oti 



" That I would never deny to a wife any thing in the 



" way of dress or ornament. 

 " That I would on ever)' occasion concede to the women 

 " the meed of wit, heauty, and eloquence." &c. 



Such were the engagements that our author gladly en- 

 tered into. He now proceeds to give some account of their 

 form of government and elections. 



iJ Their constitution appeared to be a pure democracy — 

 " every one wishing to govern — no one to obey. They will 

 " not submit to be coerced by laws ; but regulate every 

 " thing by public snffragc — a most strange method in my 

 "judgment; for they all speak at once, calling out — 

 " without paying the least attention to what any one else is 

 " saying. In fact, they hold & perpetual parliament, where 

 " matters of the gravest import are discussed; so that our 

 " friend Erasmus, were he still living, would acknowledge 

 " that the women have in this country obtained what he 

 " represents them as so desirous of acquiring, and what, 

 " in fact, is quite necessary, by reason of the incertitude of 

 " their laws. For although, for consistency's sake, their 

 " enactments may not be repealed on the same day, they 

 " may on the day following. These female citizens enjoy 

 " universal suffrage — but not equal rank. To a certain 

 " number, called the Centumvirse, the fasces are confined ; 

 " and these do not succeed to their honours by right of 

 " birth, but are elected solely for their beauty or their volu- 

 " bility of tongue. The election formerly rested with the 

 " people at large ; but extreme confusion was found to arise 

 " from the circumstance that every female was intrigueing 

 " to accomplish her own election. It was then determined 

 " that those only should sit as arbiters, who did not profess 

 " to be either handsome or eloquent. But lo ! at several 

 " successive crowded meetings, not one could be got to 

 " undertake the office of elector, all the young ladies laying 

 " claim to personal beauty, as those of more advanced age 



