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venal, that satirist of antiquity, points his ridicule to the learned women of his time; and the admired poet Dryden thus expresses himself:

"Q! what a midnight curse has he whose side
"Is pester'd with a Mood and Figure bride!
"Let mine, ye Gods! (if such must be my fate;)
"No Logick learn, nor History translate;
"But rather be a quiet, humble fool:

"I hate a wife, to whom 1 go to school.

"Who climbs the Grammar Tree, distinctly knows
"Where Noun, and Verb, and Participle grows;
"Corrects her Country Neighbour, and abed,
"For breaking Priscians, breaks her Husband's head."

Still, however, reason and wisdom are more frequently united in a graceful and lovely woman than some will allow, or others desire. For strength of intellect, variety of knowledge, and intrepidity of mind, associ ated at the same time with all the amiable sensibilities of duty, gentleness, and affection, women are recorded on the pages of antiquity and to the honour of the present day,

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the fair constellation improves in lustre, and must not yield to them the palm of victory, either in talents, heroism, beauty, or goodness!

Let women then be encouraged to have confidence in their capacity of mental attainments, as well as their personal attractions: and in every suitable cultivation of the former, will be found a counterpoise, and the best security against the levities of the latter.

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Respectable family connexions in the matrimonial contract are highly to be coveted: they are not only satisfactory pledges of the manners and education of the person concerned; but in their consequences, frequently make ample amends, for what, in the first instance, was a deficiency of wealth. In point of fortune, where other recommendations are approved, the sincerity of the per

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son might be called in question, who would seriously-cavil about that, if a reasonable sufficiency was on either side; and who refused to accommodate demands to circumstances.

On this subject it may not be unsuitable to bring forward the opinion of a distinguished prelate :* "Gentlemen in their marriages," says the Bishop, "ought to consider a great many things more than fortune, though generally speaking, that is the only thing sought for. A good understanding, good principles, and a good temper, with a liberal education, and acceptable person, are the first things to be considered, and certainly fortune ought to come after all these. Those bargains now in fashion, make often unhallowed marriages, in which, besides the greater evils, more fortune is often wasted, than is brought with a vain, a foolish, an indiscreet, and a hated wife. The first thought

* Bishop Burnet.

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thought in chusing a wife ought to be, to find a help meet for the man: in the married state, the mutual study of both ought to be, to help and please one another."

Much advice, indeed, may be offered both to the man and the woman, for their reciprocal good conduct in the marriage state; but the best which can be given, is in that language which made their sacred covenant! There they will learn, that " It was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity.”

The contract in many views is pleasing, but it cannot be dissembled that heavy are the discouragements to it. The pains of life, with very few exceptions indeed, are more than the pleasures. In matrimony this remark is particularly true.

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The hope of adding to their stock of happiness, is the inducement of those who embark in it: but they are certain to increase their anxieties: even in the happiest condition of Wedlock this observation will hold good; but, sad indeed is the case with those, who are unequally yoked together; who cannot, or who will not live conformably to the tenor of the engagement, “according to God's holy ordinance," whose views and sentiments, whose manners moral and religious are in perpetual discord: when instead of the man being meet for the woman, or the woman meet for the man, instead of promoting mutual happiness, marriage becomes the intolerable bane of it; under such unhappy circumstances, and especially where there are no children, the question naturally occurs, is separation a duty? the answer is important, and requires very serious deliberation; for this reason, it may be thought safer to bring forward an opinion of higher authority than that of the writer of these Essays.

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