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

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I am perſuaded there are many Wives in England, who by the Favour of their Huſbands, are ſtill in a State of Exiſtence: And am alſo ſenſible, that ſome Wives have ſo little Apprehenſion of this Law of Annihilation, that they are in Fact the freer Agents of the two. But at Preſent I am not enquiring into Facts, I am reporting what I take to be Law, in Order to have the Hardſhips of it known at leaſt, that if they can't be amended, they may be avoided, by making Women more cautious, how they deliver themſelves into the Hands of a Man, leſt be bring them to nothing.

At the ſame Time that I warn my own Sex, I muſt do Juſtice to the other; and acknowledge, that I believe there are very many of them, to whom human Laws, as to their domeſtick Behaviour, are entirely ſuperfluous

Who bear their Faculty ſo meek, have been
So clear in their great Office, that their Virtue:
Will plead like Angels Macbeth.

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

the