accompl'JJjcd woman ; in whom purity and meeknefs, iniellgence and modefly, mingle their charm?.

Men of the befl ftnfe, howevcr,have l:>een ufually av-'fle to the thcu::;ht of marrying a witt_^ female. Were they afrail c-f bei.*:g outfhone? Some of them perhaps might be fo, but many of ihem afted on dif- ferent motives. M n who un.ierftand tl'.e fcienceof rlomeftic happinels, know that its very firft principle

ealie. Of that indeed we grow f(;nder, in every condition, as we advance in life, and as the heat of youth abates. But we cannot be eafy where we are not fafe. Wenre neverfafe in theccmpanvof a critic; and almoft every wit is a critic by profeflion. In fuch company we are nit at liberty to unbend our- felves. All mufl be the flraining of Ilud v, or the anx-

124 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

\ety of apprehenfioD. Kow painful! Where the heart may not expand anJ open itfelf with freedom, farewel to real friendih^p, farewel to convivial de- light! But to I'uffer thivS reitraint at home, what mif- ery 1 From the brandifliingsof wit in the hand of ill- nature, of imperious p^flion, or of unbcunded vanity, who would not flee? Butv/hen that weapon is bran- diihed at a hulband, is it to be wondered if, from his own houfej he takes fhelter in the tavern ! He fought a friend, he expefted to be happy in a reafonabb coLcparion : he h;is found a perpetual fatirifl, or a lelf-iufficient prattler. Hov/does one pity fuch a man, when one fees him in continual fear on his own ac- ' lint, and that of his friends, and for the poor lady cr[t:lf; left, in the run of her difcourfe, {he fhouli be guihy ohibne petulence cr feme iudifcretion, that would expofe h^r, and h ur t them all i

But take the matter at the beft, there is ftill ail the difference in tlie world between the entertainer of an evening, and a partner for hfe. Of the latter, a fober mind, fteady attachment, and gentle manners, joined to a good underftanding, will ever be the chief recommendation ; whereas the qualities that fparkle will be often fufficient for the former.

=:^f;^2a=

CHAP. XLL

On the Influence of Female Society,

X HE company of ladies has a very powerful in- fluence on the fentiinents and conduct of men. Women, the fruitful fcurce of half our joys, and per- haps of wz^r^ than half our forrows, give an elegance- to our manners, and a relifh to our pleafures. They (both cur affiiftions, and foften our cares. Too much of their company will render us effeminate, and in- faliibly Itafiop upon us many fignatures of the female

SKETCMES OF the SEX. 125

nature. A rough and unpclifhed behavour, as well aiJ ilovenlinels of perlon, will certainly be the couTe- quenceof ail almoli coDltant exclufion frora it.^ By fpeadiug a reafoivable portion of cur tini€ in ihe company of women, and another in the company of our own fex, we ihrfi imbibe a proper fl-iare of the Ibftnels of the female, and at the fame time retain t^ie firmnefs and conftancy of the male.

" We believe th.it is it proper,'* fays an amiable writer, who has ftu^ied the human heart with furceft, "for perfjnsof the fame age, of the fame fexof fimilar dilpolitions and purfuits, to aiT^ciate together." But here we feem to be deceived by words. If we cor.l'ult nature and comm.ou fenfe, we fhall find, that the true propriety and harmony of Ibcial life depend upon the conceclion of people of ^//^^/772fd:fpofiticns and charac- ters judicioufly blended together. Nature hath made no individual, and no clafs of people, iLdepen.ient of the reft of their fpecies, or luffici.nt for their own happinefs.

*' l!ach fex, clkHi characler, each period of life, have their feversl advar.tages and difadvantages ;and that union is the happieft and mofi: proper where wants are mutually fuppUed.

" The fair fcx (liould natur3lly hcpe to gain from our converlktion knowledge, wifdom, and fedatenefs; and they fhould give to us, in exchange, humanity, politenef?,cheerfulnefs3 taile, nnd fentiment.

"The levity, the raflmefsjand felly of early life are tempered wi h the gravity, the caution, and the wifdom of age; while the timidity, ccldnefs of heart, and languor incident to iiecUning years, are fupport- ed ard ail'ifled by the courage, the warmth, and the vivacity of you* h."

As llitle focial intervtourfe fubfifted betw^een the ".vo fexes, in the more early ages of antiquity, we 'd the men lefs court:. ous, and the women lefs en- gaging. Vivacity and cheerfulnefs feem hardly to have exifted. Even the Ribybnians, who appear to XI %

i'26 SKETCHES OF the SEX-

have allowed their women more lu:)erty than any of the ancients, ieem'not to have lived with them in a friendly an J familiar manner. But, as their inter- courfe with them wa's confiderably greater than that of th? neighbouring nations, they acquired thereby a polifh and refinement unknov/a to any of the people who furrounded them. ^Ihs manners of both fexcs were fofter, and better calculated to pleale.

They likewife paid more attention to cleanlinefs " and drels.

After the Greeks became famous for their know- ledge of the arts and fciences, their rudeneis and barbarity were only foftened ^fow degrees. It is not therefore arts, fciences, and learnings but the com- pany of the other f?x, that forms the manners and renders the man agreeable.

The Romans were, for fome time, a community v/ithoutv/omen, and conlequentiy without any thing to foften the ferocity of male nature. The Sabine virgins,whom they had liolen,appear to have infufed into them the Srtt ideas of polieenefs. But it v/asmany •c^.ges before this poHtenels banifhed the rcughnefs^ cfthe warrior, andaffumed the refinement of the gentleman.

Dming the tiirxcs of chivalry, female influence was at the zenith of its glory and perfeftion. It was- the fburce of valour, it gave birth to politeneis, it awakened pity, it called forth benevolence, it reftrift- ed the hand ofoppreflion, and meliorated the hum.an* heart. '*^ I cannot approach my miflrefs," iiid one,' ** ull I have done feme glorious deed that may deferve her notice. Actions fliouid be the melTengers of the heart ; they are th-? homage due to beauty, and they only ihculd difcover love.'*

Marfan, infcrucLing a young knight how to be- have fo as to gain the favour of the fair, has thefe re- markable V7ords : — " When your arm is raifed, if your lance fail, draw your uvord directly; ?.nd let heaven and hdl rcfound with the clafii, Lifelefs is

SKETCHES ov the SEX. 127

the foul which beauty cannot animate, and weak is 'he arm which cannot fight valiantly to defend it/*

The Ruflkns, Poles, and even the Dutch, pay' itfs attention to their females tl:an any of their neigh-, hours, and are, by coidequecce, lefs diftinguiflied. for the graces of their perlbus, and the feelings of their hearts.

The lightsefs of their food, and the falubrityof their air, have been afTigned as reafons for the vivacity, and cheerfulnefs of the French, and their fortitude in fupporting their fpirits through all the adverfe circumtiances of this world. But the conftant mix- ture of the young and old, of the two fexes, is no doubt one of the principal reafons why the cares and ills of Itfe fit lighter on the fh^ulders of that fantaflic people, thanon thofeof any other country in the world^^

The French reckon an excurfion dull, and a par- ty of pleafure without rehfli, unlefs a mixture of both lexes join to compcfe in. 1 he French women do not even withdraw from the table alter meals } nor do the men diicover that impatience to have them difmiffed, which they fo often do in England.

It is alledged by thofe who have no relifli for

^nverf.tion of the fair fjx, that their prefence the freedom of fpeech, and rellrains the jolHty CI mirth. But, if the converfation and the mirth are decent, if the company are capable of relifliing any thing but w:ne, the very reverfe is the cafe. Ladies, in :?:eneral, are not only more cheerful than gen- i?, but mere eager to promote mirth and t,^^.. humour.^

So powerful, indeed, are the company and con- rerfation of the fair, in dilTufing happinefs and hi- l.iiitv, tl^at even the cloud which hangs on the t'>- ' '•• ' ~" "1iman, begins in the pre-

i; . . devoting ro the ladies a

J e ot lime man was formerly done by

t . ;IS. ., •

i hgugh the isiluence of the fexes b€ reciprocat.

n3 SlCETCHES OF THE SEX.

yet that of the ladies is Crrtainly the greateft. How often may one fee a company of men, who were di(- pofed to be riotous, checked all at once into dt cency by the accidental entrance of an amiable woman ; while her good fenfe and obliging deportment charms them int^ at leaft a temporary conviftion, that there is nothing fo beautiful as female excellence, nothing fo delightful as female con verfation,, in its belt form! Were fuch c^nviftion frequently repeated, what might v/e not exprft fr^.m it atlail?

" Where Virtiae,'' faid an ancient philcfopher, *^ to appear am.ongft men in vifible fhape, what vehe- ment defires would fhe enkindle ! ** Virtue exhibited without aifeftation, by a lovely young perfon, of im- proved underllanding and gentle manners, may be laid to appear with the moft alluring afpeft, fur- rounded by the Graces,

It would be an eafy matter to point out inftances of the moft evident reformation, wrought on particu- lar men, by their having happily conceived a pafficn for virtuous women.

To form the manners of men, various caufes contribute; but nothing, perhaps, fo much as the turn of the wom.an with whom they converfe. Thofe who are moft converfant v/ith women of virtue and underftanding, will be always found the moft amia- ble characters, ether circumftances being fuppof- ed alike. Such fociety, beyond every thing elfe, rubs off the comers that give many of our fex an un- gracious roughnefs. It produces a polifh more per- -fcft, and m.ore pleafiog than that which is received from a general commerce with th.e world. ^ 1 his laft is often fpeciou?, but commonly fuperficial. The other is the refult of gen'ler feehngs, and more hu- manit)% The heart itfelf is moulded. Habits of undijtiembied ccuriefy are formed. A certain flow- ing urbanity is acquired. Violent paffions,nifh oaths, coarfe jells, indellci^.te language of every kind^ are prtcluded and difrelifhed*

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 129

Undcrllanding und virtue, by being often con«- templatedin the molt eogeging lights, have a fort of aflimiladng power. Let it not be luppofed, however, th;it tne men^ here defcribed, will becoine feminine. Their fentiments and deportment will only coctraft a grace ; their principles will have nothing ferocious ot forbidding ; their afleftions will be chafte and footh- icg at the lame infiant. In triat cafe, the gentleman^ the man of worthy and the religious man, will all melt inienfiDly a?.d fweetly into one another.

The French and Italiiia nobility are generally educated in the drawing-rocrr., at the toilette, and ^laces of public amuf3ment,where they are couftantly the company cf women.

1 he E..gl:fh noh itty and gentry receive their education at the Univerfity, a.:d at Nev^market^ where books, grooms, and jockies muft, of courfe, be their ocmpanions.

Some mode cf education, between thefe two ex* -mes, would have a tendency topreferve thedigni^ ty of the man, as well as to infufe a fuiiicient quan* lity of the addrefs of the woman.

Female fcciety gives men a tafte for cleanlinefe an i elegance cf perion. Our anccftors, who kept? but little company with their women, were not only flovenly in their drefs, but had their countenances disfigured with long beardc. By female influence, however, beards v/ere, in procefs of time^ mutilated down to mufiaches. As the gentlemen found that the ladies had no great relifh tor muftaches, which were the relicks cf a beard, they cut and curled them into various fafhion?, to render them more agreeable. At lail, howevf r, finding fueh labor vain, tiiey gave them up ' hcgether. But as thofe of the three learn- ed profellions were fuppofed to be endowed with, or at lead to ftand in i^ed of, more wifdom than other P^' ' ' •' ' " ' /{ had always been d . chin, tofupply this

niaxk Ql Ciiiuictiou, which they had Igltj they contrs

130 SKETCHES of the SEX.

ved tofmother their heads in enormous quaniltes oF frizzled hair, that they might bear the greater refem- blanci to an owl, the bird lacred to wiidom and Minerva.

To female fcciety it has been objected by the learned and ftudious, that it enervates the mind, and givcs it fuch a turn for trifling, levity, and diflipation, as readers it altogether unfit for that application which is neceffary in order to become eminent in any of the fciences. In proof of this they allege, that the greateft philofop':ers feldom or never were men who enjcyed, or were fit for,the company or converiation of women. Sirlfaac Newton hardly ever converfed with any of the fex. Bacon, B yle, des Cartes, and many others, confpicucus for their learning and ap- plication, were but indiffet-ent companions to the fair.

It is certain, irdeed, that the youth who devotes his w}:ole time and attention to female ccnvcrfation, and the Utile offices of gallantry, never diflinguifhes himfelf in the literary world. But nctv/ithftandiiig this, without the fatigue and application offevere fiu :y, he cfi en obtains, by female intereft, that which is denied to the merited improvements acquired by the labor of many years.

r==s£K3255i=

CHAP. XLII.

Of the Brltijb Ladies at different Periods.

VV HAT polifbed nations underfiand by fcciety, appears to have been little known in England, be- fore the reign of Henry VIII. 1 his backwardnefs may in f )me meafure be afcribed to cur continental wars with France and v/ith Scotland. By our quar- rels with the one, we wer.? fhut out from foreign in- tercourfe ; and by our hoftih:ies with both, we were diverted from cultivating the arts of peace*

SKETCHES OF the SEX- r^t

The fpTit of Chivalry, v,'\nch produced fuch amazing effefts on the Coctinent, was more weakly felt here. Edward ill. had indeed eftablifhed the order of the Garter. But real wars allowed the toghts little time for the mock eiKounter, or the ge lerous vifions of rom:^ntic heroifm. Love was ftill a iimple pailion, which led the fh rteft way to its gratification, and generally in conformity with law and cuftom. It partook little of imagination ; and confequently, required few perfections in its objefl:. It afpired neither at angels nor goddeffes.

'1 he wom.en, who flill retained all their native

.aocence and modefty, were regarded only as wives aad mothers. Where qualifications are not r/eman^ dfdj they will never be found. The accompftlluiients of the fex entitled them to no other characltr ; and it had perhaps been happy for both (exes, if they c.uld have remained in fuch a ftate of fimplicity.

- Ttie Sc3ts by means of their alliance with France, which had fubfilled for fcv..ral centuries, and that fpirit of adventure, which has at all times led then:! abrv)ad in qaeft of r- putation, civil or military, may he fupp jfed" at this time to have been better acquain- t<:d with the elegances of life, than their wealthy and p:)werful neighbors. Accordingly we find, in the court of James IV. a ta!!:e in mufic, in letters, and in gallantry, to which the great monarch of the houfe of Tudor and his haujihty barons were yet Grangers.

But the political (late of both kiiigJoms was an infuperable bar to ?11 liberal intercourf^. I'he bar- ons, or chiefs, were hoftile to thj court, from whxh they had every thing to fear, and nothing to h'^pe. They were dreaded by it in their turn ; they looked from the walls of their c iflles with a jealous eye on each other; they never went abn:)ad, but attended by a numer.)us train of domellxs. They viifileJ eachoth r with the ttate, and the diflidence of neigh- boring princes. Their m^7fTw^^/ were con traiSled from family motives, and their ccurtfhips were coadufted

132 SKETCHES OF thk SEX.

with the greateftyc/rm, end the moft diftant refp3<fl. They took liberties indeed with the women of infe- rior condition, and they rioted in th ughtle^s jiUity with their dependants. But the ideas of inferi Tity and dependance are incompatible with thofe of focie- ty and gallaniry.

Henry Vil. by curbing the hoftile fpirit of the barons, by abridging their power, by diminifhing their retainers, by extending commerce, by encour- agirg ngriculture,by fecuring peaceto his fubjects, at home and abroad, prepared the v/ay for learning, arts, and elegance. But the tafce of the nation was not yet ripe for their reception ; and the temper of his fon, Henry VIII. was not highly favorable to fuch a revolution. That prince, however, by his t^fte for tournaments, foftered the fpirit of chivalry. By his magnificence and profufion he drew the nobility to court ; and, by his interviews with the emperor, and the French king, he roufed their emulation of foreign elegance. They were fmitten with the love of letters and of gallmtry. The Earl of Surrey, in p:-n-t.icnhr, celebrated his mijlrefs in his verfes, and defended her honor with his fword, againft all who dared, with un- hallowed hps, to profane her immaculate name.

The women in this reign Ukewife brgan to dif- cover a tafte lor literature and poiitenefs. J'he cnm- tefs of Richmond, mother to Henry VIL and who furvived him, had fhev/n the way. She tranflated two pious treanfes from the French ; and was a great patronefs of learning. Elizabeth Blount, miftrefs to Henry VIIL was a woman of elegant accomphjhmenfs * and his lafl: queen, Catherine Parr, wrote with fa- cility both in Latin and Engliih, and appears befides to have been a woman of addrefs.

But the houfe of Sir Thomas More feems, in a more particular manner, to have been the habitation of the Mufes, and even of the Graces. He was pof- fefled of all the learning of antiquity, and was pious even to weaknefs. But neither his religion, nor his

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 13^

lesrning, foared his temper, nor blunted his tafte for fociety. His i^^eas of the female character would do honor to a gentleman of the prelent age. " May you meet with a wife net ftupidly filent, nor always prattlir'^ uonleiie. May flie be learned, if poiTible, or at iea: t cap.ible of being made fo. A woman, thus accomplifheJ, will always be drawing fentimenfS and maxims out of the bell authors. She will be ^er/tif^ in all the changes of fortune. She will neither be blown up with profperity, nor broken in adverfity. You will find in her aneven,cheerful5good-humore3, fi-iend, and an agreeable companionfor life. She will infufe knowledge into your children with their milky and from their infarcy train them up to wifdom* Whatever company yen are en^^aged in, you will long to l:e at home ; and will retire vrtth delight from the Ibciety of men into the h/om cf a woman, who is fo dear, fo knowing, and fo amiable. If (he touches her lute, and more particularly if fhe fieigs to it any of her own compofitions, it will foothe your Ibhtude, and her vo:c2 will found fweeter in your ear than the fong of the nif^htingale. You will fpend whole days and nights with pleafjre in her company, and you will be always hadicg out new beauties in her mind. She will keep your foul in perpetual lerenity. She will relirain iti mirth from being diflblute, and prevent its melancholy from becoming painful."

Acer rding fo thefe ideas he educated his three daughters, whofe virtues and talents appear to have merited all his care. Thsy lived for fome time in one houfe, with their father, their hufbands, and their children, and formed a fociety, all things con- fidcred, which has feldom, if ever, been equalled, in any age or country ; where morals were iublimed by religion ; where manners were p':li(hed by a fenfe of t ;ind foftei:ed by a defire to pleafe ; where

i ^ was warmed by love, and flrengthened by

t >:' blood. Their convcrfation animated by

i .nched by learninpr, and moderated by rcl-

XII

134 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

peft, exulting ia the dignity of its objeft, feemed to approach to that fine tranlport which immcrt:! be- ings may be fuppofed to feel, in pouring cut their contemplations of the wifdbm and goodnefs of thi^ Creator. When l;ghter matters were the fubjeft of difcourfe, wit had a ipring, humor, a flow, and fenti- raent a poig;nancy, of which thofe who .are often talking of trifles, v/ho hover continually en the fur- face of the earth, and rove like butterflies from fenle to fenfe, both in their lives and ccnverfc^iiciis, can have no concep:ion.

The re'gn of Elizabeih is jufdy ccnjudered as one of the mc.ft fliining periods in the Englifn hiftory. For purity -of manners^ vigor of mi d, vigor of cha- rafter, and peribnaladdrefs,it is5perh^ps uaequalled.

The magoificant entertainments which that illuf- trious princels fo frequently gave her court, and at which ihe generally appeared in perfon, with a moft engaging tamiliarity 5 rubbed ofl'the acdeiU referve of the nobility, and increafed the talte cf {cdety,?.nd even of gallantry. The mafculine bcldneis cf her " charafter, however ,was unfavorable to female graces. The v/omen of her court, like herfelf, were rather objefts of refpeft than love. Thair virtues were fe- vere ; their learning .jsluo. their talents were often great ; they had paffions, but they knew how to iup- prefs them,orto divertthem into the channel of intej- efl or ambition. They did not however want their admirers. Men were lefs dehcate in thofe days.

Spenfer, by writing his ''Fairy Queen," revived in Britain the ipirit of chivalry at a time when it be- ^ gan to expire on the continent ; and Sir Philip S3rd- ney,in his "Arcadia," refined on that fentiment. The Fairy Queen was i::tended as a compliment to Eliza- beth ; and the Arcadi^a W3S dedicated by Sir Philip to his fi'^er, the couotefs of Pembroke,the moll ami- able and accomplifhcd woman of her time.

The following ingenious and well-known verfes vrere miended as part of her epitaph :

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 135

**^ ITnderiieath this fable hcarfe Lies the fabiect of all ver(e, Svdnev's filter, Pembroke's mother— Deiitb"! ere thou haft kill'd another, K:^.ir, and learn'd, and good asfhe, Tin:e{haU throw a dart at thee."

Elizabeth heHelr \v:is a great and fmgular cha- rr-cler. Bet fhe had few qualities to recommend her as a woman, though paffionatclyfoDdcfperfon.il ad- miration. Nor were her talents, as a writer, either ftriking or elegant, though fhe appeal's to have beea ambitions of literary fame. Her ability as a fove- wign has be?n already confidered. Her virtues were thofe of her rank^ andof her age ; and her weaknef- fes thofe of her fcx. They failed, however, to ren- der her amiable. -

The acceffion of James VF. to the throne of En- gland, CDntributed uill farther to obfiruft the prog- refs of civil:zatior> in Scotland, and to the decline of the arts in that country. The removal of the court dr'^w the nobility to London, to fpend their fortunes,

^ain preferment. Men of genius and learning fe looked this way.

That event; however, muft have contributed to : lie advancement of fociety in England ; yet not fo' much as might beexpefted. The: fcantlnefs of James's revenue, together with his want of economy, render- ed h?m unable to fiipport the fplendor of a court. It was befides inconfillent with his maxims of policy, and with hi^ temper. He love-d to be fecial with his friendc), but 'hated a croui ; and had rather an aver- fion to the company of women. A mean jealoufy, v' k place cf a generous emulation, between

u 1 and Englifh courtiers, prevented Uill far-

tUr, tite : t of manners ; wh'xhcan only b^

etfcfted b; .1 intercourfe.

The nobikity and gentry of England are flill loader of a- country life than thofe of any poliihed

136 SKETCHES cf the SEX.

nation in Europe. It prevailed much more thetj, and was highly encouraged by James. He evei: iffued prochimations, containing fevere threatnings^ againft the gentry who lived in town. By thde means, the ancient pride of family was prefervcd. Men of birth were diftinguilhed by a ftatelinefe of carriage. Much ceremony took place in the ordina- ry commerce of life ; and, as riches acquired by trade were itill rare, little familiarity was indulged by the great.

The moft diflingulfted women of this period in Britainj were the Duchefs of NewcafUe, Lady Pak- 5ngton, and Lady Halket.

The Ducheis cf Newcafde has left us a van:ety of compofiiions, both in profe and verfe, of no meaii charafter.

Lady Pakington lias long been reputed the au- thor oiThe 'd>koledutj of Many ?ind feveral other moral and divine treatifes ; which are written v/ith Co much temper, purity, piety, philofophy, and good fenfe, that (he may be juftiy reckoned the glory of her fex,^ and an honor to human nature- V/hat grecuiefs of mind and goodnefs of heart muft the peribn be pof- feflbd of, who could deny herlelf the honor cf fuch works, left the name of a woman ibould render them of lefs fervice to mankind !

The reiteration of monarchy made ample amends to beauty for the indignities of the com- monwealth. The reign of Charles IL may be con- fidered, in one light as the moll glorious a?ra'to wo- men in the hiftory of Britain, and as the moft deba- ling in another, 'fhey were never fo much careffed ; never fo little refpected.

Charles himfelf had a fufceptible, but changea- ble heart ; a fecial temper, a genteel manner, and a lively wit. His courtiers partook much of the ch?^ rafter of their mafter. They had all futlered tlie preiTure of adverfity,or felt the infolerce of t3T?nny. '1 hey began to think that Chriftianity was a fable ^

SKETCHES OF the SEI^. r^'*

thit virtue was a cheat ; that friendfhip and gener- ofity were but words of ccurfe ; and, in greedily en-^ joying their change of fortune, they funk themfelves beneatli the dignity of men. In avoiding fpiritual pride, and in ret dialing felfifhnefs, they departed from the cffential pr:ncipks of religion and morals ; and by conira(l.irg the language and the manners of hypocrify, they fhamelei'sly viomted the laws of de- cency and decorum.

O'/erjoyed at the return of their fovereign, the whole royal parly diflblved in thoughtlefs jollity ; and even m?.Dy of the republicans, particularly the younger clafs, and the women, were glad to be re- lieved frv>m the aufterity of the commonv;ealth. A general relax.uion of minner^ took place. Pleafure becamr the univ^rrfal object, and love the prevailing tafie; but th:it love wr.s rather an appetite than a. paffion. Beauty, unconnected with virtue, was it^ c'jje<Et : it was therefore voiil of honor and attach- ment. In conf'iquence of fuch manner.^, female vir- tue, robi:ed of i:s rew::rd, became rather a mode of bjhavior to inflame defirc, or prccm e elevation, than a r ' ^ cr principle ; and, of courP", fooner cr la:, I'her facr.ficed to inglination cr to caprice.

iiut thefe oblervations in their full extent, uiuft cnly be underflo-xl of the court. 1 he greater part of ihe gentry it 11 rdiJedon their eftates in the coun- tr\', equally llranger s to the plenfures of the court and tcwn ; and one half of the ifland v/as nlied with ind'ginrion at the vices ofWhitehilL 'Jhe ftage, v/i.ich generally takes its complexion from the ccurc, w?^ a continued iceue of flnlualky, tlafphemy, and a-^furJity.

I'he fr cnrfe, however, ofall ranks of

men, from lo the commoner, improved the

talent of luciety, and polilhed the language of con- vcrlaHor. Gal!:!ntrv, licentious as it was, produced ar ^s; and from the irregular, an 1

^v. , . : , !c)in ri wnting r.nd thinkings

138 SKETCHES of the SEX.

fpriin«; many ilrokes of real genius, and a liberal fpi- rit of inquiry, whofe rei'earclies and experiments have benefited mankind, and carried philoibph^^ and the iciences to an height that does honor tomoderii times.

The women of this reign, as may be expefted from thetalte of the men,v/ereraorefollci!ous about ridorning their perlbns, than their mind?. But the frequent interccurfe between the fexes in feme mea-- iure compenfated that negleft. By fuch a commerce they became m.cre eafy, mere free,- mere lively, and- mcre capable of converfation than-thev/cmien of any preceding age. They had lefs learning, but mere accomphfhments ; and perhaps more genius. Ihcy wanted nothing but virtue to have made their mem- ories immortal ; and, notwithitanding the general depravity ,there were ibme who trodihe narrow path,, whofe tafte and fentiments were uncorrupted, and whofe names ftill live in their writings, and in the verfes of their cotemporaries.

I'he reign of James 11. was too flicrt to have any diilinft charafter. It is only fmgular for the blind ^;igotry, and blinder difpofition of the prince which ouiedthe minds of men from the drlirium of plea- ire in v.^hich they had been lofl, and l?rought about •le revohi'ion.

Under William HI. the efFefts of that -change werevilible on (he manners. 1 he nation rouirned to what m.ay be called irs naiural ftate. An atten- tion to ju!i pclitics, to fouad phiiofophy and true r'^- Itgion, charafterize the acra of Britilh liberty.

William, himfelf was of a gloomy temper, and had a difiike to the company of wom^en. The inter- courfeof the fexes, and thofe amufements v/hich are its confequences, were therefore little countenanced during his reign. By thefe means the ladies had more time for the purliiits of learning and knowledge; and they made ufe of it accordin^l3^ Many of them became adepts in the fciencee. Lady Ivfefliant, and

SKETCUKS Of TUB SEX. i^^

Mary Adell, particiil'/.rly, dirciilTed with ju.lgment and ability the moll ubllraft points ia inefaphyfics and divinity.

Thcle'two hdies diuered en a very delicate point. Mary affirnied f .at wa ouglu to love with defuc God only every oiher lova being linful. 1/ady Maiham oppoi'ed tnai doctrine as a d;^ng -irons refce- ment. Each nad her abettors. Mils AiLil was (bp- ported by Mr. Notiis, and Lady Maihani by Mr- Locke. Lhey wrre both ^re.it advocates for iha learning ot won\en ; and then* arg^uments and exam- ple appear to ha\'tj roii'ed many cf t':e lex to a more i'ehous attention to rti'gion aiid moraliiy.

The rei:in of que:n Ana - may be f.iid to have jen the i'ammer, of which William's was only the ipring. Every thing was r.pened ; ?:otliir.|; was cor- rupted, it was a (Irjrt, but glorious period of hero- ifm and national capacity, of taieand f ience, learn- iogaad genius, of gall mtry without licen-ioufnefs, id p.litenefs without cii'eminac}".-

One i<i in doubt which moll to admire in the women of this reign, the manntrs', the taieotvS, or the

nphfhmeiits. Theyv/ere religious without fe-

, and wiii-iout entliullafnT'. Ttiey w:ra learned

•' ^ ■ iV.ry. They were intclli:^ent and at-

iit' nefl^.cti.:g the du'ies of their fex.

and entertaining, without levity.

' led the graces of fociety to the

d the virtues of domellic life.

. companions, without ceafiag

^ be wive:* and mothers.

In fupport of the for.,->...^ . ..,. of the

'.itifh ladies under the reign of queen Anne, we

• ' ^•^'" add lue names of L^dy Chudleigh, Lady

a, the honorable Mrs.Monk, Mrs. Bovey,

(if tnefe ladies, Mrs. Bovey is perhaps the leaS

ritings, and had no poet-

'. She isj however, v^ry

?4o SKETCHES o^ THE SEX.

handfomely complimented by Sir Richard Steele, in the dedication of the lecond vcluine of the " Ladies Library ;" and Mrs. Mardey gives the fallowing ele- gant charadef of her in "The new Atahntis:*' ''Her per(bi'»i has as many charms as can be defired. Her air, her manner, her judgment, her wit, ker conver- faiion, are admirable. Her fenfe is fciid ai:id perfp'c- lious. Sheis fo perfecl an economifc, that in taking in all the greater duties of life ibedoes not difdain to Itocp to the moft inferior. In (horr, me knows all that a man cun know, without defpifmg what, as a v/oman, (ha ciight not to be ignorant of."

Under George L the manners of the nation were fenfihly changed ; but net fo much as the na- tional fpiiir. The South Sea Ichemej and ether mer- cenary projecfs, produced a pafiion of avarice, and a trite of luxury, which prepared the way for ail the ccrrupticns of the fcllov/ii:g reign.

The delirium of riches was beyond what the moft extravagant imagination can conceive. Any (cheme, however abfurd, met with encouragement, if it only prcpofed liifficient advantages. All ranks and conditions, and even woineTz reforted to 'Change Alley, with the locks of harpies ready to fe'ze upon their prey ; but in realitv the viftiins of their own credulity and fcrdid pafllcn?. The peers cf the realm became ftock-jobbers5and its miiii-fters brokers. Public virtue was loll; in the vifions cf private beneiir. Letters fell into contem.pt, though fuppcrted by the greatelt cxamplis cf luccefsful genius. Love grew covetous, and beauty ven^d.

Tnere were, however, in this reign, many wom- en cf lii:eral and elegant talents ; amorg the firft of whom may be ranked Lady Mary W. Montague,, lb well known for her fpirited poems, and ingenious letters.

As the manners of the two fexes generally keep pace with each other, in propcrlicn as the men grew re^ardlefs cf char^fter, the women nfgleftf^d the du^

SKETCHES OF rnn SEX, u^i

lies of their fex. Though little ir.clined to ho?,Ydmg^ ihey are not perhaps leis dif'prXed to iivarice than Dieu. Gold to them it; deliniDle, as the miBifler of vanitj', vcluptuouihels and fhow. It became their fupreme cbjeft, mid the ciily fburce of the matrimo- nial union, to the exclulion of that tender fentimenr, which alone can give fireng'h to the facrtd tie, cr pleafure to the nuptial ftate. The ycung, the beait* tiful, fhe heal-ihful, were wedded, though not always -ith their own confent, to age, defcrmity, and dif» -' fe. Virtue wa< joined to profligacy, and wanton- rieCs to leverty.

Such marriages were necefiarily deftruftlve of domeftic felicity. Tiie want of cordiality at home, naturallv leads us abroad ; as the waot of happinefs i ourlelves leads us to feek it in ext^ni2i]s, imd to .-irure imaginaiicn for the gratification of appetites, which, undepraved, are fimple acd uniform. New jraulenients and Ibcieties of pleafure were everyday formed ; new modes of difiipaticn v/ere invented ; ihe crder of nature was changed ; night and day were inverted ; fancv and hngira^e v\ ere exhaufted for :i.imes to the ailVmoHes cf politenefs and «;p.llantry,

Nolhin:^ is fo opprtilive as time to the unhappy, or thought to the vacant mind, 'iltfe were not all enough. They feemed afraid of themfelvts, and of each other. I'he huiband had one let of vifitors ; the wife another. He proferuted his pleafures abroad : (heentertainailher fritndsat home ; cr re- ported to Ibme public amufemenr, or priviue pleafure.

A fpirit cf gaming which mingled iifelf with dif- itpation and pleafure, aUbrded a pretence for ncftur*- nal ineetin^s. And gan^.ing, it mud be acknow- Icv' '. "'' crs the tvn "les the pailiocs, cor-'

ri . , and br' .n the ilrcngeft bar-

'^r ct virtue — a dc i vc^ between ihe lexcs.

At preient, wc ^ that notwithfipnding the

relaxation of manners, the averfion to whatever is fenous, the tliirll: of adm'.vaion, ;:nd the ncghft of

142 SKETCHES 0F THE SEX,

thofe- qualities which produce efteem, lb confpicuour in ibme ; yet the generality of cur fair Cv-^untrywom- en pofleis the doineftic virtues in a confiderable de* ^ee of perfeclion. Infidelity is not fo common as fome libertines would endeavor to perfuadeus ; and elopements are ftronger proofs of fenfibility than the want of Ihime.

In this illand, and even in the- metropolis, there are many women who would have done honor to any age or country; who join a refined talie and a cultiva- ted underftandiag to a feeling. hearf, and who adorn their talents aiid their fenfibiiity with fentiments of virtue^ honor, and humanity. We have women who could have reafoned with Locke, who might have difputed the laurel with Pope, and to whom Addifon would have liltened with pieafure.

Even in tl e middle .of opulence, and of that lux- ury which too often mingles avarice with ftatejwhich narrows the heart, and makes it at the fame time vain and cruel, w^ fee women who yearly let apart a portion of ihtir lubibance for the poor ; who make it their bufmels to find out the abodes of niifery. and who number among their pbafures the rehef of the orphan, and the tears fhed in th€ coniblation of the widow*

":^;^=

GHAP. XLIIL

On the Privileges of Britijh Women*

X HOUGH the French and Italians are fuperior to the Inhabitants of Great Britain in politenefs and in elegance, yet the condition of thevr women, upon' the whole, is not preferable. Such privileges and immunities as thev derive from the influence of po- Utenefs, the Britifh derive from thelaw-s of their country .

SKETCHES or the SEXv 143-.

In France, the SrJique law does not allow a fe- male to inherit the crown. But in England, a wo- in niav be the firll: perfbnage in the kingdom, may ..ceed to the crown in her own right, and in that, caie^ not bound by any of the laws which reftraip womao, (lie may enjoy the fame powers and privi- l g- s as a king. Such a queen, if ihe marry, retains alio the fame power, iffues the orders, and tranfafts the bufinefs of the i ate in her own came, a::d con- tinues ftill ,th '^ fo-v, veign, while her hufband is only a Oibjeft.

When a -vii.^ iucceeus in his own right to the crown, and marries, his queen is then only afubjeft, and her rights and privileges are not near fo exren- five. She is exempted, however, from the general laws, which exclude married woirien from having any property in their own right. vShe may fue any perfon at law, without joining her hufband in the lait ; file may purchaf- lands ; (he may ieli nnd con- convey them to another perlon, without ihe inter- ference of her huibsnd ; ihe may have a feparate property in. goods and in lands, and may difpofe of tl:efe by will, as if (he were a lingle woman. On the commiflion of any crime however, ihe may be '^'ed and puniihed by the peers of the reahn.

/fo violate the ch?'city cf the queen, of the ccn- lort of the Prince cf Wales, or of ihe eldeil daughter of the king, although with their own a-nfent, is high treafon and puniiliable scccrdinely. The vounger dmi^kers^ as well as fons of the king, are hardly otherwife diitinguilhed by the laws, than by having the precedency of all other iiibjefts in public jr^moiiies.

A peerefs v.hcn guilty of any crime, cannot be tried but by the houle of peers.

A woman who is noble in her own right, can- t lole her nobi]ity by marrying i?^e meareit ple- . Slie communicates her ncbihty to her chil- Lut ajt toher hulbani •»,;<*.

144 SKETCHES OF. the SEX.

Sl:e who is only ennobled by nrarrying a peer, lofes that nobility, if ihe atterwards marry a com- moner.

She who firft marries a Juke or other peer of a fiiperior order, e.nd afterwards a fimple baron , is Hill aliv wed to retain her firfl titl^, and the privileges annexed to it j for tiie law conliders all peers as equals.

By theccurtafy of this country, the wives of baronets are called ladies, a title fuperior to that of their hnPoands^ but at the fame time a title to which they have no leg;d right, being in all judicial v/rits and proceedings only denomiiia red Damefuch-a-one, according ro the rrames of their hufl^ands.

The law of England or Jains, that if a man courts a wcnran, promiiks to marry her, and afterwards marries another^ it}c may, by bringing an action againit him, recover fuch damages as a jury fhail think adequate to the Icfs (he has ■liftainfa. In Scotlaix;^ fbe may receive one half of the fortune he receives 7yith his v/ife, - On the other hand, as it fometime? happens that rrtful v. omen draw on the mere fond and filiy part cf our fex to make them val- uable prefents under pretence of marriage, and after- wards laugh at or refute to marry them' — a man, who has been fo bubbled, may fue the woman to re- turn the prefents he made her^ becaufe they were pre- furaed to have been conditionally given, aod (he has failed in performing her part of the ccnditicn.

Wives cannot be imiprilbned for debt, nor de- prived of their perfonal liberty for any thing but crimes ; and even (bch of thefe a.s fubjeft the offen- der only to a picuniary punilhraent m.uft be expiated by the hulband.

No married woman is liable to pay any debt, even though contrafted without the knowledge, or againft the confcnt of her hufband. And what is Itill more extraordinary, whatever debts fhe may have contracled while yngle, devolve, the moment of

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 145

her man-iage, upon the haplefs fpoufe, who, like the fcape-goat, is loaded by the prietl who performs the ceremony with all the fins and extravagances of his wife.

It is a common opinion among the vulgar, that a general warning in the Gazette, or in a news paper, will exempt a man from the payment of fuch debts as are contracted by his wife without his knowledge. But this opinion is without any good foundatiou. Particular warnings, however, given in writing, have been held as good exemptions. But fuch are of little advantage to a hufband, as his wife may always find people to give her credit, whom the huiband has not cautioned againft it.

When a huiband forces his wife to leave him by cruel ufage, (he may claim a feparate mainten- ance ; while (he enjoys this, he is not liable to pay any of her debts.

If a huiband, confcious of having ufed his wife ill, will not allow her to go out of his houle, or carries her away, or keeps her concealed, in order to prevent her endeavoring to find redrefs of the evils that (lie fuffers, her friends may, in that cafe, by applying to the court of King's Bench, obtain an order for the huiband to produce his wife before the laid court : and if fhe there fwears the peace againft him, (he de- livers herfelt from his jurifdiclion, and he cannot compel her to live with him, but the court will grant her an order to live where Ihe pleafes.

Among the Romans, among feveral other an- cient nations, and among Ibrae people in the prefent times, it is not deemed culpable for a huiband to kill the man whom he furpriftis committing adultery with his wife. By the lav/s of England, he who kills fuch a roan is reckoned guilty of manllaughter ; but, inconfequence of the great provocation given, the court commonly orders the fentence of burning on the hand to be inflifted in the flightelt manner.

A huiband is not allowed to leave his wife, XUl

14^ SKETCHES of the SEX.

Ihe may enter a fuit againft him for the reflitntion c(

the eights of marriage; and the fpiriiual court will

compel him to return, to live with her, and to reft ore

them.

A hufband cannot devifeby his will fuch of his wife's ornaments and jewels as (he is accuftomed to w^ear ; though it has been held that he may, if he pleafes, difpofe of them in his life time.

A hufband is liable to anfwerall fuch actions at law as were attached againft his wife at the time of their marriage, and alfo to pay all the debts Ihe had contrafted previous to that period. But if his w:ie fhail happen to die before he has made payment of fuch debts, the compaft which mvide them one fle(b, and blended their interefts into one, beii2g diff;lved, tl:e hufband is thereby abfolved from payirg her an- tenuptial debts.

Though a woman marries the m.caritft plebeian, {he does not lofe the rank which fne deriv:td froir her birth. But though ftie be defcended of the iowtft cf the human race herfelf, fhe may by ni^rriige be raifed, in this country, to any rank benenth the fov- creignty^

No woman can by marriage confer a fettlement in any parifh on her bufbard. But every man who has a legal fettlement himfelf, confers the fame fttile- ment by marriage on his wife.

It is no uncommon thing, in the prefent times, for the matrimonial bargain to be made fo as thct the wife fhall retain the foie and ablclute power of enjoying and difpofmg of her own icrtuiie, iirilie fame manner as if £h were not married. But wh;it is more inequitable, rl e hufband is liable to pay ail the debts which his wife may think proper to burden him with, even though fhe have abundance of her own to anfwer that purpofe. He is alfo obliged to maintain lier, though her circumftacces be more opu- lent than his ; and if he die before her, Ihe has a without fhewing fui5icicnt caufe. For if he does fo.

SKETCHES OF THE SEX. , 147^.

ri.^ht to one third of his real eftate. If however, fhe die before him, he is not entitled to the value ot one fing^ hilfp^nny, unlefs Ihe has devifed it to hnn by her will.

One of the moft peculiar dididvantages in the condition of Britifh women is, their being poftponed to all miles in the fuccellion to the inheritance ot lawded eftiites, and generally allowed much Imaller fharcs than the men, even of the money and effefts of t^reir fathers and nnceilors, when this money or thofe (*fte6ls are givc-n them in the lifetime of their parents, c^r deviled to them by will. If the father, indeed, flies inteftate, they fhare equally with ions in ail per- ibnal property.

When an eftate, in default of male heirs, def- cends to the daughters, the common cuftom of Eng- Tand is that the eldrit iliall not, in the fame manner- 's an eldeft f ^n, inherit the whole, but all the daugh- ^rs fhall have an equal iliare in it. Weftmoreiand, however, and fome other places, are exceptions to this [general rule. The elded daughter, there fuc- oee.ls to the whole of the land, in preference to all the

. i en are not allowed to be members of our fenate, nor t3 concern themielves much with our trades and profeffions. Both in their virgin and nlarriei itate, a perpetual guardianfhip is, in fome iIt^''"" V -^^ "^'•'-'rid over them : and fhe who, having h\ in the gnive, enJDys an independent

foriiinc, II uimolt the only woman among us, who ^n be caMed entirely free. They derive the greater f>'irt of th.e power which they enjoy, from their rh^rms; and thefe, wlien joined to fenlibility, often full)' compenfate, in this refpecft, for the littfe diCaO. MAAiviti:^. th.?v are laid under by luv anr^ nirorQ^

T48 SKETCHES of the SEX*

CHAP. XLIV.

On Female Kno-wIedgCu

JCIENCE is to the mind what light is to the bo- dy ; and a blind, is juft fo much lefs fhocking than au ignorant woman, as her mental are fnperior to her corporeal powers.

This fpecies of accomplifhment has been ridicu- led, as raifmg thfefex above that fphere where nature feems to have fixed their movements. Such is the paradox which has occafioned fo much illiberality and lai cafm. and on wh ich every v/oman of more knowledge thvin ordiuary has been fo often reprefented as a pedant. Learning, it is alfo faid, would improve women's talents of addrefis, and only make them worfe by rendering them more artful. This is likewife an idea which no man who enjoys the converfation and friendihip of raodeft and good women, ever indul- ed. Whoever has the leaft regard for decency and rath, and is not deftitute of all relifh for the happi- ixfs which fprings from the chafte fenfibiiities of an unpolluted heart, mufl: own he has fufFered much more from the felfifhnefs and cunning of men than from any bad qualities in women. Indeed, the pref- ent fituation of both, in this country, renders it im- poiTible to be otherwife. The mafculine charafter is peculiarly obnoxious tothepetrifyinginfluence of vul- gar opinion. Our young men are foon intoxicated wifh ihe fallacious maxims either of the gay or the bufy world ; and both extremes are equally pernicious to focial excellence. Ideas of the meanett and moft for- did tendency abforb their minds at a very early pe- riod, which often render them ever after callous to the workings of humanity. With a ftrong predilec- tion for wealth, independence or libertinifra, they cheerfully prollitute all the powers of their minds and all the feelings of their heai'ts, in acquiring one or all

SKETCHES OF THE SEX. i^

cf thefe objects. This unavoidably plunges them in- to all the machinations of pride, all the .intrigues of gallantry, all the intricacies, rifques, and vicillitudes of biifmei>\ Sentiment conlequently lofes its weight, and feniibility its edge, Intereft triumphs in the ab- fence of principle, and nature relinquifhe^ her domin- .;!! to art.

The moft engaging difpofitions of the female mind feldom undergo fuch a total revolution. If we except a few of the mcfl perverfe and unrelenting tempers, women, who are not flagrantly vicious, have fti !om bad hearts. Their attachments, which con* ftitute the moft comfortable circumftance in domeftic life, when innocent and undilfembled, are more laft- ing and fervent than ours.

Let no hbaldn^, therefore, however plaufible '.nd fallacious, divert the attention of females frorrt tellecKial improvement. In youth, all the powers urfenfual or pieafurable enjoyments are nature, and riecline only as the paflions cocL Then let the fair fumifh ihemfelves with a flock of other and more durable materials, that they may live with fatisfac- ■' on, when thefe are no more.

It is when her fibres, and juices, and falts are tender and genial, that the earth receives her feed, that the liws of vegetation operate, and that all thofe plants take root and fpring, which afterwards fill her l)ofora with plenty, and her face with beauty. Nor is there one barren or blighted fpot, or any part of her furface more perfeaiy black and' difmal than a mind involved in ignorance, or/ benumbed with in* leniibility.

^ It? the feafon of youth, therefore,- ladies fhould maKe it their Itudv to cultivate their minds in fuch a' manner a^ to render their intrinfic value as fubflan* tialasthey wifh their exterior to be dmw^/<f. Knowl- edge improves the human intelle^, and endows it with ail Its excellence. It unniafks to our view our own natures. It liiews us what we are, and difdofea Xlil 2

ISO SKETCHES OF the SEX.

all that can be hoped or dreaded from the circum* fiances we are in. By the regulations it prefcribes, and the delicacy it infpire*, knowledge improves our tafte for fociety, and imparts a finer relifh to all our mutual attachments. It is the infeparable handmaid of happinefs ; opens a thoufand avenues to indul- gence of the pureft and molt exalted kind ; unlocks to human view the myfteries of Providence ; creates a heaven on earth ; adds to the joys of the prefent the hopes of futurity ; and when the objefts of this world expire on the'fenfes, fills the whole heart with the glorious and animating profpefts of another.

Without knowledge the poiTefEons of time were imperfeft, and the prefages of eternity unfatisfying. Speak, ye who are did and uninformed, do not all things appear infipid t Your paffions have loft their fire, your feelings their edge, your very fenfes the na- tural'relifh of their refpeftive objefts. Worfe, not better, for all you havefeen and heard, in the various ftages of life, your every thought muft be as infipid toothers, as it is to yourfelves. And, of all the emp- ty prattle which nils an empty world, that of fecond childhood, becaufe leaft natural and innocent, is moft tlrefome and iinpertinenr. Yet, under a hoary head, the iacred and venerable emblem of wifdom and experience, how frequently do we meet with nothing but ftupidity, puerility, infignificance, a mind continually out of humor, and a tongue that never is at reil ! "

Womea can never amve at that importance feemingly defigned them by nature, while their genius is not cultivated, and their latent qualities called forth into view. Y'fible qualities, fuch as beauty, and the art of (hewing it to advantage, may in thofe moments when the heart is foftened by love, or the fpirits ele- vated by wine, give the women a temporary afcen- dancy ever the men, and er^ble them to bend them at pleafure ; as in the cafe of Thais and Alexander*

Sjjch an afcendancy, however, is commonly fleeting

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 151

and tranfient. Cool reafon foon refumes the place which pailion had ufurped ; and the empire, which had been built on paflion, tumbles like the haf clefs fabric cfa viftcn ; while that which is fupported by mental beauties^ ftands the teft of time, and the various inci- dents of life.

ITie fum of all human prudence is to provide againft the vvorft. Perfonal beauty foon dies ; but that which is intelleftual is immortal. ^ And though age bealmoft every where attended with grey hairs, fhattered teeth, dim eyes, trembling joints, fliort breath, ftiff limbs, and a fhrivelled fkin — there is a charm in wifdom, which, with all thefe melancholy circumftances, diffufes a pleafmg ferenity over the evening of our days. Indeed, nothing is fo truly refpeftable at this period of humanity, when dignifi- ed, as it ought to be, by all the habits and principles of genuine benignity and honor. Age is then wif- dom combined with experience. It is the very fpirit or fum of all earthly perfeftion. It is an emblem, or camcft, of that future and divine fruition, which is the certain confequence, and happy confummation, of all mental and moral excellence.

Thus it is from knowledge alcne, that the great- eft and the bed have found even folitude and retire- ment fo fmgularly charming, and that the decline of life, with all its infirmities, 10 frequently glides away amidft the fweetelt endearments and the fereaelt hopes. It is this which coDftitutes the only real and lafling diftindion which can fubfift between mortals of the fame fpecies ; which neither rank, nor title, nor fortune, however high or fplendid, can dellroy or confer ; and which, on every emergency, gives an obvious and decided fuperiority to wealth, or power, or grandeur. J4'> knowledge, women, as well as men, (hare the prerogative of intelligence, hold the dominion of the world, boafl the lineaments of divinity^ aad afpire to an imitation of him who made them I

i3'Z SKETCHES of the SEX.

CHAP. XLV.

tD/fcvzak Culture and Accc^mpRJJjmcnts in different: J ^^es",

jnLMONG the Greeks, their mothers or other iemaie relations taught youDg ladies the common fe- male einployments and cuftoms of their country ^and inftilled into the minds of fvich as would recdve it, a tincture of that ftoical pride and heroifin, for which their men were fo much- renowned. In every thing elfe they were very deficient, and their conftant con- finement added w^nt of knov/ ledge of the world to their v/ant of education.

In the earlier periods of the great republic of Rome, the Romans being poor, and furrounded with rude and ferocious neighbors like themfeives, were obliged to learn rigid economy, inflexible patriotifm, and the art of war. Thefe are all virtues of neceffity in the infancy cf almcft every Hate.

The duties and employments of domefuC lifi^, , iiich as cookery, fpinning,* weaving, and fewiDg,were caught the Romxan women by their mothers or rela-- tions. Thefe alfo fuperintended not only their feri- ous ftudies, but even their amufements, which \vere always conduced with decency and moderation. But when the Romans became, rich with the plunder • of their neighbors, the tafte for the arts and fciences became more general. The education of the woret- en, therefore, began to be extended on a larger fcale. To the domeftic duties, taught them by their moth- ers, v/ere added fuch parts of polite education. as were thought neceiTary for cultivating their minds.

Cicero mentions with high eWt-?omiums, feveral ladies whofe tafte in eloquence and philofcphy, did honor to their fex ; and Quinftilian, with confidera- ble applaule, has quoted fome of the letters of Corn* dia-

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 1^3

There is a Ipeech of HortenCa, preferved by Appian, which for elegance of language, andjuftneis of thought, would have done honor to a Cicero, or a Demolthenes. What gave occafion to this fpeech was the following circumftance : the triumvirs of Rome wanted a large fum of money for carrying on awar, and having met with great difficulties in raif- ing it, they drew up a lift of fourteen hundred of the richeft of the ladies, intending to tax them. I'hefe ladies, after having in vain tried every raethod to evade fo great an innovation, at laft chofe Hortenfia for their Ipeaker, and went along with her to the market-place, where fhe thus addreffed the triumvirs, while they were aciminiftering juftice —

'^ The unhappy women you fee here imploring your juftice and bounty, would never have prefumed to appear in this place, had they not firft made ufe of all other means which their natural modefty could fuggcft to them. Though our appearing may feem contrary to the rules of decency prel'cribed to our fex, which we have hitherto obferved with all ftriftnefs : vet thelofsofour fathers, children, brothers, and hulbands, may fufficientlyexcufeus, efpecially whea their unhappy deaths are made a pretence for our further misfortunes. You pretend they had offend- ed and provoked you : But what injury have we women done, that we muft be impoverifhed ? If we are blameable as the men, why do you not prcfcribe us too ? Have we declared you enemies to your coun- try ? Have we fuborned your foldiers, raifed troops againft you, or oppofed you in the purfuit of thofc honors and offices which you claim ? We pretend not to govern the republic ; nor is it our ambition which has drawn ^ the prefent misfortunes on our heads. Empire, "ignities, and honors are not for «j. Why (liould we then contribute to a war in which we have no manner of intcreft >

" It is true, indeed, that in the Carthaginian war, our mothers allilted the republic, which was, at

154 SKETCHES of the SEX.

that time reduced to the utmoft diftrefs. But nei- ther their houfes, their lands, nor their moveables, were fold for that fervice. Some rings and a few jewels furnilhed the fiipply. Nor was it conftraint, nor violence, that forced thefe from them. What they contributed was the voluntary offering of gen- eroiity.

'^ What danger at prefent threatens Rome ? If the Gauls or Parthians were encamped on the banks of the Tiber, or the Anio, you fhould find us no lefs zealous in the defence cf our country than cur moth- ers were before us. Bat it becomes not us ; and we are refolved that we will not be any way concerned in civil war.

" Neither Marius, nor Crcfar, nor Pompey , ever thought of obliging us to take part in the dom- eftic troubles which their ambition had raifed. Even Sylla hirafelf, who hrrt fet up tyranny in Rome, nev- er harbored liich an intenti -n. And yet you affume the glorious title of Reformers of the State / — a title which will turn to your eternal infamy, if without the leafl regard to the laws of equity, you perfifl in your wicked refoiution of plundering thofe of their lives and fortunes who have given you no juft caufe of ofience.''

The triumvirs beirg offended at the boldnefs of the women, ordered them to be driven away. But the populace growing tumultuous, they were afraid of an infurreftion, and reduced the lill: of the women to be taxed, to four hundred.

During the reign of chivalry in Europe, women endeavored only to acquire fuch accompliihments as would excite heroes to fight for, and lovers to adore them.. So far were they from pcffeffmg any literary attainments, that they could hardl^'^read the language oftheirrefpeclive countries'.

In the following age the ladies found that the fame arts which captivated a knight clad in armor and ignorance, were in vaii3 praftifed upon tb^ en>

8-K.KTC[IES OF THE SEX. 155

.,5..-^:iea icholar and philofopher. Being Gonfcious, therefore, that the way to pleafe the men was to ieem fond of what they approved, and diflike what they dilliked, they applied themfe Ives to letters and phil- ofophy, hoping to keep pofl'eflion, by their talents, of what they had gained by their charms. Though thefe meafures were not calculated to infpire love, and attraft the hearr, and confequently did not pro-

.duce the efFefts which the ladies intended, yet they raifed them in that period to a pitch of learning un- known in any other.

A love of gaiety, expence, and parade, waS in- troduced into Lurope by the imneiife treafures of gold and filver imported from America, after the difcovery and conqued: of that ccuntry ; and, per- haps, by the ftill greater rches accumulated by com- merce. The French took the le.id in tr.is new mode

^ of life, and foon dfleiDiuatcd it all ever Europe. Tne education of tV»eir women, which before confiil- ed in reading their own hmgu'^ge, and in 1 arning needle-work, was by degrees changed to vocal and inllrumental mufic, daticing, and dreiiiiig in the moft fafhionable manner ; to w.ich may be added the art of captivating and governing their men. This flimfy pattern was copied by every other nation.

In Afia and Africa it is the inrereft of the men

. that almO'l ^ no culture fhoiild t>e bellowed on the mindsof their females, left it {]i:uld teich them to afTcrt their rights of nature, and refufe to fubmit to the yoke of bondage io unjuftly impjfed upon them, 'ncy are, however, taught all the p rfonal graces ; ,.:id particular care is taken to inflru<^t them in the art of converfiug with elegance and vivacity. Some of

. them are alfo taught to write, and the generality to

read, that they may be able to read the Koran. jBut,

indeid of this, tricy more frequent lyfpend their time

in reading tales and romances ; which, being related

1 all the lively imagery of the eaft, feldom fail to

orrupt the minds of crcatinesihut up from the world.

ij6 SKETCHES OF THE SEX.

and confequently formmg to themfelves extravagant and romantic notions of all that is tranfafted in it.

Though they are never permitted to attend pub- lic worfhip in a mofque, they are obliged to learn by heart fome prayers in Arabic, which when they aflemble in a hall at certain hours, they repeat. They are enjoined always to wafn themfelves before pray- ing ; and indeed, the virtues of cleanlinefs, of cham- ty and obedience are fo ftrongJy and conftantly in- culcated on their minds, that, in fpite of their general corruption of manners, there are feveral among them who, in their common deportment do credit to the mftruftions beftowed upon them. This indeed is not much to be wondered at, when v/e confid- er the tempting recompence that is held out to them. They are, in paradife, to flourifli for ever in the vigor of youth and beauty ; and however old, ugly, or deformed wl>en thev depart this life, are there to be immediately transformed into all that is fair, and all that is graceful.

It is a very laboriQus tafk to learn to read or write the Chinefe language- Even among the men, it feems chiefly confined to fuch as afpire after em- ployments of ftate. Women are feldom much in- Itrufted in it. Such as are rich, however, learn mu- fic, the modes of behavior, and ceremonial punftilios of the country. The laft of thefe cannot poflibly be difpenfed with. A failure in the leaft circumftance, as the number of bows, or the manner of making them to a fuperior, would infalliably ftamp the mai'k of ignorance on the perfon fo failing. Women are, in general, alfo taught a bafhfulnefs and raodelly of behavior not to be met with in any other country.

In many parts of North-America they never beat their children of either fex. This, the^r fay, w^ould only weaken and difpirit their minds without producing any good efFedt. When therefore a moth- er fees her daughter behave ill, inftead of having re- courfe to a rod, fhe f^ls a-crying. The daughter Dat»

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 157

urally inquires the caufe : the mother anfwers, be- caule you difgrace me. This reproach feldom fails to produce an amendment.

Gentle treatment of children we are informed, is abfolately neceflkry. The punifhments inilifted ia mod other nations only mnke the Japanese :nore flub- bora and refraftory ; and ibmetimes ti.ere, as well as ia America, provoke them to com:nit fuicide.'

The ilim of what has Veen (aid is this: — Tha ^.iucation of women in Europe is perhaps too much calculated to i-^fpire them with love of adniiration, of trifl'nu;, a:5d of amufeiiicnt. In moll other plpxes of the globe it is infinitely worfe. It tends to tr?.dicata every^ moral leDtiment, and introduce vice drefled up in the garb of voluptuous refinement.

That v/omen fhould pore out their fair eyes in becoming adepts in fearning, would be, highly impro- per. Nature feems not to have intended thtm for the more intenfe and fevere ftudies. "J'he gainii g of the laurels of literary fame would rob their brows of manyof thofe channs which to them are more valu- able, as they are by men more efteemed. Ignorapce makes a female contemptible, pedantry mak s ber ridiculous. Both extremes (hould be avoided.

=«aa^

CHAP. XLVI.

Of the neccjfary Mental AccompliJJjincnis of Laaws,

. X liF' degree of thofe intelleftual accomplifhTients \j^h:ch women fliould aim at, it is not eafy to deter- ,iiiine. That mufl depend on the capacities, oppor- .lunitics and encouri^gements which they feverally enjoy.

H'lfi'.n^ in which may be included hirgr?phy 2-' 't to employ a con fiderable (hnre

^ .. Th^ f' piftures which ii cxliibits

XIV

158 SKETCHES of the SEX.

of the paflions operaiing in real Ufe,and.geniunecha- rafters ; of virtues to be iinitated, and of vices to be ftunned ; of the eiiefts of both on lociety and indi- viduals ; of the murability cF human affair? ; of t-e conduct of divine Providence ; of the great confe- quenc js that often arife from Uttle events ; of the weaknefs of power, and the wanderings of prudence in the human race ; with the fudden, unexp^fted^and frequrntly un-^ccountable revolutions that dafh tri- umphant wickedneis, or dif^ppoiut prefumptuous hope — :he piftares wh\diiji/I(,ry exhibits of all thefe have been ever reckoned by the beft judges, among thericheft fcurces of initruction and enterti^inment. Voyages and Travels — tOO, are very inllructive aud entertaining. How amufing ar2 they to the cu- lioiity, how enlarging to our profpefts of mankind ! They make us ufe fully inquifitive^andfurnilhuswith iubi^'cts of refleftioD.

There is not a fon or daughter of Adam who has not occafionfor Geography. It is often ufeful in converfaticn ; and a competent knowledge of it may be' acquired with httlc apphcation, but much amufe- ment.

The principal f^ifts or great outlines of Jftrmom^ are beautiful as well as improving. Some of them prefent the m^ft interefting icenes. All contain the mcft pleafjng difcoverier. They open and enlarge the mind ; they dilate and humanize the heart ; they remind us that we are citizens of the univerfe ; they Ihew us how fmall a part we fiil in the immenfe orb cf being. Amid the amplitude of fuch contempla- tions, Superfluous titles fhrink away. Wealth and grandeur " hide their diminifhed leads." A gener- ous^mJoition rifes in the thoughtful mind, to approve itfelf to the all-inip^ciing eye of ifzm to whom none cf his works ar 3 indifferent.

In Poetry of all kinds, but chieflv of the fuijliirer forms, where nature, virtue, ?ind religirn are pointed cind embelliihed with all the beauties of a chafte, yet

SKETCHES OF THE SEX. iS9

elevated imagination, what a field is opened within the reach, and adapted to the turn of the female fac- ulties ! What a profufion of inteileaual ornament is fpread before them, for memory to coUcft, and for rcflrclioa to work upon ! How many fprighily, de- lightful, and lofty ideas do here pits before the men- tal eye, all drcfted in tlie brighteft colors ! How ftrangely ii:excufable mult thole be who complain at any limeof want of amufement^when the genius and invention of every illuminated age Irave taken fuch happy pains to Ibpply the noblefh To obtain all the poetical works of the Britidi Poets, would be ex- peafive : Xva therefore would recommend a judicious choice of the many volumes publiflied of Sele^fions*, m particular a very excellent work latelv (i 807) pub- liflied for IMr. Bumficad, viz. '" Selcc]: 'Cclleaion of Poems, and other elegant poetical Extrads by the moft celebrated authors, from Pope^ Gcllfmith^ Blair ^ Toung^ Graj^Co-jjper^ Watts ^ rarv.cl^ More^ Kciue^Scc, 'How much are both iexes indebted to the ele- gant pens cf t! e Speclator^^ Rarr.bler^ Mvi7iturcr^ Con* noijeur^ Mct, &c. for a fpecies of inftruftion better fitted perhaps, than moft ethers ofhuman device, to de- light and improve at t'le fame moment! Such is its extent, its diverlity, its familiarity, its eafc, its playful man- ner, its immediate reference to fcenes and circum- ftances with which v/e are every day ccnverfant.

There are very few novels that can be read with

fafety ; and fewer Hill that convey any ufeful in:lruc*

tion. But as ladicS -will read novels, the bell and

rr :ent produclions cf this kind are thole of

/^ • . , Cumberhind^ Mifs Barney ; Mrs. Ihlm/ii

.ou.u, and Mifs B/cwer^s Features from Life ; Car-

:ne of Lichtficld, the Vicar of Wakefield, and a

-^ others.

The mofi obvious branches both of Natuml Phil- '-^ph;:^ and Natural H'iJ}orjfi\ou\^ engage at lei^ll,fome jrtion of our lime, ihat tkey are fo feldom and ; ili«ihtly thought of, is rather a melancholy rcflec-

160 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

ti 30. Does creation, through her infinircl^ extended and infinitely diveriiSed i'cenery difplay innumerable woniers ? Have thefe beea traced with ikill' and ac- curcicy by many learned and many laborious hands ? Are t .ey kiii open to as, and almoft prefl'ed upon us ^Vom every qaarier ? And can we, \vi h a giddy eye, tarn away from this n.:jbl.:and euctrtaining fpeclacle, to gazjon the meaneft ornament cf be'^iuty, or the (illiefl: pageant of vanity ?

Thi l^Vench and Italian, as well as the Latin and Gre k largirages, may be read l)y the fair fex v/ith much pleafure and advantage. Bv th €e means tneir taf!:e will be innproved,and a never-fa ling fource of ia'iruvili:n will be opened. Several ladies of raak Hni fafhion, of the prefent day, make Virgil and 'Hordes tncir Cj:r:panioa3, two or three mornings every v,Tc^k.

\),:z ?-ilf hDur^ or mora, either b^fbrf or imme- diately af-er breaktuft, (bould be conv:aKtly devoted to tha attentive peruf^l of fome part o?Holy Writ. It is th2 balled on which cur religion is founded. From this pra£Bce more real bea<;fit will be reaped than can ba fuppoied by thofe who hav^ never made the ex. periment. '

I\he fcriptures prefent religion to us in the moil engaging drefs, l^hey communicate truths which philolbphy could never inveftigate, and in a ftyle which poetry can never equal. Calculated alike to profit ani to pleafe, they inform the underflandiog, elevate the aiiections, and entertain the imagination. Indited under the influence of that Being to whom all hearts are known, and all events foreknown, they fuit mankind in all fituations, grateful as the manna that defcendtd from ab')ve,and fuited to every palate. An Eliza, Rowe^ an Han?iah More have lived and died 28 pious and amiable ornaments of the fex : Let them have many followers.

The faireft productions of human wit, after a few perufals, like gathered flowers, wither in our

SKETCHES OF the SEX. idi

hands, and lofe their fragrance : Is it fo with the fii- cred pages ? No, indeed—To the heaven-born Ibui, to one who has been '* renewed in the Tpirit of his mind," who has*' pjlTed from death unto htc," (and to fach a charafter only will the obftiv.ition apply) the fcriptures are unfading pi ints of paradife—the more they are attended to by fuch a charafler, the more beautiful they will appear. They are the ''joy and the rejoicing of their heart." Their blocm ap- pears to be daily heightened. Frefli odours are dif- fufed, and new fweets extrac^led from them. " In commending to your care this Standard" (in the ele- gant addrefs of a lady to a military company) " we commit to your i'acrcd keeping our virtue, our hon- or, and our Holy Faith !''

The fcriptures have been ftudied and admired by the greateft and beft of men, as well as women, whatever inilruftion or amufement may be derived from human oompofitions, let it always be remem- bered that the facred writings al6ne contain that wil- dom, " which maketh wile unto lalvation.*'

Controverfy on religious fubjecls fhoul J feldom cr never be meddled with. Such bocks ought to be read as are addrefTed to the Heart, which infpire pious and devout aSeftions, and tend to regulate the con- duft.

•■^7g^=

T.

CHAP. XLVII.

Of the Momjlic Life.

HE venerable Bcdc has p:iven us a very ftriking

, (^ture of Monaflic enormities, in his epiftle to Egbert. From this we learn that many young men v.-'-ohad no title to the monaflic prcfellion, gotpof- \ of monafteries ; \vhere, inftead of engaging in .... ^ifenc^ ^^*>•r country, as their age and rack XIV 2

i62 SKETCHES gf the SEX.

required, they indulged themfelves ia the moft diflb* lute jndcieoce.

We Iccirn from Dugdale, thit in the reign of Henry the Second, the nuns of Amlbury abbey in Wiklhlre were expelled from that religious houfe on account of their incontinence. And to exhibit in Vre mcft lively colors the total corruption of raon^ftic challity, biihop Burnet informs us in his ^' Hiflcry cf^the Refcnnation/' that when the nunneries were viiited by the command of Henry the VIII, " whole houfes almofl, were found whofe vows had been made in vain."

When we confider to what oppreffive indolence, to what a variety of wretchednei's and guilt, 'the young and fair inhabitants of the cljiiter were fre- quently betrayed, we ought to admire thofe benevo- lent authors who, when the tide of religious prejudice ran very ftrong ia favor of monaltic virginity, had ipirit en ugh to oppoie the torrent, and to caution the devout and tender fex againll fo dangerous a prc- feilion. It is in this point of view that the charafter cf Erafmas sppears with the moll amiable luftre ; and his name ought to be eternally dear to the female world in particular. Though his fludies and confti- tution led him almcft to idolize thofe eloquent fathers cf the church who have magnified this kind of Ufe, bis good lenfe and his accurate lurvey of the human race, enabled him to judge of the mifery in v/hich female youth was continually involved by a precipi- tate choice of the ver!. He knew ihe fuccefsiul arts by which the fub^le and rapacious moLks inveigled young women of opulent families into the cloilterj and he exerted his lively and delicate wit in oppofi* iiZD. to fo pernicious an evik

The writings of many eminent authors have been kvelled againft the abufes of the monaitic life. But feveral of thefe, like the noted work of the hu- morous Rabelais, appear to have fLwed from a fpirit ^:. s wanton and licentious as ever lurked in a convent*

SKETCHES OP the SEX. i6j

It is not thus with Erafmus. His produftion^ are \^Titten with admh*able plep.lantry, and ieem to have been dictated by a challe delke to promote the felic- ity of the fair fex.

In thofe nations of Europe where nunneries dill ex'^ft, how many lovely viftims are continually fr.crU ficed to the avarice or abfurd ambition of inhuman parents ! The miftry of thd'e vi6lims has been paint- ed with great force by feme benevolent writers of France.

In mcft of thofe pathetic hiflories that are foun- ded on the abufe of convents, the mifery originates from the parent, and falls up:n the child. The re- verfe has fometimes happened ; and there are exam- ples of unhappy parents, who have been rendered miferable by the religious perverfity of a daughter. In the fourteenth volume cf that very araufmg work, Lcs Caufcs Cclebrcs^ a wc rk which is laid to have been the ftiV^rite reading cf Voltaire, there is a ftriking hiitcry of a girl under age, who was tempted by pious artifice to fettle herfelf in a c nvent, in exprefs cppcfiti^n to parental authority. Her parents, who had in vain tried the mod tender perfuafion, endeav- oured at laft to redeem their loft child, by a legal prccefs agalnit the nunnery in which (he was iraprif- cned. The pleadings en this remarkable trial may,, p.'rhaps, be jufdy reckoned among the fineft p'eces of eloquence that the lawyers of France haveproduced* .MonCeur Giliet, the advccate for the parents, repre- fented, ia th:^ bcldcil and moH: afleclin^'^ language, the extreme hafenefs of this religious fedudion. His appeared to have fixed the fentiments of J ; but the ciL-fe of fuperflition was pleaded bv an advccarc of equal power, and it finally prevail- ed. The unfortunate parents cf Maria Vernal (for Ills was the name of the unfortunate girl) were con- .emned torefign her forever, and to make a ccnfid- cr . .ie payment to thofe artful devotees who hod pU CiJy roblx;d then: cf their chili

1^4 SKETCHES of the SEX.

When we refled: on the various evils that have arlfen in convents, v/e have the llrongett reafon to rejoice and glory in that reformation by w^hich the nunneries of England were aboiifhed. Yet it would not be candid or jufl to coniider all thefe as the mere harbc urs of licenticufnefs j fmce we are told that, at the time of their fuppreilion, fome of our religious houfes were very honorably diilingulfhed by the pu- n!y of their inhabitants. " The vifitors,'' fays Bifh- op Burnett, '' interceded earneftly for one nunnery in Oxfordfhire,Godfl:ow, where there was great ftrifl:- nefs of life, and to which moft of the young gentle- women of the country v/ere fent to be bred ; fo that the gentry of the country defired the king would (pare the hcufe : yet all was ineffeftual/"

In this point of view, much, undoubtedly, may be faid in favour of convents. Yet v/hen the argu* ments on both fides are fairly v.^eijxhed, it is preiii- R>ed, that every true friend to female innocence will rej )ice in thofe fenfible regulations which cur Catho- lic neighbors have lately made refpefting nunneries, and which feera to promife their univerial abclition.

As convents, for many ages, were thetreafurcs of all the learning that remained upon earth, one is rather furprized to find fo few monaftic ladies, who have bequeathed to the world any literary prcduftion. Perhaps, indeed, many a fair and chaite author has exiited, whofe nam-e and works have been unjufkly buried in fudden oblivion.

Juana Inez de la Cruz, a native of the New Hemifphere, was fo eminent for her poetical talents, that Ihe has been honoured with the title of a Tenth Mufe,

A fhort 2ccount of this lady, not much knovm in Europe, with a fpecimen of her poetry, will no dcubt be acceptable to female readers.

Juana was born in November 165 1, at the dif- tance of a few leagues from the city of Mexico. Her father was one of the many Spaniih gentlemen, who

SKETCHES OF THE SEX. 1(^5

^ .:■ ,:.ht to improve a fcanty fcrtune by an eftablifh- a cat in Amenca, where he married a lady of that country, deicended from Spanilh parents.^ iheir daughter Juana was difllngu'lhed in her infancy by an uncoinmon p2fliou for literature, and a wonderful facility in the compofition of Spanifh verfes. Her parent?, len,t her, when fhe was eight years old, to rcfide with her ui cle in the city of Mexico. She had there the advantage of a learned education ; and, as her extraordinary talents artrafted univerfal regard, file was patronilcd by the lady of the vlcercy, the Marquis de Mancera, and, at the age of leveateen, was received into his family. A Spanifh economiit cf Juana relates a remarkable anecdote, which, he fays, was communicated to him by the viceroy himfdf, 1 hat nobleman, altonilhcd by the extenfive learning of young Juana, invited fortv of the moft eminent i'terati that his country could afford, to try the extent and lolidity of Juana*s erudition. The young female fcholar. was freely but politely quef- tioned, on the difttrent branches of fcience, by theol- rgiins, philofophers, mathem-uicians, hifioriai:s, and poets; "and as a royal galleon/' fays cur Span- ii'h author, "would defend herfelf againfc a few fnailop^ that might attack her, fo did Juana Inez ex- tricate herfelf from the various quefticns,^ arguments and rejoinders, that each in his ov/n province propo- l;xi to her."

Theapplaufe which (he received, on this fignal difplay of her accomplifhments, was far from inlpir- ing the modeft Juana with vanity or prefumption. Indeed, a picus humility was her moll llriking char- ;:(fterirtic. Her life amounted only to fcrty-fcur \ is; and of thefe fhe paffed twenty-feven, diftin- . i:ed by the moft exemplary exercile of all the re- ligious virtues, in the convent of St. Geronimo. Her delight in books was extreme, dud fhe is faid to have ' 1 library of four rhoufand volumes ; but . the dole of her life fhe made a llriking facri-

i66 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

fice to charity, by felling her darling books for the relief of the poor. Few female authors have been more celebrated in life, or in death more lamented. The colleftion of her works, in threequartQ volumes, contains a number of panegyrics, in verfe and proie, befiowed on this chafta poetefs by the molt illuftricus characters both of Old and New Spain. The moit ienfible of the Spanilh critics. Father Feyjoo, has made this general remark on Juana's compolitions — " that they excel in eafe and elegance, but are defi- cient in energy ;" a failing the more remarkable, as the pious enthufiafm of this poetical nun was fo great, that fne wrote in her own blood a profeffion of her own faith. It may be obferved, however, in anfwer to her critic, that mod of Juana's vtrfes are written on fubj efts, where poetical energy was not be expec- ted. Many of her poems ai'e occ.ifional compliments to her particular friends ; and, in her facred dramas, the abfurd fuperflitions of her country were fufficient to annihilate all poetical fublimit y.

In one of her fhort produftions, fhe defcribes the injuftice of men towards her own fex. An imitaUoa of this performance, in En|i,liil'), is as fellows :

*' Weak men ! who without reafon aim To load poor woman with abufe. Not feeing that yourfelves produce The very evils that you tlame ;

You 'gainfi her firm refiflance ftrive ; And, having ftruck her jmlgment mute. Soon to her levity impute Wiiat from your labour your derive.

Of woman's weaknefs much afraid. Of your own prowefs flill you boaft ; Like the vain child who makes a ghoft, Then fears what he himfelf has made. Her, whom your arms have once embrac'^J, You think prefumptuoufly to fiad,

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 167

When (he is woo'd, as Thais kind, Whsn wedded us Liicretia chafle.

How rare a i'odi mufl he appear, Vyhofe felly mounts to fuch a pafj?. That firft he breathes upon the glafs, I'hen grieves becaule it is not clear !

Still with urjuiT, ungrateful pride, ^'ou meec both favour and difdaia ; The iirin as cruel you arraign. The tender you as weak deride.

Your fcolifh humor none can pleafe ; Sine?, ju:?ging all with equal phk-gm. One for her rlzor ycu condemn. And one ycu cenfure for her eafe.

What wond'rous gifts mufl her adorn, Who would your lading love engage, When rigorous nymphs excite your ra^e. And eafy fair ones raife your fcorn !

liut while you (hew your pride or power, Wi'h tyrant pailicns vairly hot, S^eVs only biett who heeds you no". And leaves you all in happy hour.'*

1

=-Sf^«!

CUAV

l\i

dt different

N thee^rlier age.<?, ff ntimenf in love does not an- p.-ar to hnve been much attended to. "When Abra- ham fent h. is lervant to court a bride for his fon Ifaac, we do net (b much rs hear that Ifaac was c( nfuited on the m?ttc-r : nor is there even a fufpicion, that he ^ • diflike the wife which his father had

fc-

i6S SKETCHES of the SEX.

From the manner in which Rebecca was folicit- ed, we learn, that women were not then courted in peribn by the lover, but by a proxy, whom he, or his parents, deputed in his ftead. WeTkewife fee, that this proxy did not, as in modern times, endeavour to gain the affeftlon of the lady he was fent to, by en- larging on the perfoaai properties, and mental quali- fications of the 1 )ver ; but by the richnefs and mag- ni'icence of the prefents he made to her and her re-

iLtiODS.

Prefents h?ve been, from the earlieft ages, and are to this day the mode of tran fading all kinds of bufinefs in the Eall. When a favour is to be afked cf a flip rior, one cannot hope to obtain it without a prefer, t. Court (hip, therefore, having been an- ciently tr mfar^ed in this manner, it is plain, that it was only c:nfi'ered in the fame light as any other negotiable bufmefs, and not as a matter of fentiraent, and of the heart.

In the c ^urtfnip, however, or rather pnrchafeof n wife by Jacob, we meet with fomething hke fenti- ment ; for when he found thnt he w?.s not polTelTed of money or goods, equal to the price which was pro- bably kt upon her, he not only condefcended to pur- chafe her by fervitude, but even feemed much difap- pointed when the tender-eyed Leah was faithlefsly impofed upon him iniT:ead of the beautiful Rachel

The ancient Giuls, Germans, and neighboring nations of the NortH, had fo much veneration for the fex in gener-^l, that in courtfh-p they behaved with a fpirit of gallantry, and fhswed a degree of fen timent, to v/hich tho/e v/ho called them Barbarianp, never ar- rived. Not contented with getting pofieffion of the perfon of his mifirefs. a northern lover could not be fatisfied without the fiacere aff^ft'on cf her heart ; nor was his miftrefr. ever to be gained but by fuch methods as plainly indicated to her the tendered at- tachment from the moft defer ving man.

The women cf Scandinavia were net to be

SKETCHES OF the SEX. i6,;

courted but by the moft afliduous attendance, fe- condeJ by fach warlike atchievements as the cuftom of the country had rendered necefl:^ry to make a man deCerving cf his miftrefs. On theie accounts, we frequently find a lover accofling the obje6^ of his pa£- fion by a minute and circumftantial detaU of all kte exploits, and aH his accoinplifliments, " We fought with iwords," fays King Regner, in a beautiful ode cotnpofed by himiilf, in memc>ry of the deeds of his former d^ys, " th a day wherein I faw ten thoufand of my foes rolling in the duit, near a promontory of England, A dew of blood diftiUed from our fwords. The arrows which flew in fearch of the helmets, bellowed through the air. The pleafure oi that day was truly exquilite.

We fought with (Words, A young man fhouH mxrch early to the confli^fi: of arms. Man (hould at- tiick man, or bravely relilt him. In this hath always coniifted the nobility cf the warrior. He who afpires to the love of his miftrefs, ought to be dauntlefs in thccJ^ifhoffwords/'

/I'he defcendants of the northern nations, long after they hiid plundered and repeopled the greateft part of luirope, retaine \ nearly the fame ideas of love, :'-' ■ ' rbe (ame methods in declaring it,

that th cd from their anceftors, " Ix)ve,*'

fays William of Moniagnogout, "engages to the rrof^ amiable conduc^t. i.ov<^ infpires the greateft ^ Love has no will but th;it of the objeft be- . . - ., nor feeks any thing but what will augment her ^lo!^^. You cannot love, ncr ought fo be beloved, if ycu alk any thing that virtue condemns. Never <lia 1 form a wifh that could wound the heart ot mv beloved, nor delight in a pleafure that was incon- fiftent with her delicacv.'*

The method c^ ' ' -ing females, among fome

t' the tril^ec of An idians, is the molt fjmple

'. V^'hen the lover go^f5

begs leave, by figns, Ui

XV

170 SKETCHES of the SEX.

enter her hut. After obtaining this, he goes in, and fits down by her in the moft refpeftful f lence. If ihe fuffers him to remain there without interruption, her doing fo is confenting to his fuit. If however, the iover has any thing given him to eat and drink, it is a refufal ; though the woman is obliged to fit by him until he has finilhed his repaft. He then retires in filence.

In Canada, courtfhip is not carried on with that coy refcrve, and feeming fecrecy, which pohtenefs has introduced among the inhabitants of civilized na- tions. When a man and woman meet, though they never faw each other before, if he is c:^.ptivated with her charms, he declares his pajffion in the plaineft manner; and (he, with the fame fimplxity, anfwers, Yes, or No, without further deliberation.' " That female referv(^" fays an ingenious Avriier,* " that Teeming reludance to enter into the married ftate, obfervable in polite countries, is the work of art, and not of nature. The hiftory of every uncultivated people amply proves it. It tells us, that their wgk -men not only fpeak with freedom the lentiments of their hearts, but even blufh not to have ihefe fcnti- ments made as public as pofiible."

tn Formofa, however, t'ey differ fo much from the fimplicity of the Canadians, that it would be reckoned the greateft indecency in the man to declare, or in the woman to hear, a declaration of the paifion of love. The lover is, therefore, obliged to depute his mother, fifter, or fome female relation ; and from any of thele the foft tale may be heard without the Isaft offtince to delicacy.

In Spain, the women had formerly no voice in difpofmg of themfelves in matrimony. But as the empire of common fenfe began to extend itfelf, they began to claim a privilege, at leaft of being confulted in the choice^ofthe partners of their livts. Many fathers and guardians, hurt by this female innovation j

• Dr, Alexander*

SKETCHES OP the SEX, 171.

and puffed up with Spanifh pride, fiill infifted on forcing their daughters to m:irry according to their pleafure, by means of duennas, locks, hunger, and even icmetimes ofpoifonand dagqers^ But ?.s nature •will revolt againft every fpf.eies of ^ppreffion and in- juftice, the ladies have for feme time begun to nlTert Iheir own rights. The authority of fathers and- guardians begins to decline, and lovers find themfelves obliged to apply to the affefticns of the fair, as well as to the pride and avarice of their relations*

The nrghily mufical ferenades ofmiPireffes by their lovers ere fliil in ufe. The gallant compofes fomelovefonncts, ?s expreilive as he can, not only of the fiiuation of his heart, but of every particular circumltance between him and the lady, net forget- tint; to lard t^^em with the molt extravagant encomi- ums o^ her beauty and merit* I'hefe he lings in the Bight below her window accompanied with his lute, or fometimcs with a whole baud of mufic. The more piercip|jly ccld t e a'r, the more the lady's heart is luppol'ed to be thawed with the patient fuffcrance of her lover, who, from night to night, frequently con- tinues this exercife for many hcurs, heaving the deep- eft fighs, and cafting the moft piteous locks towards the window ; at which if his goddefs at luft deigns to appear, and drops him a curtley,. he is fuperlatively paid for all his watching ; but if Cat blelT^s him w ith a fmile, he is ready to run diftra<^ed.

In Italy the manner of addrcfling the ladies, fo far as it relates to I'erenading, nearly reli^mbles that of Sp-^in. The Italian, however, goes a ftep farther than the Spaniard. He endeavors to blockade the hcufe w here his fair one lives, to es to prevent the entrance of any rival. If l:e marries the hdy who coft him all this trouble and attendance, he fliuts her up for life : If not, fhe becomes the objeft of his eternal hatred, and he too frequently endea- vours to revenge by poilbn the iUccels 0^* his liappicr lival.

172 SKETCHES of the SEX.~

In one circumftatice relating to courtfliip, the Italians are faid to be particular. They protract the time of it as long as poilible. well knowing that, even with all the little ills sittending it, a period thus era- ployed is one of the fweeteil of human life.

A Frencii lover, with the word fentiment perpe- fually in his mouth, feenis by every rction to have excluded it from his heart. lie places his whofe con- fidence in his exterior au- and appraninc?. lie drefles for his miureis, dances f.r her, flut' ers conilantly •sibcut her, helps her to Uiy on her r uge, and to place her patches. He attends her roi-iul the whole circle of anralements, chatters to her conftantly, whlftles and fmgs^ and physti-efooV with her. Whatever be his ftation, evtry thing gaudy and glittering with- n\ tne fphere of it is called ia to h's aiiiitance, par« rxularly fpiendid caiTia^e?. and tawdry liveries ; l^ut if, by the help of ail tbefe, he cinEot siake an lhi-. prefljixn on the fair one's heart, it cods him ncti ing but a few Ihrugs of his fhoulders, two or three filly exclamations, and z$ many ftanzras of fonje fr.tirical fong againft her ; and, as it is impoffible far a French- mas to Eve without an ansuDur, he imniediately he- lakes hirarfelf to another.

There is hardly an>y fuch thing among people of ^yhion as courtftiip. Matters are generally ib ordered by p^r^nts and guardians that to a bride and bride- rrroom v^e day of marriage is often the fecond time of their mJ^ting. In many countries, to be married in this manner would be reckoned the greatefl of misfortunes, hi France it is little regarded. In the ikfllionabte world few people are greacer ftrangers to, of more indifferent about each other, thaa hulband aiid wife ; and any appearance of fondnefs between them, or their being feen frequently together, would infallibly make them forfeit the reputation of the ton, and be laughed at by all polite company. On this account, nothing is more common than to be acqu^ted with a lady without knowmg her hui-

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 17 J

brtnJ, or vifiting the hufband without ever feeing

his \^ ife.

=iiajB=

CHAP. XLIX.

A Vicv} of Matrimony in three different Lightu

HEmarriagelifeis2lwaysaniDfipid5a vexatious,

or an happy condition. The'firft is, when two people of no taftemeet together, uponfucha ietilement as has been thought reafonable by parents and convey- ancers, from an exaft vakiation of the land and cafh of both parties. In this cafe, the young lady^s per- fon is no more regarded than the houfe and impraye- ments in purchaie of an eftate ; but (he goes with her foriune, rather than her forti»ne with her. Thefe make up the crowd or vulgar of the rich, and fill up le lumber of the human race, without beneficence )wards thofe below them, or reipeft towards thofe .bove them ; and lead a delpicable, independent, and uielefs life, without fenfe of the law^s of kindnefs, , good-nature, mutual offices, and the elegant fatisfac- tions which flow from reafon and virtue.

The vexatious life arifes from a conjunction of

•.v<> people of quick tafte and relentment, p\it togeth-

r for reafons well known to their friends, in which

"pc-cial care is taken to avoid (what they think the

•iiefof evils) poverty; and en fure to them riches,

arh every evil befides. Thele good people live in

L ccnitant conftraint before company, and when

one, revile each other's perfon and conduft. In

- iny^ they arc in purgatory; when by them-

, in hell.

iht happy m.arrage is, where twoperfons meet,

""A vr;luntarily make choice of each other, without

pally regr.rding or regie <fling the circumdances

rtune or beauty. Thefe may Hill love iia Ijpite

174 SKETCHES or the SEX.

of adverfity or ficknefs. The former we n^iay, in foms niealure, defend curfelves from; the other is the common lot of humanity. Love has nothing to do with riches or ftate. Solitude, v/uh ti e perfon beloved, has a pleafure, evej^ in a u-omau'& mindy beyond fliow or pomp.

^;S^-r==.-:

CHAP. L. bf Betrothing and Marria'^t.

AT.ve„.ea,l.peHod«V«.>,o.K.edi=a friendly manner, fell upon a method of fecurirg their children to each other by what is called in the facred writings Betrothing. This was agreeing on a price to be paid for the bride, the time when it fhould be paid, and when (he fliould be delivered into the hands of her hulband.

There were, according to the Talmudift?, three ways of betrothing. The firtt by a written con- traft. The fecond, by a verbal agreement, accom- panied with a piece of money. And the third, I y the parties coming together, and living as hulband and wife ; which might have been as properly called mar- riage as betrothing.

The written contraft was in the following m.an- ■ ner— " On fuch a day, month, and year, A the fen of B has faid to D the daughter of E, be then my fpNOufe according to the law of Mofes and of the Ifra- elites ; and I will gi^e thee as a dowry, the lum of two hundred fuzim.s, as it is crdered by cur law. And thefaidD hathprcmifedtobehisipcufeupon the conditions aforeikid, which the faid A doth promife to perform on the day of marriage. AnA to this the faid A doth hereby bind himfelf and all that he hath,. to the very cloak upon his back ; engap^es himfelf to love, honor, feed, clothe, and proteft her, and io

SKETCHES OF THE SEX. 175

perform all that is generally implied in cQntrafts of marriage in favor of the li'raelitilh wives.''

The verbal agreement was made in the prefenca ofafufticient number of witnelles, by the man fay- ing to the womaD, *^ Take this money as a pledge that at fuch a time I will take thee to be my wife.'* A woipan who was thus betrothed or bargained for, was alraofl in every refpect by the law confidered as already married.

Before the legiflation of Mofes " marriages among the Jew^ ," fay the Rabbles, " were agreed upon by the parents and relations of both fides* When this was done the bridegroom was introduced to his bride. Pr^^ferts are mutually exchanged, the contraft fignad before witneflcs, and the bride, hav- ing remained feme time with her relations, was fent away to the habitiuion of her hufbaad, in the night, with finging, dancing, and the found of mufical in* ftrum.ents.'*

By the inftitufion of Mofes, the Rabbies tell us^ the conirad of marriage was read in the pretence of, and flgned by, at leaft ten witneffes, who were free, and rf age. The bride, who had taken care to bathe herfelf the night before, appeared in all her fplendor, but veiled, in imitaiion of Rebecca, who veiled her- felf when file came in light of Kaac. She was then given to the bridegroom by her parents, in words to this purpofe : *''lVke her according to the law of Mofes :'* And he received htr, by faying, *' 1 take her according to that law.'* home blelSngs were ti'en pronounced upon the young couple, both by the parents and the reft of the company.

'J'he bleflings or prayers generally run in this ftile: ' rt thou, O Lord of heaven and earth,

who I: cd man in thine own likenefs, and haft

app^-iinted woman to be his p?rtner and companion t Blelled art thou, who ffllert Zicn with joy for the multitude of her children! Blefied art thcu, who fcndeft gladnefs to the bridegroom ?nd hb hnd^l

f7« SRETCHES of the SEX.

who haft ordained for them love, joy, tendernefsj peace and mutual afteftion. Be pleafed to blefs, not ocly this couple, but Judah and Jerufalem, with longs cf joy, and praife tor the joy that thou giveft them, by the multitude of their fons and of their daughters."

After the virgins had fung a marriage fong, the coirpany partook of a repaft, the moft magnificent the parties could afford ; after which they began a dance, the men round the bridegroom, the women round the bride. They pretended that this dance was of divine inftitution, and an effential part of the ceremony. '1 he bride was then carried to the nup- tial bed,, and the bridegroom left in the chamber with her. The company ag?.in returned to their feafting and rej;>icing ; and the Rabbles inform us, that this feafting, when the bride was a widow, lafted only- three days, but leven if (he was a virgin.

At the birth of a fon, the father planted a ce- dar ; and at that of ^ a daughter, he planted a pine. Of thefe tresis the nuptial bed was conltrufted, when the parties, at whofe birth they were planted, entered into the married {later

The Affyrians had a court, or tribunal, whofe only bufinefs was to difpofe of young women in mar- riage, and to fee the 1 iws of that union properly ex- ecut(d. V/hat tbe(e laws were, or how the execu- tion of them was enforced, are circumftances which have not been handed down to us. But the erefting a court folely for the purpoie oftaking cognizance of them, fuggefts an idea thai they were many and va- rious.

Among ihe Greeks, the mviltiplicity of male and ^ - '-;iues who were concerned m the affairs of '■: rbe invocations and ilicrifices, cna matrr- n, a very tedious affair. Fortunate o..-.. . ,v-. . .. ,^,r e:>t joy ; and the moft forti inate of all others, was a piir of turtles feen in the air, as thofe :li;xd$: v/cr' r-^^' ^ ihe trueft emblems of conjugal

SKETCHES or the SEX. i77

love and fidelity. If, however, one of tliem was feen done, it xntallibly denoted leparation, and all the ills attending an unhappy marriage.

On the we<lding daV, t^e bride and bridegroom were richly drefTed, and 'adorned with garlands of herbs and, flowers. The bride \va» conducted in the evening to the houfe of her hulband in a chariot, feated between the hulband and one of his rel-itions.^ When (he al'ghted FrDm the chariot, the a.xle-tree of it was burnt, to lic;nify that there wt.s nomeihod left for her to return S:Kk. As fern as the youn^^ couple entered the houfe, figs and ether fruits v/t re thrown upcn iheir heads to denote plenty ; and a inraptiions entertainment was ready fcr them to partake of, to which ?.II the reluicns on bo:h fides were invited.

The bride wasii'jht rd to bed by a number of torches, according to her qu iky ; and the cor.pany returned in the raorninK, to (alute the new married couple, and to firg efjthalamia zx the door of their bed-chamber.

Epithhmia were pi^rriage fongs, anciently fung in praife of the bride or bridegroom, wifhing them happinefs, prcfpcrtv, and a numerous ilTue.

Among the Romans there were three diiferent kinds of marriage. The cerenK>ny of the firft con- fifled in the yonr.g couple eating a cake together, made only of wheat, faU, and watei*. The I'econd kind was celebrated by the parties folemnly pledging their faith to each othef, by giving and recei\nng a piece of money. This was the moft common way of marryin;; among the Romans, it continued in ufe, evfn after they became Chrifliaos. When writings were introduced to teftify that a m.an and a woma;i had become hufband and wife, and alfo, that the hvilband had fettled a dower upon his bride, thefe writings were called Tabula Dctaks (c'owry tables ;) and hence, perhaps the words in our marriage cere- monvV'*! thee endow.*'

The third kind of marriage was, when ^ niaa

178 SKETCHES of the SEX.

and woman, having cohabited for fome time and had children, found it expedient to continue together. In this cafe, if they made up the matter between them- felves, it became a valid marriage, and the children were confidered as legitimate.

Something fimihr to this is the prefent cudom ia Scotland. There, if a man live with, and have chil- dren by a woman, though he do nor marry her till he be upon his deat; -bed, iiil the children are thereby legi'-imated, and become entitleJ to the honors and eftates of their father. The cafe is the fame in Hoi- laud, and Ibme p?Tts of Germany ; with this d:iTer- ence only, that ail the children to be legitimated muft appear with the fatl er and mother in church, at the ceremony of their marriage.

5^^i:sfe

CHAP. LI. On the Choice of a Hujloiti,

J^SSISTme,yeNine,

While the youth I define, With whom I in wedlock would clafs j

And ye blooming fair,

Lend a lilhening ear. To approve of the rnan as you pafs.

Not the changeable fry Who love, norkncw why.

But follow bedupM by their paiTions : , Such votaries as thefe Are like waves of the fei's,

And fteer'd by thtir own inclination.

The hectoring blade How unfit for the maid. Where meeknefs and modelly reigas!

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 179

Such a thundering Bull}'- ril fpeak againit truly. Whatever I get for my pain?.

Not the dogmatic elf,

Whale great all is himfelf, Whofe abne ipfe dixit is law :

What a figure he'll m^ke,

How like Monius he'll' fpeak With lueeering burlefque, a pfliaw ! pfhaw !

Not the covetous wretch

Whofe heart's at full firetch To gain an inordinate treafure ;

Him leave with the re'>,

And fuch mortals deteft. Who facrifice life without meafure.

^The fluttering fop,

Hv)w empty t\h top ! Nay but fome call him coxcomb, I trow ;

But 'tis lofing your time,

lie's not worth half a rhyme, Let the fag ends of prole bind his brow.

The euttling fct.

What a conduit his throat ! How beaftly and vicious his life !

Where drunkr.rds prevail.

Whole families feel, Much more an aftettionate wife.

One charafter yet,

1 with forrow rcpct, And O ! tnai the number were lefs ;

* lis the blafphemous <^ew :

Wh-^.t a pattern they'll Ihew To their haplefs and innocent race !

Tet wifdom then (hine la the youth that is mine,

1 86 SIvETCHES OF THE SEX.

Whllft virtue his foot(teps imprefs ;

Such I'd chocn^ for my mate.

Whether fooner or hte: Teli me, Ladies, wrat thiak you of this ?

"The chief pMnt to be tegarJed," fays Lady Pennington in her Advice to her Daughters, ** in the choice of a comp Anion for life, is a really virtuous principle— an unaffedVed goodnel's of heart. With- out this, you will be continually fliocked by inde- cency, and pain^J by impiety. So numerous^ have been the unhappy victims to the ridiculous opinion, a, reformed libertine makes the bcjl hupand — that, did not experience daily evince the contrary, one would be- lieve it imp ifiDle for a girl who has a tolerable de- gree of common under ftanding, to be made the dupe of fo erroneous a pofition, which has not the leaft fhadow of reafon for its foundation, aud which a fmall fliare of observation will prove to be falfe in faft. A man who has been long con verfant with the worft fort of women, is very apt to coot raft a bad opinion of, and a contempt for, the fex in gen- eral. Incapable of efteeitiing any, he is fufpicious of all ; jeslous without caufe, angry without provoca- tion, his own dlfturbed imagination 4$ a continu- ed fource of ill-humour. To this is frequemly joined a bad habit of body, the natural ccnfequence of an irregular life, whieh gives an additional fournefs to the temper. What rational profpeft of happinefs can there be with fuch a companion ? And, that this is the general character of tbofe who are called reform* ^^ra^t'j, obfervation will certify. But, admit there may be fbme exceptions, it is a hazard, upon which no confiderate woman would venture the peace of her whole future life. The vanity of thole g^irls who believe themfelves capable of working miracles of this kind, and who give up their perfons to men of libertine principles, upon the wild expeftation of re- claiming them, juftiy dcifcrves the dilappoiutment

SKETCHES OF THE SEX. iSi

which it will generally meet A\ith ; for, believe me, a wife is, of all peribns, thejeaft likely to fucceed ia fach an attempt. — Be it your care to iiiri that virtue in a lover which you muft never hope to form in a hnlband. Good (enfe, and good nature, are almoft equally requifite. If the former is wanting, it will be next to an impcfribility for you to elleera the per- foD, of whole behaviour you mav have caufe to be sfhamed. Mutual efleem is as effential to happineis in the married ftate, as mutual affection. Without the latter, every day will bring with it feme frefh caufe of vexation, until repeated quarrels produce a coldnefs, \^f!-.ich will fettle into an irreconcileable aver- fion, and you will become, not only erch other's torment, but the ohjedi of contempt to your family, and to year acquaintance.

** Fhi.s quality of p:ood nature is, of all othen^, the mofl: d:lTicult to be afcerrained, on account of the general mifiake of f lending it with good-humor, as if they were in themfelves the fame ; whereas, in fact, no two principles ot aftion are more eflentially differ- ent. But this may require fome explanation — By good-nature, I mean that true benevolence, which partakes in the felicity of all mankind, which promotes the felicity of every icdividual within the reach of its ability, v/hich relieves the diftrefi-d, cmfcrtsthe aflliLted, difiufes 1;Uirings, and communicates hi^ppi- nefs, far as its fphcre of a6Hon can extend ; and which, in the private fcenes of life, will fhine confpic- uous in the dutiful fon, in the afIc6tionate hulband, the indulgent father, the faithful friend, and in the compalhonate malbr both to man and be aft. Good- humour, on the o«ht r hand, is nothing more than a cheerful, pleaftng deporiment, arilin^ either from a natural gaiety of mind, or from an aifecticn of popu- lariM/, j^^intrd to ?n affr^bility of behavior, the lefult <■' rom a ready compliance with

ti ;ni'. 'fh^r l^Vdof meregocd-

humc; •: qualiiy. 'h is

''^2 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

frequently miftaken for, and complimented with the {bperior name of real good nature. A man, by this Ipecious appearance, has often acquired that appella- tion who, in all the aftions of his private life, has been a morofe, cruel, revengeful, fuUen, haughty ty- rant. Let them put on the cap, v/hofe teniples lit the galUng wreath !

" A man of a truly benevolent difpofition, and formed to promote the happinefs of all around him, may fometimes, perhaps, from an ill habit of body, an accidental vexation, or from a commendable open- nefs of heart, above the meannefs of difguife, be guilty of little Tallies of peevifhnefs, or of ill-humour, which, carrying the appearance of ill-nature, may be nnjuftly tr.ought to proceed from it, by perlbns who are unacquainted with his true character, and who take ill-humour and ilUnature to be fynonymous terms, though in reality they bear not the leaft anal- ogy to each other. In order to the forming a right judgment, it is abfolutely neceffary to oblerve this diftinftion, which will eff equally fecure you from the dangerous error of taking the fhadovv for the fub- ftance, an irretrievable miftake, pregnant with in- numerable confequent evils !

" From what has been faid, it plainly appears, that the criterion of this amiable virtue is not to be taken from the general opinion ; mere good-humour being, to all intents and purposes, fumcient in this particular, to eftablifh the public voice in favor of a man utterly devoid of every humane and benevolent aft'eftion of heart. It is only from the lefs confpicu- ous fcenes of life, the m.ore retired fphere of aftion, from the artleCs tenor of doraeftic conduft, that the real charafler can, with any certainty be drawn. Thefe, undifguifed, procliiim the man. But, as they fhun the glare of light, nor court the noife of popular appl Aufe, they pais unnoticed, and are feldom known till afte):.an intimate acquaintance. The beft method* therefore, to avoid the deceplioo in this cafe, i$ to

SKETCHES OF the SEX. i8^^

lav no flrefs on outward appeirances, which are too often fallacious, but to take the rule of judging from the fimple unpjiilhed fentiments of thole whole de- pendent conneclions give them unde:iiable certainty ; who not only fee, but who hourly feel, the good or badelTeft of that dilpo!ition, to which they are fub- jede !. By this, I mean, that if a man is equally ref- pecfted, eileemed, and beloved by his dependants and and doraeftics, you may juftly conclude, he has that true good nature, that real benevolenc?, which de- I'ghts in commuiicating felicity, and enjoys the fatif* faftion it difi'ufes. But it' by thefe he is defpifed and hated, ferved merely from a principle of fear, devoid of aifeftion, which 'is ever eaiily difcoverable, what- ever may be his public characUr, however ^ favoura- ble the general opinion, be allured, that his difpofi- tion is iuch as can never be produftive of domeltic happiuefs. I have b en the m^re particular on this head, as it is one of the moft ejfential qualilications to be regarded^ and of all others the moll Uable to be mifiaken.

" Never be prevailed with, m}^ dear, to give your hand to a perfon defcftive in thefe material points. Secure of virtue, of good-nature, and underilanding, in a hulband, you may be fecure of happiuefs. Without the two former itis unatiaina^h. Without the latter in a t Jerabis degree, it mufl b^ very im- perfeft.

*^ Remember, however, that infailibiliry is not the proper; y of man, or ytu may eutall diiappoint- meiit on yourfelf, by expeftin^ what is never to b::^ found. 'I'he belt men are 1 ^metimes inconiiflenr with themfelves. They are liable to be hurried, by fuidcn fcarts of p^.iTion, into exprcilions and actions, which their cooUr reafon will condemn. They may have Tome oddities of behavior, and fome peculiari- ties of teiflper. They may be iuhjeft to accidental ill-humour, or to whimfical complaints. IMemifhcij of this kind often ihade the brightell chara^Ur \ but

184 :.:.;. rCHES OF ri-\E SEX.

they ;ire never dcflruftive of mulual felicity^ unlefi %%'hen they are iriade lb by an improper relentment. or by an iil-judg d oppofrioD. When cooled, and in his uiU:.! temper, the man of uuderitanding, if he has been wrcng, wiil fuggefl to hiinfclf all tnat could be urged againii: him. The man of good-nature will, unupbraided, cv/n his error. Immediate contradic- tion is, therefore, wholly unferviceable, and highly Imprudeiu ; an after repetition is equally unneceiiary :,ad injudicious. Any peculiarities in the temper or beh::vior ought to be properly reprefented in the ten- derell and in the nioit friendly manner. If the re- pre-e;uation cf thena is made diicreetly, it will gener- ally be weil taken. But, if they areVo habitual a^ not eafily to be altered, ftrike not too often upon the unharmonious firing . R ather let them pafs as unobferv- ed. Such a cheerful compliance will better cement your union ^ and they m-ay be made eafy to ycurfclf,^ by reiiefting on the iuperior good qualities by which th;;fe trilling faults are fo greatly overbalanced.

" You muil: remember, ray dear, thele rules are laid down on the fuppofition of your being united to a pjrfon who polleiies the three quaffications for happinefs before mentioned. In this cafe no farther direction is neceilary, but that you llriftly perform the duty cf a wife, namely, to lovc% to honor, and obey. The two firll articles are a tribute fo indif- penfably due to merits that they muft be paid by //z- clinatirM—'dnd they naturally lead to the performarxe cf the lalt, which will net only be an eafy, but r pleafmg talk, fmce nothing can ever be enjoined by inch a perfon that is in itfelf improper, and a few things will, that can, with any reafbn, be difagreeabb to you.

" The being united to a man of irreligious prin* ciples, makes it impoffible to difcharge a great part of the proper duty of a wife. To name but one in-^ ftance, obedience will be rendered imprafticabk, by frequent injunftions icconfifteut with, and contrary

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 185.

(0, the higher obligalions of monJiry. Xhis ^s not a fuppofition, but is a certainty foufided upon tafts,- which 1 have too often feen and can at tele. Where this happens^ the reafons for non-comphance ought to be ottered in a plain, Itrone, good-natured man- ner» There is at leaft the chance of fuccefs from be- ing heard^ But Ihould thofe reafors be rejeded, or ' - hearing them refufed, and filence on the iubjefl: ijoined, which is mod probable, few people caring to hear what they know to be right, when they are determined not to be convinced by it — obey the in- junction, and urge not the argument farther. Keep, however, Iteady to your principles, and fuiler neither perfuafion nor threats to prevail on you to aft con- trary to them. All commands repugnant to the laws of chriftianiiy, it is your indifpeniable duty to dilb- bey. All rcquefls that are inconlillent with prudence, or incompatible with the rank and charafter which you ought to maintain in life, it is your intereft to- refufe. A compliance with the former would be criminal, a confent to the latter highly indifcreet ; and it might thereby fubjecl you to general cenfure. For a man, capable of requiring, from his wife, what he knows to be in itfelf wrong, is equally capable of throwing the whole blame of liich mifconduft on her,i and of afterwards upbraiding her for a behaviour, to which he will, upon the fame principle, difown that he has been acceflary. Many fm.iiar infiances have come \^dthin the compafs of m.y own obfervation. In things of a lefs material nature, that are neither crim- iual in themfelves, nor percicicus in their coni'equen- ces, always ac<iuiefce, if infifted on, however difa- f^reeable they may be to your own temper and incli- *ioQ. Such a ccirn^liance will evidently prove, that .our refufal, in the other cafes, proceeds not from a fpirit of contradiftion, but m.erely from a juft regard to ^ ' erior duty which can never be in fringe J V - .aity.

r A^ the want of underflanding is by no art to

m SKFrCHES OF THE SEX.

be concealed, by no addrefs to be difgulfed, it mi^ be fappofea impafTible for a woman of fenle to unite herielf to a peribn whofe deJ^id^in this inftauce, mult render that fort of rational fociety, which confticutes the chief happinefs of fuch an union, impoflible. Yet here, how often has the weaknefs of female judgment been COD fpicunus! The advantages of great fuperiori- ty in rank or fortune have frequently proved fo irre- llftible a temptation, as, in opinion, to outweigh, not only the folly, but even the vices of its pcflelfor — a, grand miftake, ever tacitly aGkoowledgeJ by a fubfe- quent repentance, when the expected pleafures of af- fiuence, equipage, and all the glittering pcmp of ufe- lefs pageantry, have been experimentally found in- lufficient to make amends for the want of that con- ftant fatiefaftion which refults- from the fecial joy of converfing with a reafonable friend !• .

*' But however weak this motive muft be ac- knowledged, it is more excufiible tl:an another, which 5- 1 fear, has fometimes had an equal influence on the miad — I mean ib great a love of fway, as to induce her to give the preference to a perfon of weak intel- ieftuals J in hopes of holding, uncontrouled, the reins of government. The expectation is, in faft, ill- grounded,, Obftinaey and pride are generally the companions of folly. The fillieft people are often the molt tenacious of their opinions^ and, coniequent* ly, tiie hardett of all others to be managed. But,. ;jLdmit the contrary, the principle is in itfelf bad. It tends to invert the order of nature^ and to counter- ad the defign of Providence.

"A woman can never be feen in a more ridicul- ous light than whea fhe appears to govern her Jiuf- band. If, unfortunately, the iliperiority of under- Handing is on her fide^ the apparent confciQufnefs of that fuperiority betrays a weaknefs, that renders her contemptible in the fght of every confiderate perfon, and it may, very probably, fix in his mind a diflike ntver to, be eradicated. In fuch a- c:;fe3 if it Ihvuid

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 18.7

ever be your own, remember that feme degree of dilliiTiuliition is comraeudabie, lb for as to let your huiband's dcfeds appear uaobferved. When he judges wrong, never lEitly central ift, but lead him infenfibly into another opinion, in fo difcreet a man- ner, that it may leem entirely his own, and let the whole credit of every prudent determination rett on hira, witnout indulging the tbolilh vanity of claiming any merit to yourfelf. Thus a perlon of but an in- different capacity, may be fo aifilted, as, in many in- fiances, to ihine with borrowed lufire, fearce diitin* guifhable from the native, and by degrees h^ may be brought into a kind of mechanical method of acting, properly, in all the common occurrences of life. Odd as this pofition may feem, it is founded in fact^ I have feen the method fuccefsfully praftifed by more ;han one perfon, where a weak mind, on the govern* ed fide, has been fo prudently fet off as to appear the fole diredcr ; like the ilatue of the Delphic god, which was thought to give forth its own oracles^ whilfl the hu iible prieft, who lent his voice, was by the (hrine concealed, nor fought a higher glory than a fupp :i'ed obedience to the power he would be thought to ferve/'

=tf<a^

I

CHAP. LIL

Mrs, Piozzis Advke io a Nciu Married Alan,

__ RECEIVED the news of your marriage with iufiuite defgiit, and hope that the fmcerity with which I \vi(h you happinefs, may excule the lioerty I take in giving you a few rules, whereby more cer- tainly tc5 obtain it. I fee you fmilc at my wrong- headed kindnefs, and, refleaing on the charmsof your bride, cry^ out in a rapture, that you are happy fcLoufeh without i»y rules* 1 know ycu iu-e. But

i38 SKETCHES or the SEX.

after one of the fcny ye:rs, v.^hich I hope you will' paii ple?.ricgiy together, are over, this letter may come in turn, and rules for lelicity may not be fcimd un- necelTciry, h jv/ever iov^iC of them may appear im- pracficable.

Could that kind of love bekept aiive through the marnage fcate, which m.ikes" the charm of a fmgle one, the fovereign good w.^uld no longer be fought for ; in the union of two faithful lovers it would ba foimd : but reaibn (hews us that this is impoffible, and experience informs us that it never was fo; we nuiit preferve it as long, and fupply it as happily as- we can.

When your prefent violence of pafTion fubfideSy. however, and a more cool and tranquil afteftion takes its place, be not hafty to cenfure yourfelf as iadifler- ent, or to lament yourfelf as unhappy ; you have lolk that only which it was impofhble to retain, and it were gracelefs amid the pleafures of a profperous fummer to regret the bbifoms of a tranlient Ipring^ Neither unwarily condemn your bride*s infipidity till you have recollefted that no object however fub^ lime, DO founds however charming, can continue to tranfport us with delight wnen they no longer llrike us with novelty. Thelkill to renovate the powers of pleafiug are laid indeed to be poileiTed by fome wo- men in an eminent degree ; but the artifices of matu- riiy are feldom feen to adorn the innocence of you* h: you have made your choice, and ought to approve it*

Satiety fellows quickly upon the heels of pcffff- fioti; and to be happy, we muft always have fome- thing in view. Tne perfon of your lady is already all your own, and will not grow more pleafmg in^ your eyes I doubt, though the reft of your fex will think her handfome for thefe dozen of years. Turn therefore all your attention to her mind, which will daily grow brighter by polifhing. Study fome eafy fcience together, and acquire a fimilarity of tattes wbiJe ycu epjoy a commuaity of pleafures* You

SKETCHES OF the SEX. it9

wiil by this means have m?.ny images in commoa^ and be freed from the ceceltity of ieparating to had amufement. Nothing is fo dangerous to wedded love as the poflibility of either being happy out pf thecorapany of the ether: eadeavour therefore to ce- ment the prefent intimacy on every fide j let your wife never be kept ignorant of your income, y: ur ex- pences, your fri^ndihips, cr aver(ions ; let her know your very faults, but make them amiable by your virtues ; confi !er all concealment as a breach of fideli- ty ; let her never have any thirg to find out in your chararter ; a::d remember, thii from the moment one of the partners turns fpyupn the other, they have commcjuced a (late of hbfliiity.

Seek njt for happinefs in fmgularity ; and dread a refinement of wifdora as a deviation into folly* Liften not to thofe fages who advife you always to fcorn the counlel of a woman, and if you comply with her requelts pronounce you to be wife-ridden. Tnink not any privation, except of pofitive evil, an ex- celbnce, and do not congratulate yourfelf that your wife is net a learned lady, that fhe never touches a - id, or is wholly ignorant how to make a pudding. :trds, cookery, and learning, are all ^ocd in their places, and may all be ufed with advantage.

With regard to expence, I can only rbferve, that the money laid out in the purchafe of diilioftion is feldom cr erer profitably empl )yed. We live in an age when fplendid furniture and glitteri::;g equipage are grown too common to catch ti'e notice of the raeaned fpeftator ; and for the greater ones, they on- ly regard our walteful folly with fileit conteir.pt, or open indignation. — This may pcrliaps beadifphafaig reflection, but tiie following confideration ought to make am^nd?. The age we live in pay?, I think, pe- • ntion to the higher dillinclious of wit, .- ,anJ virtu?, towhich Wemay more fafely, more cheaply, and more honorably afpire, 1 he gid- dy flirt of qualify frets at the rcfpecl fiis f;es pAid

190 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

toLady Edgecumbe, and thegay dunce fits pin'ng for a partner, 'while Jones the Orientalift leads up the ball.

I fdid that the perfon of your lady would not grow more pleating to you ; but pray let her never iufpeft that it grows lels fo : that a woman will par- don an affront to her underftanding much fooner than one to her peribn, is well known; nor will any of us contradift the aflcrtion. AU^our attainments, all our arts, are employed to gain and keep the heart of man : and what mortification can exceed tlie difap- pointment, if the end be not obtained? Th^re is no reproof however pointed, no puniiliment however fevere, that a woman of ip'.rit will not prefer to ne- ^left ; andif fhe can endure it without complaint, it only proves that (he means to m/ake herfelf amends by the attention of others for the flights cf her huf- band. For thi?,and for every realoji, it behoves a married man not to let his polrtenefs fail, though his ardour may abate, but to retain at leaft that genend civility towards his own lady which he is fo williiig to pay to every other, and net fhew a wife of eigh- teen or twenty years old, that every man in compa- ny can treat her with more complaifance than he, who fo often vowed to her eternal fondnefs.

It is not my opinion that a young woman fiioul J be indulged in e^ery wild wifh of her gay heart or giddy head ; but contradi6lion mny be Ibftcned by Gomeftic kindnefs, and quiet pleafures fubftituted in the place of noify ones. Public amufements are not indeed fo expentive as is fometimes iraagi ed, but they tend to alienate the minds of married people from each other. A well chofen fociety of friends and acquaintance, more emi.nent for virtue and good fenfe than for gaiety and fplendor, where the con- verfation of the day may afford comment for the evening, feems the molt rational pleafure this great town can allord.

That your own fup^riority fiioul^ always t>e

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 191

fisen, but never felt, feeais an excellent general rule. A wife Ihoul J outfhiue her hulband in nothing, not even in her drtfs. — If fhe happens to have a tatte for the trifling diftinftiDn that fi;iery can confer, fuffer her not for a moment to fancy ;, when (he appears in public, that Sir Edward or the Colonel are finer gen- tlemen than her hulband . The bane of married hap- pinefs among the city men in general has been, that finding themfelves u;.fit for polite life, they transferr- ed their vanity to their ladies, drefled them up gaily, and lent them out a gallanting, while the good man was to regale with port wine or rum punch, perhaps among mean companion?, after the compting houfe WAS (hut : this practice produced the ridicule thrown on them in all our comedies and novels fince com- merce began to profp^r. But now that I am fo near the I'ubj^a, a word or two on jeoloufy may not be ami^s; for though not a failing of the prefent age's -growth, yet the feeds of it are too certainly fown in ever^'' warm bofom for us to Uf^gleft it as a fault of no ccnfcQuence. If you are ever tempted to be jea- lous, wa'ch your wife narrowly — but never teafe her; tell her your jealoufv,. but conce?.l your fufpicion; let her, in fhort, be fatisfied that it is only your odd temper, and even troublelbme attachment, that makes you follow her; but let her not dream that

?^ou ever doui)teJ ferioufly of h?r virtue even bra moment. If (he is difpofed towards jealouiy of you, let me befeech you to be always explicit with her and never mylterious : be above delighting in her pain, of all things — nor do your bufmefs nor pay your vifits with an air of concealment, when all you are doing might a^; well be proclaimed perhaps in the parifh ve{try. But I hop»e better than this of your tendernef!> and of your virtue, and will rcl'^afc you from a le<5tare you have fo little need of, unlefs your extreme vouth and ray uncommon regard will exctife it And now farewell; n:ake my kindeft coraplU

192 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

ments to your wife, and be happy in proportion a$ happlnefs is wifhed you by. Dear Sir, Lc.

Y<

CHAP. Liir.

Gdrrick^s Advice to Alarried Ladies,

_ E fair married dames who fo often deplore 1 hat a lover once bleil is a bver no more ; Attend to my counlelj nor blulh to be taught, That prudence muft cherifli what beauty has caught.

The bloom of your cheek, and the glarce of your eye. Your rofes and lilies may make the men figh ; But rofes, and liUes, and fighs pafs away, And paffion will die as your beauties 4ecay.

Ufe the man that you wed like your fav'rite guitar, Tho' mufic in both, they are both apt to jar ; How tuneful and foft from a delicate touch, Not handled too roughly, nor play'd on too much i

The fparrow and linnet will feed from your hand. Grow tame by your khidnefs, and come at command : E^ert w:ih your huiband the fame happy fkill, I^ or hearts, like your birds, may be tamM to your

v/ill.

Be gay and good-humonr'd complying and kind, Turn the chief of your care from your face to your

mind ; *Ti3 thus that a wife may her conquefis improve. And Hymen fhall rivet the fetters of love.

=i^':jgsKT^

SKEl^CHES OF THE SEX. 193

CHAP. LIV-

On Widowhood.

X HE hiftory of all antiquity gives the ftrongeft realbns to fufpeft, that widows were often the prey of the lawleU tyraut, who fpoiled them with impuni- ty becaufe they had none to help them. In many places oflcripture we frequently find the ftateofthe widow and the fatberleCs depided as of all others the mod forlorn and miferable ; and men of honour and probity, in enumerating their own good aftions, plac^ mg a principal fhare of them in not having fpoiled the widow and the fatherlefs. " If I have lift up my hand againfl the fatherlefs," fays Job, *' or have cauf- ed the eyes of the widow to fail/ then let mine arm fall from my ihoulder, and be broken from the bone/* In the book of Kxodus it is declared as a law, that *Sreflvall not afilicl the widow, or the fatherlefs child. u thou alHict them in any ways, and they cry unto me, I win furelv hear their cry ; and my wrath fhall wax hot, and 1 wiU kill you with the fword, and your wives fhall be widows, and your children fa- therlefs/'

In the eighih century, one of the canon laws enacted that none (hall prefume to difturb widows, orphans, and weak people ; and no fentence could be executed againit a widow, without advifing thebifh- cp of the diocele of it. Thefe circumf:ances cre- ate a i^rong fufpicion that widows were often op- prcfl'ed ; otherwife, why fo many laws for their par- ticular protefkion ?

Among many of the ancients, widowjt were, by cuRom, reftncled iVom having a iecond huf band. Al- moftover all rheEaft, and among many tribes of the Tartars, they believed that wives were not "only de- fined to ferve their hulbands in this world, but in the ne.\t alio \ and as every wife there was to be tte XVII

154 SKETCHES OF fHE SEX.

fole property of her firft hufband, fhe could never ob- tain a fecona, becaule he could only fecure to him- felf her fervice in this life,

W en the Greeks became fenfible of the bene- fits arifing from the regulations of Cecrops concern-' ing matrimony, they conceived fo high an idea of them, that they affixed a degree of infamy on the woman who married a fecond hulband, even after the death of the firft ; and it was more than two cen- taries after the time of Cecrops before any woman dared to make the attempt. Their hiftory has tranl- mitted to poUerity, with (ome degree of infamy, the name of her who firft ventured on a fecond marriage. Gorgophona, the daughter of Perfeus and Andro- meda^ began the praffioe ; a pradice which, though foon after followed by others, could not^ even by the multitude of its votaries, be fcreened from the public odium. During a great part of the heroic ages, widows who married again, were ccnfidered as hav- ing oftended againft public decency. ^ To this cuftora Virgil plainly alludes, when he defcribes the conflift in the breaft of Dido, between her love for iEneas, and fear of wounding her honour by a fecond mar- riage. Nay, fo icrupulous were the Greeks abv^ut fecond marriages, thr.t in fome circumltances even men were with difficulty allowed to enter into them. Charonidas excluded all thofe from the public couo- cils of the uate, who had children, and married a fe- cond wife. " It is impoflible, (laid he) that a man can advife well for his country, who does not ccnfult the good of his own family. He, whofe firft nrarri- age has been happy, ought to reft fatisfied witii that happinefs ; if unhappy, he muft be out of his fenfes to rifque being fo again/'

The Romans borrowed this cuftom cf the Greeks, and confidered it not only as a kind of breach of the matrimonial vow in the woman, but alio as af- fecting the man nearly in the, fame manner that her iniiiehty would have affiled him w'lile he was livinfi*

SKETCHES OT the SEX. 19^

♦^ The foul of a deceafed huiband/' fays JuftiniaQ, **is difturbed when his wife marries a fecond/^

In Cumana, when a hulband dies, it is faid they .m:>ke the wiJow fwear, that fhe will prelerve and .keep by her his head during her life. This is in- tended as a monitor, 10 tell her that fhe is never to enter pgain into the married ftate.

Among the ancient jews and Chrifiians of the primitive ages, there were certain orders of men, who were not allowed to join themfelves in marriage with widows. '' A prieft, (fays Mofes) (hall not take to wife a widow, or a divorced woman, or prophane, or ;m harlot; but he Ihall take a virgin of his own '\ople to wife/*

Pope Syricus, copying the example fet by Mo- fes, ordained that if a bilhop married a widow, he Ihould be degraded. In the year 400, we find it de- creed in the Cyprian council, that if a reader m-arri- ed a widow,! he fliould never be preferred in the church ; and that if a fubdeacon did the faire, he M.ould be degraded to a door-keeper or reader.

In the doomfday bock, we find the king exafted ■ only a fine of ten (hillings for liberty to marry a mai- den; but it celt twenty to obtain hberty of mar- ' ying a widov/.

:::everal legiila^ors have fixed a certain time, within which widows Ihould not be allowed to mar- ry. Among the Romans this was ten months. A- mong othtr nations it varied according to the regard they thought due to a deceafed huf band ; and the exprefiion of that regard which ought to be (howii Sy his wife.

^ la the eleventh century the church decreed, that

' wklow (hould not marry within the fpace of one

ear after her releafe fr^m the bonds of matrimony.

i he Uws of Geneva (horten this period 10 half a year.

>Mt as there are few countries, in which the matter

en up by the Igiflature, it is more ccmmonly/

Ucd by cullom than by law.

196 SKETCHES of the SEX.

About a' century ago, widows in Scotland, and in Spain, wore the drefs of mourners till death, or a fecoiid hulband, put an e: d to the e?remony. In Spain the widow paffed the firft year of her mourn- ing in a chamber hung with black, into which day- light was never fuffered to eiiter. She then changed her dark and difmal fcenefora chamber hung wi^h grey, into which (he fometimes admitted an intruiive iunbeam to penetr?.te. In neitrer of thefe apart- ments did cuftom allow her looking-glaiTes, nor plate, nor any thing, but the m.oil plain ani neceffary fur» niture. Nor was fhe to have any jewels on her per- foo, nor to we?.r any colour but black.

We are fo much accuf!:omed in Europe to fee mourners drefled in black, that we h ive ailixed a me- lancholy idea to that colour. Black is not, how- ever, univerfally appropriated to this purpcfe. The drefs of Chinefe mourners is white; that of the Turks blue; of the Peruvians a moufe-colcur ; of the Egyp- tians yellow, and in fome of their provinces, green. Purple is at prefent made ula of as the mcurning drefs of kings and cardinals.

Some tribes of American favae;e? ailct a widow the tedious fpace of four years to chafdty and to mourning. To this monrnitig and continency are added particular aufterities* Every evening and mxOrning, during the firfiyear, a widow is obi ged to lament her lofs in loud lugubrious flrains. But, if her hulband was a war-chief, fhe is then, during the firft moon, to fit the whole day under his w^ar-p;de, and there inceffimtly to bev/ail her loil Icrd, wiihcut any fheher from the heat, the cold, or whatever- weather (hall happen.

This v/ar-pole is a treeftuck in the ground, with the top and branches cut o^'. It is painted red, and ail the weapons and trophies of war, v/hich belonged to the deceafed, are hung on it, and remain there till Uiey rot.

Infeveral parts of Africa, a country of tyranny

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 197

and defpotifm, women are not only doomed to be the flaves of their hufbands in this world, but accord- ing to tneir opinion, in the nt xt alio. The hulband is no Iboner dead, than his wives, concubines, Ter- vants, and even fometimes horfes, mull be flrargled, in order to render him the fame fervices in a future ' Ufe which they did in this.

At the Cape of Good Hope, in order that vyT dows may not impofe themfelves on the men for vir- gins, they arc obliged by law to cut off a joint from the finger for every huloacd that dies. This joint they prefent to their new hulband on the day of their marriage.

The Hindoos do not bury their dead after the manner of mv.jy other nariors, but burn their bo- cs up':;n a large pile of v/ood erefted for the pur- * oie. Upon this pile the mcft beloved wife, and in jip.e places, it is faid, all the wives o\ great men are obliged to devote theraielves to the flames which con- ' fume the bodies of their huibands.

In the hiitory of the Buccaniers of Am.erica, it . faid, that a widow in the Can ibee Iflands is ob- liged every day,' for the fpace of one year, to carry victuals to the grave of her deceased hufband-, and e year being expired, ihe mufi dig up his bones, • •fh :ind dry them in the fun, put them in a fatchel, rry them on her back all day, and fleep upon them \ ni^.ht, fcrthefp-ce cfanotlicr year. C^ruel cuf- - m! il it really ey*.{\s. But trie anonymous author " c>f the hiftory abounds lb riuch in the marvellous, - that he dtfervf s but Ihtle credit.

Herodotus irtorn\s us, that among the ancient ' Crttuniauf;, a pecpl^- oi Thrace, widows, afiif^ed by all their rclaions, made interefl who ilould be pre- fered to the he nour of te'nc: killed on the grave of the deceal'ed hufband.

In China, if v.idow. ... ! ad rhildrcn, they be- ccraeabfolute mifrreffcs ot tlierclelves, and their re- ^siionshave no power .to compel thtm to become XVU %

•ipB SKETCHES of the SEX.

widows, nor to give them to another huiband. It is not, however reputable for a widov/ v/ho has children, to enter into a fecond marriage, without greit neceffity, efpecially if fhe is a woman of dil- tinftion. ^ In this cafe, although (he has been a wife only a few hours, or barely contrafted, fhe fre- quently thinks herfelfobliged'to pafs the reft of her days in widowhood— and thereby to teilify to the world the efteeni and veneration Ihe had for'her huf- band or lover,

in the middle ftations of life, the relations of fome deceafed hufl:>ands, eager to rdmburfe the fii- mily in the fum which the wife originaliy coft it, ob- lige her to marry, or rather fell her to another huf- band, if flie has no male ifiue. vSonietimes, indeed.^, it happens that the future huibr.nd has concluded the bargain, and paid the money for her, before fhe is acquainted with the tranfiftion. By the laws of China, a uidow cannot be Ibid to another huibandj till the time of her mourning for th.e firft expires. So defirous, however, ara the friends often to drf- pofe of her, that they pay no regard to this law; but, on a eemplaint being made to a Mandarin, he is obh'ged to do her juftice. As (lie iscom^monly un- willii g to be bartered for in this manner, without her ccnfent cr knowledgr, as foon as the bargain is furnck, a covered chr^ir, wi h a ccnfiderable number of lufiy fellows, is brought to her houfe. Being forcibly put into this chair, fre is conveyed to the houfe r f her new hufbanJ, who takes care to fe- cure her.

In Europe, a widow in tolerable circuraflances is mere m-ftrefs cf herfelf than any other v/oman; be- ing free frrm that guardianlhip and ccntrcul to wh'cb the fex are fuhjecl while virgins, and while wives. In no part of Europe is this mere exemplifi- ed than at Parma, and feme other places of Ital y ; werea wide wis the only female who is at liberty ei- ther to chocf^ a hulband, or affiime the government

SKETCHES or the SEX. 199

of any of her aftions. Should a virgin pretend to choofe for herfelf, it would be reckoned the mo^ profligate Jicentioufaefs. Should (he govern her aflions or opinions, (he would be conii Jered as the moil pert, and perhaps the moit abiindoned, of her fex.

Politenefsand humanity have joined their efforts in Europe to render the condition of widows com- fortable. The government of England lus provided a fund for the widov/s of oliicers. The clergy of Scotland have voluntarily railed a ftock to fupport the widows of their order. Many incorporated trades have followed thefe laudable examples. This cafe is not confined to Britahi. It extends to France, Ger- man v% emd other countries, where it exifts in forms ^00 various to \^ delineated.

The ancient laws of a great part of Europe or- ■'" L^jthvit a widow fhould lofe her dower, ifihe \i r.gain, c>r fufiered her cKr.Rily to be corrupt- ed, rhe laws of Pruilia retiiin this ■ordinance to the prefent time. Thev likewife ordain that a widow (hall not marry again, within nine m^onths after the death of her huliband.

The Pruflfians have another regulation concern- ing widows, highly delcriptive of the humanity and wifdom of the.r legiflamre. When a widower and widow intend to iparry, ore or both of which having children, as it too frequent-ly happens that fuch chil- ^r-en are either defpifed or reglefted, in confequence r" the new conce<^1io!r. formed, and perhaps of the " ; up, the laws of Priiifia provide ?\u\ fortiiue, according to the Tices of the parents ; and will not r wom.an to enter into a fecond witnrut pre^icofly fettling with the chiU

■^y^-

20CJ SKETCHES of the SEX.

CHAP. LV.

D.'i Schomberg's Method of Readmg, for Female Improve" jnent.

G.

In a Letter to a Lady^

IMadaiBj

_ lONFORMABLE to your defire, and my pro- mile, I prefent you with a iew thoughts on the meth« od of reading ; which you would have had fooner ^ only that yeu gave me leave to fet them down at my leifure hours. I have complied with your requett in both thefe paticclars ; fo that you fee, Madam, how abfolute 3^our commands are over me,^ If my remarks fhould anfv/er your expeftations, and thepurpofe for which they were intended ; if they fhould in the leaft conduce to the fpending your time in a more profitable and agreeable manner than molt of your lex generally do, it will give me a pleaiurc equal at leaft to that you will rcc ive. ^

It w.re to te xvifhed that the female part of the human creation, on whom nature has poured out fo many charms with f) 1 ivifh a hand, would pay fome regard to the cultivating of theirminds audimproving their underftanding,- It is eafily accompliihed. Would they beftow a fourth patt of the time, they throw away on the triflej> and gewgav/s of.drefs, in reading proper books, it. would perfectly anfwer their ptirpofe-. Not that I am agalnft the Indies adorning their per- Ions ; let ihem be fet off with all the ornaments that artand nature c?.n confpire to produce fcr their cm- bellifhrnent , but let it be with realon and ^o(5d fenlie^ not caprice and humor ; for there is good fenfe in drefs, as in all things t-lfe. Stra:.ge doftrine to fome ! But 1 am fure, Madam, you luiow^ there is-^ycu - praftife it.

SKETCHES OF th£ SEX. 201

The firft rule to be laid down to any one who _:2ds to improve, is nt'ver to read but with aUention. As the abftrufe parts of learnin?^ are not neceffary to the accoraplifhment of one cf your fex, a fraall de- gree of it will fuiEce. I would throw the fubjefts of which the lad'es ought not to be wholly ignorant ua- ^der t' foliowing heads :

HISTORY MORALITY POETRY.

The iirfl employs the memory ; the fecond, the J'gment ; and the third, the imagination.

Whenever you uiidertake to read Hiflory, make a fmall ebllnic^ of the memorable events ; and fet down in what ye^ir they happened. If you entertain yourlilf with the life cf a fiimous perfon, do the lame by his mcft remarkable a(5licn?5 with the addi- tion of the year rmd the pl^xe he was born at and di- ed. Ycu will fmd thefe great helps to your memory, rs they will lead you to remember what you do not V. . -a hn of chain th^t links r^e whole

hi.. , .

Bx)ks on Morality diferve an exaft reading. There are nose in cur language mere ulti ul and en- ' l^rtainine: than the Spe6lator.^, Tatlers, and Guar- dians. '1 hey are the ixandards cf the Englifh tongue, and as luch fhculd be read over and ever again ; for as we imperceptibly fiide into the manners and habits cf thofe perlbns with v/hcm we moft frequently con- vcrfe, fo re ' is it were, a filent converfa-

tion, we ii/. j and talk in the ityle of the

anthers we iiave tlie mcft often read, and w^o have left the deepelt imprefficns en our mind. Now, in order to retain wl.at you read on the various fubjefts that fall under the head of mcrahty, I would advife you to mark uih a pencil whatever ycu find worth ^'^membering. If a paffage llrike ycu, mark it dtwa the margin ; if an exprtffion, draw a lii^e under it ;

- ' ' paper in the fcie-menticard books, or any

l^

202 SKETCHES or the SEX.

other? which are written in the fame loofe and un- connefted manner, made an afteriik over the firft line. By thefe means you will k\t& the moft valua- ble, and they will fink deeper in your memory than the reft, on repeated reading, by being diftinguilhed from them.

The hft article is Poetry, The v/ay c diftin- guifhing good poetry from bad, is to turn it out of verfe intoprole, and fee whether the thought is nat- ural, and tne words adapted to it ; or w^hether they are not too big and founding, or too low and mean for the fenfe they v/ould c juvey. This rule v/ill pre- vent you from being impofed oh by bombaft and f uf- tian, which with many paiTes for fublime ; for fmooth verfes wiricli run. off the ear with an eafy cadence, and harmonious turn, very often im-pofe nonfenfe on the world, and are like your fine drelTed beaux, who pafs for fine gentlemen. Diveft both from their out- ward ornaments, and people are furprifed they could have been fo eafiiy deluded.

I have now, Madam, given a few rules, and thofe Inch only as are really neceffary. 1 could have added more ; but thefe will be fufficient to enable you to read without burdening your memory, and yet with another view befides that of barely killing time, as too many are accuftomed to do.

The talk you have impofed on me, is a flrong proof of your knowing the true value of time, and always having improved it to the beft advantage^ were there no other ; and that there are other proofs, thofe who have the pleafure of being acquainted with you, can tell.

As fur my part, -Madam, you have done me too much honor, by frngiing me out from all your ac- quaintance on this occafion, to fay any thing that wou'd not look like flattery ; you yourfelf would think it f >, were I to do you the common juRicc all your friends allov/ you : 1 mull therefore be filent on this head, iind only fay, that 1 (liall think myldf well

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 203

rewarded iu return, if you will believe me to be, with the utmoft fiucerity, as I rekiUy am. Madam,

Your faithful

Humble fervant,

I. SCHOMBERG.

CHAP. LVI.

The Deaths of Lucretia and Virginia*

^^ HE force of prejudice appears in nothing more ftrongly than in the encomiums which have been lav- ifhed upon Ij^cretia, for laying violent hands upon herfelf, and Virginius, for killicg his own daughter. Thefe aftions feem to derive all their glory from the revolutions to which they give rife, as the former oc- cafioned the abolition of monarchy amonglt the Ro- mans, and th'e latter put an end to the arbritrar/ power of the decemviri. But \( we hy afide our prepoffeffions for antiquity, and examine thefe actions without prejudice, we cannot but acknowledge, that they are rather the eftefts of human weakijtfs and obftinacy than of relblution and magoanimlty. Lu^ crctia, tor fear of worlciiy cenfure, chofe rather to fubrait to the lewd dcfires of Tarquin, than have it thought that fhe ha! been dabbed in tie embraces of a Have ; which fufliciently proves, that all her boaft:d virtue was founded upon vanity, and too high a val- ue for the opinion of mankind. The youiiger Pliny, whh great reaf )n, prefers to this famed aftion that of a woman of low birth, whole hulband being feiz- ed with an incurable diforder, chofe rather to perifh with him than furvive him. The aftion of Arria is hkcwife much ftiore noble, whofe hulband Pxtus^ being condemned to dv.alh, plun?;ed a dagger in her breatt, and tol J him, with a dying voicet '' Px*tus,

204 SKETCHES op the SEX.

it is not painful." But the death of Lucretia gave rife to a revolution, and it therefore became illuf- trious ; though, as St. Augufline juftly obferves5it is only an inftance of the weakceis of a woman, too fo- licitous about the opinion of the world.

Virgimu?,in killing his daughter, to prefer ve her from faUing a viftim to the iufl of the decemvir Clau- dius, was guilty of the higheit i*?.fhnefs ; fince he might certainly have gained the people, already irritated againft the tyrant, without embruing his hands in his own blood. 1 his aGion may indeed be extenuated, as Virginius flew his daughter from a falfe principle of honour, and did it to preferve her from what both he and fhe thought worfe than death ; namely, to preferve her frum violation : hut though it may ia Ibme meafure he excufed, it iheuld not certainly be praifed or adiiured.

Ti

CHAP. LVII.

Thoughts m the Education ef Worncn^

By an anonymous Author.

HE educat'on of men, and that of women,

ought to be conduced on the fame principles, fo far as it relates to the vanity of both being direfted to effential objects. In al^noft every other refpcft, how- ever, there fhould be a difference. One thing in par- ticular is to be cautiouri'y avovlel ia the latter, that is, raifing the imagination, or fullering them to do any thing from paffioD.

Born for a life of uniformity and dependence, wh?.t they have ©ccafion for is reafon. fweetnefs, and fenfibility, refourcfs againft idlenefi and languor, . moderate defires, and no paflions.

Were it in y our power to give them genius, it

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 005

t^ouIJ be almoft ahviiys a uCeleis, and very often a dangerous prefent. It would, in general, make them regret ihe ftation which Providence has r.irigneJ them, or have recourfe to unjullifiable ways to get from it. The belt tafte for i'cience only cDutribures to make thera particular. It takes them away from the fimplicity of iheir domellic duties, and from gen- eral fociety, of which they are the bvelieft ornament.

Intended to be at the head of a houle, to bring up children, to depend on a mafter, who will ccca- fionally want their obedience and advice, their chief qualifications are to be the love of order, patience, prudence, and right-mindedaefs.

The more agreeable talents they can connefl: with thefe cardinal virtues— the more parts of learn- ing they have tafted the elements of, fo as not to be entirely fhut out of mixed converfation — the more relifh they have for proper and well chofea books — > and the more they are capable of reflecting, the bet- ter and happier beings they will be.

Roufl'eau fays, that the little cunning natural to women ought not to be checked, becaufe they will want it to captivate the men, on whom they depend. This is a deteftable maxim. He might as well have recommendt d difliinulation, and even open falfehood ; for, detellabie as they are, they rnay likewilV, at times, ierve a turn. But for one cafe, in which vice may be ufeful, there are a thoufand in which it does harm. Nor is there any thing that will weather ev- erv Itorm, fave the habitual exercife of virtue. Be- fides, if there were any vices, which it became a phi- lofopher to recommend, I'urely they (hould not be the lowed of all — thofe which indicate the laft de- gree of corruption, both in body and mind— thofe of which immec!iate lelf-interell is the obj^ft.

After all, an artful woman may govern a weak and narrow-minded man ; but (he will never gaiu e efteem and attachment of a man of fenfc.

XVIU

zo6 SKETCHES of the SEX.

CHAP. LVIII.

Wedded Love is infinitely preferable to Variety,

H

AIL, wedded Love, myftercus law, true fourcc

Of human ofFspring, (ble propriety, In Paradife of all things common elfe !

By thee adulterous lull was driven from men, Among the beftial herds to range ; by thee. Founded in reafon, loyal, juft and pure. Relations dear, and all the charities Of father, fon, and brother, firft were known.

Thou art the fountain of domeftic fweets, Whofe bed is undefil'd and chiifte pronounc'd. Here Love his golden fliafts employs, here lights His conftant lamp, and waves his purple wings. Reigns here and revels ; not in the bought fmiie Of harlots, lovelefs, joylefs, unendear'd, Cafual fruition ; nor in court amours, Mix'd dance^ or wanton mafk, or midnight ball. Or ferenade^ which the ftarved lover fings To his proud fair, belt quitted with difdain.

=«5j;j^-

CHAP, LIX.

On the Revohtlcns of the French Fqjhions^ luith fame Ad» vice to the Ladies refpe3ing certain parts of Drefs*

[Tranflatcd from the French.]

F

ASHION is to cuftcm what prejudices are to

the moral virtues. It im.perioufly diftates laws to thole who live under its empire, and its decrees are^ irrevocable. Women, that bewitching part of the creation, born for the happinefs of one helf of our fcx, and for the torment of the other, difconteuted

SKETCHES OF THE SEX. 207

wth the little that the laws have done for them in the diftributionof dired power, have at all times fought to acquire by addrefs, what they could not reafonably hope to obtain by open force. The auxiliary means which they have always employed to accomplifn their ends are thofe of the toilette ; but in blindly fuffering themfelves to be guided by cuftom, and adoptingnew modes, without choice and without refle«ftion, the fair fex do not derive from thole trifles, to which they annex fo much value, all the advantages they expeft* Thofe whom their rank or chance has placed in a con- fpicuous ftaiion, generally give an example to others, 'lliey are the firft to adopt faihions, and often take them from fome remote fource, to which people of ordinary rank never would have gone to look for them.

The grand fault in what concerns the toilette, and that againfl: which they ought to be greatly oq their guard, is not to give too much into general fafh- ion, and not to believe that becaufe a particular drefs bee mes ore woman, it will becv-ime all in the like manner. To deftroy this prejudice, it will be fuffi- cient to obferve, th it ornaments employed in drefs, ought to be varied in their conapofition, and to be fuited to the firape and figure of thofe who adopt them. Though one cannot form general principles wpon this fubjeft, yet after havirg taken a view of the modes of preceding ages, 1 fliall venture to make a few curfory obfervations upon the fafhions which prevail at prefent.

It is with difguft that the imagination returns to thofe remote ages, when nature, infuUed in every rcfpeft, and disfigured by themoft whimllcaldreffe^V prefented to the light only hideous figures. In the firft ages of the French monarchy, the drefs of t' e men varied more than that of the women. Their clothes vere alternately either too long or too fhort. In gen- eral, long veftm.ents are more becoming and more no- ble than thofe that are (hort. It is a great pity that

9

208 SKETCHES or thk SEX,

this cu^tcm fliould be att^^nded with fo many incon- veniences, and that it fiiould abfolutely impede the exercife of the body, and thcfe labours whxh our wants require, and which kixury commands.

Under Philip the Fair, an epocha when drefs be- gan to emerge from barbarity, long coats only were worn by men in any coniideration. In the army, rowever, as well as i i ihe country, fhort coats were always retained. In the fourreenth century, the fame drefs v/as worn by men and women. Under the reigns of Charlfs V. r.n 1 Charles VL long coats only were in failiion ; but Charles VII. who had ill made legs, agr.in introduced long coats.*

Noihing is more curious, and at the f ime time viiicdors, than the drefs of people of fafhion during the iirll years of ihe reign of Louis XL Figure to yourftlf a petit mai re, with his hair flat and bufhy, dreilrd in a doublet fhaped like an under waiftcoat which fcarcely covered his reins ; his breeches ex^ ceedingly clofe, rifmg very high, and hismiddle bound round with ribbands, in a moil whimiical manner, as may be ftill feen in fome ancient paintings ; add to^all this, artificial fhoulJers, in f -^rm of a cufliioD, which v/ere placed upon each fhculder-blade, to make him appear to have a large cheft, and to give him a robuft and v'gorous appearance. This flrange caricatura was terminated by flioes, the points of which, for people of the firii quality, were full two feet in length. The populace had them only of fix inches: thofe were what they called (hoes a la pmikine. They were invented by Henry Plantagenet, duke of Anjou, to conceal a very large excrefcence v/hich he had upon one of his feet. As this prince, the moft gillant and beautiful man of his age, gave the lead to the court, every one was defirous of having (hoes like his. Hence comes the origin ot the French pro-

* May not this circumftance, as well as many others that might be mentioned, ferye to prove the juftnefs of the proverb, which rs^j?, tli45

SKETCHES OF THE SEX. 20(>

"^rh^fre fur un grand pud. Undrr Francis I. and his fucceflbrs, the form of the men's drefs heg-in to ap*-^ proac-i p-^rfecUon ; but under the good Henry IV, it became preferable to th* t wh'ch we have fince adopt- ed, and which iiill fal-fr!is. The moft ufeful of all modes, and t:i;it w/.ich will furvive all others, thought it has fouid many enemies in France, is the peruke* Ecclefiaftics Yr-ere Irng forbidden to wear one ia church. In i68 ; , a canvon o^ the cathedral of Beau- Vjcais was prevented from celebrating m-^fs, becaufe he wore a peruke. He, however, dep iited it in the hands of tvvo notaries, 1 1 e entrance int j thech oir^. and pr^'tefied againft the v'cld-.ice offtr:d him. In 1689, feverul Oratori:\ns* v/ere difnviTtd from their order, becaufe they had put on perukes. At that time they were very large, but at prefer t every t ing is fo much changed, that even pyfrians, who for- merly confidered an enormous peruke as the bafis of their reputation, feem to difdain that ornament. Several have adopted the bag, and perhaps we fhall fooD fee fhem performing their morning vifits with a bn^; queue.

When br^gs began firfl: to be in fafliion, people cever wore them except when in difliabille ; in vifits of ceremony one could not appear but with the hair tied in a rib an 1, and flntirg over the flioulders. I^.is i^abfolutely contrary to ourprefent fafnion.

In the early periods of the monarchy, the ladies fcarcdy paii! any attention to drefs. It would appear tV'^x they thought of nothing more than pleafiog their hnlb\rd«f, and of giving a proper education to their chiklren, and that the reit of their time was employed in familv concerjis, and rural economy. If their drefs was (ubjefc t ) litile charge in thoFe primitive tiir.es, w-^ ought not t ) be aftoniflied to fee the fair fex iaJemnify rhemfelves atprefent for their long in- aftion. Their drefs, h.owever, has experienced the

•a congiTJiation of prieftf inftituted iq FraaCC^ by C<iliia»l dO

XVllI X

^10 SKETCHES of the SEX,

fame revolutions as that of men.. There was a time when their robes rofe fo high, that they abfolutely covered the breaft ; but under' Charles Vli Ouden Ifa- belli of Bavaria, as remarkable for her gallantry as her beauty, brought back the fafhion of leaving the fhoulders and part of the neck uncovered.

Let us hear what Juvenal des Urfws (ays refpeft- ing the mariner in which the women dreiTed their heads. " Both married and unmarried ladies were x^ery extravagant in their drefs, and wore caps won- derfully high and large, having two great ears at each fide, which were of luch a magnitude, that when they wiftied to enter a door^ it was impofiible for them/^ About that time, the famous Carmelite^ Thomas Cenarc\ exercifed his oratoncal talents againft thefe caps. His effi)rts were at firlr fuccefsful ; but his triumph was of fncrt duration, and they again rofe to a prodigious degree ; they however, at length, became entirely out of fafhion.

The reign of Charles ViL brought back the "ufe of ear-rings, bracelets, and collars. Some years before the death of that prince, the drefs of the la- dies WIS ridiculous in tiie hip:;heft degree. I'hey wore robes fo exceedingly long, that feveral yards of the tram dragged behind ; the fleeves were fo wide that they fwept the ground; and their heacls were loft luider immenfe .bonnets, v/hich were three fourths of J heir breadth in height. To this whimJical fafhion inotrer fucceeded, w^hich was no lefs fo. The ladies' placed a kind of cufhion upon ihhii' heads, loaded with ornaments, which difpiayed the v/orft tafte imaginable. This head drefs was fo large, that it was two yards in breadth. At that peiiod it was abfb- lutely necelTary to enlarge the doors of all the houfes. From this extremity, the fair fex paifed to another ivo lefs extravagant.' They adopted the ufe of bon- nets fo exceedingly low, and they arranged the hair in fo dole a manner, that they appeared as if their teads had bseo IhaveHf On the death of Charles

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 211

VIII. Anne of Bretagne, his queen, introduced the ufeoft' e bhck veil, which fhe always wore. The ladies of h«T curt ;idopted it alfo, and ornamented it with red and purple fringes ; but the cits, improv- ing upon this mode, enriched it with pearls and clalps of gold.

It was under the reign of Francis I. tha^^the wo- men began to tui-n up their hair. Margaret^ queen, of -Navurre, frizzed that on the temples, and tiirned- back that before. This princefs occafionally added to this head drefs a fmall bonnet of velvet or fatin, ornamented with pearls and jewels, and placed over it a fmr.n tuft of feathers. Such a fafliion was very becoming, and this perhaps is the firft period when the ladies began to drefs with any tafte. A revolu- tion was abfolutely requifite. The gallant and volup- tuous reign of Catharine de Medicis necefiarily brought about a happy change in the French faftiions. It was about this time that the chaperon or hood ap- peared. This mode continued a long tim.e, becaufe the fumptuary laws eftabl fhed a dirii.iftion in the ftuff which compofed it. I'he hoods of ladies of qual. ity were of velvet, and thofe of citizens, of pi:nn cloth. La BQurcicr^ midwife to Mary of Medicis, obtained an exprefs order from the king to wear one of velvet. Of all the fumptuary laws made at diiTer- cnt periods, none had fo fudden an effeft as the edi<ft of Henry the Great in 1604. This monarch, after having forbid Ms fubjefts to wear either gold or filver upon their drefles, adds, " except, hov/ever, ladies of pleafure and pick-pockets, for whom we are not fo far interefted as to do them the honor of attending to their conduct." This ordinance was attended with the prci>er efteft, and neither ladies of pleafure, nor pick-pockets took any advantage of their perm'irion.

The French ladies in the prefenr day have made

uch a r?p:d progrefs in the art of fettiiig off their

charms, that ihey ar^ now followed by all the la:^^e$

in Europe. We have feen modes of diflircnt kinds

212 SKETCHES 0¥ the SEX,

fncceed one ao^'ther wkh incv-^nceivable rapidity*^ Names of all lores have been ex^.auftjd. F^.ur voi^ umes would (cardycomaiQ the nome.Klture t-^f :li the n v-lties wnich the in^^entiva geniu? of the ladies lias d.vilieJ in the laft ten years. But this is not ai!, fhefiirlex have f :> far disfigured nature, that one. muu look at thern very clofely not to be mill?ken. I'heir cavaUcr gait, the black hat, the ri ing coat, an i the cane which t^ey !:ave adopted, have givea. theim abnoft ihe appearance of men. Such a drefs does not at Jl b-come them, a-^.d we cannot help fay- ing, that it deftroys all their graces.

Let us now make a few obfervati-^rs on the ad- van ta^^es :ind diiadvantages of female drefs ; and iet us begin with the ornaments af the head, which may- be cillVd the citadel of coquetry.

As the head drefs (hould be confidered only as* an acceflary part, whenev;-r itc height exceeds the length of the face, it produces a difagreeable efieft; and t is effeft will become more fenfible in a woman whofe p'^yiiognomy is fmail, than in one who has Roman features. The former can derive no advan- tage but from flight crniments which do not cccupy much fpace ; five muft always avoid large figures and ftraight lines. A head drefs w' ich comes too far for-- ward on the head of a woman who havS a fmrdi nofe and a flat chin, will render t^efe bl-mifhes mere fen- ti":le, whilft fuch a drefs will admirably become one who has a prf;minent chin and a large nofe.

B autiful eyes loie great part of tieir fplendor under large hats v/crn as they are at pref-nt. 'i his head drrfs ought to be the re'fource of th-'-fe ladies who can boaii of nothing but a pretty mcuth, and an agreeable fmile. The col.^-urs 'f gauze and ribbands- employed to ornament the head, ought to be fuired to that of the hair and complexion. 1 his care adds much to the graces of nature. !t muft, however, be allowed, that the la'ies underftand the harmony of colors much better than th^ relauon of fgraiSt

SKETCHES OF the SEX, mi^

The advantages of an elegant figure are often loft by the ridiculous folly of wilhing to appear very flender. One needs only to ftudy the fhape of the fupurb antique ftatue of Venus, to be convinced that the beauty of proportion is hurt as much hytooflen* der and uniform, as by too chimfy a wiiift. It muft be obferved alfo, that too narrow boddice and flays abfolutely deftrov gracefulnefs and e:ife. The mo- tions become fli ft', and the attitudes confined; be- fidcs fpeaking of the fatal accidents which may arife from this violence oflered to nature.

Depravation of tade in reg ird to drefs was fome years ago carried to a gre.it length. Vtry corpulent women wifhed to incrtale t!:ieir fize by cork rumps, which women who were too flender, had ingenioufly invented to fupply what nature had refufed them. We have feen fome of a very diminutive fize, who by the help of this ridiculous piece of furniture feem- ed to h ive acquired as much dimenfions in breadth as in height.

Tho^e ornaments which are intended to adorn ncture ought to be fimple and light. The Grecian ladies, who knew fo well how to make the moft of their charms, took great care never to ufe veils but of the moft pliable i\uffs. Thefe veils yield to their various motions, and added to the natural graceful- nefs of their perfons. All the ancient flatues, there- fore, brought us from that country, which gave birth to the arts, are admired by artifls and connoiileurs for a charafter of lightnefs and eafe which can never be furpafTed.

It is wrong to believe, that cold climates fhould prevent people from wearing thin drefTes : by means of furred cloakt , which may be ufed in the open air^ one may wear an under drefs of the lightefl: fluflf pof- fible. 'I'hemann r in which the Ruffian ladies drefs, m'^y ferve as a proof of what we have here advan- ced ; but a proper medium ought to be obferved be- tweea drelTes which are too dumiy, and thofe which.

214 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

on account of their thinnefs, might give offence to decency. A woman who expofes herlelf to thefe in- conveniences does not underttand her own intereft.

It was above all in the arrangement of the hair that the Greek ladies excelled, efpecially with regard tofimplidty. We muft allow, that the ladies drefs better at prefent than formerly : and that they are nearer to perfeftion than they were fome years ago. A flight dawning begins already to appear in the manner in which they drefs their hair, and there is reafon to hope that they will make a very rapid pro- grefs in this part of the bufmefs of the toilette, efpe- cially if they confult nature and good ar tills.

Nothing is more agreeable and becoming than to wear the hair fljating over the fhoulders. It is much to be wifhed that the ladies would adhere to this cuf- tom. The curls which they liave adopted before, would become them much better, were they lefs reg- ular, and difpofed with more tafte.

When by fome lucky chance a woman has at- tained almoft to perfeftion in the art of dreffirg, that is to fay, in the art of knowing what beft becomes her, Ihe ought to be very nice in her choice of new fafniors. In an age fo frivolous as the prefent, the lofs of a lover may be the confequence of even fuch a trifling circumftance as that of the hat being wrong placed, or turned too much to the right or the left. When a pailion is founded only upon trifles, ought ye to be furprifed that a trifle fhould deflroy it ?

Artifts, who have fpent their hves in ftudyin^ the beauties of nature, are the beft judges in this ref- pcft. They alone have the privilege of fixing the pub- lic opinion in fuch matters. This is really their pro- vince. The time is perhaps not far diftant, when the fair lex, better acquainted with their deareft inter- efts, v/iil invite them to their toilettes, and ccnfider them as the arbiters cf tafte. Favored then by the graces and by beauty, and envied by all the other clafles of men, they will be indenjinified with ufury

SKETCHES OF the SEX: iis.

For that negieft with which ihey have fo long beea treated. But a great revolution mult take place be- fort* that happy day arrives. At that epochii, every thing will return to its primitive order, and, according to the French proverb, every man will be in his own place, and every abbe in his benefice.

=£Kaga=

CHAR LX.

On looking at the Figure of a beautiful Female.

W[eyeg,. HAT dazzling beauties ftrike my ravifh^d And fill my foul with pleafure and furprife i What blooming fweetnefs fmiles upon that face ! Hov mild, yet how majeftic every grace ! In thofe bright ey-es what more than mimic fire Benignly fhines, and kindles gay defire ! Yet ckiften'd modefty, fair white-rob'd dara«. Triumphant fits to check the rifing flame. Sure nature made thee her peculiar care : Was ever form fo exquifitely fair ? ^^

Yes, once there was a form thus Heavily bright. But now 'tis vrird in everlalling night ; ' Each glory which that lovely face could boaft. And every charm, in tracelels dufl is loft ^ An unregarded heap of ruin lies That form which lately drew ten thcufand eyes. What once was courted, lov'd, adcr'd, and praisM, Now miogles with the duft from whence 'twas rais'd. No more foft dimpling fmiles th fe cheeks adorn, AVhofe rofy tinfture iham'd the rifing morn ; No more with fparkling radiance (hiue thofe eyes, Nor over thole the faille arches rife ; Nor from thDfe ruby lips foft accents flow, Nor lilies on the ff:owy f(;rehead blow ; AH, all arecropp'd hy death's imp:\rti?J hand, [ftand ; Charms could not bribe, nor beauty's pow'r with*

2i6 SKETCHES of the SEX.

Not all that crowd of wond'rous charms could fave The fair poffelTor from the dreary grave.

^ How frail is beauty, tranfient, falfe and vain ? It flies with morn, and ne'er returns again. Death, cruel ravager, delights to prey Upon the young, the lovely and the gay. If death appear nor, oft corroding pain. With pining fickneis in her languid train. Blights youth's gay fpring with fome untimely blaft. And lays the blooming field of beauty wafte : But fhould thefe fpare, ftill time creeps on apace, And plucks with withered hand each winning grace ; The eyes, lips, cheeks, and bofom he difarms. No art from him can fhield exterior charms.

But would you, fair ones be efteem'd, approved. And with an everlafting ardor lov'd ; Would you in wrinkled age, admirers find, In every female virtue drefs the mind ; Adorn the heart, and teach the foul to charm, And when the eyes no more the breaft can warm, 'I'hefe ever-blooming beauties (hall infpire Each gen'rous heart with friendfhip's facred fire ; Thefe charms fhall neither wither, fade, nor fly ; Pain, ficknefs, time, and death, they dare defy. When the pale tyrant's hand (hall feal your doom. And lock your afhes in the filent tomb, Thefe beauties fhall in double luftre rife, Shine round the foul, and waft it to the ikies.

«^;3^=

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 217

CHAT. LXI.

THE Extra^s which follow, irecxclufively from ** The Hiftory of Wo- men, from the cirlicit Antlouiiiy, to the prtlcnt lime"— by Dr. Alexander*

EJucaiien of W^omm in Afia and Africa — Amvfemenis of the Grecian Ladies — Religiciis Fejlivals of the Grceks^^ Religious Dancers^ <bc.

XN feveral of the warmer regions of Afia and Afri- ca, where women are confidered merely as inliru- nients of animil pleafure, the little education beuow- ed upon them, is entirely calculated to debauch their minds and give additional charms to their per Ions. They are inftrufted in fuch graces and dluring arts as tend to inflame the paifions ; they are taught vo- cal and inftrumental mufic, which they accompany with dances, in which every movement, and every gefture, is expreffively indecent : but they receive no moral inftrudion ; for it would teach taem that they were doing wrong : no improvement ; for it would fhew them that ihey were degrading them* felves, by being only trained up to fatisfy the plea- fures of fenfe. This, however, is not the practice of all parts of Afia and Africa : the women of Hin- doilan are educated more decently ; they are net allowed to learn mufic or dancing ; v/hich are only reckoned accomplifhraenss fit f-^r ladies of pleafure : they are^ notwithftanding, t::ught all the perfonal graces ; and particular cure is taken to inflruft them in the art of converfing with elegimce and vivacity : fome of them are alfo taught to write, and the gen- erality to read, that they may be able to read the Kora ) ; inllead of which, they more frequently ded- icate theml^^lves to tales and romances; which, Ijainted in a'l the lively imagery of the Eall, feldorn fa.l t.^ c rmpt the minds of creatures (hut up from the worlJ, and confcquentlv forming to themfclvec

21 8 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

extravagant and romantic notions of all that is tranf- afted in it.

In well regulated families, women are taught by heart fome prayers in Arabic, which at certain hours they affemble in a hall to repeat ; never being allow- ed the liberty of going to the public mofque. They are enj -ined always to wafh therr Jelves before pray- ing ; and, indeed, the virtues of cleanlinefs, of chaf- tity, and obedience, are fo (trcngly and confLantly inculcated on their minds, that in fpite of their gen- eral deb<iu:hery of manners, there are not a few among them, who, in their common deportment, do credit to the inftruftions btftowed upon them ; nor is this much to be wondered at, when we confider the tempting recompence that is held cut to them ; they are, ia^aradife, to licurifh forever, in the vig- our of youth and beauty ; an J however olJ, or ugly, when they depart this life, are there to be immedi- ately •ransformcd into all that is fair, and all that is graceful.

AS the Greek ladies were almoft cooflantly em- ployed, an ] as voluntary employment often banifhes even every wifii of pleafure and diffipaiicn, we have reafon to belitve that they had few, if any, private diver fions or amufements ; w! ich are generally the o&pring of idlenef^ as appears plainly from the difference, iln this refpeft, between the women and the men; the former, as we have obferved,^bemg fully emiployed, had no need of am.ufements"; the litter beirg frequently, and, in Spart?, even by law obhged to be confiantly idle, were thereby induced to have recourfe to games and fports of various kinds to fill up their vacant hours, and prevent that un- comfortable tedinm which fo conllantly attends idle- ^nefs : to fome of thefe pu':^iic fports the women were 'admitted, and from otrers excluded by the fevereft penalties. Their lf.gifl;itor poflibly imagined, that Ihould they be indifcriminately achnitted to all the amjufemenis of the men, they would acquire an un-

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 219

fuUable boldnefs, and negleft the feveral duties and oHices required of them at home. To what we have here obferved the Spartan women are, however, an objeflion : we have already feen, that they amuled themfelves with the mafculine exercifes of wreftling, throwing darts, &c. But this is not all : they were obliged to appear naked at feme of their folemn feafts and facrifices, and to dance and fmg, while the young men flood in a circle around them ; an amufement highly indelicate, or, if a religious ceremony, only worthy of the Cyprian goddel's.

ANOTHER caufe, which contributed to make the religious feftivais of the Greeks appear as amufe- raents and diverfions, was that ridiculous buf- foonery that confiitutcd fo great a part of them : it would be tedious to ennumerate one half of thefe bufTooneries ; but let a few ferveas a fp:cimen. At a feftival held in honour of B icchus, the women ran about for a long time feekicg the god, who, they pre- tended, had run away from them : this done, they pafl'ed their time in propofmg riddles and queftions to each other, and l.iu^:hin5 at fuch as could not anfwer them ; and at la(t often clofed the fcene with fuch enormous excefles, that at one of thefe fettivals, the daughters of Miny a, having, in their madnefs, killed Hippafus, had him drefled and ferved up to table as a rarity. At another, kept in honour of Venus and Adonis, they be;it their breaf!-s, tore their hair, and mimicked all the f gns of the moil extrava- gant grief, with which they fuppofed the goddefs to have been affecbed on the death of her favourite paramour. At another, in honour of the nymph Cotys, they addreffed her as fhe goddefs of wanton- nefs with many myflerious rites and ceremonies. At Corinth, thefe rites and ceremonies, being per- haps thought irc^nfiftcnt with the charafter ot mod- ef: women, this feftival was only celebrated by har- lots. Athenxus mentions a feftival, at which the

2^p SKETCHES OF the SEX*

women laid hold en all the old bachelors they could find, and dragged them round an altar ; beating them all the time with their fifts, as punifhment for their negleft of the lex. We fhall only mention two more ; at one of which, after the aflembly had met in the temple of Ceres, the women fhut out all the men and dogs, themfelves and the bitches remaining in the temple all night : in the morning, the mea were let in, and the time was fpent in laughing to-

f ether at the frolic. At the other, in honour of Sacchus, they counterfeited phrenzy and raadnefs ; and to make this midnefs appear the more real, they ufed to eat the raw and bloody entrails of goats new- ly flaughtered. And, indeed, the whole ct the fetti- vals of Bacchus, a Deity much worfhipped in Greece, were celebrated with rites either ridiculous, obfcene, or madly extravagant. There were others, however, in honor of the other gods and goddefles, which were more decent, and had more the appear- ance of religious folemnity, though even in thefe, the women dre&d out in all their finery ; and adorned with flowers and garlands, either formed fplendid proceffions, or aflifted in performing ceremonies, the general tendency of which was to amufe rather than inftruft*

IN the neighborhood of Surat, the Hindoos hare many magnificent temples ; and in every tem_ple are a number of Bramins, or priefts, dedicated to the ferviceof the god there worfhipped. A part of that fervice confifls in dancing on religious aflem- biles, and other folemn occafions ; and thefe dances are performed by young women, the moft handfome and beautiful in the country.* Thefe refide in the temple, and are by the Bramins carefully collefted from every place, where their own influence, or the veneration of their tem.ple reaches. In order to in-

* When Mamood firft took the magnificent temple of Sumnat, he found there five hundred dancing girls, and three hundred aau£ici4a^*

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 221

(Slice them to enter into this fervice, befides the im- nienfe rewards held out to them in the world to come, they have Ibme peculiar privileges in this* They may leave the temple v/hen they pleafe ; and being acGoiinted holy, they are then eagerly fought after in marriage, aiid have the preference in this ref* pect to all other women. Wnile in the temples, they are entirely under the direftion of the Bramms ; and it is by many fuppv')fed, that they are alio entire* ly appropriated to their pleafures ; but however this be, they are hardly ever allowed, like the other fe- male dancers of the country, to perform for the amufement of tlie public.

Befides thefe religious dancers, there is almoft in every large city, companies of dancing girls, called Balliaderes ; who, in the manner of our (trolling players, go about for the amufement of the public ^ and who will exhibit their performances at the houfe of any perfon, who is able to pay what they demand ; or may be feen by any one for a trifle at their public afferabhes. Thefe beautiful girls are conftantly fol- lowed by an cU deformed mulician, who beats time with a brazen indrument, called a Tom ; and con- tinually at every llroke repeats the word Tom with fuch vociferation, that he foon works himfelf into a kind of phrenzy ; the Balliaderes, at the fame tim^e eager to pleafe, and intoxicated with the mufic, and the fmell of the effences with which they are per- fumed, fcon after begin to be in the fame ftate : their dances are in general exprefTive of the paffioa of love, and they manage them fo as to give, even morant, tolerable ideas of that paffion ia rent fituations and circumflances ; and fb great is their beauty, fo voluptuous their figure, fo rich and ingenioufly contrived their drefs, that they Idom perform v/ithout drawing; together a numer- ous crowd of fpedators.

Strolling female dancers, who live by that pre- felTion, are not, however, peculiar to the £aft Indies ;

222 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

they have of late been met with in Otaheite, and feveral other places ; but befide their ftrolling dancers in Otaheite, they have a dance called Timoradee, which the young girls perform, when eight or ten of them can be got together ; it confilis in every mo- tion, geflure, and tone of voice that is truly lafcivi- ous ; and being brought up to it from their child- hood, in every motion, and in every gelture, they * keep time with an exaftnefs fcarcely excelled by the moft expert ftage-dancers of Europe, But though this diverfion is allowed to the virgin, it is prohibited 10 the wife ; who, from the moment of marriage, '''\iYi abflain from it forever.

^:;3^=

CHAR LXII.

Pimijhment of Polygamy in Tigypt — Semiramis of Affyrla-^ AccQunt of the Sybarites — Ciijhms of the Grecian Women*

i HE men in Egypt were not allowed to indulge in polygamy, a flate which always prefuppofes women to be llaves. The chaility of virgins was protefted by a law of the levered nature ; he who committed a rape on a free woman, had his privities cut oft, that it miglit be out of his power ever to perpetrate the 1 ke crime, and th:it others might be terrified by fo dreadful a punifnment. Concubinage, as well as •polygamy, feems either not to have been lawful, or iU leail not niihionable ; it was a liberty, however, in v/hich their kings were fometimes indulged, for, we find when Selbflris let cut on his expedition to epnquer the wcrld, he left the government of the kingdom to his brother, with full power over every thing, except the royal diadem, the queen, and royal concubines. The queens of Egypt are faid to have been much honored, as well as more readily obeyed thauJthe kings j and it is alfo related, that the huf*

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 22^

bands were ia their marriage-contrails obliged to promife obedience to tiieir wives ; a thing which in our modern times we are often obliged to perform, though our wives entered into the promil'e.

WHILE Ninus, king of Airyria,was befieging Bactria, it is faid that the attempt would have failed, had it not been for the aliiftance of Semiramis, then wife of one of his principal officers, who planned a method of attacking the city, with inch fup^rior ikill, that he foon became malter of it. Ninus being at- trafted by the beauty and art of tliis virago, foon be- came pailionately fond of her ; in the mean time, her hulbaad forefeeing that this palTion would end in his deftruftion, to avoid tailing a viftim to hcent ious def- potiim, privately put an end to his life. The main obftack being thus removed, Ninus took the adul- trefs to wife, an action which, according to lome au- thors, he had foon reafoD to repent, for fhe having firft brought over to her intereft the principal mea of the ftite, next prevailed on her fiUy^ hulband to inveft her, for the Ipace of five days, with the fcver- eign power ; a decree was accordingly ifTued, that all the provinces fhould implicitly obey her during that time ; which having obtainea, flie began the exercife of her '" ' uy, by putting to death the too indul- gent h , , ho had conferred it on her, and fole- curing to hevicilf th; '• ' :\ Other authors have denied that Ninus r 1 this rafli, or Semiramis this execrable deed, but ail ugree that (he fucceeded her hulband at his death, in whatever manner it hap- pened. Seeing herfeif at the head of a mighty em- pire, and ftruck with the love of magnificence and fame, fhe propofed to render her name immortal, by performing fomething thatftiould far furpafsall that had beea done by her predeccfibrs; the fcheme fhe fell uj>')n, was to build in the (pxc of one year, the mighty city of Babylon ; which l^eing finifhed withia Ihe propofed Ume^ greatly e:&ceedifd in nia^uiilceQce

224 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

any thing the world had ever feen ; two millions of men are laid to have been conftantly employed on it,

duricg the lime it was ereffing.

THE Sybarites, from the imperfecl accounts we have of them, placed the whole of their happinefs in indolence, eating, finery, and women. Their bodies were fo much relaxed with floth, and their minds with vcluptuouinefs, that the greateft affront that could he offered to any one, was to call him a Sybar- ite, an appellation, which comprehended in it almoil every human crime, and every human folly. In grot- toes, cooled with fountains, their youth fpent a great . part of their time in fcenes of debauchery, amid wo- men, either elegantly adorned by art, or fometimes reduced to a ftate of nature. Women of the firft quality, the ugh not ^ifpofed of by auftion, were treated in a manner fomewhat fimilar ; they were givea as a reward to him v/ho, in contending for them, fhewed the greateft fplendor and magnificence. When any great entertainment was defigned, the wom.en, who were to make a part of the company, were invited a year before, that they might have time to appear in all the luflre of beauty and of drefs ; a circum^ftance which plainly proves that they did not, as fome other nations, value the fex only as cbjefts of fenfua! pleafure, but as objefts which added ele- gance to their fcenes of magnifkence and grafndeur ; and, perhaps, becaufe they excelled the m.en in foft- nefs and effeminacy, qualities upon which they fet the greateft value, and cultivated v/ith the utmoft affiduity. — Thefe people, after having been for many centuries the contempt of the univerfe, were at latt Ihamefully driven from their country, and entirely difperled by the Cratonians.

BUT confinement was not the greateft evil which the Grecian women fuffered ; by other cuftoras and laws they were (till more oppreffed : it was not ia

SKETCHES OP the SEX. its

their power to do any judicial aft without the con- fent of a tutor or guardian ; and fo little power, even over themfelves, did t'.e legillature devolve upon wo- men, though ripened by age and experience, that when the father died, the fon became the guardian of his own mother. When a woman was cited into court, (he was incapable of anfwering without her guardian ; and therefore the words of the proclama- tion were, *' We cite A. B. and her guardian.'^ In making a will, it was not only neceffary that the guardian (hotild give his confent, but that he fhould be a party. Thefe I'afts Ihew, that the Greek wo- men were under the mofl: complete tutelage, where- by they were deprived of almoft all political exift- cnce ; and teach us to confider a guardian and his pupil as the fubitance and the fhadcv/, the latter of which could not exilt without the former. But this is not all ; we have already mentioned fome of the flaviih employments to which they were put, and (hall now add, that in the heroic ages, the woraea did all the flavith and domefcic offices, even fuch as were inconfillent with the delicacy and modefly of the fex ; they conduced the men to bed, dreffed. and undreiTed them, attended thein while in the baths, dried and perfumed Lhem when they came out of them ; nor were thefe, and fuch other offices only al- loted to fervants or (laves ; no rank was exempte4 from them. ^ ITie princefs Nauffica, daughter of Al- cinous, carried her own hnen to the river in a chari- ot, and having wafhed and laid it on the bank, fat down by it, and dined on the provifion (he had brought along with her. When fuch was tl:e em- ployment of their own women of rank, we cannot expeft that their captives (hould (hare a happier fate ; accordingly, we find Ileftor lamenting, that^ fliould Troy be taken, his wife would be condemn- ed to the moft (lavi(h drudgery ; and Hecuba bewail- ing, that, like a dog, (he was chained at the sate,Qf AgameiunoQ.

226 SKETCHES of the SEX.

In the ftate of wedlock, a ftate of all others the moft delicate, the Lacedemonians feem to have, been deftitute of all the finer feelings; for, defpifing that principle of mutual fidelity, which in ibme degree ap- pears to have been ciierifhed by every people only a fii gle degree removed from the rudeft barbarity, they without any reluftancy, borrowed and l(^nt wives with each other ; a kind of barter totally in- confiilent with that fympathetic union of loul^, which always does, or ought to take place, between hufband and wife : but the matter did not e^d here ; for, by the laws of Solon, a lufty well-made young fellow might, when he pleafed, demand permiilion to cohabit with the wife cf any of his fellow-citizens, who was lefs handfome and robuft than himfelf, un- der pretence of raifing up children to the ftate, who fhould, like the father, be ftrcng and vigorous ; and fuch aa unreafonable demand, the hufband was net at Hberty to reject : what ftill further fhews how ht- tle dehcacy exifted in their connections with their wives, is their conduft in a war with the Myffinians ; when, having bound themfelves by a folemn oath, not to return to their own city 'till they had re- venged the injury t'ey had received, and the war having been unexpefteclly protracted far the fpace of ten years, they began to be afraid that a longer ab- fence would tend greatly to depopulate their ftate ; to prevent which, they i'ent back a certain number of thofe who h'ld joined the army, after the above-men- tioned oath had been taken, with full power to co- habit with all the wives, whofe hufbands were abfent. Nothing can more plainly difcover the deipicable condition of the Grecian women : the ftate, as a body politic, regarded them only as inftruments of general propagation ; and their hufbands indelicately acqui- efced in the idea, which they never could have done, had they been actuated by any thing but animxal ap- petite, and had not th.it appetite been fixed more ou tfee fex than the individual.

SKETCHES or the SEX, 227

CUAF. LXIII. Raj>e of the Sabine Virgins -—Women cf Scythia, Alejfa- get a — Cruelty tf Amejlrism

VV HEN Romulus, the founder of Rome, had formed his infant republic, finding that he had no women, and that none of the neighboring nations would give their daughters in marriage to men whom thev confiJe^ed as a fet of lawlefs banditti ; he was obliged by flratagem to procure for his citi- zens, what he could not obtain for iheiii by intrea- ty. Accordingly, having proclaimed a folemn feaft, and aa exhibincn of games in h nor of Equeftrian Neptune, and by that means gathered a great num- ber of people together ; on a fignal g'ven, the Ro- mans, with drawn Iwords in their hands, rulhed among the ftrangers, and forcibly carried away a great number of th-ir daughters to Rome. The next day Romulus himlelf diftributed them as wives to thofe of his citizen??, who had thus by violence car- ried them awciy. From fo rude a beginning, and among a p:op!e fo levere and inflexible as the Ro- mans, it is not unnatural for the reader to expect to find, that women were treated in the fame indignant, if not in a worfc manner, than they were among the nations we have already mentioned. In this, how- ever, he will be mill .ken ; it was the Roma^is who firft gave to the fex public liberty, who firft properly cultivated their minds, and thought it as neceffaryas to adorn the'r bodies : among them were they llrft fitted for fociety, and f^r b-comi'ir ratinanl compan- ions ; and among them, was it firft demonflrated to the wcrid, that thev were capable of great afti^ns, and deferved a b'etfer fate than to ^ e fhu^ up in ferag- Iiv>s, and kept only as the pageants of ^laadeur, gr

2^9 " SKETCHES of the SEX.

inftruments of fatisfying illicit love ; (ruths which the fequel of the hiftory of the Sabine women will amply confirm.

The violent capture of thefe young women by the Romans, was highly refented by all the neigh- boring nations; and efpecially by the Sabines, to whom the greateft part of them belonged ; they fent to demand reftitution of their daughters, promifmg, at the fame time, an alliance, and liberty of intermarry- ing with the Romans, fhould the demand be compli- ed with. But Romulus not thinking it expedient to part with the only polTible means he had of raifing citizens, inftead of granting what they aflced, deman- ded of the Sabines, that they fhould confirm the mar- riages of their daughters with the Romans. Thefe conferences, at laft, produced a treaty of peace ; and that^ hke many others of the fame nature, ended in a more inveterate war. The Romans having in this gained Ibme advantages, the Sabines retired ; and having breathed awhile, fent a fecondembaffy to de- mand their daughters, v/ere again refufed, and again commenced hoiiilities. Being this time more fuc- celsful, they befieged Romulus in his citadel of Rome, and threatened immediate deftruftion to him and all his people, unlefs their daughters were reftor- ed. In this alarming fituation, Herfilia, wife of Romulus, demanded an audience cf the fenate, and laid before them a defign, which the women had formed among thcmfelves, without the knowledg;e of their huf bands, which was to aft the part of nie- diators between the contending parties. The pro- pofal being approved, a decree was immediately paf- I'ed, pennitting the women to go on the propofed ne- gociation ; and only requiring, that each of them mould leave one of her children, as a fecurity that fhe would return ; the reft, they were all allowed to carry with them, as objefts which ml/ht more effec- tually move the compalRon of their fathers and reli- tionst Thu. authorifed, the women laid afide their

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 229

ornaments, put on mourning, and carrying their children in their arms, advanced to the camp of the ibines, and threw themfelves at the feet of their I cithers. The Sabine king, having aflembled his chief officers, ordered the women to declare for what purpofe trey were come ; which Herfilia did in fo pathetic a manner, that Ihe brought on a conference between t: e chiefs of the two nations, and this con- ference, by her mediation, and that of the other wo- men, fooD ended in an amicable aUiance.

THIS corruption of manners reigned but too uni- verf liy among the ancients. The MeffagetcV, a pec- pliof Scythia, bdrg confined to one wife, while the nations around them were indulged with the libert^^ of polygamy and concubinage ; in order to put them- felves in fome degree on a footing with their neigh- bors, introduced a kind of community of wives, and a man who had an inclination to the wife of his friend, only carried her into his waggon or hut, and hung up a quiver while fhe was there, as a fign j that they might not be interrupted. In this manner were decency and the mod- facr^d ties of matrimony pub- licly violated ; but what d'jcency, what regard to the moft folemn inflitutions can we expeft in a people who were fo rude and b3rbarous, iliat when any of their relations became eld, they met together, and along with fome cattle iet apart for the purpofe, fac- rificcd them to iheir go-Is ; then having boiled to- gether the flefh of the human and ihe more ignoble yicHms, they devoured it ?.s a mcft deli^ioun Vepaft. 'J; ' '"'nswere flill more debauched than the ^■ . In the reign of Jar'anes, fo ungoverna-

ble was their luft, that Omphale, the king's only daug .ter, could fcarcelv, even withm the wails of the royal p-^lace, find flielter from the licentious rcu!- titude. Oir phale at lecgth fucceedirg to the throne of her father, punifhed with the utmoll feverity fuch as had formerly abufed her ; on the women, whom

AA.

230 SKETCHES OF the SEX

it appears ilie confidered as net lefs criminal than the men, fhe revenged herfelf in a lingular manner ; fhe ordered, that over all her kingdom^they (hould be fliut up with their flaves.

The Scythians, whofe character is far from be- ing the mcft abandoned of the ancients, feem not to have much caufe to boafl of the chaitity and fidel- ity of their women ; the greateil part of their men having on feme cccafion made an expedition into Afia, were detained there much beyond their expec- tation, v/heu their wives, either impatient for their long abferxe, or defpairir g of their return, took their fervants and flaves, and invefted them in all the priv- ileges of their abfent hulbands. Thefe, fometime after hearing that their mafters were about to return, fcriiiied and in'renched themfelves, in order to hin- der them from entering into their own country, and claiming their wives and polleilions. The Scythians having advanced to their flaves, feveral fivirmiflies w^ere fought between them, with doubtful fuccefs, when one of their leaders advifed his countrymen not to light again with their own flaves as with equals, ncr to att?.ck them with warlike weapons, which were figns cf freedom, but v.^ith fuch whips and fcourges as they had formerly been accuftomed to make them feel. 1 his advice being put into execu- tion, the whips recalled their ideas of flavery, and all the pufiilanimity naturally attending it ; they threw down their arms and fled in confufion, many of them were taken and put to death, and not a few cf the unfaithful v/ives defiroy(iKl t en'felvcs, to avoid the relentm^ent of their injured hufbands. Though thisilory has keen by different authors va- ried in feveral of its circumfcacces, yet as fo many have agreed in relating it, we have not the lean: doubt of its authenticity, efpecially as we are affur- ed that the Novogorodians, whofe city ftandsinSar- matian Scythia, had formerly a coin ftamped in mem- ory of it, v/ith a man on horleback fhaking a whip

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 231

in his hand ; and it is fuppofed that the ancient cuf- tom in Ruilia, which is now happily forgot, of the bride prefeiUing the bridegroom on the nuptial night with a whip, originated from this ftory of the Scythi- an wives*

IN countries where there is, as in Perfia, an un- limited liberty of polygamy and concubinage, jealoufy in the fair fex is a paflion much weakened by the variety of oojefts that divide it, and the reftraint laid on it by the deipotifm of the men ; we Ihould not therefore expeft to find it operating very ftrongly. But even here, where the king is the feverett deipot of the country, and women only the tools of his lull, and flaves of his power, we meet with inftances of this pallioa exerting itielf in the moft cruel mannen Xemes, among many other amours, had conceived a paflion for the wife of his brother Mafiftus, which he profecuted for a long time by prcmifes and threat- enings, without any fuccefs, when quite tired of fo many fruitlefs efforts, he at laft changed his attack >m the mother to her daughter, who, with much .^.s oppofiiioD, yielded herfelf to his wifhes. — Amef- tris his queen, having difcovered the amour, and imagining that the daughter only afted by the direc- tion of her mother, from that moment refolved on the feverefl revenge. By ancient culiom in Perfia, the queen had a right, on the king's birth-day, to demand of him any favour that (he thought proper ; Ameflris afked that the wife of Mafillus ihouhi be delivered into her hands, whom fhe had no fooner received, than The ordered her breads, nofe, tongue, and lips to be cut oil, and thrown to the dogs, and that (he (hould be detained to fee her own fle(h de- voured by them.

Among a people fo abanJcned, and fomuch the flaves of cruelty and lu(t, a people who made every thing fuWiervient to voluptuouihefs and debauchery, ix is natural to think that raodclty among the fair

.^3-^ SKETCHES OF THE SEX.

fex could fcArcely have any exiftence.— This, how- ever, was net uiiiverfklly ihe cafe ; a few women, even inPerfia, were far' from being deftitute of that mode'ty and feniibility which are the ornament of their lex, and the deUghc of curs. Atolfa, the diughter of Cyrus, and the wife of Darius, being attacked with a cancer in her bread, and thinkicg it inco':ii1;ent with the modelty of her fex to difcover the difeafed part, fufferei in lilence, till the pain be- came intolerable, when, after many ftruggles in her own mind, ihe at laft prevailed en herfelf to (hew it to Deinocedes, her phyfician. .We might mention inore particular inliances of the modefty of the Per-. "in women, but we pais over them, t.3 take notice i'^a 1 anecdote of a lady in a neighboring kingdom, which faews, that, in the times under review, there were fome women fuiceptible of fentiment and feel- ing ; things v/hich are not frequently met with in the Eali. Tygranes and his new-married wife being taken prilbners by Cyrus, Tygranes offered a great ranfom for her liberty ; Cyrus generoufly releafed them both without any reward ; as foon as they were alone, the happy couple, naturally falling into a diC- courfe concerning their benefaftor ; " V/hat do you think,^* faid Tygranes, " of his afpeft and deport- ment ?" " I did not obferve either,'' faid the lady. *' Upon what then did you fix your eyes,'* laid Ty- granes ? *'Upon the man," returned fhe, ''who generoufly offered fo gr^at a ranfom for ray liberty.'' So little was modetty and chaftity cultivated among the ancients, that many nations feem to have had no idea of either. The Aufi, a people of Lybia, cohabited fo promifcuoufly with their women, that the whole of tne children of the (tate were confider- edas a community till they were able to walk alone, when, being brought by their mothers into, a public affembly of the people, the man to whom a child firit fpoke was obliged to acknowledge hirafelf its faiher. The wives of the Baftrians were^ through a long lis^

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 233

ties of years, famed for licentioufQefs ; and cuftom had given fuch a fandion to their c^-irnes, that the hulbands had not only loft all power of reftraining them, but even durft h'.irdly venture to complain ^of their ii: fidelity. In Cyprus, an iiland (acred to Ve- nus, the very rites of their religion w^ere all mirgled with debauchery and prcllitution. And the Ly- dians, and many other nations, publicly proftituted their daughters, and other female relations, for hire. But to mnltiply inflances of the depra\'ity of ancient manners would be endlefs ; mankind, even when bridled by the {irongefl: penal laws, and reftricled in their pallions by thefacred voice of religion, are but too often, in the purfuit of unlawful pleafures, apt to difregard both ; what then muft they have been be- '^ re fociety, before laws exifled, and when religion It its faa'i^tion to encourage the vices and deprave the heart ? In thofe times we have the greateit rea- fon to believe that debauchery reigned with but little coDtroul over two- thirds of the habitable globe.

^^Pi^

CHAR LXIV,

yapanefi Delicacy — Delicacy of the LyJians — Licentious Law of Denmark — Extraordinary JFomen,

A.

^MONG people holding a middlirg degree, or rather perhaps fometliing below a middle degree, be- tween the moll uncultivated rufticiry, and the moft refined politenefs, we find female delicacy in its high- eft perfection. The Japanefe are but juft emerged lome degrees above favage f^arbarity, and in their >^iflory weare prefented by Ken^pfer, with an in* nee of the elfeft of delicacy, wnich perhaps has not a parallel in any other country. A lady be- ing at a table in apromifcuous company, in reaching XX 2

234 SKETCHES or thf. SEX,

for fomething that {he wanted, accidentally brofe' •wind backwards, by which her delicacy was'fo mucb wounded, that (he immediately arofe, laid hold on her breafls with her teeth, and tore them till fhe expired on the fpot. In Scotland, and a few other parts of the north of Europe, where the inhabitants are Ibme degrees farther advanced in politenefs than the Japaneie ; a woman would be almcft as much afhamed to be detected going to the temple of Cloa* cina, as to that of Venus. In England, to go in the moft open manner to that of the former, hardly occafions a blufh on the moft delicate cheek. At Paris, we are told th?.t a gallant frequently accom- panies his miitrefs to the fhrine of the goddefs, ftands ceniinel at the door, and entertains her with boa Kiots, and protefhitions of love all the time fne is worlhippint^ there; and that a lady when in a car- riage, whatever company ba aloDg with her, if called upon to exonerate nature, pulls the cord, orders the driver to flop, fleps out, and having performed what nature required, refumes her feat without the leaft ceremony or difcompofure. 1 he Parifian wo- men, as well as thofe in many of the other large towns of l^Vance, even in the moft public companies make no fcruple of talking concerning thofe fecrets of their fex, which almoil in every other country are reckoned indelicate in the ears of the men: nay, fo little is their referve on this head, that a young lady on being aiked by her lover to dance, will without blufh or hefitation, excufe hei^felf on account of the iTnpropriety of dcing To in her prefent cirtumftances.^ The Italians, it is (Vid, carry their indelicacy ftill farther: women even of character and fafhion,when -afked a favour of another kind, will with the utmoffi coTipofure decline the propofar on account of being y t prefent under a courfe of medicine for the cure of a certain ciforder. When a people have arrived at that point in the fcah of pohtenefs, which entirely ^difcards delicacy, the chaility of their women muft

SKETCHES OF the SEX; 23.5

be at a low ebb ; for delicacy is the centinel that is • placed over female virtue, and that cendnel once Gver-come, chattity is more than half conquered.

EVEN among the Lydlans, a people who were

highly debauched, it appears that female delicacy

was far from being totally extinguilhed ; Candauies,

one of their kings, being married to a lady of exqui-

fite beauty, was perpetually boafting of her charms

to his courders, and at laft, to fatisfy his favourite

Gyges that he had not exaggerated the defcription,

he took the dangerous and indelicate refolution of

giving him an opportunicy of feeing her naked. To

accomplifh- this, Gyges was conveyed by the king

into a fecret place, where he might ice the queea

drefs and undreis, from whence, however, as he

retired, (he accidentally fpied him, but taking no

notice of him for the prefent, fne only fet herfelf to

^^nfider the mofl proper method of revenging her

ared modefty, and punifhing her indelicate hul-

id ; having relblved how to proceed, fhe fent for

yges, and told him that as ftie could not tamely

lubmit to the ftain which had been offered to her

honour, flie infilled that he (hould expiate his crime

^rer by his own death or that of the king, that

omen !T!i2:ht not be living at the fame time who

ite of nature. Gyges, after

ices, performed tne latter,

queen, and mounted the throne of Ly-

— ^i_,.;js the fobles and hiflorical anecdotes of

antiquity, their poets ftldom exhibited a female

character in its lovelieft form, without adorning it

with the graces of modefty an J delicacy; hence we

may infer, that thefe qualities have not only been

always efleniial to virtuous women in civilized coun-

antly praifed and

Piutaich, iti his treat: ed, "The Virtuous

Aftious of Wome'j,*' l., ........ feveral anecdotes

236 SKETCHES of the SEX.

which ftrongly favour our idea of delicacy being an innate principle in the female mind; the moft Itrik- ing is that of the young women of Milefia, many of whom, about that time of life, when nature giving birth to reftlefs and turbulent defires inflames the imagination, and aftonifhes the heart at the fenfa- tion of wants which virtue forbids to gratify, to free themfelves from the conflift between nature and vir- tue, laid violent hands on themlelves; the conta- gion becoming every day more general, to put a flop to it, a law was made, ordaining that every pne who committed that crime fhould be brought naked to the market place and publicly expofed to the peo- ple; and fo powerfully did the idea of this indelicatei expofure, even after death, operate on their minds^f that from thenceforth not one of them ever made an attempt on her own life.

THIS inftitution of auricular confeffion, in the light which we have juft now confidered it, lays an obttacle in the way of unchaftity, by expofmg it to public fhame, which in all civilized countries is one of the ftroDgeft paffions which mark the female cha- rafter. But women are now become too cunning to fall into the fnare ; and while their aftions cf this kind remain private, it is prefumable they feldom confefs them. But as the expofure to public fhame is one of the moft powerful methods of laying hold of the mind of the fex, the laws of fociety, as well as thofe of religious inilitucions, have availed them- felves of it, and made it, among every p:ll(hed people, one of the feverelt parts of the punifhment to which the female deHnquent, who has departed from the pith of reftitude, is expofed ; and confe- quently one of the greateft obftacles which can be thrown in the road to unchaftity. 1 his appears from the condud of the women of Iceland, when the public fhame attending incontinency was lulpended on the following cccafioa ; In the year one thou*

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 237

fand feven hundred and feven, a great part of the inhabitants of Iceland having died of a contagious / '\ ■)er, tha king of Denmark, in order to re- . the country in a more expeditious manner Lliaa the common rules of procreation admitted of, ma:le a law, authorifmg all young women to have each fix baiinrds, witiiout beiug expofM to any fname, or fulFering tke lofs of reputation. This fucceeded beyond the expectation of the monarch ; and the youag women employed themielves fo fedu- loufly in ths affair of population, that, in a few years, it was thought necelTary to abrogate the law, leaft the country inould be ovcrilocked with inhiibi* tants, and that ienfe of (hame annexed to unchaility^ fo much obiiteraced from the female breaft, that ueithiT law nor cuftoai would b-: able aften^^arJs to nevive it. Were it not almoft felf-evident to every one, that this public (harae attending female indii* cretion, is one of the ftrongett motives to fecure their chaftity, v/a might prove it more fully from other circumitances. Nothing can be more certain, than that in tnofe countries where no fhame is fixed to any aftion, there is no public chaftity ; and that this virtue flourifhes the moft, where its contrary vices are bnmded with the very greateft degree of infamy.

WHAT we have now advanced, points out to us ' e reafon, why women have feldom or never con- buted to the improvement of the abftraci fciences: but there is Hi!' rreafon;the fex are almofl

every where i:^.,._ 1 in their education, and ia Ibme degree flaves ; and it is well known, that fla?^ verv throws a damp on the genius, clouds the fpirits^; a;jcl takes more than h:df the worth away from every

K,.^, ,,. K-'-ng. Tiie hiflory of eve-- :-'ad, and of

e, prefents us with i raordinary

\v .0 have foared abov-? aii tr.eie difadvaa^

tat, . . ^ Ihoae ia ail the diliereat chanicler?.

238 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

which render men eminent and vconfpicucus. Syria furnifhes us with a Semiramis, Africa with a Zeno- bia ; both famous for their herdfm and iivill in gov- ernment. Greece and Rome, with many who fet public examples of courage and fortitude; Germany and England have exhibite'd queens, whofe talents in the field, and in the cabinet, would have done honour to any fex; but it was referved for Ruflia, in the perfon of theprefent Emprefs, to join bothtn- lents, and to add to them, what is Itill more noble, an inclination to favour the fciences, and reftore the natural riglits of mankind ; rights which almoft every other fovereign has endeavoured to deftroy. Upon the wh.cle, we may conclude, that though in the progrefs of mankind from ignorance to know- ledge, women have, for the reafons already afligned^ fellom taken the lead, yet they have not beea backward to fc How the path to utility or improve- ment, when pointed out to them.

=:s£;2^

CHAR LXV.

Courage ef Savage Wcrnien — Bdfperate AEl of Enthira — 'Luxurious Drefs of the Grecian Ladies — Firjl ufe of Hair Powder*

Ai

^MONG the Efquimaux. and feveralctVer fav-

age people, the women go out to hunt and fifh along with the men. In thefe excurfions, it is neceflary for them not only to have courage to attack whatever comes in their way, but to encounter the ftorms of a tempefiuous climate, and endure the hardfhips of fa- mine, and every other evil, incident to fuch a mode of hfe, in fo inhpfpitable a country. In fome places, where the woods afford little game for the fubfillence ^i the natives, and they are confequeutly obliged to

SKETCHES OF the SEX. ^39

procure it from the ftormy feas which furround them, women h.irdly (how lefs courage, or lefs dexterity, in eacountering the waves, than the men. In GreeQ- land, they will put off to fea in a vefft^l ; and in a ftorm, which would make the moll hardy Europe- an tremble. In many of the iflands of the South Sea, th:y will plunge into the waves, and fwim through a furf, which no European dare attempt. In Himia,oneof the Greek Iflands, young girls, before they be permitted to marry, are obliged to fifh up a certain qurmtity of pearls, and dive for them at a certain depth. Many of the other pearl-fifli- eries are carried on by women, who, befides the danger of diving, are expofed to attacks of the ve- racious fhark, und other ravenous fea-animals, who frequently watch to devour them.

IN ancient and modem hiftory, we are frequently prefented with accounts of women, who, preferring death to fl;very or proflitution, facriiiced their lives \s ith the moft undaunted courage to avoid them. Apollodorus tells us, that Kercules having taken the city of Troy, prior to the famous fiege of it celebra- ted by Homer, carried away captive the daughters of Laomedon then king. One of thefe, named Eu- thira, being left with i'everal other Trojan captives on board the Grecian fleet, while the failors went on (hore to take in frefli provifions, had the refolution to propole, and the power to perlua !e her compan- ions, to fet the Ihips on lire, and to perifh them- (elves amid the devouring flames. The women of Phamicia met together before an engairement which was to decide the fate of their city, and having agreed to bury thcmfelves in the flames, if their hufbands and reb.tions were defeated, in the cnthufiafm of their c urage and refolution, th^y crowned her with fl -w-rs who firft made the prrpofal. Many inftan- ces oca\r in the hittory of the Romans, of the Gauls and Germans, and of other nations in fubfequent

240 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

periof^s ; where women being driven to defpair by their enemies, have bravely defended their walls, or waded through fields of blood to aflift their country, men, and free themfelves from flavery or from ravifhment. Such heroic efforts are beauties, even in the charafter of the fofter fex, when they proceed from neceffity: when from choice, they are ble- naiflies of the molt unnatural kind, indicating a heart of cruelty, lodged in a form which has the ap- pearance of gentlenefs and peace.

It has been alleged by fome of the writers on hu- man nature, that to the fair fex the lofs of beauty is more alarming and infupportable than the lofs of life; but even this lofs, however oppofite to the feelings of their nature, they have voluntarily confented to fuftaiD, that they might not be the objefts of temp- tation to the lawlefs ravifher. The nuns of a cow- vent in France, fearing they ihould be violated by a TuSian army, which had taken by flcrm the town in which their convent was fituated, at the reccm- .mendation of their abbefs, mutually agreed to cut cifall their nofes, th?.t they might fave their chafdty by becoming objefts of difgvift infiead of defire. A-^ere we to defcend to particulars, we could give innumerable inftances of women, who from Se- miramis dov/n to the prefent time, have diitin- guiflied themfelves by their courage. Such was Pen- thefilea, who, if we may credit ancient ftory, led her army of viragoes to the cifiifrance of Priam kiog of Trov; Thorny ris, who encountered Cyrus king of Perfia; and Thaleftris, famous, for her fighting, as well as for her amours with Alexander the Great. Such was Boadicea, queen of the Britons, who led on that people to revenge the wrongs done to herfelf and her country by the Romans. And in hter peri- ods, fuch was the M'jid of Orleans, and Margaret of Arjou; which laft, according to feveral hiftori- ans, commanded at no lefs than twelve pitched bat- -tles. But we do not clioofe to multiply inilances of

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 241

this nature, as we have already faid enough to fhew, that the lex are not deftitute of courage when that virtue becomes neceflary ; and were they poffeffed of it, when unnecefTary, it would diveil them of one of the principal qualities for which we love^ and for which we value them. No woman was ever held up as a pattern to her fex, becaufe fhe was intrepid and brave ; no woman ever conciliated the affections oi the men, by rivaling them in what they reckon ths peculiar excellencies of their own character.

AS the Greeks emerged from the barbarity of the heroic ages, among other articles of culture, tfiey be- gan to beftow more attention on the converjence and elegance of drefs. At Athens, the ladies commonly employ the whole morning in drefling themfelvcs in a decent and becoming manner ; their toilette confift- ed in paints and wafhes, of fuch a nature as to clea- and beautify the ikin, and they took great care to clean their teeth, an article too much neglefted : fome alfo blackened their eye-brows, and, if neceffary, fup- plied the deficiency of the vermillion on their lips, by a paint faid to have been exceedingly beautiful. At this time the women in the Greek ifiands make muchufe of a paint which they call Sulama, which im- parts a beautiful rednefs to the cheecks, and gives the ikin a remarkable glofs. Poflibly this may be the fame with that made ufe of in the times we are con- fidering ; but however that be, foma of the Greek la- dies at prefent gild their faces all over on the dav of their marriage, an.tl confider this coating as an irre- fiftible charm ; and in the ifland of Scios, their drefs does not a little refemble that of ancient Sparta, for ihey go with their bofoms uncovered, and v/ith

Sowns which only rearh to the calf of their leg, in or- er to fhew their fine garters, which are commonly red ribbons curioufly embroidered. But to return to ancient Gre; ' ladies fpent likewife a part of their time in . j; head-dreffes, and though

XXI

242 SKETCHES OF the S£X.

we have reafon to fuppofe th^it they were no* then fo prepofteroufly faniaftic as thofe prcfenlly compered by a Parifian milliner, yet they were probably ob- jeSis of no fmall induftry end attention, efpecially as we find that they then dyed their hair, perfumed it with the moil: coftly eflences, and by the means of hot irons difpofed of it in curls, as far.cv or fafhion directed. Tneir cbthes were nrda cfftaffs fo ex- tremely light and fine as to fhew their iliapes, with- out offending againli ihe rules of decency. At Spr.r- ta, the cafe was widely different ; we ihall not c'e- fcribe the drefs of the women, it is fufficient to fay that it has been loudly con plained of by almoft ev- ery ancient author who has treated on the fuhjeft.

From what has now been related it appears, that the women of antiquity were not lefs fol citcus about^ their perfons than the moderns, and that the materials for decorating them, were neither fo few, nor fo fimple, as has been by fome imagined ; fafts which, in t-^e review of the Romans, will appear uiil more conrpicuous. In the more enrly periods of that great rcpublx, the Romans, in th;»ir perfons as well as in their manners, were fimple and unadorned; we Ihall, therefore, pafs over the attire of thefe times, and confine our obfervations to thofe when the wealth of the v/hole world centered within the walls of Home.

The Roman ladles went to bathe in the morning^, and from thence returned to the tci'ette, where wo- men of rank and fcriune had a ni mber of flaves to attend on and do ev^ry thing for them* wh le them- felves, looking conflantly in their glaffes, praNStifed various attitudes, ftudied ihe airs of neglige ce, the fmiles that beft brcame th-^-m, and direfted tie plac- ing of every lock of the ha'r, and every part of the head-dreft. Coquettes, ladies of morofe temper, and thofe whofe chorms had n^t at- rafted fo much no'-ice as they expr-fted, often blamed tae flaves who dreff.d them for this want of fuccets ; and if we may

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 24^

believe Juvenal, fom^times chaftifed tnem fcr it with the moft uateeliug leverity. At firft, the mdids who attended the toilette were to allift in adjuftiug every part of the drefs, but afterwards each had her proper taik allig -ed her ; one had the combing, curling, and drefling of the hair; another managed the purfumes ; a third difp^fed of the jewels, as fancy or fufhion direfted ; a fourth laid on the paint and cofmetics :^ all thele, and feveral others, had names exprefiive of their different empl:yments; but befides thefe, wh'.^fe buiintfs it was to put their hands to the labour of the toilette, there weie others, who, acting in a ftation moreex:ilttd, only attendedltogive their opir- ion and advice, to declare wlvAt CO ours moft fuitcJ the complexion, and what method of drellmg gave the greateft additional Uiftre to the charms of nature. To this important counc'.l of the toilette we have no account of the male fex being ever admitted ; this ufe- fni, though perhaps indelicate invention was referved for the ladies of Pr.ris, who wifely confidering, that as '1 ifs only for the men, the men muft be the befc of what will pleafe themfelves.

BUr the difpofirg of the hair in various forms and figures ; the interweaving it with ribbon?, jewels, and gold; were not the only methods they nvd^.e ule of to make it agreeabb to trftt;; light coloured h:::r had the preference of all ethers; both men and wo- men therefore dyed ih^-ir hair of this colour, then per- fume 1 it with fwe-t-fcented eff-nces, and powdered it with gold dud; a cuftom of the highelt extnivc- gance, which the Romans brought from Afia, and which, according to Jolcphu?, was praftifed among the Jews. White hair-powder was net the:i invented, Dor did the ufe of it co:r.e into fafh'on till towards t^.e end of tlie fixteentn century; the firft writer who niennons it is LT.t'^ile, wlio relates, that in the year ;3, the Nuns walked the (Ireets of Paris curled ^-.J powdered; from that time the cuftom of pow^-

244 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

dering has become fo common, that in moft places of i^urope, but eipecialiy in France, it is uled by both lexes, and by people of all ages, ranks and condi- tions.

^^:^^.

CHAR LXVI.

CrcciiiH and Spartan Indecency — Cruelty of the Greciaft IViimen*

^^N a preceding chapter we have obferve.% that, during the v/hcle of \vh;it are called the heroic ages, ine hiftory of Greece is nothing but a compound of the mcft abfurd fable ; from that fable it however r^ppears, that their gods and men employed mucn of their time and ingenuity in feducng, Healing, and forcibly debauching their young women, circumftan- ces wbich naturally fuggelt an idea that thofe wo- men who could not be obtained by any other means muft have been virtuous ; nor indeed dees it appear that they v/ere then much lefs fo than in thofe fuc- ceeding periods, when the Greeks Jflourifhed in all their fplendor, and were reckoned a highly polifhed people ; nay, they were perhaps, mere fo, for infant colonies and kingdoms commonly difplay more virtue than thofe already arrived at maturity ; the reafon is plain, the firft have not yet attained riches, the four- ces cf idlenefs and debauchery, the lafthave attained them., and are corrupted. But the Greeks, even in the infancy of their exigence as a people, feem to have been remarkably vicious, for we hardly meet wiih any thing in their early hittory but murder, rapes, and ufurpations ; witnefs the tranfaftions of the kingdorn of Mycene, of Pelops, and his defendants. The rapes of lo, Proferpine, Helena, &c. all of which itaia the charaftsr of their gods and men with the

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 24i

fouieft infamy ; and as it has never happened in any nation that the o.-e fex has been exceedingly vicious, and the other noL participated of its crimes, we may conclude that the Greek women were, in the heroic ages, far from being famous for r.ny of the moral vir:ues. The greatell part cf the Grecian princes who affembled at the fiege cf Troy, were guilty of many of the moft enormous crimes, while their wives, not lefs flagitious, murdered almoft the whole of them after their return ; a thing nearly incredible, when we confider that in thofe times culicm had condemned th« wife who had loft: a hulband to perpetual wid- owhood ; but even cuftom, though often more re- garded than all the laws of heaven and earth, muft in time yield to a general corrup ion of manners.

But to proceed to times of which we are better informed. The women of other nations were inde- cent through the ftrength of their ungoverable paf- ficns ; fome of the Greek women were obliged to be mdecent by law. In Sparla, what virtue, what de- corum can we expect, when even the firocgrfl temp- tations to vice had the public fanftion cf the legifla- ture ? In the heroic ages, while ignorance and bru- tality of manners prevailed, we are not much fur- prifed to find the women conducting the men to the baths, undrefEng them, and attending to drefs and rub them when they came out ; but in Sparta, famed for its frJutary laws, and when Greece was in its u ed condition, we are amazed to find that

be _ reforteJ to, and bathed together in the

public baths. And this amazement is ftill heightened, "when we are afliired that here aUb plays were adled by order of the legiflatcr,where young people of both fexcs were obliged to fight, and to dance naked on .the flage, that the men, acccrding to his ideas, might * ' v excited to matrimony. What were the

s cf the indeencies we have now men- uoncJ. : 1 ■ 'on of Lycurgus, if he really had any luchiL. , was but little attend;::d to, and XXI %

246 . SKETCHES of the SEX.

it is agreed on all hands, that both faxes went to thofc plays only for the fake of debauchery ; and further, that, difgufted by this Ihamelefs expofure, the men paid lefs regard to the women, and the women be- came lefs virtuous, and at laft grew diifolute to fuch .a degree as to be thereby diftinguifhed from all the other women of Greece. Euripides, and fome oth- ers of the Greek authors, beftow upon them epithets which decency will not allow us to tranflate, nor were thefe epithets the overflowings of the gall of latyric poets and violent declaimers only, but the cool and ccnfiderate reflexions of the imparlial hif- torian ; but we would not be underftood as altogeth- er confinmg diflblutenefs and debauchery to the v/o- men of Sparta, thofe of many of the other ttates were little inferior to them. In Thracia and Boeotia, they every third year held a fefiival in memory of the expedition of Bacchus into India, at which both m^arried women and virgins, with javelins in their hands and difhevelied hair, ran about like furies bel- lowing the praifes of the god, and committing ev- ery diforder fuggefted by madnefs and felly.

Wherever public prcftituticn becomes fo fafh- ionaVle that it is attended with no di^race in the opinion cf the male^ and with exceedingly little ia that of the feiTiale ffx, there, we may affure our- felves, the morals of the women are h'ghly contami- nated ; a eircumiiance of v/hich Athens ?.ffcrded the moft glaring proof. In that city ccurtezans were not only kept in a public m.anner by raoft of the young men of faihion, but greatly countenanced, and even publicly vifited by Solon their lawgiver, who apphuided fuch young m.en as were fcu^nd ia the ftews, becaufe their gvoiiig to thefe places render- ed them lefs apt to attempt the virtce of modeft wo- men. But Athenian courtezins were not only vifit- ed by their great lawgiver, but nlfo by the celebra- te ^ Srcrates, and mofl oiF their other philofcphers,who, not content with going frequently to fee them them-

SKETCHES OF the SEX, 247

felves, even fometinaes carried their wives and daugh- ters along with them ; a circumltance of which we do not recollect to have heard in any other country, . and which could not but tend to give theCe wives a mean opinion of virtue, when they faw the preference that was given to vice ; and wnen fuch of their own kx as thus publicly deviate.^ from the paths Of chaflity were fo openly efteemed and regarded, it was natural for thofe of a diiFerent charafter to pay the lets re- gard to that chaftity, the praftifmg of which gained them no fuperior privilege nor advantage.

AS the female form is of a fofter and more delicate nature than that of the male, fo their minds are generally more finely attuned to the gentler feel- ings cf tend^rnefs and humanity ; but the Grecian women, either by nature, or more probably by cuf- tom, were in this refpeft miferably deficient. At aa annual feftival, celebrated in honour of Diana, all the chii Iren of Sparta were whipt till the bloDd ran down en the altar of the goddefs. Under t is cruel ceremony, which was inflifted, as they pretended, to ccuftom them to bear pain v/ithout murmuring, fome alm<)ft every year, txpired. The inhuman barbarity was performed in the prefence of the whole citv ; the f arh'-rs, and what our female readers will Y 1 the mothers, beholding their chil-

c od, and rea(!y to expire with pain,

exhorting than to fuller the number of lafhes

. ^ ed them, wifhout a groan or a coraphinr. It nay oe alkgd rere, that women being fpeftators

.A ^T..- urg rs of a cruel ceremony, is no proof of ' of proper fe/iini'S, ^uit only an inftanceof ii;c T) v.Li' of ciift-^in. A d(r<ftrine to which we can- not iilt' y^tih-Y : llent, b- ing perluaded, that there are m:my of 1 x, of a compofitirn fo humane and

tenJer, ih uflom could not reconcile them ta

barbarity ; L n^ it to have thatp^wer, what

folly were the .. ^ xiy of in iallitutin;^ fuch a cere-

248 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

mony ! they were robbing the woi^ien of every thing valuable in the female mind, and iabouring to make them what they were not intended to be by nature.

But this inhuman cuftom was not the only proof that the Greek women were divefced of that female tendernefs which we fo much admire in the fex. There was in Greece a cuftom, if poilible, (till more barbarous ; as foon as a boy was born at Sparta, he was vifi ed by a deputation of the elders of each tribe ; if he appeared to be of a weakly conllitution, and not Hkely to become a ftout and healthful mem- ber of their liate, they judged him not to be worth the trouble of rearing ; and therefore ordered him to be thrown into a quagmire, at the bottom of the Mountain Taygeta. This was valuing human be- ings, exaftly as we would do an ox or an afs ; and entirely fetting afide all the moral turpitude of mur. der. It was only, however praftifed at Sparta ; and we fhould have hoped, that, even there, it was con- trary to the inclination, and without the confent of the women ; were we not allured by a variety of authors that the Spartan dames, in every circum- ftance, almcft entirely governed their hufbands. To the barbarous cuftorns now mentioned, we fhall add only one more : To fo weak and expiring a ftate was the paternal inftinft of nature reduced among the Greeks, that they frequently, as we have already related, expofed fuch children as they were not able, or did not chufe to maintain.* A barbarity, which, more or lefs, prevailed in all the Grecian ftates ; ex- cept at Thebes, a city, v/here, to the immortal hon- or of the inhabitants, it was fo much abhorred, that, by their laws, it was capitally punifhed. We fhail finifh this fuh)jeft, by obferving, that the Sp?rtaa matrons received the news.of iheir fons having been flain in battle, not only without any figns of gri-f, but even with an appearance of extravagant joy and

* Though the Greeks might expofe infants, they could not fs^ a dai/^hisr, or a filler, urJefs Ike became a whores

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 249

fatlsfaftion, whic^ they took the moft early oppor- tuaity of Ihewicg in public. Thofe fame women, however, who pretended to have imbibed fo much hercifra, that they were flrangers to every fear, but fuch as arcfe on account of their country, when they faw Epaminondas, after the battle of Leuftra, march- ing his victorious army towards wSparta, teftified by their behavior, that they were fubjeft to fears of another nature ; and that all tiieir joys and forrows arofe cot foiely from the profperity or adverfity of their country. They ran up and down the ttreets in terror and defpair, filling the air with fhrieks, and transfuiing cheir own timidity into the men, caufed more diibrder than the approach of the vic- torious army*

stfSmn^^

CHAP. LXVIL

Drunkennefs of feme Grecian Women — St(^ry of Lucreiu Indecency of Roman JVomen^-^Indcccncy of Savage JVa- tions*

VV HEN we come to the hiftory of the matrimo- cial compaft, we Ihall fee how the Grecian womea beh.ived to tlieir hufbands ; and fliall at prefent fumi up the reft cf their character, by obferving, that at Athens, even drunkennefs feems to have been among the number of their vices ; as is evident by a law or Solon, in which it is enafted, that no woman Ihall be attended by more than one fervant when fhe goes abroad, unltfs when fhe is drunk. It would feem that the Athenian women alfo made ufe of the dark- nefs of the night to fcreen them in their intrigues ; for another law of Solon ordaios, that no woman fhall walk abroad at night, unlefs fhe intends to play the whore ; and from feveral other ordinances of

250 vSKETCHES of the SEX.

this Icgiflatcr, it plainly appears, 'i;at to keep women within the bounds of thnt decorum proper to their fex, was a matter of no fmall difficiiky ; for, to the laws we have juft n^^w mentioned, he was obr.ged to add others, which fhew that the lex were only to be goveriied by coercive meafures. He ordained, that no woman fhculd go cut of the city with mere pro- vifions th' n cculd be purchafed for an obelus, nor with a balket higher than a cubit ; and if a woman went abroad at night, (he was to be carried in a wag- gon, preceded by a flambeau : from all which it leems evident, that the defign of Solon was to make the Athenian women decent and virtuous. If Ly- cargus had the feme intention in the laws that he gave the Lacevfemonians, we cannct help thinking that he had but ill ftudied human nature ; for as a learned author of the prefent age has obferved, though nakednefs of both fexes is no incentive to iuft, and though the inhabitants of countries where no cloaths are ufed, are not on this account lefs virtu- ous than their neighbors, where they are ufed, yet there may be modes of cloathing which more power- fully excite the p.ffions, than the m.oft abfolure na- kednefs. Of this kind, in our opinion, was the drefs of Sparta. We fhall have cccafion afterward to defcribe it, and at prefent ffiall only obferve, that it has been excl.imed ^giinfl: by a variety of the wri- ters cf antiquity.

THOUGH fuch is the general charafler of the Greeks, we have hnppily no indarce of a corruption of manners havicg fpread iifelf over a whole nation, in fuch a mani^er as to leave nobody free frcm the contagion. In the midft of licentioufnefs and bar- barity, at leaft in thofe periods, that were fubfequent to the fiege of i'roy, tr e Grecian women afford us feveral irftances of chaftity, conjugal fidelity, and maternal aifeftion. In the heroic ages, or thoie pe- riods when their ftates were in infancy, they appear

SKETCHES OF THE SEX. 251

to have been abandoned almoft to every fpecies of wickednefs ; but when we turn to the Romans, we find the caie quite otherwife. In the earlier periods of the Roman republic, before the wealth poured in from innumerable conquelts, had introduced luxury and diflipation, no women were more famous for their virtues, none more in'amous afterward for their vices. The whvile hiftory of Rome, for feveral ages after its fouiidation, be3rs teftimony to the tendernefs, frugality, and cha.'lity of her women. Of this noth- ing can be a (Ironger proof, than the long period that intervened between t le foundation of the republic and the firft divorce ; a period of five hundred and twenty years, though the men had a power of divor- cing their wives almoft at pleafure. To this proof we could add a great variety of others, but (hall on- ly mention the ilory of the rape of Lucretia, which in the ftrongeft m.mner dem':^nftrates the value which the Roman women fet upon the m:ft unfp tted chaf- tity. Lucretia, being violated in fecrer, could not have found the fra.dleft difficulty in concealing what had happened ; and befider., fhouli it have been dif- covered, the fraud and force made ufe of againll her were fulricient to have qu eted h. r confcience, and exculpated her to her hufband and the publx from e/ery imputation of rrimin?.]ity : yet, fo exalted were her ideas of cha .ity, that fhe was r^^C Ived not to give back to the arms of her ! ulbaud, a body ev- en involuntarily pollute 1, n^r ''o furvive thegu'ltlefs fiain which her honor h id fuft'ered ; but calling to- gether her frien is in the prefence of her hulbaiia, fhe revealed to them the fecr. t of the rape that l.ad been comnnitted upoi her ; an J w'^ih^ conjuring them to revenge her i.:jured name, fhe ft ibb d herf If in the bre.ift with a dagger fhe had concealed under her garments for that piirp-^fe.

COURTS are but too frequently the femina- riei of vice. This was evidently the cafe at Rome.

252 SKETCHES of the SEX.

Theemprefles generally took the lead in lawlefs in- dulgence ; the example cf the great is commonly fol- lowed by the little : from the court, a fcene of the moil (hamelefs libertinifm, hardly to be paralleled in hiflory, diffeminated itfelf all over Rome. Women danced naked on the fcage, bathed promifcuoufly With the men, and, with more than mafculine ef- frontery, committed every fort of irregularity. By the unbounded licence thus given to unlawful plea- fures, matrimony became unfafhionable, and was confidered as a confinement andaburden, not confift- ent with Roman freedom and independence. To thefe ideas alfo the conduft of the married women did not a little contribute, and raifed in the hufbands fuch a difguft at marriage, that even Metellus the Cenfor, who ought to have been theproteftor of that inftitution, made the following fpeech to the people againfi; it : " If it were p.^frible for us to do without wives, we fhould deliver ourfelves from this evil ; but as nature has ordained, that we cannot live very hap- pily with them, nor without them, we ought to have more regard to our ov/n prefervation, than to tran- fient gratifications." Rome is the only place that ever furr-ifhed an inftance of a general confpiracy among the married women to poilbn their hufbands. A varletv of laws were from time to time de- vifed by the Romans to Hop the progrefs cf public proilitution. AmoDg others it was ordained, that all courtezans fhould take out a licence from the court of the -ZEdiles ; ^which they fk-^uld renew once every year, and without which they fhould not be aliowecl to carry on their trade ; that their names, and the price of their favours, fhoiild be wrote upon the doors of their houfes. Theie, one would have ima- gined, were fuch condidons as no women who had the leafl, remaining; fp-^rk of fenfibility would have . agreed to. But the torrent of vice was not to be flopped fo eafily : women, who were wives and daughters to Roman kniglits, were not afliaraed to

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 2^3

apply for fuch licences ; and the infection was even reaching higher. Viftilia, a lady of a Prx*toriaa ^".Tiily, with an unparalleled effrontery appeared in blic court before the iEdiles, and declaring herfelf a proflitute, demanded a licence to enable her to ex- crcife her trade. Debauched as the Romans then were, under a prince fo dillblute as 1 iberius, their tears were alarmed ; and the fenate enacted feveral laws to relirain at leaft women of rank from degrading themfelves and families by a conduct ib infamous : they ordained, no woman whofe father, p^randfuher, or huiband, was a Roman knight, or of any higher quail ty,{houid beallov/edto take upon her the trade of proltitution. The debauchery of the women was aifo the occafion of the Voconian law, which wehavs already mentioned ; but when corruption had inter- woven iifelf fo dexteroudy into the manners and cuiloms of the Romans, laws became loo feeble to bring on a reformation. The emperor Titus pro- hibited all public ftews : the prohibition was but lit- tle regarded. When Severns mounted the throne, he ibund on the roll of caufes to be tried^ no lefs thai> three thoufand profecutions for adultery : he had fr^rmed a fcheme of reformation ; from that mo- ment he abandoned it as imDoffible.

IN favage life, female delicacy has no exigence : the moft abfolute nakednefs raifes not a blufh ; nor can any ad'on excite the idea of ihame : and as chaf- tity itlelf has not, in many places^, the lame value ftampc^ upon it as in civil fociety, deviari. ns.from it are either cc^r.fidered as no fault, or at molt as a fault of a very trifling nature, whicli neither draws down on a dehnquent the ridicule and contempt of her own fex, nor the negleft and defertion of our§. The in- fi . ^^ could give of this would be almoft endlefs. ;- the Natrhcs, liuibands voluntarily lend their v. ' ' and married as well as unniar-

riv. . .u the leaft ceremony, ofierthem-

XXII

2^4 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

fqlves to flrangors ; nay, in loim places, they evea complain to their ccuntryinen, and delire them to revenge the indignity they have fuftereJ, when re- fufed by a ftranger. la the diftrift of the Hurons, not the leaft degree of criminality is fixed upon her wh.o offers herfelf to proilitution : it is ^ praftice, into which girls are e:irly initiated by their parents, and in which the cuttom of ti eir country continues them through Ufe. In many parts of South Ameri- ca, fo little reftraint is laid on the commerce of the i^^xes^ that it plainly appears to be confidered as an objeft not worthy of legillation. Don UUoa re- ports, that the ancient Peruvians did not knowingly rf)arry fuch women as were virgins, and if on trial they found them luch, were highly affronted at be- ing impcfed upon : and it is faid, that in the kingdom of Thibet, no w^oman who has not been deflowered is reckoned fit for matrimony.

The Brazillian women are fo far from paying any regard to chafiity, that they even violate every principle of decency ; not being in the leaft afhamed to prepare and adminifter to the men ttimulating po- tions, to create or irxreafe their natural defires ; which when they wifh to raife to an extravagant height, the p;^tions fometimes prove mortal. At Mindanao, as foon as a flranger arrives, the natives fleck about him, and eagerly iavire him to their houfes : the peribn whofe invitation he accepts, is fure to offer him a female companion, whom he is obliged to accept, and to return a genteel prefent for the unfoliciied favour. This cuftom, which, befides implying an abfclute 2nd diipofing power in the male, likewife fuppofes female unchaftiry to be a mat- ter of noconfidera'ion, is obierved at PuloCondore, Pegu, Siam, Cochin-China, Cambodia, in fomepla* ces of the Eaft-Indies, and on the coail of Guinea. In Otaheite, chaftity does not feem to be confidered as one of the virtues, nor is themcfl pubUc violation of it looked upon either as criminal or indecent. The

SKETCHES ©F THE SEX. 255

women not only readily and openly trafficked with tlie Englilli failors for peribnal favours, but were^ brought by their fathers and brothers for that pur- pofe, as to a market ; and tiiofe who brought them were always abundantly confcious of the fuperior value of youth and beauty.

=:^i;i2^=

CHAP. LXVIIL

Naked Fakiers — Mahoinetan plurality of Wives — JFomen cf Otahcite*

i^O different over all the world are the fefts of faints, as well as of finnets, that befides the Bramins, a fet of innocent and religious priefls, who have ren- dered their women virtuous by treating them with kindnefs and humanity, there are another feft of re- ligio-philofophical drones, called Fakiers, who con- tribute as much as they can to debauch the fex, un- der a pretence of fuperior fan<ftity. 'J'hefe hypocriti- cal faints, like fome of the ridiculous fefts which formerly exiited in Europe, wear no clothes ; conffd- ering them only as proper appendages to finners, who are afhamed, becaufe f ey are feniible of guilt ; while thev, being free from every ftaiii of pollution, have no fhame to cover. In this original (^ate of nature, thefe idle and pretended devotees, aflemble together fometimes in armies often or twelve thoufand, and under a pretence of going in pilgrimage to certain temples, like locufts devour every thing on their way ; the men flying before them, and carrying all that they can out of the reach of their depredations ; while the women, not in the leail afraid of a naked army of Xw'Xy faints, throw th.^mfclves in their way, or remain quietly at home to receive them.

It has long been an opinion, well ellabliflied all

^^S^ SKETCHES o> the SEX.

over Indi?., that there are not in nature fo powerful at remedy fcr removing the Iterility of women , as the prayers of thefe Iturdy naked faints. On this ac- count, barren women conllantly apply to them for afiiftance ^ which when the good-natured Fakier has :^.ii inchnation to grant, he leaves his flipper, or his <bff at the door of the lady's apartment with whom tie is praying ; a fymbol fo facred, that it efleftually prevents any one from violating the fecrecy of their devotion : but, fhould he forget this fignal, and at the fame time be diftant from the protcftion of his brethren, a found drubbing is frequently the reward of h's pious endeiivor?. But though they will ven- ture fom.etime?, in Hindoftan, to treat a Fakier in this unhciy manner ; in other parts of Afia anti Afri- ca, foch is the veneration in which thefe lufty faints sre held, that they not only have accefs when they plea!e, to perform private devotions with barren v/Ch men, but are accounted fo holy, that they may at any time, in public cr in private, confer a perfonal favor upon a woman, without bringing upon her either fhame or guilt ; and no woman dare refufe to gratify their paffion. Nor indeed^ has any one an inchnation of this kind ; becaufe fhe, upon , W'hom this perfonal favour has been conferred, is confidered by herfelf, and by all the people, as having been fanftined and made more holy by the aftion.

So m.uch concerning the conduct of the Fakiers m debauching women, feems certain. But it is by travellers further related, that wherever they find a woraanrwho is exceedingly handfome, they carry her off privately to one of their temples ; but in fuch a manoer, as to make her and the people, believe, that the was carried away by the god who is there wor- fhipped ; w^ho being violently in love with her took tfiat method to procure her fcr his wife. This done, i hey perform a nuptial ceremony, and make her fur- ther believe, that fhe is married to the god ; when, in reality, Ihe is only married to one of the Fakiers

SKETCHES or the SEX. 257

who perfonates him. Women who are treated in tills manner are revered by the people as the wives of the gods, and by that itratagem iecured fclely to the Fakiers, who have cunning enough to impofe themfelves ^s g'ods upon ibme of thefe women, through the whole of their Uves. In countries where reafon is ftronger than fuperirition, we ahnolt think this impoffiole : where the contrary is the cafe, there is nothing too hard to be credited. Something like this was done by the priefrs of ancient Greece and Rome ; and a few centuries ago, tricks of the fame nature were praftifed by the monks, and ether liber- tines, upon fome of the vifionary and enthufiaftic women of Europe. Hence we need net think it ftrange, if the Fakiers generally fucceed in attempts of this nature; when we consider, that they only have to deceive a people brought up in the moft con- fummate ignorance ; and that nothing can be a more flattering diftinftion to female vanity, than for a wo- man to fuppofe herfelf fuch a peculiar favorite of the divinity fhe worfhips, as to be chofen, from all her companions, to the honor of being admitted to hi.s embrrxes ; a favor, v/hich her felf-admiration will difpofie her more readily to believe than examine.

BUT it is not the religicn of the Hindoos only, that is unfavorable to chaliity ; that of Mahomet, which now prevarls over a great part of India, is un- favorable to it likewife. Mahometanifm every where indulges the men with a plurality of wives, while it ties down the won:en to the ftrifteft conjugal fideliiy ; hence, while the men riot in unlimited variety, the women are in great numt'crs confined to fhare among them the f* vors of one man only. This un-

natural ai:. . lie conduft in.'u^es them to feek

by art and inirigue what they are denied by the laws cr their prophet. As polyg'^my prevails over all Ada, this art ?nd intrigue follow as the confequence of it ; fome have imagined, that it is the relult of

258 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

climate, but it rather appears to be the refult of the injuitice which women luffer by polygamy ; for it feems to reign as much in Conltantinople, and in ev- ery other place where polygamy is in faihion, as it does on the banks of the Ganges, or the Indus. The famous Monteiquieu, whofe lyltera was, that the paffions are entirely regulated by the climate, brings as a proof of this fyftem,a ftory from the coUeftion of voyages for the eftabhfhment of an Eaft-lndia Company, in which it is faid, that at Patan, " the wanton defires of the women are fo outrageous, that the men are obliged to make ufe of a certain apparel to fheker them from their defigns.'^ Were this fto- ry really true, ic w^ould be but a partial proof of the effeft of climate, for why fhould the burning funs of Patan only influence the paflions of the fair ? Why Ihould they there tranfport that lex beyond decency, which in all other climates is the molt decent ? And :eave in fo cool and defenfive a ftate, that fex, which in all other climates is apt to be the moft ofienfive and indecent ? To whatever length the fpirit of in- trigue may be carried in Afia and Africa, however ihe paflions of the women may prompt them to ex- cite defire, and to throw themfelves in the way of gratification, v/e have the ftrongeft reafons to repro- bate all thele ftories, which would make us believe, that they are fo loii: to decency as to attack the other lex: fuch a iyftem would be overturning nature, and inverting the eltablilhed laws by which fhe governs the world.

IN Otahelte, an illand lately difcovered in the great Southern Ocean, v/e are prefented with wo- men of a firgular charafter. As far as we can recol- left, we tkink it is a pretty general rule, that where- ever the fex ar^accuftomed to be conftantly clothed, they are afhamed to appear naked : thofe of Otaheito feem however to be an exception to this rule ; to ilnew themlUyes in public^ with or without clothingir

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 259

apears to be to them a matter of equal indifference, and the expofition of any part of their bodies, is not attended with the leaft backwardnefs or reluctance ; circumllances from which we may reafonably infer, that, among them, clothes were not originally inven- ted to cover fhame, but either as ornaments, or as a defence againit the cold. But a Hill more ftr iking Angularity in the character of theie women, and which diilinguifhes them not only from the females of all other nations, but likewife from thofe of almcft all other animals, is, their performing in public thole rites, which in every other part of the globe, and al- moll among all animals, are performed in privacy and retirement : whether this is the tiYect of inno- cence, or of a diilolutenefs of manners to w^hich no other people have yet arrived, remains ftill to be dif- covered ; that they are diffoiute, even beyond any thing we have hitherto recorded, is but too certain. As polygamy is not allov/ed among them, to fatisfy the luft of variety, they have a fociety called Arreoy, in which every woman is common to every man ; and when any of thefe women happens to have a child, it is fmothered in the moment of its birth, that it may not interrupt the pleafures of its infamous mother ; but in this junfture, fhould nature relent at fo horrid a deed, even then the mother is not allow- ed to fave her child, unlefs fhe can find a man who will p .tronife it as a father ; in which cafe, the man is coniidered as having appropriated the woman to himfelf, and ii\e is accordingly extruded from this hopeful fjciety. Thel'e few anecdotes fufficicntiy charaft.-rife the women cf this ifland. In ionie of th- ;u'' .at ones, which were vifited by his Majef- ty >, ; ;/s upon this dilcovery, if the women were ii'jt lefs unchafle, they were at leaft lefs flagitious and indelicate.

260 SKETCHES 6F THE SEX.

rj CHAP. tXIX.

Italian Debauchery — Female Slanderers — Crirn. Con. of Claudius and Pompeia.

I

F chaftity is none of the moft fhining virtues of the French, it is ftill lefs fo of the Italians. Almoft all the travellers who have vifited lialy, agree in def- cribing it as the moll abandoned of all the countries of Europe. At Venice, at Naples, and indeed in al- moft every part of Italy, woraeQ are trrught from theirinfancy, the various art? of alluring to ti.eir armsj the young and unwary, and of obtaining from tiiem, while heated by love or wine, every thing that flat- tery and falfe imiies €an obtain in tncfe unguarded moments; and fo Uttle infamous is tne trade of profti- tution, and fo venal che women, t: a hardly any rank or condition fets them above b^ ing bri-^eci tc it, nay,. they are frequently affiRed by th<:ir male friends and acquaintances to cirive a good barg-^ir ; nor does their career of debauchery finifn w^.th their unmarri- ed ftate : the vows cf fideliiy which they make at the altar, are hke the vows and oaths made upon too many other occafions, only confidered as nugatory forms, which law has obi ged them to take, but cuf- tom abfolved them from p rforming. 1 hey even claim and eiijoy greater liberties after niarriage than before ; every marri. d woman has a cicifbeo, or gal- lant, v/ho attends her to ah publ c pla:v^s, h.inds her ia and out of her carriasje, picks up her gloves or f i:d, and a thoufand other lirtle offices of the fame na- ture ; but this is only his pu lie employment, as a reward for v/hich, he is entiti: d to have the lady as often as he ple?.fes at a place of retirement farred to themfclves, where no perlon, n . t even the mcll iiitru- five hufband muft enter, to be v/itnefs of what paf- fes between them. Tiiis has btea confidered by

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 261

people of all other nations, as a cuftom not altogeth- er confiftent with chafliiy and purity cf manners ; the Italians themfelves, however, endeavor to juftify it in their converlations with ftrangers, and Baretti has of late years publifhed a formal vindication of it to the world. In this vindication he has not only de- duced the original of it from pure Platonic love, biit would willingly perfuade us that it is ftill continued upon the fame mental principles ; a doftrine which the world will hardly be credulous enough to fwal- low, even though he fhculd offer more conv'ncing ar- guments to fupport it than he has already done.

THERE is amongft us another female charac- ter, not uncommon, which we denominate the out- rageoufly virtuous. Women cf this fti^mp never fail to {eize all opportunities of exckiming, in the bit- tereft manr.er, againft every one upon whom even the flightell fufpicion of indifcretion or unchaftity has fallen ; taking care, as they go along, to magni- fy every mole- hill into a mountain, and every thoughtlefs freedom into the blackeft of crimes. But befides the illibcrality of thus treating Inch as may frequently be innocent, you may credit us, dear couPi try women, when we aver, that fuch a behavior, inf^ead of making you appear miore virtuous, only draws down upon you, by thofe who know the world, fu^'picions not much to your advantage. Your fex ?re in general (ufpefted by ours, of being too much addifted to f^andal and defamation ; a fufpic- ion, which has not arifen of late years, as we find ia the ancient law^^ cf England a punifhment, known by the name of chucking- ftool, annexed to leading and defamation in the w^men, rhrui?h no fuch punifh- ment nor crime is taken notice of in the men. '1 bis crime, however, we perfuade ourfelves, you ?re lefs guilty of, than is commonly believed : but there is ancthfr cf a n?tiTe not more ex^ufabl^, from which we cannot lb much exculpate you ; which is, that

262 SKETCHES of the SEX.

harfh and forbidding appearance you put on, that ill-treatment, which you no doubt think necefla- 1 ry, for the iiluftration of your own virtue, youf (hould beftow on every one of your fex who has de- J viated from the path of reclilude. A behavior of j this nature, befides being fo oppofite to that meekj and gentle (pirit which fhould diilinguifh female na- ture, is in every refpefl: contrary to the charitablel and forgiving temper of the Chrillian religion, and infallibly fhuts the door of repentance againil an un- fortunate fitter, willing, perhaps, to abandon the vices into which heedlefs inadvertency had plunged her, and from which none of you can promife your- felves an abfolute fecurity.

We wifh not fair countrywomen, like the de- claimer and fatirifl:, to paint you all vice and imper- feftion, nor, like the venal panegyrift. to exhibit you all virtue. As impartial hiftorians, we coafefs that you have, in the prei'ent age, many virtues and good quahiies, which were either nearly or altogether un- known to your anceftors ; but do you not exceed them in fome follies and vkes alfo ? Is not the lev- ity, diflipation, and extravagance of the women of this century arrived to a pitch unknown and un- heard-of in former times ? Is not the courfe which you fteer in life, almoft entirely directed by vanity and fafhion ? And are there not too many of you, who, throwing afide reafon and good conduct, and defpifmg the counfel of your friends and relations, feem determined to follow the mode of the world, however it may favour of folly, and however it may be mixed with vice ? Do not'the generahty of you drefs, and appear above your flation, and are not many of you afliamed to be feen performing the du- ties of it ? ^ To fum up all, do not too, too many of you aft as if you thought the care of a family, and the other domeflic virtues, beneath your attention, and that the fole eud for which you were fent into world, was to pleale and divert yourfelves, at the

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 263

^Tpence of thofe poor wretches the men, whom you ifiJer as obliged to fiipport you in every kind of iuicnefs and extravagance ? While fuch is your con-. duc\, and while the contagion is every day increai- ing, you are not to be furprifed if the men, ftill fond of you as playthings, in the hours of mirth and revelry, ihun every ferious connexion with you ; and while they wifh to be poffeiTed of your charms, are fo much afraid of your manners and conduft, that they prefer the cheerlels Itate of a bachelor, to the numberlcfs evils arifuig from being tied to a modera wife.

OITR own times furnifh us with an inflance of a ceremony from which all women are carefully ex- cluded ;* but the Roman ladies, in performing the rites (acred to the good goddefs, were even more afraivi of the men than our mafons are of women ; for we are told by fome authors, that fo cautious were they of concealment, that even the ftatues and pic- turesof menand other male animals were hood-wink- ed with a thick veil. The hcufe of the conful, though commonly fo large that they might have been per- fectly fecured againft all intrufion in (ome remote apartment of it, was obliged to be evacuated by all male animals, and even the conful himfetf was not fuffercd to remain in it. Before they began their ceremonies, every corner and lurking-place in the lie was carefully fearched, and no caution omit- ! to preveRt all pcfiibility of beirg diCcovered by impertinent curiofity, or difturbed by prefumptive intrufion. But thefe cautions were cot all the guard that was pbxed around thera ; the laws of the Ro- mans made it death for any man to be prefent at the foleranit/.

Such being the precautions, and fuch the penal- ties for i-furing the fecrecy of tl is ceremony, it was only once attempted to be violated, though it exifled

264 SKETCHES OF thk SEX.

from the foundation of the Roman empire till the introduftion of Chrillianity ; and this attempt was made, not fo much perhaps with a view to be prefent at the ceremony, as to fulfil an affignation with a miftrefs. Pompeia, the wife of Ca3far, having been fufpefted of a criminal correfpondence with Claudi- us, and lb clofely watched that fhe coiild find no cp- portunity of gratifying her paffion, at laft, by the means of a female Have, fettled an affignation with him at the celebration of the rites of the good god- defs. . Claudius was direfied to come in the habit of a fmgin^-girl, a character he could eafily perfon- ^ie^ being young and of a fair complexion. As fooa ;is the flave faw him enter, fhe ran to inform her mif- trefs. The miftrefs eager to meet her lover, imme- diately left the company, and threw herfelf into his ai ms, but could not be prevailed upon by him to re- turn fo foon as he thought necefiary for the'r mntual fafety ; upon which he left her, and began to take a walk through the rooms, always avoiding the light as much as poiTible. While he was thus walking by himfelf, a maid-fervant accofted him, and defiredhim to fing ; he took no notice of her, but fhe followed and urging him fo clofely, that he was at lafl obliged to fpeak* His voice betrayed his fex j the maid-ler- vant flirieked, and running into the room where the rites were performing, told that a man was in the Iioufe. The women in the utmoU conflernation, threw a veil over the myfleries, ordered the doors to be fecured, ?;i.d with lights in their hr.nds, ran about the houfe fearching for the facrilegious intruder. 1 ney found him in the apartment of th3 flave who had admitted him, drove him out with ignominy, and, though it was in the middle of the right, imme- diately dilperfed, to give an account to their hufbands of what had hj.i^yrcuca, Claudius was foon after ac- cused of hav:i.;i; profaned the holy ri^es ; but the populace deciariag in his favor, the judges, fearing an infurre£lion, weic obliged to acquit him.

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 265

CHAP. LXX.

^no't/h Cuftoms — Ancient Cujlcms — Athenian^ Midwife, i;:, — Canadian Wemcn — Superjlidon, &c.

I.- '#: N the religion of the modern Jews, there are fpme ceremonies pecuHar to their women, at the com- mencement of their fabbath, which is on the Friday evening at half an hour before the fun fets. Every confcieDcious Jew muft have a lamp lighted in his houie, even though he fhould borrow the oil of his^ neighbour. The lighting of thefe lamps is a kind of religious rite, invariably afligned to the women, in order to recal to their memory the crime by which their original mother firft extiaguifhed the lamp of righteoulhefs, and to teach them, that they ought to do every thing in their power to atone for that crime, by rekindling it. Inftead of the fcape-goat, which this people formerly loaded with their fms, and fent into the wildernefs, they now fubftitute a fowl. Every father of a family take^ a white cock, and tre mother of the family a v/hite hen, which fhe llrikes upon the head, repeating at every f.roke, *' Let this hen atone for my fins ; fhe Ihall die, but 1 (h?.ll live." This done, fhe twifls her neck, as/l cuts her throat, to fignify, that without fhedding I at . blood there is no rem.ifnn of fm. If a woman, how-' ever, happens to be pregnant at the time of this cere- mony, as fhe cannot ::fcertain whether the infant is .a male or a female, that its fins, of whatever gender it be, may not be u:. expiated, flie takes both a hen and cock, thnt fhe may be aflured of having perform- ^A K« ceremony as required by their law.

BESIDFS thefe ceremonies already mentioned, thew ^TT'-n in anrj. nt tim^s, as direfted by fancy or if ' ■ ' ,] the tombs of tbdr de-

C'.. . - , i:^mps upon them, and

XXIII

2^6 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

adorned tV em with a variety of herbs and flowers ; a cuftom at this time obierved by the inhabitants of Conftantinople and its neighborhood, who not only adorn the tombs of their dead, tut plant their bury- ing-grounds with rofemary, cypreis, and ether odor- iferous flirubs and flowers ; but whether with a view to pleafe the manes of the dead, or preferve the health of the living, is uncertain. There were ether oroamen's belides thefe we have now mentioned, uf- ed,by the women of antiquity to deck the tombs. Among the Greeks, the tomb of a deceaftd lover was frequently hung round with locks of the hair of his mittrefs. They likewife made offerings, and poured cut libations to the ghofts, whom they fup- pofed to fmell, to eat, and to drink as they did while upon earth. This was not only a prevailing opin- ion among the ancents, but has not as yet been to»- tally obUterated. It is ftill believed by the Chiri- guanes ; and at Narva, one of the principal towns of Livonia, they celebrate a remarkable f eftival fa- cred to the manes of the dead. On the eve of Whitfuntide, the women aflemble in the church- yard, and fpreading napkins on the graves and tomb- ftones, cover them with a variety of dilhes of broiled and fried fifli, cuftarus, and painted eggs ; and to r.'^ iJer them mere agreeable to the gholls, the prieft, ^^ hile he is praying over them, perfumes them with frankincenfe, the women all the time howling and lamenting in the moft difmal manner, and the intelli- f^ent clerk not lefs afliduoufly employed in defrauding the ghof-s, by gathering up all the viands for the ulc of the pried.

BESIDES tl:efe ceremonies of religion and of niourning, which the women have appropriated to themfelves, there are ethers obferved by them, which, ariling from their nature, and the circumdan- ces attending it, may, for that reafou, be denomina- ted fexual. In Ciiir-gua, when a girl arrives at a

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 267

certain age, her female relations inclofe her in a ham- moc, and rufpeud it at the end of her cottage, Hav- ing remained in this haramoc for one month, they let it down half way, and at the end of another month, the neighboring women affemble, and hav- ing armed therafelvcs with clubs and Itaves, enter the cottage in a frantic manner, flriking furiouily upon every thing within it. Having afted this farce for fome time, one of them declares that ihe has kil- kd the ferpent which had ftung the girl ; upon which {he is liberated from her confinement, the women re- joice for fome time together, and then depart every one to her own home. Among fome of the Tarta- rian tribes, when a girl arrives ac the fame period of life, they ihut her up for fome days, and afterward hnug a lignal on the top of her teat, to let the young men know that fhe is become marriageable. Among others of thefe tribes, ih^a parents of the girl make .1 feaft oil thii occalion, and havuig invited their neigh- bors, and treated them with milk and horfe-flefli, they declare their daughter is become marriageable, and that they are ready to difpofe of her as loon as a proper opportunity (hall offer. In CircafFia and Georgia, where parents are fometimes obliged to marry their daughters while infants, to prevent their being violently taken from them by the rich and po A'erful, the circumflance of a girl being arrived at the time of puberty, is frequently cocceal^rd for fome time, as thehufbandhas then a right to demand her, and the parents perhaps think her too young for the matrimonial lUite.

Among the circumftances which gave rife^ to thefe cuftoms which we have called fexual, child- bearing is one of the moft particular. As in child- bearicg fome little alfiftance has generally been ne- ceflary in almoft all countries ; to aflbrd this affif- tance, the women have commonly employed mid- wives of their own fex. The Athenians were the only people of antiquity who did otherwife* They

76^ SKETCHES OF the SEX.

had a law which prohibited women aiid Haves from praftifing phylic : as midwifery was accounted one of the branches of this art, many Uves had been loft, becaufe the delicacy of the w^omen would not fubmit to be delivered by a man. A woman called Agno- dice5in order to refcue her cciintry-wosien from this difficulty, dreiTed herfelf in the habit of a man, and having liudied the art of phylic, revealed herfelf to the wcmrn, who sU agreed to employ no other. Up- on this the reft of the phyficians, enraged that fhe {hould monopolize all the bufmefs, arraigned her be- fore the court of Areopagus, as only having obtain- ed the preference to thera by corrupting the ehaftity of the w^omen whom fhe delivered. This obliging her to dii cover her fex, t'i>e phylicians then prolecu- ft ted her for violating the lav/s of her country. I'he principal matrons of the city, now finding her in fuch danger, afTembled together, came into the court, and petitioned the judges in her favor. The petition of the matrons was fo powerful, and the reafDns which they urged for having employed her, fo conducive to the prefervation of female delicacy, that a law was made, allowing women to praftiie midwifery. The fex availed themfelves of this law, and the alfiftance of the men focn became quite un^ fafhionable.

Among the Romans, and the Arabians, who af- ter them cultivated the fcience of medicine with great affiduity, the women in cafe of difficulty, fbmetimes fubmitted to be dehvered by a man ; but this was far from being a matter of choice or a general prac« tice : nor was it till the latter end of the laft century, and beginning of this, when excefs of pclitenefs m France and Italy had begun to eradicate delicacy, that the fex began to give fo much into the mode of be^ ing delivered by male praftitioners ; a mode which now fo comm.only prevails, that there is fcarcely to be found in Europe, a woman fo unfafhionable as to be delivered by one of her own fex, if fhe can afford

SKETCflES OF THE SEX. 269

to p^y for the ailiftance of a man. How far the women may be lafer in this fafhicnable way than in the other, we Ihall not take upon us to determine, but of this we ari aflured, tiiat the cultom is Ids cou- fiftent with delicacy.

IN fome climates, where the conflitution is rebx- ed by the heat, and at the fame time not vitiated by thofe habits which in politer nations deftroy man- kind, women are faid to be delivered with but little paiH, and frequently without any affiftance ; nor is this fingularity altogether peculiar to warm countries, but feeras to 'depend more on liv.ng agreeably to na- ture, than on climate, or any other circumftaiice ; for we have heai'd it ailerted' by feveral people who have been in Canada, that a lavage woman, when Ihe feels the fymptoms of labor coming on her, fteals filently to the woods, lays herfelf down in a coppice, and is delivered alone ; which done, fne goes to the nearelt river or pool, wafhes herielf and the child, and then returns home to her hut.

WHILE ignorance and fuperftition difturbed the human mind with gronncllels terrors and appre- henfio::s, it was a prevailing opinion over all Europe, tha^ lying-ia women were more lubje<^t to the pow- er of di^mons and wi'.ches tiian people in any other condition, and that new-born infants, if not careful- ly watched, and iecnred by ceremonies and fpells,, were frequently carried away by them : on this ac- count various ceremonies and (pells were commonly made ufe of ; and even fo lately as our times, we re- member to havefeen in the weitcf Scotland, a horfe- Ihoe y ■ ' ^on the door, in an inverted manner, to I'e-ii 'j-in woman from the power of witch-

craft. B ^ was not confined to Europe ;

it pervade i' the giobe. The Nogais

'J artars are tne particular dupes of it ; when one of their women is in labor, the relations of the family iXIII 2

270 SKETCHES of the SEX.

affemble at her door, and make a prodigious noife by beating on pots and kettles^ in order to fright away the devil, who they fuppofe would, if he did not find them on their guard, do fomemUchief to the mother cr child, or to both.

CHAP. LXXL

Cnjlom oftheMufcQvites — Cajiratton — Eunuchs — Origin of Nunneries — Cxijiom in the Mogul Empre.

I

F the laws we have formerly mentioned, forbid- ding the marriage of near relations with each other, originated from the political view of preferving the human race from degeneracy, they are the only laws we meet with on that fubjeft, and exert almoft the only care we find taken of fo important a matter. The Afialic is careful to improve the breed of his ele- phants, the Arabian of his horfes, and the Laplander of his rein-deer. The Englifhman, eager to have Iwift horfes, ftaunch dogs, and viftorious cocks, grudges no care, and {pares no expence, to have the males and females matched properly ; but fince the daysofSoloii-^ where is the legillator, or fmce the times of the ancient Greeks, where are the private perfons, who take any care to improve, or even to i^eep from degeneracy the breed of their own fpe- des ? Ihe Englirnman who fdlicitoufly attends the training of his colts and puppies, would be alhamed' lobe caught in the nurfery ; and wlile no motive could prevail upon him to breed horfes or hounds from an improper or contaminated kind, he will calmly, or rather inconfiderately, match himfelf with the inoft decrepid or dileafed of the human fpecieg ; though tlefs of the weaknelles and evils he is going to entail on pofterity, and confidering nothing but the acquifition of fortune he is by her alliance to convey

SKETCHES OE the SEX. 27.1

to an offspring, by difeafes rendered unable to iife U. The MuCcovites were formerly the only people^ befides the Greeks, who paid a proper attention to this lubjeft. After the preliminaries of a marriage were fettled between the parents of a young couple, the bride was firipped naked, and carefully examin- ed by 2 jury of matrons, when, if they found any bodily defeft, they endeavored to cure it ; but if it would admit of no remedy, the match was broke off, and Ihe was confidered not only as a very improper fubjeft to breed from, but improper alfo for main- taining the afieftions of a huiband, after he had dif- covered the impofition fhe had put upon him.

In England, the marriage ceremony is not to be performed but in the church, and bet\yeen the hours of eight and twelve o'clock in the forenoon. In Scotland, this is deemed incompatible with morality and found policy, as it hinders the valetudinarian from doing all the juftice in his power to the miftrefs he has lived with and debauched y he may therefore naarry her at any hour, or in any place, and by that marriage, legitimate all the children he has by her, whether they be prefent at the marriage cr not. — Nearly the fame thing lakes place all over Germany, only in fome parts of it, the children to be legitima- ted are required to be prefent, to be acknowledged by the father, and to hold the lappet of his garment, during the performance of the marriage ceremony..

AS the appetite towards the other fex is one of the ftrong :lt and molt ungovernable in our nature ; as it intrudes iifelf more than any other into our thoughts, and frequently diverts them from every other purp^fe or employ meiit ; it may, at firft, on this account, havj been reckoned criminal when it interfered with worfbip and devotion ; and emafcu- 1 ition was rriade ufe of in order to get rid of it, which have been the origin of Eunuchs. Bat ... j^, it is certain, that there were men

2^ SKETCHES OF the SEX.

of various religions, who made themfelves incapable of procreation on a religious account, as we are told that the priefts of Cybele conltaotly cafirated them- felves ; and by our Saviour, that there are eunuchs who make themfelves fuch for the kingdom of heav- en's fake.

SOON after the introduftion of chriftianity, St, Mark is laid to have founded a fociety called Thera- peutes, who dwelt by the lake Moeris in Egypt, and devoted themfelves to folitude and religious offices. About the year 305 of the chriflian computation., St. Anthony being perfecuted by Dioclefian, retired in- to the defart near the lake Moeris ; numbers of peo- ple foon followed his example, joined themfelves to the Therapeutes ; St. Anthony being placed as their head, and improving upon their rules, firft formed them into regular monasteries, and enjoined them to live in morcifcation and chaftity. About the fame time, or foon after, St. Synclitica, refolving not to be behind St. Anthony in her zeal for chaftity, is generally believed to have colkcled together a num- ber of enthufiaflic females, and to have f.;unded the firft nunnery for their reception. Some imagine the fcheme of celibacy was concerted between S^ An- thony and St. Synclitica, as St. Anthony, en h^s firft retiring into fr litu;^e, is faid to have put his fifter in- to a nunnery, wl ich mnft have been that of St. Syn- clitica ; but how^^ver tnis be, from their inftitution, monks and Duns incnafed To f;ift, that in the city of Orixa, abou*- feventeen 3^ears after the death of St. Anthony, there were tv/enty thoufand virgins devo- ted to celib icy.

Such H; his time W2S the rage of celibacy ; a rage wh'ch. however unnatural, will ceafe to excite our wonder, wj en we confider, that it was accounted by both f':xes the fure ai^d only infallible road to heaven and eternal happinefs ; and as (iich, it behov- ed the church vigcrcufly to maintaia and couiue*

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 1173

nance it, which ihe did by beginning about this time to deny the liberty of marriage to her fons. In the iirft council of Nice, held foon after the intrcduftiou of chriilianity, the cehbacy of the clergy was ilrenii- cufly argued for, ana fume think t^at even in an ear- lier period it had been the fubjeft of debate ; how- ever this be, it was not agreed to in the council of Nice, though at the end of the fourth century it is laid that Syricus, bifhop of Rome, enafted the firit flecree againit the marriage of monks ^ a decree ..Viich was net univerfally received : for feveral cen- t:. \r, we find that it was not uncommon for

C:- to have wives ; even the popes were al-

lowed t/.iS liberty, ae it is faid in fome of the old ft:5tr:tes of the chnrcb, that it was lawful for the pope t ^:r the lake of havicg children. So

e: ^ It is it to combat againft nature,

that little regard ieem's to have been paid to this de- cree of SyrJGus; for we are informed, that feveral centuries after, it was no uncommon thing for the clergy to have wives, and perhaps even a plurality of them ; as we find it among the ordonnances of pope Sylvelter, that every prielt fliould be the hufbacd ot one wife only ; ancl Pius the Second affirmed, that though many flrong reafons m'ght be adduced in fup- port of the celibacy of the ckrgy, there were ftill ftroDger reafjns ag:dnfl: it.

IN a variety of parts of the Mogul empire, when the women are carried abroad, they are put into a kind of machhie, like a chariot, and placed on the backs of camels, or in covered iedan chi^u-s, arid furrounded by a guard of eunuchs, and armed men, infuchani . " would rather liippde the cHval-; .;e defperate vilhin t' : t' ) prevent the intrigues cv woman. At horrc, the i- jze veils, ":oc

t.. of any mu.., , laf-

a74 SKETCHES of the SEX.

band, or feme near relation. Over the greateft pari of Afia, and in fome places of Africa, women ard_ guarded by eunuchs, made incapable of violating" their chafiity. In Spain, where the natives are the defcendants of the Africans, and whofe jealoufy is not lefs iirong than that of their ancellors, they, for many centuries, made ufe of padlocks to fecure the chaftity of their women ; bur finding thefe ineffedtu- al, they frequently had recourfe to old women, cal- led Gouvernantes. It had been difcoveied, that men deprived of their virility, did not fometimes guard fe- male virtue fo ftridly, as to be incapable of being bribed to allow another a tafte of thoie pkafures they themfelves were incapable of enjoying. The Span- iards, fenfible of this, imagined, that vindictive old women were more likely to be incorruptible ; as en- vy would ftiraulate them to prevent the young from enjoying thofe pleafures, which they themfelves had no longer any chance for ; but all powerful gold foon overcame even this obftacle ; and the Spaniards, at prefent, feem to give up all reftridive methods, and to truft the virtue of their women to good principles^^ inftead of rigour and hard ul'age..

-^fc;s^h-

CHAP. LXXIL

Grecian Court [hip ^ Power of Philtres and Charms' — Eaf* tern CourtJhip-^'Long Hair of Saxons and Danes*

VV HAT we have now obierved concerning the manner of covirtfhip, was too much the cafe with the Greeks. In the er.rlier periods of their hiftory, their love, if we may call it lb, was only the animal appe- tite, impetuous and unreftrain^d either by cultiva^ tion of manners, or precepts of morality ; and almoft every opportunity which fell in their way prompted

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 275

them to fatisfy that appetite by force, and to revenge the obflrudion of it by murder. When they be- came a more civilized people, they fhone much more illullrioufly in arts and in arms, than in delicacy of fentiment and elegance of manners : hence we fhall find, that their method of making love was more direfted to compel the fair fex to a compliance with their wifties by charms and philtres, than to win them by the namelefs affiduities and good offices of a lover.

As the two fexes in Greece had but little com-^ munication with each other, and a lover was feldom favored with an opportuniry of telling his paffion to his miftrefs, he ufed to difcover it by infcribing her name on the walls of his houfe, on the bark of the trees of a public walk, or the leaves of his books ; it was cuftorhary for him alio to deck the door of the houfe, where his fair one lived, with garlands and flowers, to make libations of wine before it, and to fprinkie the entrance with the fame liquor, in the manner that was praftifed at the temple of Cupid. Garlands were of great ufe among the Greeks in love affairs ; when a man untied his garland, it was a de- claration of his having been fubdued by that paffion ; and when a woman compofed a garland, it was a ta- cit confelTion of the fame thing : and though we are not inform^ of it, we may prefume that both fexes had methods of difcovering by thefe garlands, not only that they were in bve, but the obj-ft alfo upon whom it was direfted.

Such were the common methods of difcovering the paffion of love, the methods of profecuting it were ftill more extraordinary^ and lefs reconcilable to civ?li7aion and 10 good principles ; when a love affair did net profper in the hards of a Grecian, he did not endeavor to become more engaging in his manners and perfon, he did not hvifh his fortune in prefents, or become more oblig'ng rnd afficiuous in Kig addrcflcs, but immediately had recourfe to in-

276 SKETCHES of the SEX.

cantations and philtres ; in ccmpofing and dilpenfing of which, the women of I'heflkly were reckoned the moft famous, and drove a traffic in them of no incon- fiderable advantage. Thefe potions were given by the women to the men, as well as by the men to the women, and were generally fo violent in their opera- tion as for fome time to deprive the perfon who took them, of fenfe, and not uncrmmonly of life : their ccmpofition was a variety of herbs of the mcft flrong and virulent nature, which v/e fliall not mention ; but herbs were not the only things they relied on for their purpofe,they called in the produftions of the animal and mineral kingdoms to their affiftance ; v*^hen thefe failed, they roafted an image of wax be- fore the fire, reprefenting the objeft of their love, and as this became warm, they flattered them.felves that the perfcn reprefented by it would be propor- tionally waraied with love. When a lover could ob- tain any thing belonging to his miftrefs, he imagined it of fmgular advantage, and depofited it in the earth beneath the threfhold of h.er door. Befides thefe, they had a wiriety of other methods equally ridicul- ous and unavailing, and of wf.ich it would be tri- fling to give a minute detail ; we fhall, therefore, jufl: take notice as we go along, that fuch of either fex as believed themfclves forced into love by the power of philtres and ch?.rms, commonly had recourfe to the fame methods to difengage themfelves, and break the power of thefe enchantments, which they fuppofed operated involuntarily rn their inclinations ; and thus the old women of Greece, like the lawyers of modern times, w.re employed to defeat the fchemes and operations of each other, and like them too, it is prefumable, bughed in their fleeves, while they hugged the gains that arofe from vulgar credulity.

THE R omans, who borrowed raoft of their cuf- toms from the Greeks, alfo followed them in that of endeavouring to conciliate love by the power of phil-

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 277

ires and charms ; a faft ot which we have not the leaft room to doubt, as there are in Virgil and Ibme other of the Latin poets to many inflances that prove it. But it depends not altogether on the teftimony of the poets : Plutarch tells us, that Lucullus, a Ro- man General, loft his fenfes, by a love potion ;* and Caius Caligula, according to Suetonius, was thrown into a fit of madnefs by one w^hich was given him by his wife Ca^fonia ; Lucretius too, according to fome authors, fell a facrifice to the fame folly. 1 he Ro- mans, like the Greeks, made ufe of thefe methods moftly in their affairs of gallantry and unlawful love ; but in what manner they addrefled themfelves to a lady they intended to marry, has not been handed dow^n to us, and the reaibn as we fuppofe is, thatht- tle or no courtfhip was practifed among them ; wo- men had no dilpofmg power of themfelves, to what purpofe was it then to apply to them for their con- lent ? They w«re under perpetual guardianfhip, and the guardian having the Icle power of difpofing of them, it was only neceffary to apply to him. In the Ro- man authors, we frequently read of a father, a bro- ther, or a guardian, giving his daughter, his fifter, or his ward, in marriage; but we do not recclleftone Cngle inftance of being told that the intended bride-

Sroom applied to the lady for her confent ; a circnm- :ance the more extraordinary, as women in tie de- cline of the Roman empire had arifen to a dignirv, and even to a freedom, hardly equalled in modern times.

n HIS long been a common obfervat'on amon:^; mankind, that love is the moll fruitful fource of in- vention; and that in this cafe the imagination of a

• A« thr not'On of love potions and pow<^cr8 »s at this day not alto- gether eraiicatcd, wc take tht$ opoortunity of aHuring nur rraHerb, that th«re ''s n'> pofi'>n, pnwtjrr, or nrrdicinc known to mankind, that hasflnv !^' R the aftciStions to any certain ob-

•I'^ irc not only vain and illufive,but

>. A fV

QyS SKETCHES OF the SEX.

woman is dill more fruitful of invention and expedi- ent than that of a man ; agreeably to this, we are told, that th(/women of the ifland of Araboyna, be- ing clofely watched on all cccafions, and defritute of the art of writing, by which, in other places, the I'entiraents are conveyed at any diftance, have me- thods of making known their inclinations to their levers, and of fixing affignations with them, by means of ncfe-gays, and plates of fruit fo difpofed, as to convey their fentiments in the mcft explicit manner : by theie means their courtfhip is generally carried on, and by altering the difpofition of fymbcls made ufe of, they contrive to fignify their refufal, ^vith the • an^e explicitnefs as their approbation. In fome of lie neighboring iilands, when a young man has fix- ed his eflection, like the Italians, he gees from time to time to her doer, and plays upon fome mufical in* ftrument.; if fhe gives confent, ihe comes out to him, and they fettle the affair of matrimony between them : if, after a certain number of thefe kind of vi- lits, fhe dees not appear, it is a denial ; and the dif- appointed lover is obliged to defiih

We fhali fee afterward, when we come to treat of the matrimonial compaft, that, in fome places, the ceremony cf marriage ccnfif Is in tyirgthe garments of the ycung couple tcgether, as an emblem of that union which ought to bind their affcift-ions and inter- efls. This ceremony has aflbrded a hint for lovers to explain their paiTion to their miilrelTes, in the mcii: intell'gible manner, withcut the help of fpeech, or the .poiTibility of oflcudicg the nicefc deli- cacy. A kver in thefe parts, who is too modell to declare Mm fc-lf, feizes the firft opportunity he can find, cf fitiirg down by his iniftrcfs, and tying his ^ arment to 1 crs, in the manner th'it is practifed in the cerem'or.y of m.arriage : if ihe permits him to fin- iili the knot, without ar.y interri;piion, aud does not loon after cut or loofe it, fhe thereby gives her con- icni ; if ^'- ^ook:^ it, he may tye it ngain on Ibme

SKETCHES or the SEX. ^79

ether occaQon, when (lie may prove more propitious ; butj if (he cuts it, his hopes are blafted forever.

TO this account we fliiili add ibme rerfiarks on the drefs of the Angb-Saxons and Danes. They conlidered their hair as one of their greatelt perfonal beauties, and took great care to drefs it to tlie atmoft: advantage. Young I idles wore it loofe, and flov^ing in riDgleis oi/er their (boulders ; but after marriage they cut it fliorter, tied it up, and covered it with a head-drels, accord:.^g to thefafliion of the times; but to have the hair cut entirely oft', was a difgrace of fuch a nature, that it was even thought a punilhment not inadequate to the crime of adultery : f ) great, in the Middle Ages, was the value fet upon the hair by both fexes, that, as a piece of the moft peculiar mor- tification, it was ordered by the canons of the church, that the cl::rgy fhould keep their hair (hort, and Ihave the crown of their head ; and that they fliould not, upon any pretence whatever^ endeavour to keep the part fo maved from trie public view. Many of the clergy of thele times, finding theinJclves fo peculiarly mortified, and perhaps foeafily diftinguifhed from all other people by this particularity, as to be readily detected when they committed any of the follies or crimes to which human nature is in every fituatiou fometimes liable, endeavoured to perfuade mankind, that long hair was criminal, in order to reduce the whole to a fimilarity with themfeives. Amongft thefe, St. Wulitan emipcnily diflinguKhed himfelf ^ *' He rebuked," fays William of Malmlbury, "the wicked of all ranks wi:h great boldnefs ; but was particularly fevere upon thofe who were proud of their long hair. When any of thefe vain people bowed their heads before him, to receive his blefling, before he gave it he cut a lock from their hair, with a Iharp pen-knife, which he carried about him for that I>urpoIe ; and commanded t'lem, by way of penance* for their fins, to cut all the reft in ilie fame manner ;

2Bo SKETCHES OF the SEX.

if any of them refufed to comply with his command iie reproached them for their effeminacy, and denoun- ced tiie moft dreadful judgments agiainll them. Such, however, was the value of the hair in thole davs, that many rather fubmitted to his cenfures, than part with It; and fuch was the folly of the church, and of this (kint in particular, that the moft folemn jadg^ msnts were denounced againfl multitudes, for no other crim.e than ^ not making ufe of pen-knives and icillars, to cut off an ornament beftowed by nature.

=^^^=

CHAP. LXXIIL

iSi*. Falsnti/ie's Day-^-lmnode/iy at Bahyhv — hJeancy at j^drianople — The two Kings of^wedcn.

o=

_ FN St. Valentine's day, it is cuffomary, in many parts of Italy, for an unmarried lady tochufe, from among the young gentlemen of her acquain- tance, one to be her guardian or gallant ; who, in return for the honour cf this appointment, prefents to her fome nofeg£ys, or other trifles, and thereby obliges himfelf to attend her in the moft obfequious manner in all her parties ofpleafure, and to all her public am\/ements, for the fpace of one year, when he may retire, and the lady may chufe another in his place. But in the courfe of this conneftion^ it fre- iiently happens, that they contraft fuch an inclina- on to each other, as prompts them to be coupled for life. In the times of the chivalry, we have feea rhat the men gloried in protecting the women, and the women thought themfelves fafe and happy whea they obtained that proteftion. It is probable, there- fore, that this cuftom, though now more an affair of gallantry than of proteftion, is a relic of chivalry ftiil fubfifting among that romantic and featimen:ai people.

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 281

But the obfervation of feme peculiar cufcoms on Sf. Valentine's day is not confin d to Italy ; almoft all Europe has joined in diftinguifhing it byfomepar- ticular ceremony. As it always happens about that time of the yearj when the genial influences of the fpring begin to operate, it has been believed by the vulgar, that upon it the birds invariably chufe their mates for the enfuing feaibn. In imitation, there- fore, of their example, the vulgar of both fexes, in many parts ot Britain, meet together; and having upon Hips of paper wrote down the names of all their acquaintances, and puc them into tv/o dilieren: bags, the men drew the female names by lot, and the Wo- men the mule ; the man makes the woman who drew his name, fome trilling prelent, and in the rural gam- bol becomes her partner ; and fhe confiders him as her fweerheart, till he is otherwiie difpofed of, or till next Valentine's day provide her wi.h another,

THAT modefly and chaft-ty, which we now erteera as the chief ornament of the female charafter, does not appear in times of remote antiquity to have been much regarded by either fex. At Babylon, the capital of the AfTyrian empire, it was fo little valued, that a law of the country even obliged every woman once in her life to depart from it. This abominable law, which, it is faid, v/as promulgated by an cra- r!e, ordained. That every woman (liould once in her ;e repciir to the temple of Venus ; that on her arri- val t'.ere, her head fhould he crowned witR flowers, and in that attire, (he fhould wait till fome ftranger p( . '' I with her the rites facred to the goddefs of tl^ :y.

iiiis temple was conflru(f^ed with a great many winding galleries appropriated to the reception of the women, and the ftrangers who, allured by debauche- ry, never filled to afl'embls there in great numbers, being allowed to chufe any woman they thought proper from among thofe who came there in obedU iXIV 2

282 SKETCHES of thk SEX.

ence to the law. ^ When the ftranger accofted the objeft of his choice, he WHS obliged to prefent her with ibme pieces of money, nor was Ihe at liberty to refufe either thefe, or the requeit of the flranger who offered them, whatever was the value of the money, or however mean or diGsgreeable the donor. Thefe preliminaries being fettled, they retired toge- ther to fulfil the law, after which the woman returned and offered the goddefs the facrifice prefcribed by culiom, and then was at liberty to return home. Nor was this cuilom entirely confined to the Babylonians ; in the iilaad of Cyprus Ihey fent young women at ftated times to the lea-fhcre, v/here they prollituted rhemlelves as a tribute to Venus, that they might be chafte the reft of their lives. In iome other countries, a certain number only were doomed to proftitution, as it is fupp:;fed, by way of a bribe, to induce the goddefe of debauchery to fave the reft.

When a woman had once entered the temple of Venus, fne was not allowed to depart from it till fhe had fuilfilled the law : and it frequently happened that thofe to v/hom nature had been lefs indulgent than to others, remained there a bng time before any perfon offered to perform with them the condi- tion of their releafe. A cufLom, we think, fometimes: Tilluded to in fcrip:ure, and expiefsly delineated in thfe book of Baruch: "The wc en alfo, with cords about them, fitting in the ways, burn bran for per- fame ; but^ if any of them, drawn by fome that paf- lerhby, lie with him, flie reproached i er fellow that file was not thought as worthy as herfelf, nor her cord broken." Though this infamous law was at firft fcricUy obferved by all the women of Babylon, yet it would feem that, in length of time, they grew alhamedof, and in m.any cafes d'lpenfed with it; for vre are informed that women of the fuperior tanks- of life, who were not willing literally to fulfil the law,v/ere allowed a kindof evation; they were carried in litters to the gates of the tw.ple, where^ haYiug

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 28^3

difmifled allthe'r atteadants,they entered alone, pre- fented themfelves before the ftatue of the goddefs, and returned home. Poflibly this was done by the ailiftance of a bribe, to thofe who had the care of the temple,

IN Adrianople and the neighboring cities, the wo- men have public baths, which are a part of their reli- gion and of their amulement, and a bride, the firll time fhe appears there after her marriage, is received in a p?-riicular manner. The matrons and widows being feated round the room, the virgins immediate- ly put themfelves into the original ftate of Eve. The bride comes to the door richly dreffcd and adorned with jewels; two of the virgins meet her,and foon put her in the fame condition with themfelves; thenfillhig fome filver pots with perfume, they make a proceflioa round the rooms, finging an epithalamium, in which all I he virgins join in chorus; the proceffion ended, the bride is led up to every matron, who bellows on her (ome trifling prefents, and to each llie returns thanks, till fhe has been led round the whole. We could add many more ceremonies arifing from mar- riage, but as they are for the mofc pare fuch as make a part of the marriage ceremony itfelf, we ihall have occafnn to mention them with more propriety aftcr-

THE young women of the nations we are con- fid"'-' zot relying upon what iame had reported Co , the acquifitions of their lovers, frequent-

ly a-^urea to be themfelves the witneflesof them, and the youcg men were not lefs eager in feizing every opportunity to gratify their defires. This is abun- dantly proved by an anecdote in the hiftory of Charles and Grymer, two kings of Sweden :

"Grymer, a youth early diflinguifhed in arms, who well knew how to dye his fword in the blood ot his eaemi^s^ to rua gver the craggy mouataiusj to

tiB4 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

wreflle, to play at chefs, trace the motions of the ftars, and throw far from him heavy weights, fre- quently fhewed his ikill in the chamber of the dam- fels, before the king's lovely daughter ; defirous of acquiring her regard, he difplayed his dexterity in handling his weapons, and the knowledge he had at- tained in the fciences he had learned ; at length he ventured to make this demand : " Wilt thou, O fair princefs, if I may obtain the king's confent, accept of me for a hulband r" To whichfhe prudently repli- ed, "1 muft not make that choice myfelf,but go theu and oifer the fame propofal to my father/'

The fequel of the ftory informs us, that Grymer accordingly made his propofal to the king, who an- fwered him in a rage, that though he had learned in- deed to handle his arms, yet as he had never gained a fingle viftory, ncr given a banquet to the beaits of the field, he had no pretenfions to his daughter, and concluded by pointing out to him, in a neighbouring kingdom, a hero renowned in arms, whom, if he could conquer, the princefs fhould be given him : that on v/aiting on the princefs to tell her what had paff- ed, (lie was greatly agitated, and felt ia the mod fen- fible manner for the fofety of her lover, whom fhe was afraid her father had devoted to death for his prefumption ; that Ihe provided him with a fuit* of impenetrable armoqr and a truHy fword, with which he went, and having llain his adverfary, and the molt part of his warriors, returned viftorious, and receiv- ed her as the reward of h:s valour. Singular as this method of olitainlng a fair lady by a price paid ia blood may appear, it was not peculiar to the north* erns : we have already taken notice of the price which David p?.id for the daughter of Saul, and Ihall add, that among the Sacne, a people of ancient Scy thia, a cullom fomething (;f this kind, but ftiU more extra- ordinary, obtained : every young m^n v/ho made his addreffes to a lady, was obliged to engage her ia fingle combat j if he vanquifc^d, he led her off ia uU

SKETCHES Of the SEX. 285

^mph, and became her huibaud and fovereign ; if lie was conquered, fhe led him ofi'in the fame man- aer, and made him her hulband and her flave.

=£sp;s^=

CKAP. LXXIV.

TU Lapland and Greenland Lady — Sale of Children to pur^ chafe Wives — Plurality and Community of IFivcS"^ Girls foLi at AuClion*

X HE dtiicacy of a Lapland lady, which is not ill the ledt hurt by being drunk as often as (he can procure hquor, would be wounded in the moit fenfi- ble manner, fhould fhe deign at firft to liften to the declaration of a lover ; he is therefore obliged to em- ply a match-maker to {peak for him ; and this match- maker muft never go empty-handed : and of all other prefents, that which moft infallibly lecures him a fa- vourable reception, is brandy. Having, by the elo- quence of this, gained leave to bring the lover along with him, and being, together with the lover's father or other neareft male relation, arrived at the houfe where the lady refides, the father and match-maker are invired to walk in, but the lover muft wait pa- tiently at the door till further folicited. The parties, in the mean time, open their fuit to the other ladies of the family, not forgetting to employ in their fa- vour their irrefiftable advocate brandy, a liberal dif- tribution of which is reckoned the ftrongelt proof of the lover's affection. AVhen they have all been warm- ed by the lover's bounty, he is brought into the houfe, pays his compliments to the family, and is de- fired to partake of their cheer, though at this inter- view (eldom indulged with a fight of his miftrefs ; but if he is, he falutes her, and offers her prefents of rein- deer Ikins, tongues, &:c. ; all which, while4Urround.

285 SKETCHES of the SEX.

ed with her friends, flie pretends to refufe ; bat at the iame time giving her lover a iignal to go out, ihe foon fleals after him, and is no more thatmodelt crea- ture fhe ailefted to appear in company. I'he lover now foHcits for the completion of his wilhes ; if ihe is filent, it is confirued into confent ; but if fhe throws his prefents on the ground with difdain, the match is broke oil for ever.

It is generally obfcrved, that women enter into xnatrimony with more wiliingnefs, and lefs anxious care and folicitude, than men, for which many rea- fons naturally Ibggefl: themfelves to the intelligent reader. The women of Greenland are however, in many cafes, an exception to this general rule. A Greenlander, having fixed his affeftion, acquaints his parents with it ; they ac(iuaint the parents of the girl ; upon which two female negociators are fent to her, who, left they fhould (hock her delicacy, do not enter direftly on "the fubjeit of their embally, but launch out in prailes of the lover they mean to re- comm^end, of his houfe, of his furniture, and what- ever elfe belongs to him, but dwell moft particularly on his dexterity in catching of foals'. She, pretending to be affronted, runs away, tearing the ringlets of her hair as fhe retires ; after which the two females, having obtained a tacit confent from her parents-, learch for her, and on difcovering her lurking-place, drag her by force to the houfe of her lover, and there leave her. For fome days Ihe fits with dilhrivelled hair, filent and dejefted, refufing every kind of fuf- tenance, and at laft, if kind entreaties cannot prevail upon her, is compelled by force, and even by blows, to complete the marriage with her hufband. It fome- times happens, that when the female match-makers arrive to propofe a lover to a Greenland young wo- xnan, fhe either faints, or efcapes to the uninhabited mountains, where fhe remains till ihe is difcovered and carried back by her relations, or is forced to re- turn by hunger and cold j in both w^hich cafeS:> Ihe

SKETCHES CF the SEX. ^87

previoufly cuts off her hair ; a moft infallible indica- tion, that (he is determined never to marry.

IN Timor, an ifland in the Indian Ocean, it is faid, that parents fell ^heir children in order to pur- chafe more wives. In CircaiTia, women are reared and improved in beauty and every alluring art, only for the purpofe of being fold. The prince of the Circaffians demanded from the prince of Mingrelia an hundred flaves loaded with tapeftry, an hundred CoWs, as many oxen, ?.nd the fame number of horfes, as the price of his fifter. In New-Zealand, we meet with a cuftcm which may be called purchafing a wife for a night, and which is a proof that thofe mud alfo be purchafed who are intended for a longer duration ; and wiat to us is a httle furprifing, this temporary- wife, infilled upon being treated with as much defer- ence and refpeft, as if the hid been married for life ; but in general, this i^ not t'^e cafe in other countries, for rhe wife who is purchafed, is always trained up in tf.e principles of ilaverv ; and, being inured to every indignity and mortification from her parents, (he expecl-s no betcer treatment from her hulband.

There is little difference in the condition of her who is put to fale by her fordid parents, and her who IS difpoied of in the fime manner by the magiftrates, as a part of the liate^s property. Befides thofe we have already mentioned in this work, the Thracian."? put the fairelt of their virgins up to public fale, and the magiftrates of C'rete had the folc power of cha- fing partners in marriage for their young men ; and, in the cxecuMon of this power, the affection and in- terdl r rties was totally overlooked, and the

pood ' ■ ^ the only object of attention ; in pur-

l>r ', they always allotted the llrongeit and

hi. _ of the lex to one another, that they might

raile up a genera* ion of warriors, or of women fit to

aSS SKETCHES of the SEX.

POLYGAMY and concubinage having in procefs of time become f afhionable vices,the number of women kept by tiie great became at laft more an article of grandeur and ftate, than a mode of fatisfying the ani« raal appetite : Solomon had threefcore queens, and fourfcore concubines, and virgins without number. Maimon tells us, that among the Jews a man might have as many wives as he plcafed, even to the num- ber of a hundred, and that it was not in their power to prevent him, provided he could maintain, and pay them all the conjugal debt once a week ; but in ihis duty he was not to run in arrear to any of them above a month, though with regard to concubines he m^ght do as he pleafed.

It would be an endlefs talk to enumerate all the nations which praftifed polygamy ; we fhall, there- fore^ only mention a few, where the practice feemed to vary fomething from the common method. The ancient Sabasans are not only faid to have had a plu- rality, but even a community of wives ; a thing ftrongly inconfillent with that fpirit of jealoufyvThich prevails among the men in moft countries where po- lygamy is allowed. The ancient Germans were fo ftria monogamifts,* that they reckoned it a fpecies of p-^lygamy for a woman to marry a fecond hulband, even after the death of the firft. " A woman (lay they) has but one life, and but one body, therefore fhould have but one hufband ;" and belides, they added, *' that (he who knows fhe is never to have a fecond hulband, will the more value and endeavour to pro- mote the happinefs and preferve the life of the iirft.'* Among the Heruli this idea was carried farther, a woman WPS obliged to flrangle herfelf at the death of her hufband, left fhe (hould afterwards marry ano- ther ; f3 di. teftable was polygamy in the North, while in the Eaftit h one of thefe rights which they moii of all ctheri; efleem, and maintain with luch innexible firmnefs, that it will probably be one of the laft cf thofe th;U it will wreft out of their hands.

* Monogamy is having onI> onz wife.

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 2^^

The Egyptians, it is probable, did not allow of polygamy, and as tne Greeks borrowed their inltitu- tioDs from them, it was alio forbid by the laws of Cecrops, though concubinage leems either to have been allowed or overlooked ; for in the Odyffey of Homer we fmd UlyfTes declaring himfelf to be the fon of a concubine, which he would probably not have done, bad any great degree of infamy been an- nexed to it. In ibme cafes, however, polygamy was allowed in Greece, from a miftaken not in that it would increafe population. The Athenians, once thinking thS number of their citizens diminiihed, de-* creed that it fliould be lawful for a man to have chil- dren by another woman as well as by his wife ; be- fides this, particular irftances occur of fome who tranfgreffeJ the law of monogamy. Euripides is faid to have had two wives, who, by their conftant difa- greement, gave him a diilike to tl»e whole fex ; afup- p.^fition which receives fome weight from thefe lines of his in Andromache:

-ne'er will I commend

More beds, more wives than one, nor children curs'd With double mothers, banes and plagues of life.

Socrates too had two wives, but the poor culprit had as much realbn to repent of his temerity as Euri- pides.

THE ancient Aflyrians feem more thoroughly to have fettled and digefted the affairs of marriage, than any of their cotemporaries. Once in every year they aflembled together all the girls that were marriageble, when the public crier put them up to fale, one after another. For her whofe figure was agreeable, and wUofe beauty was attrafting, the rich ftroveagainfl each other, whofhould give the higheft price ; which price was put into a public ftcck, and diftriSuted in portions to thofe whom nature had lef^ Iiberrlly acccmpffhed, and whom nobody would ac- cept without a reward. After the mofl beautiful XXV

-90 SKETCHES of the SEX^

^vere difpofed of, thefe were alfo put np by the crier, and a certain fum of money offered with each, pro- portioned to what it was thought {he flood in need of to bribe a hufband to accept her. When a man offered to accept of any of them, on the terms upon wl.ich ills was expofed to fale, the crier proclaimed, that fuch a man had prcpcfed to take fuch a woman, wiih fuch a fum of money along with her, provided none could be found who would take her with lefs ; and in this manner the fale went on, till ihe was at laft allotted to him who ofl'ered to take her with the imalleft portion. — When this public lale was over, the purchafcrs of thofa that were beautiful were not allowed to take them away, till they had paid down the price agreed on, and given fufficient fecurity that they would marry them ; nor, on the other hand, would th: fe who were to have a premium for accept- ing of fuch as were kfs beautiful, take a delivery of 'them, till their portions were previoufly paid. It is probable, that, this fale brought together too ;^reat multitudes of people from inconvenient diftan.,* s, to the detriment, perhaps, of agriculture and commerce, ,and that flrangers could not give fufficient fecur :y to fulfil the bargains they had made; for a law wasaf- terwards iifued, prohibitir.g the inhabitants of differ- ent diftricls from intermarrying v;i= h er.ch other, and ordaining, that hufbands fhould not ufe their wives '511 ; a vap^ue kind of ordonnaroe, which (hews how • imperfeclly legiflation was underftood among thofe people.

T^^iS^^

CHAP. LXXV.

PwiiJItnent of Adultery — Anecdote of Cafar — Ps^ver tf Marrying^ ifc\ — Celibacy ojthe Clergy.

jr\^S fidelity to the marri: jre-bed, efpecially en the part of the woman, has always been ccnfidexed

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 29?

as one of the moft eflential duties of matrimony, all. wifelegiflhtor?, in crder to fecnre that fidelity, h?.ve annexed fome punifhment to the breach of it ; thefe punifhmeots, however, have generally Tome reference to the manner in which wives were acquired, and to the value ftamped upon women by civilization and po- liteuefs of manners. It is ordained by the Mofaic code, that both the man and the woman taken in adultery fhall be ftoned to death; whence it would feem, that no more latitude was given to the male- then to the fem-ile. Bat this was not the cafe ; fuch an unlimited power of Cv-^ncubinage was given to the men, that we may fuppofe him highly licentious in- deed, who could not be fatisfied tiierewith, without committing adultery. The Egyptians, among whom women were greatly efteemed, had a Angular me- thod of panifhing adulterers of both fexes ; they cut oiF the privy parts of the man, that he might never be able to aebauch another woman ; and the ncfeof the woman, that fhe might never be the objeft of terapta'ion to another man.

Punifhmeats nearly of the fame nature, and per- haps ne .rly about the fame time, were inftituted in: the Eaft Indies againft adulterers ; but while thofe of the Egyptians originated from a love of virtue and of their women, thofe of the Hindoos probably arole from jealcufy and revenge. It is ordained by the Shafter, that if a man commit adultery with a wo- man of a fuperlor cafl, hs (hall be put to death ; if by force he commit adultery with a woman of an equal or inferior caft, the magiflra'e fhall coufifcate all his poff flions, cut off his genitals, and caufe him to be carried round the city, mounted en an afs. If by fraud he commit adultery with a woman of an equal or inferior caft, the magifirate (hall take his poflef- fnns, brand him in the forehead, and banifh him the kingdom. Such are the laws of the Shailer, ib far as they regard all the fuperior cafts, except the Bra- mins ; butif any of the mod inferior cafts commit

^92 SKETCHES of the SEX.

adultery with a woman of the cails greatly fuperior, he is not only to be difmembered, but tied to a hot iron plate, and burnt to death; whereas thehigheit cafts may commit adultery with the very loweft, for the moft trifling fiae ; and a Bramin, or priett, can only fuffer by having the hair of his head cut off; and, like the clergy of Europe, while under the do- minion of ihe Pope, he cannot be put to death for any crim^ v/hatever. But the laws, of which he it al- wajo the interpreter, are not fo favourable to his wife ; they inflict a fevere di^/grace upon her, if fhe commit adultery with any of the higher call ; but if with t'^.e l.)vveft, the raaglftrate Ihall cut off her hair, anoint her body with Ghee, and caule her to be car- ried through the whole city, naked, and riding upon an afs ; and (hall calf her out on the north fide of the city, or caufe her to be eaten by dogs. If a wo- nan of any of the other calis goes to a man, and en- tices him to have criminal correfpondence with her, the magiftrate Ihall cut off her ears, lips and nofe, mount her upon an afs, and drown her, or throw her to the dogs. To the commiffion of adultery with a dancing^girl, orproftitute, no punifhment nor line is anne.^ed.

WHEN Ccefar hid fubdued all his competitors, and mo^l of the foreign nations which made war againilhim, he found that fo many Romans had beea dellroyed in the quarrels in which he had often en- gaged them, that, to repair the lofs, promifed re- wards to fathers of families, and forbade all Romans who were above twenty, and under forty years of age, to go out of their native country. Auguftus, hisfucceffor, to check the debauchery of the Roman youth, laid heavy taxes upon fuch as conunued un- married after a certain age, and encouraged with great rewards, the procreation of lawful children. Som.e years afterwards, the Roman knights having prellingly petitioned him that he would reliix the fe-

SKETCHES OF the SEX* 29^

venly of thit law, he ordered their whole fcody ta afTemble before him, and the married and unmarried to arrange themfelves in two i'eparate parties, when, obferving the uiimarried to be the much greater com- pany, he firft addrelled thoCe who had complied with his law, telling thera. That they alone had ferved the purpDfes of nature and ibciety; that the human race was created male and female to prevent the extinc- tion of the fp^cies ; and that marriage was contrived as the moll proper method of renewing the childrea of that fpecies. He added, that they alone deferved the name of men and fathers, and that lie would pre- fer them to fuch offices as they niight tranfmit to thjir poflerity. Then turning to the batchelors, he told thera, Thut he knew not by what name to call them ; not by that of men, for th.y had done nothing that was manly ; nor by that of citizens, fmce the citv m^r'U Dcrifh for them ; nor by that of Romans, i')^ t ! determined to Jet the race and name

I lut by whatever name he called

I he laid, equalled all other crimes

uhiy Were guilty of murder, in not to be bom who Ihould proceed from T ;\: ; c : ml piety, ia abohlhing the names and ho- n.). s of their fathers and anceitors ; of i'acrilege, in ir fpecies, and human nature, whidi :al to the gods, and was confecrated to ili^u , thi: hv \i2d\uir[\ lini;!^ Ufe they overturn* cd, a^ far as in them lay, liie temples and altars of the pods-, diflolved the government, by difobcying its: laws ; betrayed their couHtr}% by making it barren, i laving ended his Ip^ecn, ho doubled the rewards nd privileges of fuch as had children, and laid a hea- .y fine on all unmarried perfons, by reviving the Vo- pxan law.

Though by this law all the males above a cer- tain age were obliged to marry under a fevere penal- ty, Auguftus allowed them the fpace of a full year to comply with iu demands ; but fugh was the back-

294 SKETCHES of the SEX.

wardaefs to matrimony, and perverfity of the Ro- )naa knights, and others, that every poilible method was taken to evade the penalty inflicted upon them, r.nd Ibme of them even married children in the cradle for that purpofe ; thus fulfilling the letter, they avoid- ed the fpirit of the law, and though actually married, had 00^ reftraint upon their licentioufnefs, nor any incumSrauce by the expeace of a family.

AMONG nations which had fhaken off the au- thority of the church of Rome, theprieits ftill retained almoft an exclufive power of joining men and women together in marriage. This appears rather, however, to have been by the tacit confent of the civil power, than from any defec): in its right and authority ; for in the time of Oliver Cromwell, marriages were folemnized frequenriy by the jullices of the peace ; and the clergy neither attempted to invalidate them, por to m?ike the children proceeding from them ille- gitimate ; and v/nen the province of New-England was firft fettled, one of the earlieft laws of the colony was, that the pov/ar of marrying fiiould belong to the magi: -rates. How diflerent was the cafe with the firffc French fettlers in Canada ! For many years a priefl had not been feen in that country, and a ma- giftrate could not marry : the confequence was nature al ; men and women joined themfelves together as hiifband and wife, trudinp^ to the Vvws and promifes cf each other. Father Charlevoix, a Jefuit, at laft Iraveliing into thofe wild regions, found many of the iimpl'^, innocent inhabitants living in that manner; with all of whom he found much tault, enjoined them to do penance, and afterwards married them. After the Reftoration, the power of marrying again revert- ed to the clergy. 1 he magiftrate, however, had not entirely refigned his right to that power ; but it W2S by a lute aft of parliament entirely iurrendered to them, and a penalty annexed to the fokmnizatica of h by any other perfon whatever.

SKETCHES OF the SEX. 29^

AT a fynod held at Winchefter under Su Dunftan, the monks farther averred, that 16 highly criminal was it for a prieft to marry, that ev- en a wooden crofs had audibly declared againll the horrid practice. Others place the firft attempt of this kind, to the account of Alefrick, archbilhop of Canterbury, about the beginning of the eleventh century : however this be, we have among the can- ons a decree of the archbiihops of Canterbury, and York, ordaining. That all the minifters of God, ef- pecially priefts, Ihculd obferve ckaitity, and not take wives : and in the year 1076, there was a council af- fembled at WiDcheiier, under Lanfranc, which de- creed. That no canon (hould have a wife ; that fuch priefts as lived in caixles and villages fhould not be obliged to put their wives away, but that inch as had none (hould not be allowed to marry ; and that bifhops (hould not either ordain priefts nor deacons, unkfs they previoufly declared that they were not married. In the year 1 102, archbiftiop Anfelra held a council at Weftminfter, where it v/as decreed. That no archdeacon, prieft, deacon, or canon, fhould either marry a wife, or retain her if he had one. Anfelm, to give this decree greater weight, defired cf the king, that the principal men of the kingdom might be preleiit at the council, and that the decree might be enforced by the joint confent both of the clergy :md laity ; the king confented, and to thefe canons the \\ hole realm gave a gei^eral fanflion. The clergy of the province of York, however, remonftrated agaiuft them, ard refufed to pat away their wives ; the unmarried refiifed alfo to oblige therafclves to conii!iue in that ftate ; nor were the clergy of Can-* terbury much more tractable.

In the c<^lib:icy of the clergy, we may dif- cover alfo the origin of nunneries ; itie intrigues they coul J procure, while at confcfTion, were only fhort, occafnnal, and with women who they could not en- tirely appropriate to themfelves j to remedy which.

^96 SKETCHES OF the SEX.

they probably fabricated tlie fcheme of having reli* gious houfeb', where young women fhould be fhut up from the world, and where no man but a prielt, on pain of death, fhould enter. That in thefedark retreats, fecluded from cenfure, and from the know- ledge of the world, they might riot in licentioufnefs. I'hey were fenfible, that women, furrounded with the gay and the amiable, might frequently fpum at the offers of a cloiftered prieft, but that while confix ned entirely to their own fex, they would take pleaf- ure in a vifit from one of the other, however floven- ly and unpolifhed. In the world at large, Ihould the crimes of the women be detected, the priefts have no iuterefts in mitigating their punifhment ; but here the whole com.munity of them are interelted in the fecret of every intrigue, and fliould Lucinda unluckilv pro- claim it, ihe can feldom do it witnout the walls of the convent, and if fhe does, the priefts lay the crime onfome'lucklefs laic, that the holy culprit may come off with impunity.

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CONTENTS.

Chapter. Page*

Advertisement^ . . - - 3

/, OF the firjl woman and her antediluvian defcen^

d^ntSy - - - - - - 5

//. Of lujinen in the patriardhil agesy - - 6

Iff, OftJic luoinen of ancient Eo;xpty - . - 8

IV, Of the tncdcrn Egyptian women ^ - - - lo

V, Of the Perftan ivonien^ - - - - ^ 3 VL Of the Grecian women ^ - - - • 1 5 VIL Of the Grecian courtezans ^ - - - 19 VIIL Of the Roryian women f - - - - 22 IJT, Laws rjid cttjlmns refpecling the Roman wofjsen, 28 JT, Of the ejfe6fs cf Chrifiianity on the manners of

women^ ... - - - 30

XI, Of women in Savage life^ - - - 33

XIL Of the Eaficrn women ^ - - - - 38

XIIL Of the Chinefe women ^ - - - 42

XIV. Of the wives of the Indian prieflsy - - 43

XV. A comparifon between the Alahc^netans and

Dutch y with regard to their women y - - 44

XV L Of the African women ^ - - - 47 XV lU Of the effeHs cf chivalry on the charaders

and manners of women, - - - 50 XVIIU The opinion of twD modem authors concern^

ing chivalry y - - - "55

XIX, Of the great enterprifes of women in the times

cf chivalry y - - - - . 6#

XX, Other curious particulars concerning femah

in thofe ages^ --.--.

XXI, Of the Arabian women ^ - - - 67

XXII, Of the learning of women y - - - 68 XXII L Of the Eur^jpean w^nen^ - • - 73 XXIV. Of tit; Jrymh iLmen^ - - •74

298 CONTENTS.

XXV, Of the Italian ivomen, - ^ m ^g

XXVL Of the SpaniJJj women^ - - - 82

XXFIL Of the EngliJJj wo7nen, ... 85

XXVIIL Of the Ruffian ijuomcn^ - - - 87

XXIX. Oj the Ger.nan women, - - - 89

XXX» On the comparative merit of the two fcxes, gz XXXL On the religions and domeflic virtues of

women, - - . . --^ pg

XXXII, On female friendfhip , - - - loz

XXXIIL On female henevolmce, - - - 105

XXXIV. On female pat riot ifm, - - - 106

XXXV. Of women with regard to polified If e, - 108 XXXVI On the idea of Female inferiority, - no XXXVIL On female ftmplicity, - - - 113

XXXV III, On themild magnanimity of wo7nen, ii3

XXXIX, On female delicacy, - - - -119 XL, On female wit, - - - - - I2Z XLL On the influence Gf female fociety, - - 124 XLIL Of the Britiflo ladies at different periods, 130 XL HI, On the privileges of Brit fh women, - 142 XLIV, On female knowledge, - - - 148 XLV, On female culture and accompliflmwits in

different ages, - - - - 1 52 XLVI, On the neceffary. mental accomplifhments of

ladies, - - - - - 157

XLVIL On the monaftic life, - - - - 161 XLVIIL On the degrees of fentimental attach^

ment at different periods ^ - - 1 67 XL IX. A view of matrimony in three different

H^'h 173'

L. Of betrothing and marriage^ - - - 174

LI. On the choice of a hiifh and, - - - 178

LIl, Mrs. Piozzi^s adviceto a new married man^ 187

LI II. Gar rick's advice to married ladies, - 192

LIV, On widowhood, - - - « " '93 I4V. Dr. Schombcrg's method of reading for fc"

male imp roi>e ment, - - - - 2 00

LVL Ike deaths of Lucretia and Virginia, ^ 203

CONTENTS. 299

LVIL Thoughts on the Education of ivomefty 204

£^y idL Wedded love is infinitely preferable to VS"

rietyf - ^ - - - - 206

LLY. On the revolutions of the Frefich fafhionsy liithfome advice to the ladies refpeEling certain parts of drefsy - - • ihid*

i.X, On looking at the picture of a beautiful fe^

malty - - - -- -215

LXL Educ(2tion of women in Afia and Africa^^ Amufemenfs of the Grecian ladies — Re^ ligious fefiivals of the Greth — Reli^ gious dancers y v5'r. - - - 21 7

LXIL PuuiJJjment of Polygamy in Egypt—Sem' iramis of AJfyria — Account of the Syb- arites— CuJJoms of the Grecian ivomeny 222

LXlll, Rape of the Sabine Virgins — Women of

Scythia, Mejfageta — Cruelt)\of Amefiris y 227

LXIV, Japanefe delicacy — Delicacy of the Ly- dians — Licentious Law of Denmark-^ Kfctraordinary women ^ - - " 2*33

LXV. Courage of Savage women — Dcfperate acl of Euihira — Lu>:urious drefs of the Grecian ladies^ — Eir/l ufe of hair powdery 238

LXVL Grecian and Spartan Indecency — Cruelty

of the Grecian women y - - - 244

LXVIL Drunkennefs of fome Grecian women-^ Story of Luc ret ia — Indecency of Roman women — Indecency of Savage nations^ 249

LXVIII. Naked Fahiers — Mahometan plurality of

wives — Women of Otaheite^ - - 255

LXIX. Italian debauchery — Female flanderers*^

Crim, Con, of Claudius and Pcmpeiay 260

LXX. Jen ifh cufioms — Ancient cufioms — Athen- ian midwife y is'c. — ^mnadian women — SuperfiitioUy ^f. - - - - 2(*5

LXX I, Cufioms of the A ^ ufcovites — Cafi ration — Eunuch. — Origin of Nunneries — Cuf- ioms in the Mo^ul Empire^ - - 270

3CC CONTENTS.

JLXXIL Grecian couripif^ Power cf ph'iltr-es and charms — Eajhrn cotiriJJjlp — Long hair of ^apcons and Danes^ - - ^74

i.XXlll, St, Valentine^s day — Immodejy at Babylon — Indecency at Adriatjople — The two kings of Swede n^ - - - 280

i^XXIV. The Lapland and Greenland lady — Sale of children to pur chef e wives'^- tlurality and community of wives — Girls fold at AuEiion^ - - - - -285

ZX'Xi^, Fnnifbment of Adult ety — Anecdote cf Cajar — Power of Alarryingy ^c» — Celibacy cf the Clergy ^ - - - *9©

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