r to perform the servile office of making cakes for her
brother Amnon.

The simplicity of the times in which these things happened, no doubt,
very much invalidates the strength of the conclusions that naturally
arise from them. But, notwithstanding, it still appears that women were
not then treated with the delicacy which they have experienced among
people more polished and refined.

Polygamy also prevailed; which is so contrary to the inclination of the
sex, and so deeply wounds the delicacy of their feelings, that it is
impossible for any woman voluntarily to agree to it, even where it is
authorized by custom and by law. Wherever, therefore, polygamy takes
place, we may assure ourselves that women have but little authority, and
have scarcely arrived at any consequence in society.

WOMEN OF ANCIENT EGYPT.

Wherever the human race live solitary, and unconnected with each other,
they are savage and barbarous. Wherever they associate together, that
association produces softer manners and a more engaging deportment.

The Egyptians, from the nature of their country, annually overflowed by
the Nile, had no wild beasts to hunt, nor could they procure any thing
by fishing. On these accounts, they were under a necessity of applying
themselves to agriculture, a kind of life which naturally brings mankind
together, for mutual convenience and assistance.

They were, likewise, every year, during the inundation of the river,
obliged to assemble together, and take shelter, either on the rising
grounds, or in the houses, which were raised upon piles, above the reach
of the waters. Here, almost every employment being suspended, and the
men and women long confined together, a thousand inducements, not to be
found in a solitary state, would naturally prompt them to render
themselves agreeable to each other. Hence their manners would begin,
more early, to assume a softer polish, and more elegant refinement, than
those of the other nations who surrounded them.

The practice of confining women, instituted by jealousy, and maintained
by unlawful power, was not adopted by the ancient Egyptians. This
appears from the story of Pharaoh's daughter, who was going with her
train of maids to bathe in the river, when she found Moses hid among the
reeds. It is still more evident, from that of the wife of Potiphar, who,
if she had been confined, could not have found the opportunities she
did, to solicit Joseph to her adulterous embrace.

The