her juſt reward; for the wages due to her are the careſſes of her huſband; and women who have ſo few reſources in themſelves, do not very patiently bear this privation of a natural right.
A fine lady, on the contrary, has been taught to look down with contempt on the vulgar employments of life; though ſhe has only been incited to acquire accompliſhments that riſe a degree above ſenſe; for even corporeal accompliſhments cannot be acquired with any degree of preciſion unleſs the underſtanding has been ſtrengthened by exerciſe. Without a foundation of principles taſte is ſuperficial; and grace muſt ariſe from ſomething deeper than imitation. The imagination, however, is heated, and the feelings rendered faſtidious, if not ſophiſticated; or, a counterpoiſe of judgment is not acquired, when the heart ſtill remains artleſs, though it becomes too tender.
Theſe women are often amiable; and their hearts are really more ſenſible to general benevolence, more alive to the ſentiments that civilize life, than the ſquare-elbowed family drudge; but, wanting a due proportion of reflection and ſelf-government, they only inſpire love; and are the miſtreſſes of their huſbands, whilſt they have any hold on their affections; and the platonic friends of his male acquaintance. Theſe are the fair defects in nature; the women who appear to be created not to enjoy the fellowship of man, but to ſave him from ſinking into abſolute brutality, by rubbing off the rough angles of his character; and by playful dalliance to give ſome dignity to the appetite that draws him to them.
