ditary privileges, which give him advantages over us, while in every other respect he may be decidedly our inferior. The divine right of kings, the infallibility of popes, the hereditary wisdom of senators, we laugh at, and consider quite as illegitimate, as the pretension of certain Asiatic barbarians, to a relationship with the sun and moon.

These principles in substance, not in form, are gaining ground in the world. That true appreciation, which, founded on the generous maxim of original equality, disregards artificial, barbarous distinctions, and ranks men, not according to their birth, but their merit, is daily becoming more prevalent; the last thirty years has done much towards it ; the next will make a further addition. The amelioration is progressive, and unless the diffusion of intelligence is interrupted, must continue, in spite of all the efforts of abuse, bigotry, and partial interests, to prevent it. Talents and services are constantly diminishing and eclipsing the prerogatives of birth, and all those false distinctions which arose in a barbarous period. Consider the difference between a man of science in France, now, and in the days of Louis XIV.; observe the different relations in which titled rank and untitled merit stand toward eachother. Later policy has attempted to counteract the consequences, by enrolling the latter in the ranks of the former; but this is only a temporary expedient, which cannot turn the course of public sentiment. In England, where the disparity was less shocking than in France, it is easy to remark the change that

has taken place; it may be discovered in all their works that treat of manners; plays, novels, and poetry. The different style of considering himself and of treating others, between a courtier, a century since, and now, is almost as great as it was in France. The man of rank does not value himself upon that, if he has any thing else to produce, and if he has not, he treats those more like his equals, who are in fact his superiors. The fellowship of mankind has become much more equal, much more intimate. The tone of arrogance and insolent condescension, which we read of in the manners of former times, would no longer be endured.

Let us, my dear friend, glory in our country and its institutions: our ancestors laid the foundations for a noble empire; they came here with high ideas of freedom, and their descendants have improved on the principles they left them. The eyes of the world are turned towards us with anxiety and hope; we have made the boldest experiments in the science of government, hitherto with the most complete success, and unless our posterity prove recreant to example, to their own interests and honour, our experience will hereafter be claimed in favour of mankind. What immeasurable good will result, if it can be shown to the world that a nation can dispense with the ruinous burdens of a hierarchy connected with the state, and an hereditary nobility ;and who in this country can doubt it? Every day shows our constitution to be stronger, from being founded on the broad principles of natural justice;

on the equal interests and affections of a whole people, than if it derived a precarious existence, by securing the interested support of a part, at the expense of the rest of the community.-Esto perpetua.

CHARACTER AND CONDITION OF WOMEN.

MY DEAR FRIend,

You smile at the pretty compliment 1 paid you when we last met, in having attributed the disagreeable weather we then felt to your agency; and accuse me of want of gallantry. I acknowledge it was a piece of awkwardness, but you well understand that you must have the magnanimity to overlook occasional instances of it. I know not how such a speech should have occurred to me, for I always feel as if in sunshine when in your presence: the truth, however, is, that it was owing to a certain confusion of ideas. When you leave, it seems to me as if there was nothing left there; that you bring every thing with you, and therefore that even the weather came too. A little reflection indeed would have convinced me of the absurdity of this: but it is impulse, not reflection, that governs your friends when they first meet you.

What a task have you imposed upon me; it was done so lightly and so gracefully, that I thought it

was easy at the moment, and yet when I come to consider the undertaking seriously, I faulter with the burthen. An account of the condition, character, and manners of your sex here; and a comparison between these, and the state of female society in other parts of the United States, and other countries, would be a performance of no less difficulty than interest. Still, to show my readiness to perform whatever you enjoin, I will offer you a few remarks on my countrywomen; claiming in advance your indulgence for any mistakes I may fall into, and that you will not attribute my deficiencies to any hesitation at receiving your injunctions as a law.

My observations may perhaps prove too general and vague, as I should be afraid of exposing myself to great mistakes in going much into detail. Many things appear strange, which, if we were acquainted with the motives of them, would be perfectly reasonable. You may recollect, that when our friend

resolved to have his own furnished apartments, after having every thing in readiness to take possession, he bought a bushel of ashes! Most people thought this one of the unaccountable whims of a celibataire; but every person who had been in Paris, where he had formed so many of his habits, and seen the admirable economy of a French fire-place, would have been satisfied with the foresight and convenience of this preparation.

From an accurate account of the condition of women in any country, it would not be difficult to

infer the whole state of society. So great is the influence they exercise on the character of men, that the latter will be elevated or degraded, according to the situation of the weaker sex. Where women are slaves, as in Turkey, the men will be the same where they are treated as moral beings, where their minds are cultivated, and they are considered equals, the state of society must be high, and the character of men energetic and noble. There is so much quickness of comprehension, so much susceptibility of pure and generous emotion, so much ardour of affection in women, that they constantly stimulate men to exertion; and have at the same time a most powerful agency in soothing the angry feelings, and in mitigating the harsh and narrow propensities, which are generated in the strife of the passions.

How much of the decrepitude of Italy, of that fine country, where the people, as a whole, are so nerveless and submissive, while the individuals that compose it are gifted with the highest capacities and susceptibility; how much of this national imbecility might be traced, to the monstrous and perverted condition of their women! They are kept out of sight, in strict subservience, till they are married they receive the husband that is given them without objection, as the means of emancipation, and make a choice as soon as the nuptials are over. The object of this choice, the cavalier servente, becomes at once the most insignificant of slaves; and all this takes place with the consent and approba