the behaviour, and to preſerve the reputation, did not too frequently ſuperſede moral obligations. But, with reſpect to reputation, the attention is confined to a ſingle virtue—chaſtity. If the honour of a woman, as it is abſurdly called, is ſafe, ſhe may neglect every ſocial duty; nay, ruin her family by gaming and extravagance; yet ſtill preſent a ſhameleſs front—for truly ſhe is an honourable woman!
Mrs. Macaulay has juſtly obſerved, that 'there is but one fault which a woman of honour may not commit with impunity.' She then juſtly, and humanely adds—'This has given riſe to the trite and fooliſh obſervation, that the firſt fault againſt chaſtity in woman has a radical power to deprave the character. But no ſuch frail beings come out of the hands of nature. The human mind is built of nobler materials than to be ſo eaſily corrupted; and with all their diſadvantages of ſituation and education, women ſeldom become entirely abandoned till they are thrown into a ſtate of deſperation, by the venomous rancour of their own ſex.'
But, in proportion as this regard for the reputation of chaſtity is prized by women, it is deſpiſed by men: and the two extremes are equally deſtructive to morality.
Men are certainly more under the influence of their appetites than women; and their appetites are more depraved by unbridled indulgence and the faſtidious contrivances of ſatiety. Luxury has introduced a refinement in eating, that deſtroys the conſtitution; and a degree of gluttony which is ſo beaſtly, that a perception of ſeemli-
