tion on the modesty of the Laplanders, for that their place of bathing is always fo dark that nothing can be seen. He added, that the females in Lapland, both married and unmarried, are extremely chafte. The inhabitants of Otaheite, if Bougainville can be trufted, feem to have as little notion of modefty as of chastity. But many of that author's facts stand contradicted by later voyagers. The women of New Zeland are both chaste and modeft. Captain Cook, in his voyage round the world, ftumbled upon fome of them naked, diving for lobsters; and they were in great confufion for being feen in that condition by strangers. But now, if pairing in the strictest sense be a law of nature among men, as among fome other animals, how is polygamy to be accounted for, which formerly was univerfal, and to this day obtains among many nations? Polygamy, I answer, is derived from two fources; first, from favage manners, once univerfal; and next, from voluptuoufnefs in warm climates, which inftigates men of wealth to tranfgrefs every rule of temperance. Thefe two fources I purpose to handle with care, becaufe because they make a large branch in the hiftory of the female fex. With respect to the first, sweetness of temper, a capital article in the female character, difplays itfelf externally by mild looks and gentle manners. But fuch graces are fcarce difcernible in a female favage; and even in the moft polished women, would not be perceived by a male favage. Among favages, ftrength and boldness are the only valued qualities: in these females are miferably deficient; and for that reafon, are contemned by the males, as beings of an inferior order. The NorthAmerican tribes glory in idleness: the drudgery of labour degrades a man in their opinion, and is proper for women only. To join young perfons in marriage is accordingly the business of parents; and it would be unpardonable meanness in the bridegroom, to fhew any fondness for the bride. Young men among the Hottentots, are admitted into fociety with their feniors at the age of eighteen; after which it is difgraceful to keep company with women. In Guiana, a woman never eats with her husband; but after every meal attends him with water for washing. In the Caribbee islands, fhe is not permitted to eat even in prefence of her husband; and yet we are affured (a), that women there obey with fuch sweetness and respect, as never to give their husbands occafion to remind them of their duty; an wor example,” adds our fage author, thy the imitation of Christian wives, "who are daily inftructed from the pul ' pit in the duties of obedience and con jugal fidelity, but to very little purpose." Dampier obferves in general, that among all the wild nations he was acquainted with, the women carry the burdens, while the men walk before, and cary nothing but their arms. Women even of the highest rank are not better treated. The fovereign of Giaga, in Africa, has many wives, who are literally his flaves: one carries his bow, one his arrows, and one gives him drink; and while he is drinking, they all fall on their knees, clap their hands, and fing. Not many centuries ago, a law was made in England, prohibiting the New Testament in English to be read by women, 'prentices, journeymen, (a) Labat's voyages to the American islands. or or ferving men (a). What a pitiful figure must the poor females have made in that age! In Siberia, and even in Ruffia, the capital excepted, men treat their wives in every refpect as flaves. The regulations of Peter I. put marriage upon a more respectable footing among people of rank; and yet fuch are the brutal manners of the Ruffians, that tyrannical treatment of wives is far from being eradicated. The low condition of the female fex among favages and barbarians, paved the way to polygamy. Savages, excited by a tafte for variety, and ftill more by pride which is gratified by many fervants, delight in a multiplicity of wives. The pairing principle, tho' rooted in human nature, makes little figure among favages, yielding to every irregular appetite; and this fairly accounts why polygamy was once univerfal. It might indeed be thought, that animal love, were there nothing else, fhould have raifed women to fome degree of estimation among the men. But male favages, utter ftrangers to decency or refinement, gratify animal love (a) 34th and 35th Henry VIII. cap. 1. with with as little ceremony as they do hunger or thirst. Hence appears the reafon of a practice that will surprise those who are unacquainted with ancient customs; which is, that a man purchased a woman to be his wife, as one purchases an ox or a fheep to be food. Women by marriage became flaves; and no man will give his daughter to be a flave, but for a valuable confideration. The practice was univerfal. I begin with the Jews. Abraham bought Rebekah, and gave her to his fon Ifaac for a wife (a). Jacob having nothing else to give, ferved Laban fourteen years for two wives (b). Sechem demanding in marriage Dinah, Jacob's daughter, faid, "Afk me never so much dowry and gift, and "I will give according as ye shall say un to me but give me the damfel to "wife (c)." To David demanding Saul's daughter in marriage, Saul faid, "The king defireth not any dowry, but an "hundred forefkins of the Philistines (d)." In the Iliad, Agamemnon offers his daugh (a) Genefis, xxiv. 53. (c) Genefis, xxxiv, 12. (b) Genefis, chap. xxix. |