an who was one day to become the
defender of his suffering people.[7]"

TO win the passions, therefore, over to the cause of virtue, answers a
much nobler end than their extinction would possibly do, even if that
could be effected. But it is their nature never to observe a neutrality;
they are either rebels or auxiliaries, and an enemy subdued is an ally
obtained. If I may be allowed to change the allusion so soon, I would
say, that the passions also resemble fires, which are friendly and
beneficial when under proper direction, but if suffered to blaze without
restraint, they carry devastation along with them, and, if totally
extinguished, leave the benighted mind in a state of cold and
comfortless inanity.

BUT in speaking of the usefulness of the passions, as instruments of
virtue, _envy_ and _lying_ must always be excepted: these, I am
persuaded, must either go on in still progressive mischief, or else be
radically cured, before any good can be expected from the heart which
has been infected with them. For I never will believe that envy, though
passed through all the moral strainers, can be refined into a
virtuous emulation, or lying improved into an agreeable turn for
innocent invention. Almost all the other passions may be made to take
an amiable hue; but these two must either be totally extirpated, or be
always contented to preserve their original deformity, and to wear their
native black.

[7] Obras de Quevedo, vida de San Pablo Apostol.

ON THE
IMPORTANCE OF RELIGION
TO THE
FEMALE CHARACTER.

VARIOUS are the reasons why the greater part of mankind cannot apply
themselves to arts or letters. Particular studies are only suited to the
capacities of particular persons. Some are incapable of applying to
them from the delicacy of their sex, some from the unsteadiness of
youth, and others from the imbecillity of age. Many are precluded by the
narrowness of their education, and many by the straitness of their
fortune. The wisdom of God is wonderfully manifested in this happy and
well-ordered diversity, in the powers and properties of his creatures;
since by thus admirably suiting the agent to the action, the whole
scheme of human affairs is carried on with the most agreeing and
consistent oeconomy, and no chasm is left for want of an object to
fill it, exactly suited to its nature.

BUT in the great and universal concern of religion, both sexes, and all
ranks, are equally interested. The truly cathol