The baneful consequences which flow from inattention to health
during infancy, and youth, extend further than is supposed- dependence
of body naturally produces dependence of mind; and how can she be a
good wife or mother, the greater part of whose time is employed to
guard against or endure sickness? Nor can it be expected that a
woman will resolutely endeavour to strengthen her constitution and
abstain from enervating indulgencies, if artificial notions of beauty,
and false descriptions of sensibility, have been early entangled
with her motives of action. Most men are sometimes obliged to bear
with bodily inconveniencies, and to endure, occasionally, the
inclemency of the elements; but genteel women are, literally speaking,
slaves to their bodies, and glory in their subjection.
I once knew a weak woman of fashion, who was more than commonly
proud of her delicacy and sensibility. She thought a distinguishing
taste and puny appetite the height of all human perfection, and
acted accordingly.- I have seen this weak sophisticated being
neglect all the duties of life, yet recline with self-complacency on a
sofa, and boast of her want of appetite as a proof of delicacy that
extended to, or, perhaps, arose from, her exquisite sensibility: for
it is difficult to render intelligible such ridiculous jargon.- Yet,
at the moment, I have seen her insult a worthy old gentlewoman, whom
unexpected misfortunes had made dependent on her ostentatious
bounty, and who, in better days, had claims on her gratitude.
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