Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 2).pdf/105

 tural Timidity of the Sex; which is, ays Mr. Oborne, o great, that a Woman is ‘the mot cowardly of all the Creatures God every made.’ A Sentiment more remarkable for its Bluntnes, than for its Truth. Aritotle, in his Politics, doth them, I believe, more Jutice, when he ays, ‘The Modety and Fortitude of Men differ from thoe Virtues in Women; for the Fortitude which becomes a Woman, would be Cowardice in a Man; and the Modet which becomes a Man, would be Pertnes in a Woman.’ Nor is there, perhaps, more of Truth in the Opinion of thoe who derive the Partiality which Women are inclined to hew to the Brave, from this Exces of their Fear. Mr. Bayle (I think, in his Article of Helen) imputes this, and with greater Probability, to their violent Love of Glory; for the Truth of which, we have the Authority of him, who, of all others, aw farthet into human Nature; and who introduces the Heroine of his Odyey, the great Pattern of matrimonial Love and Contancy, aigning the Glory of her Huband as the only Source of her Affection towards him.