the middling class
with their female servants debase both beyond measure, weakening every
species of family affection.

I have everywhere been struck by one characteristic difference in the
conduct of the two sexes; women, in general, are seduced by their
superiors, and men jilted by their inferiors: rank and manners awe the
one, and cunning and wantonness subjugate the other; ambition creeping
into the woman's passion, and tyranny giving force to the man's, for most
men treat their mistresses as kings do their favourites: _ergo_ is not
man then the tyrant of the creation?

Still harping on the same subject, you will exclaim--How can I avoid it,
when most of the struggles of an eventful life have been occasioned by
the oppressed state of my sex? We reason deeply when we feel forcibly.

But to return to the straight road of observation. The sensuality so
prevalent appears to me to arise rather from indolence of mind and dull
senses, than from an exuberance of life, which often fructifies the whole
character when the vivacity of youthful spirits begins to subside into
strength of mind.

I have before mentioned that the men are domestic tyrants, considering
them as fathers, brothers, or husbands; but there is a kind of
interregnum between the reign of the father and husband which is the only
period of freedom and pleasure that the women enjoy. Young people who
are attached to each other, with the consent of their friends, exchange
rings, and are permitted to enjoy a degree of liberty together which I
have never noticed in any other country. The days of courtship are,
therefore, prolonged till it be perfectly convenient to marry: the
intimacy often becomes very tender; and if the lover obtain the privilege
of a husband, it can only be termed half by stealth, because the family
is wilfully blind. It happens very rarely that these honorary
engagements are dissolved or disregarded, a stigma being attached to a
breach of faith which is thought more disgraceful, if not so criminal, as
the violation of the marriage-vow.

Do not forget that, in my general observations, I do not pretend to
sketch a national character, but merely to note the present state of
morals and manners as I trace the progress of the world's improvement.
Because, during my residence in different countries, my principal object
has been to take such a dispassionate view of men as will lead me to form
a just idea of the nature of man. And, to deal in