What nonſenſe! when will a great man ariſe with ſufficient ſtrength of mind to puff away the fumes which pride and ſenſuality have thus ſpread over the ſubject! If women are by nature inferior to men, their virtues muſt be the ſame in quality, if not in degree, or virtue is a relative idea; conſequently, their conduct ſhould be founded on the ſame principles, and have the ſame aim.
Connected with man as daughters, wives, and mothers, their moral character may be eſtimated by their manner of fulfilling thoſe ſimple duties; but the end, the grand end of their exertions ſhould be to unfold their own faculties and acquire the dignity of conſcious virtue. They may try to render their road pleaſant; but ought never to forget, in common with man, that life yields not the felicity which can ſatisfy an immortal ſoul. I do not mean to inſinuate, that either ſex ſhould be ſo loſt in abſtract reflections or diſtant views, as to forget the affections and duties that lie before them, and are, in truth, the means appointed to produce the fruit of life; on the contrary, I would warmly recommend them, even while I aſſert, that they afford moſt ſatisfaction when they are conſidered in their true ſubordinate light.
Probably the prevailing opinion, that woman was created for man, may have taken its riſe from Moſes's poetical ſtory; yet, as very few, it is preſumed, who have beſtowed any ſerious thought on the ſubject, ever ſuppoſed that Eve was, literally ſpeaking, one of Adam's ribs, the deduction muſt be allowed to fall to the ground;
