Thissympathyextendsstillfurther,tillamanwellpleasedobservesforceinargumentsthatdonotcarryconvictiontohisownbosom,andhegladlyplacesinthefairestlighttohimself,theshowsofreasonthathaveledothersastray,rejoicedtofindsomereasoninalltheerrorsofman;thoughbeforeconvincedthathewhorulesthedaymakeshissuntoshineonall。Yet,shakinghandsthus,asitwere,withcorruption,onefootonearth,theotherwithboldstridesmountstoheaven,andclaimskindredwithsuperiournatures。Virtues,unobservedbymen,droptheirbalmyfragranceatthiscoolhour,andthethirstyland,refreshedbythepurestreamsofcomfortthatsuddenlygushout,iscrownedwithsmilingverdure;thisisthelivinggreenonwhichthateyemaylookwithcomplacencythatistoopuretobeholdiniquity！Butmyspiritsflag;andImustsilentlyindulgethereveriethesereflectionsleadto,unabletodescribethesentimentsthathavecalmedmysoul,whenwatchingtherisingsun,asoftshowerdrizzlingthroughtheleavesofneighbouringtrees,seemedtofallonmylanguid,yettranquilspirits,tocooltheheartthathadbeenheatedbythepassionswhichreasonlabouredtotame。
Theleadingprincipleswhichrunthroughallmydisquisitions,wouldrenderitunnecessarytoenlargeonthissubject,ifaconstantattentiontokeepthevarnishofthecharacterfresh,andingoodcondition,werenotofteninculcatedasthesumtotaloffemaleduty;ifrulestoregulatethebehaviour,andtopreservethereputation,didnottoofrequentlysupersedemoralobligations。
But,withrespecttoreputation,theattentionisconfinedtoasinglevirtue——chastity。Ifthehonourofawoman,asitisabsurdlycalled,issafe,shemayneglecteverysocialduty;nay,ruinherfamilybygamingandextravagance;yetstillpresentashamelessfront——fortrulysheisanhonourablewoman！
Mrs。Macaulayhasjustlyobserved,that\"thereisbutonefaultwhichawomanofhonourmaynotcommitwithimpunity。\"Shethenjustlyandhumanelyadds——Thishasgivenrisetothetriteandfoolishobservation,thatthefirstfaultagainstchastityinwomanhasaradicalpowertodepravethecharacter。Butnosuchfrailbeingscomeoutofthehandsofnature。Thehumanmindisbuiltofnoblermaterialsthantobesoeasilycorrupted;andwithalltheirdisadvantagesofsituationandeducation,womenseldombecomeentirelyabandonedtilltheyarethrownintoastateofdesperation,bythevenomousrancouroftheirownsex。\"
But,inproportionasthisregardforthereputationofchastityisprizedbywomen,itisdespisedbymen:andthetwoextremesareequallydestructivetomorality。
Menarecertainlymoreundertheinfluenceoftheirappetitesthanwomen;andtheirappetitesaremoredepravedbyunbridledindulgence,andthefastidiouscontrivancesofsatiety。Luxuryhasintroducedarefinementineatingthatdestroystheconstitution;
and,adegreeofgluttonywhichissobeastly,thataperceptionofseemlinessofbehaviourmustbewornoutbeforeonebeingcouldeatimmoderatelyinthepresenceofanother,andafterwardscomplainoftheoppressionthathisintemperancenaturallyproduced。Somewomen,particularlyFrenchwomen,havealsolostasenseofdecencyinthisrespect;fortheywilltalkverycalmlyofanindigestion。
Itweretobewished,thatidlenesswasnotallowedtogenerate,ontheranksoilofwealth,thoseswarmsofsummerinsectsthatfeedonputrefaction;weshouldnotthenbedisgustedbythesightofsuchbrutalexcesses。
Thereisonerulerelativetobehaviourthat,Ithink,oughttoregulateeveryother;anditissimplytocherishsuchanhabitualrespectformankind,asmaypreventusfromdisgustingafellowcreatureforthesakeofapresentindulgence。Theshamefulindolenceofmanymarriedwomen,andothersalittleadvancedinlife,frequentlyleadsthemtosinagainstdelicacy。For,thoughconvincedthatthepersonisthebandofunionbetweenthesexes,yet,howoftendotheyfromsheerindolence,ortoenjoysometriflingindulgence,disgust？
Thedepravityoftheappetite,whichbringsthesexestogether,hashadastillmorefataleffect。Naturemusteverbethestandardoftaste,theguageofappetite——yethowgrosslyisnatureinsultedbythevoluptuary。Leavingtherefinementsofloveoutofthequestion;nature,bymakingthegratificationofanappetite,inthisrespect,aswellaseveryother,anaturalandimperiouslawtopreservethespecies,exaltstheappetite,andmixesalittlemindandaffectionwithasensualgust。Thefeelingsofaparentminglingwithaninstinctmerelyanimal,giveitdignity;andthemanandwomanoftenmeetingonaccountofthechild,amutualinterestandaffectionisexcitedbytheexerciseofacommonsympathy。Womenthenhavingnecessarilysomedutytofulfil,morenoblethantoadorntheirpersons,wouldnotcontentedlybetheslavesofcasualappetite,whichisnowthesituationofaveryconsiderablenumberwhoare,literallyspeaking,standingdishestowhicheverygluttonmayhaveaccess。
Imaybetold,thatgreatasthisenormityis,itonlyaffectsadevotedpartofthesex——devotedforthesalvationoftherest。
But,falseaseveryassertionmighteasilybeproved,thatrecommendsthesanctioningasmalleviltoproduceagreatergood;
themischiefdoesnotstophere,forthemoralcharacter,andpeaceofmind,ofthechasterpartofthesex,isunderminedbytheconductoftheverywomentowhomtheyallownorefugefromguilt:
whomtheyinexorablyconsigntotheexerciseofartsthatluretheirhusbandsfromthem,debauchtheirsonsandforcethem,letnotmodestwomenstart,toassume,insomedegree,thesamecharacterthemselves。ForIwillventuretoassert,thatallthecausesoffemaleweakness,aswellasdepravity,whichIhavealreadyenlargedon,branchoutofonegrandcause——wantofchastityinmen。
Thisintemperance,soprevalent,depravestheappetitetosuchadegree,thatawantonstimulusisnecessarytorouseit;buttheparentaldesignofnatureisforgotten,andthemereperson,andthat,foramoment,aloneengrossesthethoughts。Sovoluptuous,indeed,oftengrowsthelustfulprowler,thatherefinesonfemalesoftness。
Tosatisfythisgeniusofmen,womenaremadesystematicallyvoluptuous,andthoughtheymaynotallcarrytheirlibertinismtothesameheight,yetthisheartlessintercoursewiththesex,whichtheyallowthemselves,depravesbothsexes,becausethetasteofmenisvitiated;andwomen,ofallclasses,naturallysquaretheirbehaviourtogratifythetastebywhichtheyobtainpleasureandpower。Womenbecoming,consequentlyweaker,inmindandbody,thantheyoughttobe,wereoneofthegrandendsoftheirbeingtakenintotheaccount,thatofbearingandnursingchildren,havenotsufficientstrengthtodischargethefirstdutyofamother;andsacrificingtolasciviousnesstheparentalaffection,thatennoblesinstinct,eitherdestroytheembryointhewomb,orcastitoffwhenborn。Natureineverythingdemandsrespect,andthosewhoviolateherlawsseldomviolatethemwithimpunity。Theweakenervatedwomenwhoparticularlycatchtheattentionoflibertines,areunfittobemothers,thoughtheymayconceive;sothattherichsensualist,whohasriotedamongwomen,spreadingdepravityandmisery,whenhewishestoperpetuatehisname,receivesfromhiswifeonlyanhalf—formedbeingthatinheritsbothitsfather\'sandmother\'sweakness。
Contrastingthehumanityofthepresentagewiththebarbarismofantiquity,greatstresshasbeenlaidonthesavagecustomofexposingthechildrenwhomtheirparentscouldnotmaintain;whilstthemanofsensibility,whothus,perhaps,complains,byhispromiscuousamoursproducesamostdestructivebarrennessandcontagiousflagitiousnessofmanners。Surelynatureneverintendedthatwomen,bysatisfyinganappetite,shouldfrustratetheverypurposeforwhichitwasimplanted？
Ihavebeforeobserved,thatmenoughttomaintainthewomenwhomtheyhaveseduced;thiswouldbeonemeansofreformingfemalemanners,andstoppinganabusethathasanequallyfataleffectonpopulationandmorals。Another,nolessobvious,wouldbetoturntheattentionofwomantotherealvirtueofchastity;fortolittlerespecthasthatwomanaclaim,onthescoreofmodesty,thoughherreputationmaybewhiteasthedrivensnow,whosmilesonthelibertinewhilstshespurnsthevictimsofhislawlessappetitesandtheirownfolly。
Besides,shehasataintofthesamefolly,pureassheesteemsherself,whenshestudiouslyadornsherpersononlytobeseenbymen,toexciterespectfulsighs,andalltheidlehomageofwhatiscalledinnocentgallantry。Didwomenreallyrespectvirtueforitsownsake,theywouldnotseekforacompensationinvanity,fortheself—denialwhichtheyareobligedtopractisetopreservetheirreputation,norwouldtheyassociatewithmenwhosetreputationatdefiance。
Thetwosexesmutuallycorruptandimproveeachother。ThisI
believetobeanindisputabletruth,extendingittoeveryvirtue。
Chastity,modesty,publicspirit,andallthenobletrainofvirtues,onwhichsocialvirtueandhappinessarebuilt,shouldbeunderstoodandcultivatedbyallmankind,ortheywillbecultivatedtolittleeffect。And,insteadoffurnishingtheviciousoridlewithapretextforviolatingsomesacredduty,bytermingitasexualone,itwouldbewisertoshow,thatnaturehasnotmadeanydifference,forthattheunchastemandoublydefeatsthepurposeofnaturebyrenderingwomenbarren,anddestroyinghisownconstitution,thoughheavoidstheshamethatpursuesthecrimeintheothersex。Thesearethephysicalconsequences,themoralarestillmorealarming;forvirtueisonlyanominaldistinctionwhenthedutiesofcitizens,husbands,wives,fathers,mothers,anddirectorsoffamilies,becomemerelytheselfishtiesofconvenience。
Whythendophilosopherslookforpublicspirit？Publicspiritmustbenurturedbyprivatevirtue,oritwillresemblethefactitioussentimentwhichmakeswomencarefultopreservetheirreputation,andmentheirhonour。Asentimentthatoftenexistsunsupportedbyvirtue,unsupportedbythatsublimemoralitywhichmakesthehabitualbreachofonedutyabreachofthewholemorallaw。
CHAPTER9。
OFTHEPERNICIOUSEFFECTSWHICHARISEFROMTHEUNNATURAL
DISTINCTIONSESTABLISHEDINSOCIETY。
>Fromtherespectpaidtopropertyflow,asfromapoisonedfountain,mostoftheevilsandviceswhichrenderthisworldsuchadrearyscenetothecontemplativemind。Foritisinthemostpolishedsocietythatnoisomereptilesandvenomousserpentslurkundertherankherbage;andthereisvoluptuousnesspamperedbythestillsultryair,whichrelaxeseverygooddispositionbeforeitripensintovirtue。
Oneclasspressesonanother;forallareaimingtoprocurerespectonaccountoftheirproperty:andproperty,oncegained,willprocuretherespectdueonlytotalentsandvirtue。Menneglectthedutiesincumbentonman,yetaretreatedlikedemi—gods;
religionisalsoseparatedfrommoralitybyaceremonialveil,yetmenwonderthattheworldisalmost,literallyspeaking,adenofsharpersoroppressors。
Thereisahomelyproverb,whichspeaksashrewdtruth,thatwhoeverthedevilfindsidlehewillemploy。Andwhatbuthabitualidlenesscanhereditarywealthandtitlesproduce？Formanissoconstitutedthathecanonlyattainaproperuseofhisfacultiesbyexercisingthem,andwillnotexercisethemunlessnecessity,ofsomekind,firstsetthewheelsinmotion。Virtuelikewisecanonlybeacquiredbythedischargeofrelativeduties;buttheimportanceofthesesacreddutieswillscarcelybefeltbythebeingwhoiscajoledoutofhishumanitybytheflatteryofsycophants。Theremustbemoreequalityestablishedinsociety,ormoralitywillnevergainground,andthisvirtuousequalitywillnotrestfirmlyevenwhenfoundedonarock,ifonehalfofmankindarechainedtoitsbottombyfate,fortheywillbecontinuallyunderminingitthroughignoranceorpride。Itisvaintoexpectvirtuefromwomentilltheyare,insomedegree,independentofmen;nay,itisvaintoexpectthatstrengthofnaturalaffection,whichwouldmakethemgoodwivesandgoodmothers。Whilsttheyareabsolutelydependentontheirhusbands,theywillbecunning,mean,andselfish,andthemenwhocanbegratifiedbythefawningfondness,ofspaniel—likeaffection,havenotmuchdelicacy,forloveisnottobebought,inanysenseoftheword,itssilkenwingsareinstantlyshrivelledupwhenanythingbesideareturninkindissought。Yetwhilstwealthenervatesmen;andwomenlive,asitwere,bytheirpersonalcharms,how,canweexpectthemtodischargethoseennoblingdutieswhichequallyrequireexertionandself—denial。Hereditarypropertysophisticatesthemind,andtheunfortunatevictimstoit,ifImaysoexpressmyself,swathedfromtheirbirth,seldomexertthelocomotivefacultyofbodyormind;
and,thusviewingeverythingthroughonemedium,andthatafalseone,theyareunabletodiscerninwhattruemeritandhappinessconsist。False,indeed,mustbethelightwhenthedraperyofsituationhidestheman,andmakeshimstalkinmasquerade,draggingfromonesceneofdissipationtoanotherthenervelesslimbsthathangwithstupidlistlessness,androllingroundthevacanteyewhichplainlytellsusthatthereisnomindathome。
Imean,therefore,toinfer,thatthesocietyisnotproperlyorganizedwhichdoesnotcompelmenandwomentodischargetheirrespectiveduties,bymakingittheonlywaytoacquirethatcountenancefromtheirfellowcreatures,whicheveryhumanbeingwishessomewaytoattain。Therespect,consequently,whichispaidtowealthandmerepersonalcharms,isatruenorth—eastblast,thatblightsthetenderblossomsofaffectionandvirtue。
Naturehaswiselyattachedaffectionstoduties,tosweetentoil,andtogivethatvigourtotheexertionsofreasonwhichonlytheheartcangive。But,theaffectionwhichisputonmerelybecauseitistheappropriatedinsigniaofacertaincharacter,whenitsdutiesarenotfulfilledisoneoftheemptycomplimentswhichviceandfollyareobligedtopaytovirtueandtherealnatureofthings。
Toillustratemyopinion,Ineedonlyobserve,thatwhenawomanisadmiredforherbeauty,andsuffersherselftobesofarintoxicatedbytheadmirationshereceives,astoneglecttodischargetheindispensabledutyofamother,shesinsagainstherselfbyneglectingtocultivateanaffectionthatwouldequallytendtomakeherusefulandhappy。Truehappiness,Imeanallthecontentment,andvirtuoussatisfactionthatcanbesnatchedinthisimperfectstate,mustarisefromwellregulatedaffections;andanaffectionincludesaduty。Menarenotawareofthemiserytheycause,andtheviciousweaknesstheycherish,byonlyincitingwomentorenderthemselvespleasing;theydonotconsider,thattheythusmakenaturalandartificialdutiesclash,bysacrificingthecomfortandrespectabilityofawoman\'slifetovoluptuousnotionsofbeauty,wheninnaturetheyallharmonize。
Coldwouldbetheheartofahusband,werehenotrenderedunnaturalbyearlydebauchery,whodidnotfeelmoredelightatseeinghischildsuckledbyitsmother,thanthemostartfulwantontrickscouldeverraise;yetthisnaturalwayofcementingthematrimonialtie,andtwistingesteemwithfonderrecollections,wealthleadswomentospurn。Topreservetheirbeauty,andweartheflowerycrownoftheday,thatgivesthemakindofrighttoreignforashorttimeoverthesex,theyneglecttostampimpressionsontheirhusbands\'hearts,thatwouldberememberedwithmoretendernesswhenthesnowontheheadbegantochillthebosom,thaneventheirvirgincharms。Thematernalsolicitudeofareasonableaffectionatewomanisveryinteresting,andthechasteneddignitywithwhichamotherreturnsthecaressesthatsheandherchildreceivefromafatherwhohasbeenfulfillingtheseriousdutiesofhisstation,isnotonlyarespectable,butabeautifulsight。Sosingular,indeed,aremyfeelings,andIhaveendeavourednottocatchfactitiousones,thatafterhavingbeenfatiguedwiththesightofinsipidgrandeurandtheslavishceremoniesthatwithcumberouspompsuppliedtheplaceofdomesticaffections,Ihaveturnedtosomeotherscenetorelievemyeye,byrestingitontherefreshinggreeneverywherescatteredbynature。
Ihavethenviewedwithpleasureawomannursingherchildren,anddischargingthedutiesofherstationwith,perhaps,merelyaservantmadetotakeoffherhandstheservilepartofthehouseholdbusiness。Ihaveseenherprepareherselfandchildren,withonlytheluxuryofcleanliness,toreceiveherhusband,whoreturningwearyhomeintheevening,foundsmilingbabesandacleanhearth。Myhearthasloiteredinthemidstofthegroup,andhaseventhrobbedwithsympatheticemotion,whenthescrapingofthewellknownfoothasraisedapleasingtumult。
Whilstmybenevolencehasbeengratifiedbycontemplatingthisartlesspicture,Ihavethoughtthatacoupleofthisdescription,equallynecessaryandindependentofeachother,becauseeachfulfilledtherespectivedutiesoftheirstation,possessedallthatlifecouldgive。Raisedsufficientlyaboveabjectpovertynottobeobligedtoweightheconsequenceofeveryfarthingtheyspend,andhavingsufficienttopreventtheirattendingtoafrigidsystemofeconomywhichnarrowsbothheartandmind。Ideclare,sovulgararemyconceptions,thatIknownotwhatiswantedtorenderthisthehappiestaswellasthemostrespectablesituationintheworld,butatasteforliterature,tothrowalittlevarietyandinterestintosocialconverse,andsomesuperfluousmoneytogivetotheneedy,andtobuybooks。Foritisnotpleasantwhentheheartisopenedbycompassion,andtheheadactiveinarrangingplansofusefulness,tohaveaprimurchincontinuallytwitchingbacktheelbowtopreventthehandfromdrawingoutanalmostemptypurse,whisperingatthesametimesomeprudentialmaximaboutthepriorityofjustice。
Destructive,however,asrichesandinheritedhonoursaretothehumancharacter,womenaremoredebasedandcramped,ifpossiblebythem,thanmen,becausemenmaystill,insomedegree,unfoldtheirfacultiesbybecomingsoldiersandstatesmen。
Assoldiers,Igrant,theycannowonlygather,forthemostpart,vaingloriouslaurels,whilsttheyadjusttoahairtheEuropeanbalance,takingespecialcarethatnobleaknorthernnookorsoundinclinethebeam。Butthedaysoftrueheroismareover,whenacitizenfoughtforhiscountrylikeaFabriciusoraWashington,andthenreturnedtohisfarmtolethisvirtuousfervourruninamoreplacid,butnotalesssalutarystream。No,ourBritishheroesareoftenersentfromthegamingtablethanfromtheplough;
andtheirpassionshavebeenratherinflamedbyhangingwithdumbsuspenseontheturnofadie,thansublimatedbypantingaftertheadventurousmarchofvirtueinthehistoricpage。
Thestatesman,itistrue,mightwithmoreproprietyquittheFaroBank,orcard—table,toguidethehelm,forhehasstillbuttoshuffleandtrick。ThewholesystemofBritishpolitics,ifsystemitmaycourteouslybecalled,consistinginmultiplyingdependentsandcontrivingtaxeswhichgrindthepoortopampertherich;thusawar,oranywildgoosechaceis,asthevulgarusethephrase,aluckyturn—upofpatronagefortheminister,whosechiefmeritistheartofkeepinghimselfinplace。
Itisnotnecessarythenthatheshouldhavebowelsforthepoor,sohecansecureforhisfamilytheoddtrick。Orshouldsomeshowofrespect,forwhatistermedwithignorantostentationanEnglishman\'sbirth—right,beexpedienttobubblethegruffmastiffthathehastoleadbythenose,hecanmakeanemptyshow,verysafely,bygivinghissinglevoice,andsufferinghislightsquadrontofileofftotheotherside。Andwhenaquestionofhumanityisagitated,hemaydipasopinthemilkofhumankindness,tosilenceCerberus,andtalkoftheinterestwhichhishearttakesinanattempttomaketheearthnolongercryforvengeanceasitsucksinitschildren\'sblood,thoughhiscoldhandmayattheverymomentrivettheirchains,bysanctioningtheabominabletraffick。Aministerisnolongeraministerthanwhilehecancarryapoint,whichheisdeterminedtocarry。Yetitisnotnecessarythataministershouldfeellikeaman,whenaboldpushmightshakehisseat。
But,tohavedonewiththeseepisodicalobservations,letmereturntothemorespeciousslaverywhichchainstheverysoulofwoman,keepingherforeverunderthebondageofignorance。
Thepreposterousdistinctionsofrank,whichrendercivilizationacurse,bydividingtheworldbetweenvoluptuoustyrants,andcunningenviousdependents,corrupt,almostequally,everyclassofpeople,becauserespectabilityisnotattachedtothedischargeoftherelativedutiesoflife,buttothestation,andwhenthedutiesarenotfulfilled,theaffectionscannotgainsufficientstrengthtofortifythevirtueofwhichtheyarethenaturalreward。Stilltherearesomeloop—holesoutofwhichamanmaycreep,anddaretothinkandactforhimself;butforawomanitisanherculeantask,becauseshehasdifficultiespeculiartohersextoovercome,whichrequirealmostsuper—humanpowers。
Atrulybenevolentlegislatoralwaysendeavourstomakeittheinterestofeachindividualtobevirtuous;andthusprivatevirtuebecomingthecementofpublichappiness,anorderlywholeisconsolidatedbythetendencyofallthepartstowardsacommoncentre。But,theprivateorpublicvirtueofwomenisveryproblematical;forRousseau,andanumerouslistofmalewriters,insistthatsheshouldallherlife,besubjectedtoasevererestraint,thatofpropriety。Whysubjecthertopropriety——blindpropriety,ifshebecapableofactingfromanoblerspring,ifshebeanheirofimmortality？Issugaralwaystobeproducedbyvitalblood？Isonehalfofthehumanspecies,likethepoorAfricanslaves,tobesubjecttoprejudicesthatbrutalizethem,whenprincipleswouldbeasurerguardonlytosweetenthecupofman？
Isnotthisindirectlytodenywomenreason？foragiftisamockery,ifitbeunfitforuse。
Womenareincommonwithmen,renderedweakandluxuriousbytherelaxingpleasureswhichwealthprocures;butaddedtothis,theyaremadeslavestotheirpersons,andmustrenderthemalluring,thatmanmaylendthemhisreasontoguidetheirtotteringstepsaright。Orshouldtheybeambitious,theymustgoverntheirtyrantsbysinistertricks,forwithoutrightstherecannotbeanyincumbentduties。Thelawsrespectingwoman,whichImeantodiscussinafuturepart,makeanabsurdunitofamanandhiswife;andthen,bytheeasytransitionofonlyconsideringhimasresponsible,sheisreducedtoamerecypher。
Thebeingwhodischargesthedutiesofitsstation,isindependent;
and,speakingofwomenatlarge,theirfirstdutyistothemselvesasrationalcreatures,andthenext,inpointofimportance,ascitizens,isthat,whichincludessomany,ofamother。Therankinlifewhichdispenseswiththeirfulfillingthisduty,necessarilydegradesthembymakingthemmeredolls。Or,shouldtheyturntosomethingmoreimportantthanmerelyfittingdraperyuponasmoothblock,theirmindsareonlyoccupiedbysomesoftplatonicattachment;or,theactualmanagementofanintriguemaykeeptheirthoughtsinmotion;forwhentheyneglectdomesticduties,theyhaveitnotintheirpowertotakethefieldandmarchandcounter—marchlikesoldiers,orwrangleinthesenatetokeeptheirfacultiesfromrusting。
Iknow,thatasaproofoftheinferiorityofthesex,Rousseauhasexultinglyexclaimed,Howcantheyleavethenurseryforthecamp！
Andthecamphasbysomemoralistsbeentermedtheschoolofthemostheroicvirtues;though,Ithink,itwouldpuzzleakeencasuisttoprovethereasonablenessofthegreaternumberofwars,thathavedubbedheroes。Idonotmeantoconsiderthisquestioncritically;because,havingfrequentlyviewedthesefreaksofambitionasthefirstnaturalmodeofcivilization,whenthegroundmustbetornup,andthewoodsclearedbyfireandsword,Idonotchoosetocallthempests;butsurelythepresentsystemofwar,haslittleconnectionwithvirtueofanydenomination,beingrathertheschoolofFINESSEandeffeminacy,thanoffortitude。
Yet,ifdefensivewar,theonlyjustifiablewar,inthepresentadvancedstateofsociety,wherevirtuecanshowitsfaceandripenamidsttherigourswhichpurifytheaironthemountain\'stop,werealonetobeadoptedasjustandglorious,thetrueheroismofantiquitymightagainanimatefemalebosoms。Butfairandsoftly,gentlereader,maleorfemale,donotalarmthyself,forthoughI
havecontrastedthecharacterofamodernsoldierwiththatofacivilizedwoman,Iamnotgoingtoadvisethemtoturntheirdistaffintoamusket,thoughIsincerelywishtoseethebayonetconvertedintoapruninghook。Ionlyrecreatedanimagination,fatiguedbycontemplatingthevicesandfollieswhichallproceedfromafeculentstreamofwealththathasmuddiedthepurerillsofnaturalaffection,bysupposingthatsocietywillsometimeorotherbesoconstituted,thatmanmustnecessarilyfulfilthedutiesofacitizen,orbedespised,andthatwhilehewasemployedinanyofthedepartmentsofcivillife,hiswife,alsoanactivecitizen,shouldbeequallyintenttomanageherfamily,educateherchildren,andassistherneighbours。
But,torenderherreallyvirtuousanduseful,shemustnot,ifshedischargehercivilduties,want,individually,theprotectionofcivillaws;shemustnotbedependentonherhusband\'sbountyforhersubsistenceduringhislife,orsupportafterhisdeath——forhowcanabeingbegenerouswhohasnothingofitsown？or,virtuous,whoisnotfree？Thewife,inthepresentstateofthings,whoisfaithfultoherhusband,andneithersucklesnoreducatesherchildren,scarcelydeservesthenameofawife,andhasnorighttothatofacitizen。Buttakeawaynaturalrights,andthereisofcourseanendofduties。
Womenthusinfalliblybecomeonlythewantonsolaceofmen,whentheyaresoweakinmindandbody,thattheycannotexertthemselves,unlesstopursuesomefrothypleasure,ortoinventsomefrivolousfashion。Whatcanbeamoremelancholysighttoathinkingmind,thantolookintothenumerouscarriagesthatdrivehelter—skelteraboutthismetropolisinamorning,fullofpale—facedcreatureswhoareflyingfromthemselves。Ihaveoftenwished,withDr。Johnson,toplacesomeoftheminalittleshop,withhalfadozenchildrenlookinguptotheirlanguidcountenancesforsupport。Iammuchmistaken,ifsomelatentvigourwouldnotsoongivehealthandspirittotheireyes,andsomelinesdrawnbytheexerciseofreasonontheblankcheeks,whichbeforewereonlyundulatedbydimples,mightrestorelostdignitytothecharacter,orratherenableittoattainthetruedignityofitsnature。
Virtueisnottobeacquiredevenbyspeculation,muchlessbythenegativesupinenessthatwealthnaturallygenerates。
Besides,whenpovertyismoredisgracefulthanevenvice,isnotmoralitycuttothequick？Stilltoavoidmisconstruction,thoughIconsiderthatwomeninthecommonwalksoflifearecalledtofulfilthedutiesofwivesandmothers,byreligionandreason,I
cannothelplamentingthatwomenofasuperiourcasthavenotaroadopenbywhichtheycanpursuemoreextensiveplansofusefulnessandindependence。Imayexcitelaughter,bydroppinganhint,whichImeantopursue,somefuturetime,forIreallythinkthatwomenoughttohaverepresentatives,insteadofbeingarbitrarilygovernedwithouthavinganydirectshareallowedtheminthedeliberationsofgovernment。
But,asthewholesystemofrepresentationisnow,inthiscountry,onlyaconvenienthandlefordespotism,theyneednotcomplain,fortheyareaswellrepresentedasanumerousclassofhardworkingmechanics,whopayforthesupportofroyalitywhentheycanscarcelystoptheirchildren\'smouthswithbread。Howaretheyrepresented,whoseverysweatsupportsthesplendidstudofanheirapparent,orvarnishesthechariotofsomefemalefavouritewholooksdownonshame？Taxesontheverynecessariesoflife,enableanendlesstribeofidleprincesandprincessestopasswithstupidpompbeforeagapingcrowd,whoalmostworshiptheveryparadewhichcoststhemsodear。Thisismeregothicgrandeur,somethinglikethebarbarous,uselessparadeofhavingsentinelsonhorsebackatWhitehall,whichIcouldneverviewwithoutamixtureofcontemptandindignation。
Howstrangelymustthemindbesophisticatedwhenthissortofstateimpressesit！Buttillthesemonumentsoffollyarelevelledbyvirtue,similarfollieswillleaventhewholemass。Forthesamecharacter,insomedegree,willprevailintheaggregateofsociety:andtherefinementsofluxury,ortheviciousrepiningsofenviouspoverty,willequallybanishvirtuefromsociety,consideredasthecharacteristicofthatsociety,oronlyallowittoappearasoneofthestripesoftheharlequincoat,wornbythecivilizedman。
Inthesuperiourranksoflife,everydutyisdonebydeputies,asifdutiescouldeverbewaved,andthevainpleasureswhichconsequentidlenessforcestherichtopursue,appearsoenticingtothenextrank,thatthenumerousscramblersforwealthsacrificeeverythingtotreadontheirheels。Themostsacredtrustsarethenconsideredassinecures,becausetheywereprocuredbyinterest,andonlysoughttoenableamantokeepGOODCOMPANY。
Women,inparticular,allwanttobeladies。Whichissimplytohavenothingtodo,butlistlesslytogotheyscarcelycarewhere,fortheycannottellwhat。
Butwhathavewomentodoinsociety？Imaybeasked,buttoloiterwitheasygrace;surelyyouwouldnotcondemnthemalltosucklefools,andchroniclesmallbeer！No。Womenmightcertainlystudytheartofhealing,andbephysiciansaswellasnurses。Andmidwifery,decencyseemstoallottothem,thoughIamafraidthewordmidwife,inourdictionaries,willsoongiveplacetoaccoucheur,andoneproofoftheformerdelicacyofthesexbeeffacedfromthelanguage。
Theymight,alsostudypolitics,andsettletheirbenevolenceonthebroadestbasis;forthereadingofhistorywillscarcelybemoreusefulthantheperusalofromances,ifreadasmerebiography;ifthecharacterofthetimes,thepoliticalimprovements,arts,etc。benotobserved。Inshort,ifitbenotconsideredasthehistoryofman;andnotofparticularmen,whofilledanicheinthetempleoffame,anddroppedintotheblackrollingstreamoftime,thatsilentlysweepsallbeforeit,intotheshapelessvoidcalledeternity。Forshapecanitbecalled,\"thatshapehathnone？\"
Businessofvariouskinds,theymightlikewisepursue,iftheywereeducatedinamoreorderlymanner,whichmightsavemanyfromcommonandlegalprostitution。Womenwouldnotthenmarryforasupport,asmenacceptofplacesundergovernment,andneglecttheimpliedduties;norwouldanattempttoearntheirownsubsistence,amostlaudableone！sinkthemalmosttothelevelofthosepoorabandonedcreatureswholivebyprostitution。Forarenotmillinersandmantuamakersreckonedthenextclass？Thefewemploymentsopentowomen,sofarfrombeingliberal,aremenial;
andwhenasuperioreducationenablesthemtotakechargeoftheeducationofchildrenasgovernesses,theyarenottreatedlikethetutorsofsons,thoughevenclericaltutorsarenotalwaystreatedinamannercalculatedtorenderthemrespectableintheeyesoftheirpupils,tosaynothingoftheprivatecomfortoftheindividual。Butaswomeneducatedlikegentlewomen,areneverdesignedforthehumiliatingsituationwhichnecessitysometimesforcesthemtofill;thesesituationsareconsideredinthelightofadegradation;andtheyknowlittleofthehumanheart,whoneedtobetold,thatnothingsopainfullysharpensthesensibilityassuchafallinlife。
Someofthesewomenmightberestrainedfrommarryingbyaproperspiritordelicacy,andothersmaynothavehaditintheirpowertoescapeinthispitifulwayfromservitude;isnotthatgovernmentthenverydefective,andveryunmindfulofthehappinessofonehalfofitsmembers,thatdoesnotprovideforhonest,independentwomen,byencouragingthemtofillrespectablestations？Butinordertorendertheirprivatevirtueapublicbenefit,theymusthaveacivilexistenceinthestate,marriedorsingle;elseweshallcontinuallyseesomeworthywoman,whosesensibilityhasbeenrenderedpainfullyacutebyundeservedcontempt,drooplike\"thelilybrokendownbyaploughshare。\"