290 .MEMOIRS OF 



than voluptuoufnefs itfelf ; a confcioufnefs 

 too likely to produce hatred and envy to- 

 wards people of fpotlefs reputation, toge- 

 ther with a defire to reduce others to their 

 own unfortunate level. The great Moral- 

 ift of the Old Teftarnent, fays, " There is 

 " no wickednefs like the wickednefs of a 

 " woman;" not becaufe the weaker fex 

 are naturally more depraved, but from the 

 improbability that a fallen female iliould 

 ever, even upon the fincereft repentance, 

 regain the efteem and confidence of fociety, 

 while it pardons a male libertine the inftant 

 he feems difpofed to forfake his vice, and 

 too often during it's full career. 



But the fault of Madam de L'EncIos 

 was fingle, and furrounded by folid virtues. 

 Truth, fmcerity/ difinterefted friendfhip, 

 economy, generofity, and ftrid pecuniary 

 juftice, marked her commerce with the 

 world, and fecured to her the friendfhip 

 and countenance of the moft eminent 



people 



