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confidence necessary for the social union may be maintained. A principle laid down by the law, is promulgated as a general rule; and in the confidence that this rule will be respected by all; or that if violated, society will punish the violator, it is recognised as a general principle of action. Law speaks only to the judgment. The laws relative to the institution of marriage have probably less effect than any other species of laws;—on account of those passions which they cannot control, and which they fear to punish. On man they are seldom considered binding. His caprice, or his passion, is continually despising, and overleaping them:—but though they are not so binding upon man, as their nature should require, they are still in some measure the protection of woman; and, in any state of society, form almost the only protection she can receive from the social law. The rights of men are to a certain extent secured, because man fears man; and dreads to do wrong, lest the wrong should be amply revenged. But man does not fear woman; and it is only in his sense of honour, that she has any security, beyond the respect which is ensured her by the name of wife! The marriage law secures her rank in society; renders that protection an obligatory duty where