will teach them modeſty[1]. There is no need of falſehoods, diſguſting as futile, for ſtudied rules of behaviour only impoſe on ſhallow obſervers; a man of ſenſe ſoon ſees through, and deſpiſes the affectation.
The behaviour of young people, to each other, as men and women, is the laſt thing that ſhould be thought of in education. In fact, behaviour in moſt circumſtances is now ſo much thought of, that ſimplicity of character is rarely to be ſeen: yet, if men were only anxious to cultivate each virtue, and let it take root firmly in the mind, the grace reſulting from it, its natural exteriour mark, would ſoon ſtrip affectation of its flaunting plumes; becauſe, fallacious as unſtable, is the conduct that is not founded upon truth!
Would ye, O my ſiſters, really poſſeſs modeſty, ye muſt remember that the poſſeſſion of virtue, of any denomination, is incompatible with ignorance and vanity! ye muſt acquire that ſoberneſs of mind, which the exerciſe of duties, and the purſuit of knowledge, alone inſpire, or ye will ſtill remain in a doubtful dependent ſituation, and only be loved whilſt ye are fair! The downcaſt eye, the roſy bluſh, the retiring grace, are all proper in their ſeaſon; but modeſty, being the child of reaſon, cannot long exiſt with the ſenſibility that is not tempered by reflection. Beſides, when love, even innocent love, is the whole employ of your lives, your hearts will be too ſoft to afford modeſty that tranquil retreat, where ſhe delights to dwell, in cloſe union with humanity.
- ↑ The behaviour of many newly married women has often diſguſted me. They ſeem anxious never to let their huſbands forget the privilege of marriage; and to find no pleaſure in his ſociety unleſs he is acting the lover. Short, indeed, muſt be the reign of love, when the flame is thus conſtantly blown up, without its receiving any ſolid feel!
