Ruling PASSION*/ WOMEN. 
8x 
Be this as it may, as the triumphs of beauty are offhort du- 
ration ; and as it is apt to do as much mifchief, as good, to man- 
kind, the ftronger reafon arifes from hence, to improve the 
charms of piety and conftancy ; the charms of fenfe and rea- 
fon ; the charms of gentlenefs, and truth ; in a word, the fu- 
periority of virtue over all external advantages \ even over this 
mutable and perifhable, tho’ much admired appearance. You 
remember Mr. addison calls beauty a fet of features, and the 
tin&ure of a fkin : but however we may analyze it, let her 
who is wise, and defires to be happy, prefer 
“ biward greatnefs , unaffeSied wifdom , 
tc And fanElity of manners .” 
Winning modefty, and attractive fmiles, will follow of courfe ; 
and from hence will arife that perfuafive gentlenefs which foftens 
the rigor of mens aufterer virtue. ’Tis thus the power of your 
fex might become of yet greater importance to yourfelves and 
men, than it now feems to be ; fince, without injuring exter- 
nal beauty, or the power of it, which are gifts of nature, you 
will add charms which are yet more intrinfically valuable. 
It is not, however, of beauty alone of which women are apt 
to take unwarrantable advantages : as you fometimes find your 
wifdom and knowledge inferior to that of men, you are tempt- 
ed to practice the little arts of cunning : with the foolish or 
vicious part of mankind, and fometimes with the wise and 
virtuous, thefe devices anfwer your purposes. But you will 
grant, that (lie deceives herself who departs from truth : fhe 
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