It is proper to observe, that animals who arrive slowly at maturity,
are the longest lived, and of the noblest species. Men cannot,
however, claim any natural superiority from the grandeur of longevity;
for in this respect nature has not distinguished the male.
Polygamy is another physical degradation; and a plausible argument
for a custom, that blasts every domestic virtue, is drawn from the
well-attested fact, that in the countries where it is established,
more females are born than males. This appears to be an indication
of nature, and to nature, apparently reasonable speculations must
yield. A further conclusion obviously presented itself; if polygamy be
necessary, woman must be inferior to man, and made for him.
With respect to the formation of the fetus in the womb, we are
very ignorant; but it appears to me probable, that an accidental
physical cause may account for this phenomenon, and prove it not to be
a law of nature. I have met with some pertinent observations on the
subject in Forster's Account of the Isles of the South-Sea, that
will explain my meaning. After observing that of the two sexes amongst
animals, the most vigorous and hottest constitution always prevails,
and produces its kind; he adds,- 'If this be applied to the
inhabitants of Africa, it is evident that the men there, accustomed to
polygamy, are enervated by the use of so many women, and therefore
less vigorous; the women, on the contrary, are of a hotter
constitution, not only on account of their more irritable nerves, more
sensible organization, and more lively fancy; but likewise because
they are deprived in their matrimony of that share of physical love
which, in a monogamous condition, would all be theirs; and thus, for
the above reasons, the generality of children are born females.
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