Chap. XXV.] Education. 137 



ages, in which the intercouse of the sexes, with 

 respect to violations of what are commonly call- 

 ed the laws of decorum, came nearest to the point 

 of freedom here recommended- In the ancient 

 gymnastic exercises, it is well known, that the 

 young women were obliged to run, to wrestle, 

 to throw quoits, &c., and in these exercises to ap- 

 pear naked, as well as the men ; and at their 

 feasts and sacrifices, they were also obliged to 

 dance, in the same state of perfect nudity, amid 

 crowds of male spectators. AV^hat was the con- 

 sequence of these proceedings ? According to 

 the doctrine under consideration, such freedom 

 in exposing the naked limbs, and those parts of 

 the body which are generally concealed, ought to 

 have rendered the people who indulged in these 

 habits the most virtuous in the world, Avith re- 

 gard to the intercourse of the sexes. But was 

 this really the consequence ? Directly the re- 

 verse ! The exercises in question were converted 

 into occasions of wantonness and libertinism, so 

 gross and flagitious, that they became subjects of 

 universal complaint, and filled even pagans with 

 horrour. 



The truth is, wherever the intercourse of the 

 sexes has been most guarded, and the fences of 

 delicacy and modesty most carefully kept up, there 

 the highest degree of virtue and order has inva^ 

 riably prevailed. It is so far from being a correct 

 opinion, that throwing off reserve is the best way 

 |;o prevent corruption, that uniform experience 

 proves this course to be the most mischievous and 

 corrupting that can be imaglhed. There is no 

 way of avoiding this consequence, but by main- 



