Page:The Hardships of the English Laws in Relation to Wives. Bodleian copy.pdf/10

 that ome of them, at ome Times may be uffered to be at quiet.

What our Fate will be God only knows, if the preent Wits of the Age hould be attended with Succes, and trengthened by Numbers. As for Arguments they are out of the Quetion with them, their Weapons being Points of Wit, mart Jets, and all-confounding Laughter. Thee they brandih about againt Heaven or Earth, as they happen to oppoe their Wills and Inclinations, which tand with them for Reaon and Religion.

If therefore we may claim the Privilege of Englih Subjects to peak our Grievances, and be indulged with a gracious Attention, the following Particulars, contain the chief Articles of our Complaint.

I. That the Etate of Wives is more diadvantagious than Slavery itelf.

II. That Wives may be made Prioners for Life at the Dicretion of their Dometick Governors, whoe Power, as we at preent apprehend, bears no Manner of Proportion to that Degree of Authority, which is veiled in any other Set of Men in England. For though the Legilature, acting collectively, may dipoe of Life and Fortune; no vidual,