Page:The Hardships of the English Laws in Relation to Wives. Bodleian copy.pdf/26

 I can't figure to myelf a more afflictive Circumtance in human Life, than to be entirely deprived of my Child, by the Unkindnes of my Huband! When the tenderet, dearet and bet founded Affections of the Heart, are baffled, diappointed, and over-ruled, by all-controuling Power, what forreign Acceions of Pleaures or Honours can awage the Anguih of uch a wounded Spirit? Nothing but the mot eraphick Love of God, can fill up that vat Vacancy! that mot forlorn Void! which an Affectionate well inclined Heart finds in itelf, when the tenderet Object of its Love, is ravihed from it. 'Tis true, thee are rare Intances, but the Law is nevertheles hard, which gives every Huband the Power of exerciing such Cruelties.

But in Anwer to Remontrances of this Kind, we are told that the Law uppoes the Father the bet Judge, whether the Mother is capable of educating their Children.

And alo, that it is a Security to the Children, in Cae the Mother hould marry again, and put herelf and Children in the Power of another Mater.

If we are naturally unqualified to educate our Children, or to choe proper Perons to ait us in it, then has Nature impret maternal Affliction in vain, at leat it ought not