Page:The Hardships of the English Laws in Relation to Wives. Bodleian copy.pdf/58

 I am peruaded there are many Wives in England, who by the Favour of their Hubands, are till in a State of Exitence: And am alo enible, that ome Wives have o little Apprehenion of this Law of Annihilation, that they are in Fact the freer Agents of the two. But at Preent I am not enquiring into Facts, I am reporting what I take to be Law, in Order to have the Hardhips of it known at leat, that if they can't be amended, they may be avoided, by making Women more cautious, how they deliver themelves into the Hands of a Man, let be bring them to nothing.

At the ame Time that I warn my own Sex, I mut do Jutice to the other; and acknowledge, that I believe there are very many of them, to whom human Laws, as to their dometick Behaviour, are entirely uperfluous

"Who bear their Faculty o meek, have been

So clear in their great Office, that their Virtue:

Will plead like Angels"

There is no Character in private Life, o venerable and amiable, as that of a good Huband. The accumulated Praies which are due, to the tender affectionate Lover, the endearing generous Friend, the dicreet Guide, and faithful Guardian, are his, in the