Page:Dissertationonma00livi.djvu/110

 with their married sister— their former affection is not interrupted by the introduction of a new relative^

This is proper. It is consistent with the most rigid rules of morality. It is founded upon the indisputable presumption, that the sister of the wife is now also become the lister of the husband^ and he is her brother. No suspicion of indecency can arise in her mind, nor any imputation of indelicacy upon the part of the public. She may come, remain^ or go, in all the safety of innoeency, under the broad shield of the divine law, and the universal consent and approbation of society. But let it be once adopted, let practice establish the detestable principle, that the sister, after the death of the wife, may become not at all related to the husband ; that she may be to him a stranger, and as much the le- gitimate object of marriage as any other woman, and her frequent and familiar visits must cease. She Can no more come to his house, or be oftener seen in the company of her brother in law^ than she may frequent the house or be familiar in the compa- ny of any other married map. The afFectionate in^ tercourse of the sisters is at an end.