I70 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



method, fo much adapted to the reformation of 

 manners, would farther contribute toward conci- 

 liating our provinces to each other, by the mar- 

 riages which regiments would contradl, in their 

 continual progrefs from place to place. They 

 would ftrengthen the bands of national affedion 

 from North to South ; and our peafantry would 

 ceafe to be afraid of them, if they faw them march- 

 ing through the country as hufbands and fathers. 

 If the foldiery are fometimes guilty of irregulari- 

 ties, to our military inftitutions the blame muft be 

 imputed. I have feen others under better difci- 

 pline, but I know of none more generous. 



fhip-board, more than one fpecies of irregularity. Befides, the\' 

 might be ufefully engaged in a variety of employments fuitabte 

 to their fex, fuch as dreffing the vifluals, wafliing the linen, 



mending the fails, and the like They might, in many cafes, 



co-operate in the labours of the fliip's crew. They are much 

 lefs liable to be affected by thefcurvy, and by various other dif- 

 orders, than men are. 



The projed of embarking women will, no doubt, appear ex- 

 travagant to perfons who do not know that there are, at leaft, 

 ten thoufand women who navigate the coafting veflels of Hol- 

 land ; who affift, on deck, in working the fliip, and manage the 

 helm as dexrroufly as any man. A handfome woman would, 

 undoubtedly, prove the occafion of much mifchief on board a 

 French fhip ; but women, fuch as J have been defcribing, hardy 

 and laborious, are exceedingly proper, on the contrary, to pre- 

 vent, or remedy, many kinds of mifchief, which are already but 

 too prevalent in a fea life. 



I was 



