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If this be the fiat of fate, if they will make themselves
insignificant and contemptible, sweetly to waste 'life away,' let them
not expect to be valued when their beauty fades, for it is the fate of
the fairest flowers to be admired and pulled to pieces by the careless
hand that plucked them. In how many ways do I wish, from the purest
benevolence, to impress this truth on my sex; yet I fear that they
will not listen to a truth that dear bought experience has brought
home to many an agitated bosom, nor willingly resign the privileges of
rank and sex for the privileges of humanity, to which those have no
claim who do not discharge its duties.
Those writers are particularly useful, in my opinion, who make man
feel for man, independent of the station he fills, or the drapery of
factitious sentiments. I then would fain convince reasonable men of
the importance of some of my remarks, and prevail on them to weigh
dispassionately the whole tenor of my observations.- I appeal to their
understandings; and, as a fellow-creature, claim, in the name of my
sex, some interest in their hearts. I entreat them to assist to
emancipate their companion, to make her a help meet for them!
Would men but generously snap our chains, and be content with
rational fellowship instead of slavish obedience, they would find us
more observant daughters, more affectionate sisters, more faithful
wives, more reasonable mothers- in a word, better citizens. We
should then love them with true affection, because we should learn
to respect ourselves; and the peace of mind of a worthy man would
not be interrupted by the idle vanity of his wife, nor the babes
sent to nestle in a strange bosom, having never found a home in
their mother's.
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