358 Conclufion and Recapitulation, 
yoke is punifhment, moft other nations already fuffer it. Could 
we fuppofe the world to be governed by chance, and that no 
wise and supreme lawgiver has any concern in the direction 
of it ; yet it Teems to be a contradiction to common fenfe and 
experience, for a people to boaft of freedom ; to bleed for it 
too ; and yet to give themfelves up to luxury and the love of 
money ; paftions as inconfiftent with the generous fentiments 
which the love of liberty infpires, as virtue fet off with all 
worldly advantages, is fuperior to vice in rags. Therefore we 
may fufpeCt, that we are already become ftavifh in mind, ftu- 
pid in underftanding, and aim at things diametrically oppoftte; 
for though there may be a very rich, and a free people, how 
can we imagine a very corrupt and a free people can long exift, 
was it only that fuch corruption abforbs their public treafure ? 
But, madam, you may ftill give a fubftantial proof of your 
patriotifm, if you endevor to promote the caufe of virtue ; if 
you attend to your dome flic affairs ; if you pay your taxes with 
a good grace ; if you abftain from fuch cuftoms as are injuri- 
ous ; and among the latter, remember the laborious 
lesson I have given you upon tea. 
British ladies have been long confidered the reverfe of 
mahommedan slaves. Convince the world by your actions, 
that you have the trued notions of liberty and honor; and as 
juft a contempt of thofe who proftitute their voice,, as of thofe 
who proftitute their perfons. You have an equal right to rea*- 
son and religion ; you love god, you muft love your coun- 
try alfo. But if you are ignorant how to exprefs that love, 
or neglect to practise what you know, you will share the 
3 evilss 
