But, if ſtrength of body be, with ſome ſhew of reaſon, the boaſt of men, why are women ſo infatuated as to be proud of a defect? Rouſſeau has furniſhed them with a plauſible excuſe, which could only have occurred to a man, whoſe imagination had been allowed to run wild, and refine on the impreſſions made by exquiſite ſenſes;—that they might, forſooth, have a pretext for yielding to a natural appetite without violating a romantic ſpecies of modeſty, which gratifies the pride and libertiniſm of man.
Women, deluded by theſe ſentiments, ſometimes boaſt of their weakneſs, cunningly obtaining power by playing on the weakneſs of men; and they may well glory in their illicit ſway, for, like Turkiſh baſhaws, they have more real power than their maſters: but virtue is ſacrificed to temporary gratifications, and the reſpectability of life to the triumph of an hour.
Women, as well as deſpots have now, perhaps, more power than they would have if the world, divided and ſubdivided into kingdoms and families, was governed by laws deduced from the exerciſe of reaſon; but in obtaining it, to carry on the compariſon, their character is degraded, and licentiouſneſs ſpread through the whole aggregate of ſociety. The many become pedeſtal to the few. I, therefore, will venture to aſſert, that till women are more rationally educated, the progreſs of human virtue and improvement in knowledge muſt receive continual checks. And if it be granted that woman was not created merely to gratify the appetite of man, nor to be the upper ſervant, who provides his meals and takes care of
