Sketches of the Fair Sex, in All Parts of the World.: To which are added rules for determining the precise figure, the degree of beauty, the habits, and the age of women, notwithstanding the aids and disguise of dress.Anonymous
History
Sketches of the Fair Sex, in All Parts of the World.: To which are added rules for determining the precise figure, the degree of beauty, the habits, and the age of women, notwithstanding the aids and disguise of dress.
Anonymous
Women
When this principle obtains possession of the breast, it destroys the
health and spirits: the streams which gladden the heart become
corrupted, and productive of rage and melancholy. Jealousy is like the
snake which insidiously entwines itself around its victim; or like the
bohun upas of Java, which diffuses death. The bright beams of hope,
which cheered the possessor, and carried his vision to distant days and
distant scenes of enjoyment, are all eclipsed by this pillar of
darkness. Moliere the poet was endowed with an eminent genius--he was
esteemed as the first wit in Europe; but his wife was faithless, and no
enjoyment, or success, or honor could tranquillize his mind, and make
him happy. The attractions of youth and beauty will sometimes excite an
illicit passion, but the indulgence of this feeling is the path to
anxiety and degradation. The female may be less faulty; but she will be
the greater sufferer; for, with regard to her lawful companion,
confidence is changed to timidity, love to hypocrisy, and a continual
fear torments her, lest accident or malice should discover her
imprudence. How dearly is the pleasure of a moment procured when it is
purchased by years of unhappiness! On the other hand, it is extremely
unreasonable for some persons to indulge as they do, their natural
disposition of suspicion, and thus make others unhappy. Where virtue
only exists, it is a most grievous hardship that the possessor should be
subject to the penalty of vice. Nothing should be made with more caution
than a decision in which the innocent may receive the odium which
belongs to the guilty.
Sometimes the worst sort of accomplishments are brought by a lady into
the marriage state: she may be capable of singing admirably, of dancing,
of painting, of performing skilfully on the harp or piano, of making
ingenious trinkets and ornaments; all this may be well enough for an
unmarried lady, but of what use are they in a state of matrimony? It is
true, that if she be favored with a handsome fortune, she may indulge
herself agreeably with her inclination, and employ others to manage her
household affairs; but not many are thus situated; and, even in this
case, there are duties which belong to the wife, in regard to her
husband and children, which would occupy pretty much of her time. It is
still worse if she be fond of dissipation,--of routs, balls, and public
amusements; if she fly abroad in pursuit of a phantom while domestic
enjoyment is neglected. A good wife will endeavor to make herself happy
at home, and she will try to make all at home happy: she should endeavor
to make the pathway of life cheerful by her smiles and attention, so
that her husband may be delighted with his dwelling, and find it his
happiest place; and that the children may be regulated with all
necessary care.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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