I intend not in what remains to trouble you with any more such instances; because I am sensible these have already swell’d this _Letter_ to a _Volumn_, which was not at first my intent. I shall therefore dispatch the remaining part of the charge in; as few Words as possible. [Sidenote: _Dissimulation became necessary._] Amongst the rest _Dissimulation_ is none of the least _Blemishes_, which they endeavour to fix upon us. This Quality, though it can’t upon any occasion deserve the name of a _Vertue_, yet according to the present Constitution of the World, is many times absolutely necessary, and is a main ingredient in the Composition of Human Prudence. It is indeed oftentimes criminal, but it is only accidentally so, as Industry, Wit, and most other good Qualities may be, according, to the Ends and Purposes to which they are misemploy’d. Dissimulation is nothing but the hiding or disguising our secret thoughts, or Inclinations under another appearance. I shall not endeavour to absolve our Sex wholly from all use of this Quality, or Art (call it which you please) because I think it may upon many occasions be used with Innocence enough, and upon some can’t without great Imprudence be omitted. The World is too full of _Craft_, _Malice_, and _Violence_, for absolute _Simplicity_ to live in it. It behoves therefore our Sex as well as the other to live with so much Caution, and Circumspection in regard to their own Security, that their Thoughts and Inclinations may not be seen so naked, as to expose ’em to the _Snares_, designs, and practices of _Crafty Knaves_, who wou’d make a property of ’em; or lay ’em open to the wicked _Efforts_, and mischievous Impressions of _Envy_, or _Malice_, whose pleasure springs from the hurt of others. Nothing gives our Adversaries so great an advantage over us, as the knowledge of our Opinions, and Affections, with something agreable to which they will be sure to bate all their Traps and Devices. For this reason it is that it has been Proverbially said of Old, that, _He that knows not how to dissemble, knows not how to live_. The Experience of all Ages since has confirm’d this Observation, and ours no less than any of the Preceding. This premis’d, I suppose no Wise Man will blame our Sex for the use of an Art so necessary, to preserve ’em from becoming a _Prey_ to every designing Man, an Art of which himself must make great use to deserve that Title. Yet I am afraid, that upon enquiry our Sex will not be found to have so much of it as is requisite, at least not generally; Our sedentary Life, and the narrow Limits to which our Acquaintance, and Business are Circumscrib’d, afford us so little Variety, so regular a Face of things, that we want the means of obtaining the Mastery of so useful an Art, which no question but we shou’d as soon acquire as Men, had we but equal Opportunities. Hence it is that _Women_ are more apt to show their _Resentments_ upon all _Provocations_ than _Men_; and are