paſſions and ſelfiſh vanity, will throw a falſe light over the objects which the very men view with their eyes, who ought to enlighten their judgment. Men of fancy, and thoſe ſanguine characters who moſtly hold the helm of human affairs, in general, relax in the ſociety of women; and ſurely I need not cite to the moſt ſuperficial reader of hiſtory the numerous examples of vice and oppreſſion which the private intrigues of female favourites have produced; not to dwell on the miſchief that naturally ariſes from the blundering interpoſition of well-meaning folly. For in the tranſactions of buſineſs it is much better to have to deal with a knave than a fool, becauſe a knave adheres to ſome plan; and any plan of reaſon may be ſeen through much ſooner than a ſudden flight of folly. The power which vile and fooliſh women have had over wiſe men, who poſſeſſed ſenſibility, is notorious; I ſhall only mention one inſtance.
Who ever drew a more exalted female character than Rouſſeau? though in the lump he conſtantly endeavoured to degrade the ſex. And why was he thus anxious? Truly to juſtify to himſelf the affection which weakneſs and virtue had made him cheriſh for that fool Thereſa. He could not raiſe her to the common level of her ſex; and therefore he laboured to bring woman down to her's. He found her a convenient humble companion, and pride made him determine to find ſome ſuperiour virtues in the being whom he choſe to live with; but did not her conduct during his life, and after his death, clearly ſhew how groſsly he was miſtaken who called her a
