t
proof that humanity is not dead within their breasts draws down the most
enthusiastic applause. During their hour of empire, people are grateful to
them for not being absolutely intolerable--when they deviate into the
least appearance of courtesy or good nature, they are angels. Their sun
sets, and they soon learn what it is to be a fallen tyrant. The woman who
pleases at first, and as your acquaintance advances gains the more in your
esteem, is the most charming of all companions; the countenance of such a
person is the most agreeable of all sights, and her voice the most
musical of all sounds. "Une belle femme qui a les qualites d'un honnete
homme est-ce qu'il y a au monde d'un commerce plus delicieux; l'on trouve
en elle tout le merite des deux sexes."

"In the heart of the best woman," says a German writer, "there glows a
shovelful, at least, of infernal embers; in that of the worst, there is a
little corner of Paradise."

The real benefits which depend on the influence of the softer sex are thus
described:--

"One of the peculiar offices of women is to refine society. They
are very much shielded by their sex from the stern duties of men,
and from that intercourse with the basest part of mankind which
is opposed to the humanizing influence of mental cultivation. On
them, the improvement of society in these respects chiefly
depends; and they who consider the subject with the views here
offered, will become more and more convinced of the service they
might render. Manners are, in truth, of great importance. If real
refinement be a merit, it is surely desirable that it should show
itself in the general deportment. Real vulgarity is the
expression of something mean or coarse in sentiments or habits.
It betrays the want of fine moral perceptions. The peculiarities
in manner and deportment, which proceed from the selfishness of
the great world, when stripped of the illusory influence of their
apparent refinement, become grossly offensive. A cold repulsive
manner, such as is commonly assumed by persons in high life, is
sometimes a necessary shield against the pushing familiarity of
underbred persons. Their tasteless imitations of habits and
manners which do not belong to their station or character,
deserve the ridicule they meet with. The most offensive form
vulgarity can take, is an affectation of the follies and vices of
high li