Ah! why do women, I write with affectionate solicitude,
condescend to receive a degree of attention and respect from
strangers, different from that reciprocation of civility which
the dictates of humanity and the politeness of civilization
authorise between man and man? And, why do they not discover,
when 'in the noon of beauty's power,' that they are treated like
queens only to be deluded by hollow respect, till they are led to
resign, or not assume, their natural prerogatives? Confined then
in cages like the feathered race, they have nothing to do but to
plume themselves, and stalk with mock majesty from perch to
perch. It is true they are provided with food and raiment, for
which they neither toil nor spin; but
health, liberty, and virtue, are given in exchange. But, where,
amongst mankind, has been found sufficient strength of mind to
enable a being to resign these adventitious prerogatives; one
who, rising with the calm dignity of reason above opinion, dared
to be proud of the privileges inherent in man? And it is vain to
expect it whilst hereditary power chokes the affections and nips
reason in the bud.
