Page:The Hardships of the English Laws in Relation to Wives. Bodleian copy.pdf/49

 are commanded and directed into it, by their Parents and Guardians, and in ome Other Circumtances 'tis their only Way of advancing themelves, and ettling in the World.

Indeed as to many Perfons, 'tis their own free Choice, to whom Marriage with its complicated Hazards, appears more eligible than the olitary, unfriend'd, ridiculed Condition of a ingle Life; and no wonder, ince the uual Way of educating young Women eems as if it were calculated on Purpoe to awaken all the Afflictions of the Heart, at the fme Time that it deprives them of their proper Counter-balance, the Strength of the Head.

That which glitters in the Eye, trikes the Fancy, and charms the Imagination, being repreented to them, as the mot improving Objects for their Contemplation and Learning. The Attainment of a fine Air, a graceful Motion, an elegant Fancy in Dres, a Knowledge of the fahionable Compliments and Civilities, at receiving and paying Viits, with more Accomplihments of the like Importance, are recommended to them, as the uret Means of obtaining the Love and Admiration of the Men, and procuring an advantagious Settlement in Marriage, which is propoed to them, as