f70 THE PHILOSOPHY 



With regard to the female fex, they are by no means ex- 

 empted from conftitutional changes when they arrive at the 

 age of puberty. The alteration in the tone of their voice, if 

 it does happen, is hardly perceptible. Neither are their 

 faces deformed by a beard, which, according to our prefent 

 ideas, would have a difgufting efFecl. At this period, hov/- 

 ever, their mammae fwell, and a periodical evacuation takes 

 place, which produces wonderful revolutions in their confti- 

 tution and aue£lions. In both fexes, the mental changes 

 are not lefs remarkable than the corporeal. The powers of 

 the mind expand, the force of genius is felt, and very differ- 

 ent objects folicit attention : Inftead of peurile amufements, 

 ambition, a warm and unafFecled friendfliip, a generofity and 

 unfufpicious demeanour, both in words and aclions, are the 

 almoU univerfal chara£leriflics of this period of human life. 

 I mention it with pleafure, that, as far as my obfervation ex- 

 tends, in youth, unlefs they are corrupted by example, by 

 negle^l, or by other caufes, all men are honeft, friendly, gen- 

 erous, and humane. If this remark be true. Nature is fully 

 exculpated. But, when a young man enters into the bufinefs 

 of life, his candour and ingenuoufnefs foon meet with a- 

 iliock. This is the painful reverfe. Inftead of liberality 

 and integrity of condu6l, he has to encounter with felfifh- 

 nefs, chicane, and too often with dire£l villary. This un- 

 happy dilcovery turns his thoughts into a different current^ 

 contrails the noble opennefs of his heart, renders him fufpi- 

 cious and guarded, and, if he fhall chance to retain his in- 

 tegrity, he is obliged to alTume, at leaft, the appearance of 

 jealoufy and deceit. I by no means intend this to be the 

 univerfal chara^ler of mankind j I only lament that it is- too- 

 i^eneral. 



In every race of mankind of which we have any know- 

 ledge, the females arrive fooner at puberty than the males,. 

 But the age of puberty differs in different countries. This- 



