honour and a gentleman, and that I shall not omit an opportunity of telling you so, and repaying you with interest. But I have no objection previously to acquaint you with the evidence I have as to your connexion with her-your pre scriptions I have read, and the rest comes from her own lips."

Such a letter might well become any man having proper feelings of what was due to himself, whatever his relative position, whether as husband or "protector" towards any individual of the op posite sex whom he supposed had proved an adultress! against the civil contract of their copulative mutuality; and the letter bears internal evidence that it was written in such belief. True it is that the accusation was denied by the supposed inconstant, the fair one of Babylon! who described the conduct of the M. D. towards her, as marked by the utmost delicacy and kindness; whilst the doctor on his own part in repelling the imputation maintained, that there was not one sylla

bled of truth in the allegation suggested in the letter: and not only did he deny in the strongest terms, that he ever had connexion with the lady in question, but that from the nature of her complaint it

was impossible; and

thing approaching to

passed between them.

that never any familiarity had He stated, how

ever, that the number of his visits had been thirty-three in the course of a year and a half, (the case being one of miscarriage,) and that only on one occasion had he examined the patient's person, and then only in the most delicate manner, and that the prescriptions he had given her were proper, and contained nothing but that which was calculated to remove her complaint.

Such, as contained in the foregoing letter, was the accusation made; and such, also, in the foregoing summary, was the explanation and denial; both equally taken fairly and in substance, from the public newspapers; and free from a syllable of inferential observation; adduced

also without reference to individuals, except it may be added, that the M. D. was described as being at "the very head of his profession;" though it is something new to learn that fact as to the acephalous profession! It is sufficient for the object of this treatise that the case, as presented to the public through the newspapers, shews that there do exist dangerous liabilities to which married couples, (as well as couples copulative, but not united!) are subject. Against such dangerous liabilities there is no absolute or perfect security, or warranty, for of even the most honourable of men there might be occasion to say, as Isabella spoke in mitigation for Angelo,

I partly think

A due sincerity govern'd his deeds,

Till he did look on me."

MEASURE FOR MEASURE.

But whether actually injured in the tenderest, and extremest point, or not; "Beware of jealousy!" for if once that

fatal passion takes firm possession of a man's mind and feelings, upon even the supposition of guilt;

a jealousy so strong

That judgment cannot cure ;"

so much unhappiness ensues that it is next to impossible to avoid a separation ; or it may be that prudent considerations alone shall prevent an appeal to the Ecclesiastical courts. A very recent case (that of Sir G. W -) has proved that nearly ten thousand pounds! may be expended in unavailing endeavour to prove adulterous intercourse. Yet possibly the jealousy, or a firm conviction of guilt may remain, to the destruction of happiness, and prejudice of actual innocence !

Will sensible men then continue to incur a hazard of probable results 80 fatal to peace of mind and future happiness, by introducing male practitioners to the peculiarities of the chamber of travail; who

"Thence to the bait of women lay expos'd;"

spurning an alternative which is free from all jealousies of sexual influence, and more chastely, and full-safely available? When even men who stand highest in estimation are not exempt from liability to incur suspicions and imputations, whether well founded or not; in whom can confidence safely be placed?

"Iago. Men should be what they seem;

Or, those that be not, would they might seem none! "Othello. Certain, men should be what they

seem."

66

"O, what may man within him hide
Though angel on the outward side!"
SHAKESPEARE.

Again, however, far from intimating, or wishing to inculcate a belief that the generality of men-midwives habitually or occasionally abuse their trust: there are, no doubt, many of them, possibly many hundreds, ay, or thousands, who would not to the slightest extent do so; under almost any circumstances of temptation.