celeſtial innocent. Nay, in the bitterneſs of his heart, he himſelf laments, that when his bodily infirmities made him no longer treat her like a woman, ſhe ceaſed to have an affection for him. And it was very natural that ſhe ſhould, for having ſo few ſentiments in common, when the ſexual tie was broken, what was to hold her? To hold her affection whoſe ſenſibility was confined to one ſex, nay, to one man, it requires ſenſe to turn ſenſibility into the broad channel of humanity; many women have not mind enough to have an affection for a woman, or a friendſhip for a man. But the ſexual weakneſs that makes woman depend on man for a ſubſiſtence, produces a kind of cattiſh affection which leads a wife to purr about her huſband as ſhe would about any man who fed and careſſed her.
Men are, however, often gratified by this kind of fondneſs, which is confined in a beaſtly manner to themſelves; but ſhould they ever become more virtuous, they will wiſh to converſe at their fire-ſide with a friend, after they ceaſe to play with a miſtreſs.
Beſides, underſtanding is neceſſary to give variety and intereſt to ſenſual enjoyments, for low, indeed, in the intellectual ſcale, is the mind that can continue to love when neither virtue nor ſenſe give a human appearance to an animal appetite. But ſenſe will always preponderate; and if women are not, in general, brought more on a level with men, ſome ſuperiour women, like the Greek courtezans, will aſſemble the men of abilities around them, and draw from their families many citizens, who would have ſtayed at home
