Page:Armatafragment00ersk.djvu/327

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

( 99 )

¬which we live : — ' Say not you that the former 1 times were better than these, you have not ' considered wisely of this.' ¬Let me hope that this sincere and affectionate tribute to the women of Armata may induce them (when our worlds shall be open to each other hereafter) to forgive the lidicule I have cast, perhaps too freely, upon the prevailing fashions of the day. — My only object was to discountenance a system which destroys their health, cuts short the fleeting period of their beauty, conceals it from universal attraction, and alarms the prudent when admiration is ripening into love. ¬I was now introduced every where, and was confirmed in my opinion that their domestic society would have been perfect, if it could have been enjoyed undisturbed ; but from feverish habits the most agreeable people were always running off to join the tumults of the night — It reminded me of our parties upon the ¬h 2 Thames, ¬