mate; but will bring forward such charges only, the truth of which is
an insult upon humanity. In order to promote certain destructive
speculations, Mr. Venables prevailed on me to borrow certain sums of a
wealthy relation; and, when I refused further compliance, he thought of
bartering my person; and not only allowed opportunities to, but urged, a
friend from whom he borrowed money, to seduce me. On the discovery of
this act of atrocity, I determined to leave him, and in the most decided
manner, for ever. I consider all obligation as made void by his conduct;
and hold, that schisms which proceed from want of principles, can never
be healed.

"He received a fortune with me to the amount of five thousand pounds. On
the death of my uncle, convinced that I could provide for my child, I
destroyed the settlement of that fortune. I required none of my property
to be returned to me, nor shall enumerate the sums extorted from me
during six years that we lived together.

"After leaving, what the law considers as my home, I was hunted like a
criminal from place to place, though I contracted no debts, and demanded
no maintenance--yet, as the laws sanction such proceeding, and make women
the property of their husbands, I forbear to animadvert. After the birth
of my daughter, and the death of my uncle, who left a very considerable
property to myself and child, I was exposed to new persecution; and,
because I had, before arriving at what is termed years of discretion,
pledged my faith, I was treated by the world, as bound for ever to a man
whose vices were notorious. Yet what are the vices generally known, to
the various miseries that a woman may be subject to, which, though
deeply felt, eating into the soul, elude description, and may be glossed
over! A false morality is even established, which makes all the virtue of
women consist in chastity, submission, and the forgiveness of injuries.

"I pardon my oppressor--bitterly as I lament the loss of my child, torn
from me in the most violent manner. But nature revolts, and my soul
sickens at the bare supposition, that it could ever be a duty to pretend
affection, when a separation is necessary to prevent my feeling hourly
aversion.

"To force me to give my fortune, I was imprisoned--yes; in a private
mad-house.--There, in the heart of misery, I met the man charged with
seducing me. We became attached--I deemed, and ever shall deem, myself
free. The death of my babe dissolved the only