They are timid and
want to be defended. They are frail; O do not take advantage of
their weakness! Let their fears and blushes endear them. Let their
confidence in you never be abused.- But is it possible, that any of
you can be such barbarians, so supremely wicked, as to abuse it? Can
you find in your hearts* to despoil the gentle, trusting creatures
of their treasure, or do any thing to strip them of their native
robe of virtue? Curst be the impious hand that would dare to violate
the unblemished form of Chastity! Thou wretch! thou ruffian!
forbear; nor venture to provoke heaven's fiercest vengeance.' I know
not any comment that can be made seriously on this curious passage,
and I could produce many similar ones; and some, so very
sentimental, that I have heard rational men use the word indecent,
when they mentioned them with disgust.
* Can you?- Can you? would be the most emphatical comment, were it
drawled out in a whining voice.
Throughout there is a display of cold artificial feelings, and
that parade of sensibility which boys and girls should be taught to
despise as the sure mark of a little vain mind. Florid appeals are
made to heaven, and to the beauteous innocents, the fairest images
of heaven here below, whilst sober sense is left far behind.- This
is not the language of the heart, nor will it ever reach it, though
the ear may be tickled.
I shall be told, perhaps, that the public have been pleased with
these volumes.- True- and Hervey's Meditations are still read,
though he equally sinned against sense and taste.
Pages:
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160