Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 3).djvu/168

 envious, that among themselves they are perpetually disagreeing, and I am often called upon to decide quarrels, and to compel them to keep good order: Yet, were it not for the variety and spirit this diffuses among them, they could neither entertain me, nor amuse themselves. Therefore, though sometimes I am fatigued and angry at their disputes, upon the whole it is less disagreeable than a stupid sameness, which would be disgusting."

"You have accounted very well," said Ferdinand, "for the necessity that compels you to have many women; and whilst your customs respecting the sex subject them so much to your power, and deny them those rights which our divine legislator bestowed on all mankind without discrimination, that of liberty and free will. Whilst both their minds and bodies are in captivity, one unfortunate female, as you observed, can neither be happy in herself, or make another so."—Heli grew thoughtful, and made no reply.—The subject dropped; and for the remainder of