reſpect for the opinion of the world[1], and when coquetry and the lovelorn tales of noveliſts employ the thoughts. Nay, from experience, and reaſon, I ſhould be led to expect to meet with more modeſty amongſt men than women, ſimply becauſe men exerciſe their underſtandings more than women.
But, with reſpect to propriety of behaviour, excepting one claſs of females, women have evidently the advantage. What can be more diſguſting than that impudent droſs of gallantry, thought ſo manly, which makes many men ſtare inſultingly at every female they meet? Is this reſpect for the ſex? This looſe behaviour ſhews ſuch habitual depravity, ſuch weakneſs of mind, that it is vain to expect much public or private virtue, till both men and women grow more modeſt—till men, curbing a ſenſual fondneſs for the ſex, or an affectation of manly aſſurance, more properly ſpeaking, impudence, treat each other with reſpect—unleſs appetite or paſſion gives the tone, peculiar to it, to their behaviour. I mean even perſonal reſpect—the modeſt reſpect of humanity, and fellow-feeling—not the the libidinous mockery of gallantry, nor the inſolent condeſcenſion of protectorſhip.
To carry the obſervation ſtill further, modeſty muſt heartily diſclaim, and refuſe to dwell with that debauchery of mind, which leads a man coolly to bring forward, without a bluſh, indecent alluſions, or obſcene witticiſms, in the preſence of a fellow creature; women are now out
- ↑ The immodeſt behavior of many married women, who are nevertheleſs faithful to their huſbands' beds, will illuſtrate this remark.
