26 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



without the Man, are imperfed beings, in the or- 

 der of Nature. But, the greater contrait there is 

 in their characters, the more complete union there 

 is in their harmonies. It is, as we have already 

 briefly hinted, from their oppofitions in talents, in 

 taftes, in fortunes, that the mofl intenfe and the 

 mod durable affection is produced. Marriage is, 

 therefore, the friendfhip of Nature, and the only 

 real union which is not expofed, like thofe which 

 exift among men, to eftrangement, to rivalfhip, 

 to jealoufies, and to the changes- which time is ef- 

 fecting in our inclinations. 



But, Wherefore are there fo few happy mar- 

 riages among us ? I anfvver, becaufe with us the 

 fexes have diverted themfelves each of it's proper 

 nature, and affumed the other. It is becaufe the 

 women, with us, adopt the manners of men, from 

 education ; and men the manners of women, from 

 habit. The women have been defpoiled of the 

 graces, and of the talents, peculiar to their lex, by 

 the matters, the fciences, the cuftoms, the occupa- 

 tions of men. There is no way left, fave one, 

 but that is infallible, to bring both back to Na 

 ture J it is to infpire them with a tafte for Reli- 

 gion. By Religion, I do not mean attachment to 

 ceremonies, nor fyftems of Theology ; but the re- 

 ligion of the heart, pure, fimple, unoftentatious j 

 fuch as it is fo beautifully depicted in the Gofpel. 



Religion 



