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19

But perhaps, after all this great pleasure, there is a sad complaint that the young woman is not yet with child.

This much redounds to the young man's disgrace, and is a very great damp to the pleasures of matrimony.—But hold! not so fast, my friend; pray let all things be well considered, and the hare's foot set against the goose's giblets, for if there be no children there is the less charge. And yet the pleasures of the bed are still the same. They live in the constant use of the means, and who can tell what may come of it. Rome was not built in one day. I doubt not but it is an allay to many one's nocturnal pleasures, to think upon the charge he is bringing upon himself, by satisfying a little amorous itch; but when he had done it and done it, and done it again, and finds there is no danger, then be falls to it without fear or wits. Besides, there is another conveniency, they may live more plentifully, here are no portions to provide for children: when others are forced to sell part, and sometimes all their patrimony, to provide portions for their children.