are made ſlaves to their perſons, and muſt render them alluring that man may lend them his reaſon to guide their tottering ſteps aright. Or ſhould they be ambitious, they muſt govern their tyrants by ſiniſter tricks, for without rights there cannot be any incumbent duties. The laws reſpecting woman, which I mean to diſcuſs in a future part, make an abſurd unit of a man and his wife; and then, by the eaſy tranſition of only conſidering him as reſponſible, ſhe is reduced to a mere cypher.
The being who diſcharges the duties of its ſtation is independent; and, ſpeaking of women at large, their firſt duty is to themſelves as rational creatures, and the next, in point of importance, as citizens, is that, which includes ſo many, of a mother. The rank in life which diſpenſes with their fulfilling this duty, neceſſarily degrades them by making them mere dolls. Or, ſhould they turn to ſomething more important than merely fitting drapery upon a ſmooth block, their minds are only occupied by ſome ſoft platonic attachment; or, the actual management of an intrigue may keep their thoughts in motion; for when they neglect domeſtic duties, they have it not in their power to take the field and march and counter-march like ſoldiers, or wrangle in the ſenate to keep their faculties from ruſting.
I know that as a proof of the inferiority of the ſex, Rouſſeau has exultingly exclaimed, How can they leave the nurſery for the camp!—And the camp has by ſome moraliſts been termed the ſchool of the moſt heroic virtues; though, I think, it would puzzle a keen caſuiſt to prove
