'
Ah! why do women, I write with affectionate solicitude, condescend
to receive a degree of attention and respect from strangers, different
from that reciprocation of civility which the dictates of humanity and
the politeness of civilization authorise between man and man? And, why
do they not discover, when 'in the noon of beauty's power,' that
they are treated like queens only to be deluded by hollow respect,
till they are led to resign, or not assume, their natural
prerogatives? Confined then in cages like the feathered race, they
have nothing to do but to plume themselves, and stalk with mock
majesty from perch to perch. It is true they are provided with food
and raiment, for which they neither toil nor spin; but health,
liberty, and virtue, are given in exchange. But, where, amongst
mankind, has been found sufficient strength of mind to enable a
being to resign these adventitious prerogatives; one who, rising
with the calm dignity of reason above opinion, dared to be proud of
the privileges inherent in man? And it is vain to expect it whilst
hereditary power chokes the affections and nips reason in the bud.
The passions of men have thus placed women on thrones, and, till
mankind become more reasonable, it is to be feared that women will
avail themselves of the power which they attain with the least
exertion, and which is the most indisputable. They will smile,- yes,
they will smile, though told that-
'In beauty's empire is no mean,
'And woman, either slave or queen,
'Is quickly scorn'd when not ador'd.
Pages:
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98