prohibited by the emperor Adrian; yet, in a short time,
inclination overcame the prohibition; and, in spite of every effort,
promiscuous bathing continued until the time of Constantine, who, by the
coercive force of the legislative authority, and the rewards and
terrors of the Christian religion, put a final stop to it.

WOMAN IN SAVAGE LIFE.

Man, in a state of barbarity, equally cruel and indolent, active by
necessity, but naturally inclined to repose, is acquainted with little
more than the physical effects of love; and having none of those moral
ideas which only can soften the empire of force, he is led to consider
it as his supreme law, subjecting to his despotism those whom reason had
made his equals, but whose imbecility betrayed them to his strength.

Cast in the lap of naked nature, and exposed to every hardship, the
forms of women, in savage life, are but little engaging. With nothing
that deserves the name of culture, their latent qualities, if they have
any, are like the diamond, while enclosed in the rough flint, incapable
of shewing any lustre. Thus destitute of every thing by which they can
excite love, or acquire esteem; destitute of beauty to charm, or art to
soothe, the tyrant man; they are by him destined to perform every mean
and servile office. In this the American and other savage women differ
widely from those of Asia, who, if they are destitute of the
qualifications necessary for gaining esteem, have beauty, ornaments, and
the art of exciting love.

In civilized countries a woman acquires some power by being the mother
of a numerous family, who obey her maternal authority, and defends her
honor and her life. But, even as a mother, a female savage has not much
advantage. Her children, daily accustomed to see their father treat her
nearly as a slave, soon begin to imitate his example, and either pay
little regard to her authority or shake it off altogether.

Of this the Hottentot boys afford a remarkable proof. They are brought
up by the women, till they are about fourteen years of age. Then, with
several ceremonies they are initiated into the society of men. After
this initiation is over it is reckoned manly for a boy to take the
earliest opportunity of returning to the hut of his mother, and beating
her in the most barbarous manner, to show that he is now out of her
jurisdiction. Should the mother complain to the men, they would only
applaud the boy for showing so laudable a contempt for th