{ 9° ) 
It would be unjuft to afcribe all thefe qualities to their man- 
ner of living: other caufes have undoubtedly their fhare : 
but it may be fufpeéted, that the manner of life, or kind of 
diet, that tends to debilitate, virtually contributes. to the in- 
creafe of the meaner qualities. When force of body is want- 
ing, cunning often fupplies its place; and if not regulated 
by other principles, it would difcover its effets more uni- 
verfally ; and thus will take place whether the debility is natural, 
or acquired by a diet that enfeebles the body. That there is a 
probity, fortitude, and generofity, in female minds, not inferior 
to the like qualities poflefled by the other fex, is moft certain ; 
but that it is generally fo ~~ perhaps be doubted ; 
a though both 
= Not at as their fex not equal feem’d 
_ For contemplation he and valour form’ d, 
For foftnefs fhe, and fweet attractiv 
_ Whether th ipeiienii age exhibits as many inoftanets of fa- 
perior cicalloucs as the preceding, is beyond my abilities to 
_ determine : that it is tarnifhed more than fome others with 
one vice at wa: is generally confeffed ; and it may, perhaps, 
be a problem not. unworthy of confideration, whether the 
— ee of Tea — not i increafe the diff pofiti 
_* Milton's Paradife Lot ae ae ae 
