is still in their power to imitate that hero in his
noble choice, and in his virtuous rejection. They may also reflect with
grateful triumph, that Christianity furnishes them with a better guide
than the tutor of Alcides, and with a surer light than the doctrines of
pagan philosophy.

IT is far from my design severely to condemn the innocent pleasures of
life: I would only beg leave to observe, that those which are criminal
should never be allowed; and that even the most innocent will, by
immoderate use, soon cease to be so.

THE women of this country were not sent into the world to shun society,
but to embellish it; they were not designed for wilds and solitudes, but
for the amiable and endearing offices of social life. They have useful
stations to fill, and important characters to sustain. They are of a
religion which does not impose penances, but enjoins duties; a religion
of perfect purity, but of perfect benevolence also. A religion which
does not condemn its followers to indolent seclusion from the world, but
assigns them the more dangerous, though more honourable province, of
living uncorrupted in it. In fine, a religion, which does not direct
them to fly from the multitude, that they may do nothing, but which
positively forbids them to follow a multitude to do evil.

[2] The Emperor Caligula.

[3] NOTHING can be more admirable than the manner in which this allegory
is conducted; and the whole work, not to mention its images, machinery,
and other poetical beauties, is written in the very finest strain of
morality. In this latter respect it is evidently superior to the works
of the ancients, the moral of which is frequently tainted by the
grossness of their mythology. Something of the purity of the Christian
religion may be discovered even in Fenelon's heathens, and they catch a
tincture of piety in passing through the hands of that amiable prelate.

[4] The Struldbrugs. See Voyage to Laputa.

THOUGHTS
ON
CONVERSATION.

IT has been advised, and by very respectable authorities too, that in
conversation women should carefully conceal any knowledge or learning
they may happen to possess. I own, with submission, that I do not
see either the necessity or propriety of this advice. For if a young
lady has that discretion and modesty, without which all knowledge is
little worth, she will never make an ostentatious parade of it, because
she will rather be intent on acquiring more, than on displaying wha