THE INFLUENCE OF WOMEN. 557 



viate their history by dividing them into a certain number of classes ; and 

 as I have begun my comparisons in astronomy, let me see how they will 

 fit to the twelve signs of the Zodiac. 



Some are like Sagittarius, and from eyes of blue, black, or hazel, 

 delight in aiming at the hearts of men, the sure and sharp arrows of 

 their almost inexhaustible quivers. Others may come under the deno- 

 mination of Librarians, not because they are learned, but on account of 

 their propensity to weigh the matter on both sides, and by long delibera- 

 tion, and long faces, to induce their captives to make more liberal settle- 

 ments. Gemini will include those who, by their astonishing fecundity, 

 so powerfully urge on their husbands the necessity of making suitable 

 provisions for an increasing family, and influence them in redoubling 

 their exertions for that purpose. By Cancer one may understand a 

 respectable body of females, who as they recede from the stage of human 

 existence by slow and regular gradations, have considerable influence in 

 suppressing, with their snappishness and ill-humour, the gallantry of 

 those who would otherwise most willingly take them by the hand. The 

 Pisces are another odd kind of fish, which, though they do not multiply 

 among themselves, are yet, I fear, increasingly numerous. They live 

 out of water, it is true ; like owls, they only venture forth in the night- 

 time, and contribute, by their meretricious arts, to excite the bad, while 

 they destroy the worthier passions of youth. Virgo is a title to which 

 a numerous band of females lay claim so resolutely and vehemently, that 

 one had better substitute virago, or even Taurus (malgre the gender), as 

 applying to a much more extensive class of Amazons, who engross among 

 themselves the singular faculty of bullying and intimidating all little men 

 with squinting eyes, crooked backs, and bandy legs. The Scorpions are 

 a very terrible and deceitful race, and the man who is about to consum- 

 mate his earthly bliss, must "take heed to his ways that he offend not with 

 his tongue," or he will find to his sorrow, if he marry a person of this 

 stamp, " it is better to dwell in the corner of the house-top, than with a 

 bawling woman in a wide house." Those whom I would distinguish 

 by the name of Capricornus, are a very considerate class of creatures. 

 Not wishing to be over burdensome to any single man, they allow one 

 the privilege of calling himself husband, and reserve the other to sustain 

 the character of lover. This sort of ladies are noted for cutting rather 

 curious capers ; and they take considerable pleasure in ranking their 

 submissive spouses with horned cattle. The Aries are women who never 

 condescend to argue a point but at the sword's point, and are accustomed 

 to thrash all their opponents, until the chaff is separated from the wheat, 

 and they gain them over to their own opinions. The followers of Aquarius 

 are the least in number and repute of any in the Zodiac. These are they 

 who go with a clean face and neat attire, are as innocent as doves, and 

 have every thing very comfortable ; but they sail down the stream of 

 time as though they were the only inhabitants of earth, without taking 

 notice of either men or things, and have no further influence on the 

 minds of mankind, than as they sometimes induce poets to compare them 

 with the noiseless water-brooks, which 



lose them at vessel length 



In matted grass, that with a livelier green 

 Betrays the secret of their silent course. 



