Page:The Female Advocate.djvu/59

 lation, than these poor unfortunate women: or who, through vile censure, receive less; consequently, the more desperate and distressing the case, the sympathy and condolence the more welcome; and will always, in some degree, soften and alleviate afflictions.

Indeed, it is not any, but the luke-warm, or misinformed, who requires to be reminded of such distress; for, where is the breast, truly warm in the cause of happiness, that is not hurt at the very sight of so many shocking spectacles in the streets. Even under the appearance of guilt, it is horrid to see human nature debased so low: but how much greater the sensations of pity, when it appears, the greatest part of the distress we see, is not through a vicious or depraved disposition, but absolute compulsion; through the encouragement given to a destructive custom, which permits men to enjoy a privilege, which nature never assigned them; and they are thereby encouraging vice to predominate, and holding virtue in fetters.

Consequently, whether this evil be persisted in through ignorance, from its being an an-