30 SITUATION OF WOMEN IN SOCIETY. 



soul, he then feels how much the women deserve his admiration ; 

 they approach him in enchanting forms, and administer an unex- 

 pected balm to his sorrows, making him sensible in every particle 

 of his being that, although they appear distinct from himself, yet 

 they are himself nevertheless. He observes these sweet partici- 

 pators of his joys and his son*ows unceasingly near him, who make 

 him anticipate consolation, even before it is offered; to whom he 

 assents at once, without waiting for any arguments of persuasion, and 

 who appear an asylum against all misfortunes. 



But because we are endowed with corporeal strength, is it to follow 

 that the fair sex are born to slavery or submission ? that they are to 

 be dependant on our passions and caprices ? awaiting the arbitrary 

 decrees dictated to them by the forms of government and the pre- 

 judices of men ? Here, adored as divinities — there, esteemed as 

 companions and equals ; and again we may see them condemned to 

 servitude and contempt. 



Yet under all these conflicting circumstances, we see them still 

 retaining their characteristic distinctions, sucmitting with inexhaustible 

 patience, and enduring with inconceivable fortitude. Their faults 

 are not augmented under the pressure of humiliation and distress. 

 And which of our good qualities do they not possess ? One alone, 

 Anacreon says, has been denied them ; and that is prudence. But 

 as they are everywhere led themselves, and never (unless by a teiii- 

 porary usurpation) are able to assume the lead of others, they have 

 less inducement to the exercise of foresight than men. Their extreme 

 sensibility, too, pleads their apology in this respect. Alive as they 

 are to every impression that can excite their feelhigs, their situation 

 is little calculated for the calm exertion of foresight; but being too 

 apt to yield themselves up to the suggestions of the moment, they 

 not unfrequently pass their lives in alternate action and repentance. 



Various have been the opinions of celebrated writers respecting 

 the fair sex. Some have considered them as equal in eveiy respect 

 to the opposite sex ; while others have condemned them to perpetual 

 frivolities. And no doubt examples might be quoted in support and 

 refutation of both these modes of judgment; yet I must observe, 

 that the number of those who have written in their praise is much 

 greater than that of their calumniators. Some have denied them 

 any share of political talents ; yet how much address and intelligence 



