Children, I grant, should be innocent; but when the epithet is
applied to men, or women, it is but a civil term for weakness.
For if it be allowed that women were destined by Providence to
acquire human virtues, and by the exercise of their
understandings, that stability of character which is the firmest
ground to rest our future hopes upon, they must be permitted to
turn to the fountain of light, and not forced to shape their
course by the twinkling of a mere satellite. Milton, I grant, was
of a very different opinion; for he only bends to the
indefeasible right of beauty, though it would be difficult to
render two passages which I now mean to contrast, consistent. But
into similar inconsistencies are great men often led by their
senses.
'To whom thus Eve with perfect beauty adorn'd.
'My Author and Disposer, what thou bidst
'Unargued I obey; So God ordains;
'God is thy law, thou mine: to know no more
'Is Woman's happiest knowledge and her praise.'
