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with many of them it is certainly the only place."
"Hence we may learn that the highest perfection of human nature is sentimental refinement; that endowed with this gift, though youth may fall into those mistakes[1] from which humanity can never*
- ↑ Miss Lacecap here uses a different word from many of her sister novelists when expressing the same idea. With them the favourite word is error. If a man seduces the sister, daughter, or wife of his friend, that is an error. If a woman leaves her husband for a gallant, the poor lady is in an error. Should a young lady, in the elegant periphrasis of modern novels, be a mother without being a wife, the unfortunate girl is in an error. However, I think Miss Lacecap's phrase of mistake may answer the purpose as well, and may also suit in other kind affections as well as love. Should a person's sentimental susceptibility, instead of your wife or your daughter, fancy your purse or your watch, and under the influence of too ardent passion, happen to put his hand into your pocket, why not call this error a mistake? Or should the same susceptibility be turned towards your cups and spoons, and should its votary with two or three
