Falſe, indeed, muſt be the light when the drapery of ſituation hides the man, and makes him ſtalk in maſquerade, dragging from one ſcene of diſſipation to another the nerveleſs limbs that hang with ſtupid liſtneſſneſs, and rolling round the vacant eye which plainly tells us that there is no mind at home.
I mean, therefore, to infer that the ſociety is not properly organized which does not compel men and women to diſcharge their reſpective duties, by making it the only way to acquire that countenance from their fellow-creatures, which every human being wiſhes ſome way to attain. The reſpect, conſequently, which is paid to wealth and mere perſonal charms, is a true northeaſt blaſt, that blights the tender bloſſoms of affection and virtue. Nature has wiſely attached affections to duties, to ſweeten toil, and to give that vigour to the exertions of reaſon which only the heart can give. But, the affection which is put on merely becauſe it is the appropriated inſignia of a certain character, when its duties are not fulfilled, is one of the empty compliments which vice and folly are obliged to pay to virtue and the real nature of things.
To illuſtrate my opinion, I need only obſerve, that when a woman is admired for her beauty, and ſuffers herſelf to be ſo far intoxicated by the admiration ſhe receives, as to neglect to diſcharge the indiſpenſable duty of a mother, ſhe ſins againſt herſelf by neglecting to cultivate an affection that would equally tend to make her uſeful and happy. True happineſs, I mean all the contentment, and virtuous ſatisfaction, that can be ſnatched in
