Sociable Letters 293 



seems like as if they were going to be hanged for 

 steaHng some bread and cheese, or for robbing an 

 apple-orchard, or for steahng ragged linnen off the 

 hedges, or some such petty, or worthless things. But 

 men are as inconstant in their fashions as women, if 

 not more, so as it is to be hoped they will change to 

 a more manly fashion than muffs, and a more hand- 

 some fashion than boot-hose tied up to their short 

 breeches, which boot-hose about the knees appear 

 hke wens, and swelled sores ready to be lanced, to let 

 out the corruption that is gathered therein. Truly, to 

 me it would appear more seemly for women to wear 

 swords, than men to wear muffs, for women, though 

 weak, and unskilful to handle and use a sword, yet 

 had they courage, they might make a shift to assist 

 an assaulted friend, or to protect their honour against 

 violation, whereas a muff doth as it were tie up a 

 man's hands, and is a hinderance either to assault 

 or defend. But women have no occasion to wear 

 swords, for they are protected by the civil laws of all 

 nations; besides, all noble gentlemen are guards to 

 the female sex, and for the assistance of friends, there 

 be few that are assaulted in their own houses ; and 

 women are not suffered to fight in the war; neither 

 are they chosen for seconds, nor is it fit they should 

 be in drunken quarrels; and as for thieves, it is an 

 old saying, thieves are too strong for true men, for 

 thieves will seldom assault one, under two or three. 

 Not but that women ought to do their endeavour to 

 assist a friend in distress, though they were sure to 

 do them no good ; but their striving to help must do 

 them no hurt, by hindering them to help themselves; 

 as for example, some women that see an enemy 

 assault their husbands, sons, father or brother, 

 or are by when they quarrel with any other man. 



