And what is sensibility? 'Quickness of sensation; quickness of
perception; delicacy.' Thus is it defined by Dr. Johnson; and the
definition gives me no other idea than of the most exquisitely
polished instinct. I discern not a trace of the image of God in either
sensation or matter. Refined seventy times seven, they are still
material; intellect dwells not there; nor will fire ever make lead
gold!
I come round to my old argument; if woman be allowed to have an
immortal soul, she must have, as the employment of life, an
understanding to improve. And when, to render the present state more
complete, though every thing proves it to be but a fraction of a
mighty sum, she is incited by present gratification to forget her
grand destination, nature is counteracted, or she was born only to
procreate and rot. Or, granting brutes, of every description, a
soul, though not a reasonable one, the exercise of instinct and
sensibility may be the step, which they are to take, in this life,
towards the attainment of reason in the next; so that through all
eternity they will lag behind man, who, why we cannot tell, had the
power given him of attaining reason in his first mode of existence.
When I treat of the peculiar duties of women, as I should treat of
the peculiar duties of a citizen or father, it will be found that I do
not mean to insinuate that they should be taken out of their families,
speaking of the majority. 'He that hath wife and children,' says
Lord Bacon, 'hath given hostages to fortune; for they are
impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief.
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