444 HISTORY OF 



thickness of their muscles, have been employed 

 to very little purpose. It is in general observed, 

 that thin and raw-boned men are always stronger 

 and more powerful than such as are seemingly 

 more muscular ; as, in the former, all the parts 

 have better room for their exertions." 



Women want much of the strength of men j 

 and in some countries the stronger sex have 

 availed themselves of this superiority, in cruelly 

 and tyrannically enslaving those who were made 

 with equal pretensions to a share in all the advan- 

 tages life can bestow. Savage- nations oblige their 

 women to a life of continual labour ; upon them 

 rest all the drudgeries of domestic duty; while the 

 husband, indolently reclined in his hammock, is 

 first served from the fruits of her industry. From 

 this negligent situation he is seldom roused, ex- 

 cept by the calls of appetite, when it is neces- 

 sary, either by fishing or hunting, to make a 

 variety in his entertainments. A savage has no 

 idea of taking pleasure in exercise ; he is sur- 

 prised to see an European walk forward for his 

 amusement, and then return back again. As for 

 his part, he could be contented to remain for 

 ever in the same situation, perfectly satisfied with 

 sensual pleasures and undisturbed repose. The 

 women of those countries are the greatest slaves 

 upon earth ; sensible of their weakness, and un- 

 able to resist, they are obliged to suffer those 

 hardships which are naturally inflicted by such as 

 have been taught that nothing but corporeal force 

 ought to give pre-eminence. It is not, therefore, 

 till after some degree of refinement, that women 



