them with this and the other mark of diſregard or indifference; when, to ſpeak the truth, they have themſelves in a great meaſure to blame. Not that I would juſtify the men in any thing wrong on their part. But had you behaved to them with more reſpectful obſervance, and a more equal tenderneſs; ſtudying their humours, overlooking their miſtakes, ſubmitting to their opinions in matters indifferent, paſſing by little inſtances of unevenneſs, caprice, or paſſion, giving ſoft anſwers to haſty words, complaining as ſeldom as poſſible, and making it your daily care to relieve their anxieties and prevent their wiſhes, to enliven the hour of dulneſs, and call up the ideas of felicity: had you purſued this conduct, I doubt not but you would have maintained and even increaſed their eſteem, ſo far as to have ſecured every degree of influence that could conduce to their virtue, or your mutual ſatisfaction; and your houſe might at this day have been the abode of domeſtic bliſs.' Such a woman ought to be an angel—or ſhe is an aſs—for I diſcern not a trace of the human character, neither reaſon nor paſſion in this domeſtic drudge, whoſe being is abſorbed in that of a tyrant's.
Still Dr. Fordyce muſt have very little acquaintance with the human heart, if he really ſuppoſed that ſuch conduct would bring back wandering love, inſtead of exciting contempt. No, beauty, gentleneſs, &c, &c. may gain a heart; but eſteem, the only laſting affection, can alone be obtained by virtue ſupported by reaſon. It is reſpect for the underſtanding that keeps alive tenderneſs for the perſon.
