?

ous: But what is the confequence of this ge-
nerofity? He ruins himself and diftreffes others.
A Wife, who acts upon this principle, may in-
volve herself, her husband and her children, in
one common destruction.-But in the practice
of Economy, there requires fome fkill left it
degenerate into a mean parfimony. There is
a certain medium to be observed; that which
avoids the two extremes, profufion and ava-
rice. A married Woman may expose her huf-
band to ridicule, or embarrass his circumftan-
ces, by conducting her expences on either of
thefe fcales. If fhe would fupport his credit,
fhe will not defire coftly and useless ornaments;
fuch, at least, as are incompatible with his in-
come; neither will fhe indulge a tafte for
pleasure or diffipation. If fhe regard his ease
and comfort, fhe will not be too niggardly in
providing the neceffary accommodations of
life. The Female, therefore, who would act
her part in this province, with judgment and
propriety, must be thoughtful and attentive.
A careless and giddy behaviour is totally in-
confiftent with the ferious duties expected
from her in the married ftate. All these par-
ticulars tend to confirm, what I have before
remarked, that this change of condition is not
to be made rafhly and inconfiderately; nor
without a due recollection of thofe virtues,
which are expedient to fupport it with dignity

to herself, and fatisfaction to him, with whom fhe is connected.

Thus far the beneficial or unfortunate influence of Women in the married ftate, as far as it refpecs domeftic life. I might select from Hiftory many inftances of its political confequences; but as this would be the means of extending the prefent Lecture to too great a length, I fhall but just advert to the subject. That I might avoid every imputation of partiality, I muft first observe, that whilft fome Men have been squandering their fortunes on extravagant pleasures abroad, their Wives have been performing the part of prudent Economifts at home. The reverfe of this description has been alfo verified. The fond Hufband has been tempted to launch into expences, which he could not afford, through the perfuafion of her, whose requests he had not fortitude enough to refuse. This has been often an inducement to betray both public and private truft.

Such has been the influence of Women on their husbands, that it has frequently roufed them from inglorious eafe, and inspired them with refolutions of honour and bravery in defence of their country. The Spartan Ladies lamented more if their hufbands brought fhame on their house, by flying from their enemy, than if they had died honourably in the field.

On

1

On the other hand, fome Men have so far yielded to the allurements of their Wives, as to withdraw from their country's fervice, though honour called them; and have even facrificed its interefts to gratify their resent ments, ambition or avarice.

This obfervation proceeds not from spleen or invective. General cenfures on the female fex, are marks of prejudice. It denotes fincerity, even in an Advocate, to point out the defects he would wifh to fee removed, that the subject of his panegyric, might be rendered as faultlefs as poffible. Both Sexes are equally liable to the frailties of human nature. The paffions operate on each; but as there are fome Virtues and Vices, which may be ftrictly called male or female, it is, therefore,. the duty of the Moralift to defcribe them. My remarks are intended to fhow the influence of your fex; -which, if properly applied, might be of public as well as private benefit; but, if wrong directed, might prove fatal both to individuals, and to the community. This proves your importance in Society; and the neceffity of your having those Sentiments inftilled into your minds; and of your being inftructed in those duties, which not only contribute to domestic happiness, but also to the interefts of the commonwealth.

Your next period of life may be called the focial one; whether we confider you as Companions

panions, as Friends, or as Wives. To fupport either of these characters with dignity and respect, virtue, good fenfe, and complacency of temper are neceffary. An attachment haftily formed, or founded only on perfonal charms, is feldom lafting. Permanent efteem has fomething more folid for its bafis ;. which evidently proves, that Women should acquire, at leaft, a moderate degree of literary information; however it has been neglected by fome, and derided by others; who have exploded its neceffity from having conceived too humiliating an opinion of the fe male fex; as if they were defigned only for domeftic Drudges. Without fome portion of knowledge, how incompetent would you be to fupport the fpirit of rational converfation; or contribute your part to the common fund of focial amufement! But, in domeftic life, this apathy is most to be apprehended. It is here, that the fervour of friendship and affection must be preferved, by thofe agreeable arts of pleafing, which can only be derived from a feeling heart and improved underftanding. Thefe alone can difpel the gloom of retirement, and create a fondness for fuch fcenes, as are either rural, or removed from the noife and bustle of a crowd.

Would you, then, my young Audience, prepare yourselves for that ftate of life, which I have now defcribed, cultivate those

faculties,

faculties, which will qualify you for rational fociety: Improve thofe difpofitions which will render your manners agreeable; and carefully correct every ill propenfity. It is, at your prefent age, that your character will, in fome measure, be formed. If you now discover an ungentleness of temper; an impatience under controul; a disrespectful behaviour to your fuperiors; or a want of proper fubmiffion to thofe, who have a right to expect it, thefe difpofitions, if not conquered in due time, will be the means of difturbing all domeftic enjoyment, and be the fources of perpetual ftrife. If, in these your juvenile years, you too much indulge a volatile inclination, and a diftafte to every thing that requires thought or reflection, the fame inattention and unsteadiness will follow you, in the most important fituations of life; and may be productive of indifcretions fatal to your peace. For whatever attachment fhould take place; let it be with either fex, or let the object of your choice be ever fo deferving; your mistakes in conduct, arifing from the prevalence of fuch a temper, will foon eftrange all affection. For can you expect, that others will contribute to your happiness, when you, instead of cultivating the focial virtues, make your company and converfation disgusting and unpleasant ?