270 T H E P H I L O S O P H Y 



irregular appetite. The difpofitions and afTeitions of the female are 

 the fame with thofe of the male. Her attention is completely en- 

 grofled ; and fhe never thinks or dreams of any man, but of him 

 who is the object of her affedion. A young man and a young wo- 

 man in love exhibit the mod innocent and the moft amiable pidture 

 of human nature. Aduated by no interefted motives, and regard- 

 lefs of future contingencies, they obey the fupreme command of 

 Nature. How much is it to be lamented, that, from the cruel, but 

 perhaps unavoidable inilitutions and cuftoms of civil focieties, it is 

 fo often not only prudent, but neceflary, to check, and even to over- 

 come, this powerful law of Nature ? 



Many are the advantages that mankind derive from fociety and 

 regular governments, and we fliould chearfully fubmit to thofe hard- 

 fhips and inconveniencies to which they give rife. But every man, 

 however fubmiflive to the laws of his country, muft regret tliat net 

 ceffity which makes them oppofe any of the laws of Nature, and 

 efpecially the almoft irrefiftible law of love. 



In the prefent ftate of fociety, it muft be acknowledged, early 

 marriages, among people in the ordinary and dependent ranks of 

 life, are extremely hazardous. When both parties are induftrious and 

 oeconomical, fuch marriages are not only the moft natural, but are 

 produiSlive of the greateft happinefs and cordiality. But the reverfe 

 is dreadful ! Children, ftraiiened circumftances, refentment of pa- 

 rents, whether real or affeded, too often produce all the complicated 

 miferies to which mankind, in their loweft ftate of degradation, can 

 be fubjeded. Among this order of men, therefore, it is of the high- 

 eft importance that the law of Nature fhould yield, for fome time at 

 leaft, to the inftitutions of fociety, and to thofe prudential motives 

 which parents learn from experience to be ingredients effential to 

 ibe comfort and happinefs of life. 



Men 



