the unſophiſticated mind, though it might not have had ſufficient energy to diſcover them itſelf, when obſcured by local prejudices. The greater number of people take their opinions on truſt to avoid the trouble of exerciſing their own minds, and theſe indolent beings naturally adhere to the letter, rather than the ſpirit of a law, divine or human. 'Women,' ſays ſome author, I cannot recollect who, 'mind not what only heaven ſees.' Why, indeed ſhould they? it is the eye of man that they have been taught to dread—and if they can lull their Argus to ſleep, they ſeldom think of heaven or themſelves, becauſe their reputation is ſafe; and it is reputation, not chaſtity and all its fair train, that they are employed to keep free from ſpot, not as a virtue, but to preſerve their ſtation in the world.
To prove the truth of this remark, I need only advert to the intrigues of married women, particularly in high life, and in countries where women are ſuitably married, according to their reſpective ranks, by their parents. If an innocent girl become a prey to love, ſhe is degraded forever, though her mind was not polluted by the arts which married women, under the convenient cloke of marriage, practiſe; nor has ſhe violated any duty—but the duty of reſpecting herſelf. The married woman, on the contrary, breaks a moſt ſacred engagement, and becomes a cruel mother when ſhe is a falſe and faithleſs wife. If her huſband has ſtill an affection for her, the arts which ſhe muſt practiſe to deceive him, will render her the moſt contemptible of human beings; and, at any rate, the contrivances neceſſary to pre-
