not been taught to reſpect the human nature of their own ſex, in theſe particulars, will not long reſpect the mere difference of ſex in their huſbands? After their maideniſh baſhfulneſs is once loſt, I, in fact, have generally obſerved, that women fall into old habits; and treat their huſbands as they did their ſiſters or female acquaintance.
Beſides, women from neceſſity, becauſe their minds are not cultivated, have recourſe very often to what I familiarly term bodily wit; and their intimacies are of the ſame kind. In ſhort, with reſpect to both mind and body, they are too intimate. That decent perſonal reſerve which is the foundation of dignity of character, muſt be kept up between women, or their minds will never gain ſtrength or modeſty.
On this account alſo, I object to many females being ſhut up together in nurſeries, ſchools, or convents. I cannot recollect without indignation, the jokes and hoiden tricks, which knots of young women indulge themſelves in, when in my youth accident threw me, an awkward ruſtic, in their way. They were almoſt on a par with the double meanings, which ſhake the convivial table when the glaſs has circulated freely. But, it is vain to attempt to keep the heart pure, unleſs the head is furniſhed with ideas, and ſet to work to compare them, in order to acquire judgment, by generalizing ſimple ones; and modeſty, by making the underſtanding damp the ſenſibility.
It may be thought that I lay too great a ſtreſs on perſonal reſerve; but it is ever the handmaid of modeſty. So that were I to name the graces that ought to adorn beauty, I ſhould inſtantly
