Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Of The Influence Of The Female Character On The Manners Of Men.
for , though in many instances , particularly in that coquetry so frequently played off in the intercourse of the sexes upon the lords of the creation , it cannot be too strongly reprobated ; yet , on a more extended view , we shall confess that a moderate portion of dissimulation is not only pardonable , but is absolutely necessary to . shield the sex ( who by their sedentary occupations , and seclusion from the more ' active scenes of societyare inexpert in the arts which are there
, acquired , and but too frequently brought into action in private life , to the scandal of the men and the ruin of the fair ); I- say , a little dissimulation is the only guard they can put on , the only weapon with which they can encounter the artful designs of imperious man .
Envy is a hateful and a criminal passion ,- and though disclaimed by all , yet few of either sex but are at some time of their Jives more or less affected by it . As it arises , however , from ungra tiffed ambition , and the ambition of women is much less extensive than that of men , and their desires ( chiefly referring to some ornament of dress , or trivial decoration ) more easily satisfied , it follows hence that this passion is less conspicuous and less criminal in theirs than in
our sex . Levity and inconstancy are so nearly allied as not to be easily separable in our computation of human manners . Of levity there are few women , however wise or experienced , who have not occasionally exhibited strong symptoms . As , however , if at all bounded , this humour of the mind can never be essentially
hurtful , I shall pass over this point with observing , that to humanity error and . frailty is natural , and that no person is . good or perfect but by comparison ; that is to say , the best are only not so bad as others . ; Inconstancy differs only from , levity in . that- it is an expression , usually applied to change of affection towards persons , and of course ' principally , operates in affairs'of love and friendship ! Indeed ' - a
, strong proof of the connection or dependance on each other of levity and inconstancy seems to be this , that levity often forms hasty and improper , attachments , and inconstancy is the-natural -result of- the operation of better thoughts on the subject ,. ¦ . -. - .
Having thus concisely stated tnose imperfections usually . termed feminine , I : proceed to my next head of argument , ' namely , ' 2 , In the second place to take a view of those to which men ,-tre supposed to be naturally most prone . And here beams forth a ray of li ght , not flattering but honourable to the women ; jb , r it will immediately appear that among many other follies and vices incident ( indeed , peculiar ) to the characters
of men , all those which have been alread y enumerated are necessarily to be included . ' 111 am J . disposed to enlarge on a catalogue offices odious to the car and disgraceful to our nature , such as'lying , seduction , indiscriminate debauchery , inebriety , and , finally , those atrocities which furnish victims to the laws of God and man , and of which it is obvious to remark that women are very rarely partakers . I shall , therefor ^ A a 2
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Of The Influence Of The Female Character On The Manners Of Men.
for , though in many instances , particularly in that coquetry so frequently played off in the intercourse of the sexes upon the lords of the creation , it cannot be too strongly reprobated ; yet , on a more extended view , we shall confess that a moderate portion of dissimulation is not only pardonable , but is absolutely necessary to . shield the sex ( who by their sedentary occupations , and seclusion from the more ' active scenes of societyare inexpert in the arts which are there
, acquired , and but too frequently brought into action in private life , to the scandal of the men and the ruin of the fair ); I- say , a little dissimulation is the only guard they can put on , the only weapon with which they can encounter the artful designs of imperious man .
Envy is a hateful and a criminal passion ,- and though disclaimed by all , yet few of either sex but are at some time of their Jives more or less affected by it . As it arises , however , from ungra tiffed ambition , and the ambition of women is much less extensive than that of men , and their desires ( chiefly referring to some ornament of dress , or trivial decoration ) more easily satisfied , it follows hence that this passion is less conspicuous and less criminal in theirs than in
our sex . Levity and inconstancy are so nearly allied as not to be easily separable in our computation of human manners . Of levity there are few women , however wise or experienced , who have not occasionally exhibited strong symptoms . As , however , if at all bounded , this humour of the mind can never be essentially
hurtful , I shall pass over this point with observing , that to humanity error and . frailty is natural , and that no person is . good or perfect but by comparison ; that is to say , the best are only not so bad as others . ; Inconstancy differs only from , levity in . that- it is an expression , usually applied to change of affection towards persons , and of course ' principally , operates in affairs'of love and friendship ! Indeed ' - a
, strong proof of the connection or dependance on each other of levity and inconstancy seems to be this , that levity often forms hasty and improper , attachments , and inconstancy is the-natural -result of- the operation of better thoughts on the subject ,. ¦ . -. - .
Having thus concisely stated tnose imperfections usually . termed feminine , I : proceed to my next head of argument , ' namely , ' 2 , In the second place to take a view of those to which men ,-tre supposed to be naturally most prone . And here beams forth a ray of li ght , not flattering but honourable to the women ; jb , r it will immediately appear that among many other follies and vices incident ( indeed , peculiar ) to the characters
of men , all those which have been alread y enumerated are necessarily to be included . ' 111 am J . disposed to enlarge on a catalogue offices odious to the car and disgraceful to our nature , such as'lying , seduction , indiscriminate debauchery , inebriety , and , finally , those atrocities which furnish victims to the laws of God and man , and of which it is obvious to remark that women are very rarely partakers . I shall , therefor ^ A a 2