Mankind, including every description, wish to be loved and
respected by something; and the common herd will always
take the nearest road to the completion of their wishes. The
respect paid to wealth and beauty is the most certain, and
unequivocal; and, of course, will always attract the vulgar eye
of common minds. Abilities and virtues are absolutely necessary
to raise men from the middle rank of life into notice; and the
natural consequence is notorious, the middle rank contains most
virtue and abilities. Men have thus, in one station, at least an
opportunity of exerting themselves with dignity, and of rising by
the exertions which really improve a rational creature; but the
whole female sex are, till their character is formed, in the same
condition as the rich: for they are born, I now speak of a state
of civilization, with certain sexual privileges, and whilst they
are gratuitously granted them, few will ever think of works of
supererogation, to obtain the esteem of a small number of
superiour people.
