conſequently they become the prey of their ſenſes, delicately termed ſenſibility, and are blown about by every momentary guſt of feeling. They are, therefore, in a much worſe condition than they would be in were they in a ſtate nearer to nature. Ever reſtleſs and anxious, their over exerciſed ſenſibility not only renders them uncomfortable themſelves, but troubleſome, to uſe a ſoft phraſe, to others. All their thoughts turn on things calculated to excite emotion; and feeling, when they ſhould reaſon, their conduct is unſtable, and their opinions are wavering—not the wavering produced by deliberation or progreſſive views, but by contradictory emotions. By fits and ſtarts they are warm in many purſuits; yet this warmth, never concentrated into perſeverance, ſoon exhauſts itſelf; exhaled by its own heat, or meeting with ſome other fleeting paſſion, to which reaſon has never given any ſpecific gravity, neutrality enſues. Miſerable, indeed, muſt be that being whoſe cultivation of mind has only tended to inflame its paſſions! A diſtinction ſhould be made between inflaming and ſtrengthening them. The paſſions thus pampered, whilſt the judgment is left unformed, what can be expected to enſue?—Undoubtedly, a mixture of madneſs and folly!
This obſervation ſhould not be confined to the fair ſex; however, at preſent, I only mean to apply it to them.
Novels, muſic, poetry, and gallantry, all tend to make women the creatures of ſenſation, and their character is thus formed during the time they are acquiring accompliſhments, the only im-
