m where the rites were performing, told that a man
was in the house. The women in the utmost consternation, threw a veil
ever the mysteries, ordered the doors to be secured, and with lights in
their hands, ran about the house searching for the sacrilegious
intruder. They found him in the apartment of the slave who had admitted
him, drove him out with ignominy, and, though it was in the middle of
the night immediately dispersed, to give an account to their husbands of
what had happened. Claudius was soon after accused of having profaned
the holy rites; but the populace declaring in his favor, the judges,
fearing an insurrection, were obliged to acquit him.

[2] Masonry

A WORD TO A VERY NICE CLASS OF LADIES.

There is amongst us a female character, not uncommon, which we
denominate the outrageously virtuous. Women of this stamp never fail to
seize all opportunities of exclaiming, in the bitterest manner, against
every one upon whom even the slightest suspicion of indiscretion or
unchastity has fallen; taking care, as they go along, to magnify every
mole-hill into a mountain, and every thoughtless freedom into the
blackest of crimes. But besides the illiberality of thus treating such
as may frequently be innocent, you may credit us, dear countrywomen,
when we aver, that such a behavior, instead of making you appear more
virtuous, only draws down upon you, by those who know the world,
suspicions not much to your advantage. Your sex are in general suspected
by ours, of being too much addicted to scandal and defamation; a
suspicion, which has not arisen of late years, as we find in the ancient
laws of England a punishment, known by the name of ducking-stool,
annexed to scolding and defamation in the women, though no such
punishment nor crime is taken notice of in the men. This crime, however,
we persuade ourselves, you are less guilty of, than is commonly
believed: but there is another of a nature not more excusable, from
which we cannot so much exculpate you; which is, that harsh and
forbidding appearance you put on, and that ill treatment, which you no
doubt think necessary, for the illustration of your own virtue, you
should bestow on every one of your sex who has deviated from the path of
rectitude. A behaviour of this nature, besides being so opposite to that
meek and gentle spirit which should distinguish female nature, is in
every respect contrary to the charitable and forgiving temper of the
Christian religi