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CHAPTER XI.
THAT THE EQUALITY OF CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTES TO THE MAINTENANCE
OF GOOD MORALS IN AMERICA.
Some philosophers and historians have said, or have hinted, that
the strictness of female morality was increased or diminished simply
by the distance of a country from the equator. This solution of the
difficulty was an easy one; and nothing was required but a globe
and a pair of compasses to settle in an instant one of the most difficult
problems in the condition of mankind. But I am not aware
that this principle of the materialists is supported by facts. The
same nations have been chaste or dissolute, at different periods of
their history; the strictness or the laxity of their morals depended
therefore on some variable cause, not only on the natural qualities
of their country, which were invariable. I do not deny that in
certain climates the passions which are occasioned by the mutual
attraction of the sexes are peculiarly intense; but I am of opinion
that this natural intensity may always be excited or restrained by
the condition of society and by political institutions.
Although the travellers who have visited North America differ on a great number of points, they all agree in remarking that morals are far more strict there than elsewhere. It is evident that on this point the Americans are very superior to their progenitors the English. A superficial glance at the two nations will establish the fact.
Tn England, as in all other countries of Europe, public malice is constantly attacking the frailties of women. Philosophers and statesmen are heard to deplore that morals are not sufficiently strict, and the literary productions of the country constantly lead one to suppose so. In America all books, novels not excepted, suppose women to be chaste, and no one thinks of relating affairs of gallantry.
