_Tristius baud illis monstrum, nec sævior ulla Pestis, & ira Deum_, Stygiis _sese extulit oris._ Virg. Saturday, _April 23. 1720._ It is very odd to consider, yet very frequently to be remark'd, that tho' we have all so many Passions and Appetites pushing for the Government of us, and every one of us has a Portion of Reason, that, if permitted, would regulate our Conduct: yet we are obstinate not to be directed by that Reason, and give the Rein and Regulation of our Actions over to the Passions and Appetites of other People. This is putting our selves upon the Foot of _Epicurus's_ Deities, who were too indolent to look after the World themselves, and left the Task of Providence to Chance and Second Causes. I grant, it is very necessary that our Misconduct should be assisted, and set right by wiser Judgment; but the Danger is, and especially among the Female Sex, into what Hands this Power of Direction is committed. The Trust of Friendship is so often betrayed, and the Duty of the Office postponed to private Interest, that it is a Question whether we are not safer, while we give a Loose to our own extravagant Excursions. The Institution of _Douegnas_, or Governesses in _Spain_, we do not doubt, was a Design well befitting the Caution of that wise and reserved Nation; but the Corruption of the Persons intrusted, soon brought them into so much Disreputation, that they became the Objects of hatred and Scandal. Don _Francisco de Quevedo_, in his general Satires, has set these Vermin in such a Light, as gives a shrewd Suspicion of their having been mischievous in his own Family. He dreams that he is got within the Confines of Death, and, among the other visionary Figures presented, he is encountred by an old _Governante_. _How's this_! says he, in a great Amazement, _Have ye any of those Cattle in this Country? Let the Inhabitants pray heartily for Peace then; and all little enough to keep them quiet_. In short, he makes the old Gentlewoman acquaint him, that she had been Eight Hundred Years in Hell, upon a Design to erect an Order of the _Governantes_; but the Right Worshipful _Satanic_ Commissioners were not as yet come to any Resolution upon the Point: For, they said, if your _Governantes_ should come once to settle there, there would be no Occasion for any other Tormentors, and the Devils themselves would be but so many _Jacks out of Office_. _I have been_, says she, _too in_ Purgatory _upon the same Project, but there so soon as ever they set Eyes upon me, all the Souls cried out unanimously_, Libera nos, Domine. _And as for_ Heaven, _That's no Place for Quarrels, Slanders, Disquiets, Heart-burnings, and consequently none for_ Me.