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HAVING spoken of the various phases of woman's life up to her maturity, in the preceding chapters, we have now to consider one of the most interesting of all the circumstances of her life, at once pleasing and endear­ing, when she is called upon to give birth to her offspring. In early life the distinction between the sexes was by no means marked: there was the same general outline, the same form and cast of features, the same feeling of isolation—each seemed to live for itself. As the softer passions, however, become developed, the man puts on that robust energy and daring which marks him out as the protector of the other sex; and his manly voice, the deepened tints upon his cheek, and the whole muscular system, show an excess of energy sufficient to qualify him for his position. At this period also a vast change takes place in the woman. The chest is expanded, the eye acquires a brilliancy pecu­liarly its own, and the frame takes that beautiful undulating form and proportion, which gives it its peculiar charm. The function of woman is now to be the preserver of the species, and the several stages of mar­riage, pregnancy, and maternity are the destiny which opens before her. It is through these that we have now to accompany her.

In discussing this period of her history, we must entirely set aside fashion and prejudice, and follow without reservation the laws which the Creator, in his beneficence, has stamped upon the frame. The putative mother should feel all the responsibility which attaches itself to the future life and happiness of her child, and ever study the