Page:Vindication Women's Rights (Wollstonecraft).djvu/183

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RIGHTS OF WOMAN.
177

Wiſhing to feed the affections with what is now the food of vanity, I would fain perſuade my ſex to act from ſimpler principles. Let them merit love, and they will obtain it, though they may never be told that—'The power of a fine woman over the hearts of men, of men of the fineſt parts, is even beyond what ſhe conceives.'

I have already noticed the narrow cautions with reſpect to duplicity, female ſoftneſs, delicacy of conſtitution; for theſe are the changes which he rings round without ceaſing—in a more decorous manner, it is true, than Rouſſeau; but it all comes home to the ſame point, and whoever is at the trouble to analyze theſe ſentiments, will find the firſt principles not quite ſo delicate as the ſuperſtructure.

The ſubject of amuſements is treated in too curſory a manner; but with the ſame ſpirit.

When I treat of friendſhip, love, and marriage, it will be found that we materially differ in opinion; I ſhall not then foreſtall what I have to obſerve on theſe important ſubjects; but confine my remarks to the general tenor of them, to that cautious family prudence, to thoſe confined views of partial unenlightened affection, which exclude pleaſure and improvement, by vainly wiſhing to ward off ſorrow and error—and by thus guarding the heart and mind, deſtroy alſo all their energy. It is far better to be often deceived than never to trust; to be diſappointed in love than never to love; to loſe a huſband's fondneſs than forfeit his eſteem.

Happy would it be for the world, and for individuals, of courſe, if all this unavailing solici-

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tude