The nature of man must change before women cease to influence their feelings and their conduct, the latter indeed being, most frequently, but the mere consequence of the former. How actually important then is it, to correct any practice which has a tendency to lower the moral principle, and corrupt the rectitude of conduct in women! In such consideration, it cannot be thought, upon candid reflection, that the topic of the sexual physical influences has been too much insisted on, or too amply illustrated, either by the direct arguments, or by the illative exemplifications which have been adduced; more especially as a great authority has written, "many are the imperfections that attend the loss of virtue in women, and greatly are their souls degraded, when their principal guard is removed."*

Montesqueiu, Spirit of Laws, V. i. 147.

CHAPTER VII.

"This turn hath made amends; thou hast fulfill'd Thy words, Creator, bounteous and benign,

Giver of all things fair! but fairest this

Of all thy gifts! nor enviest. I now see
Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh, myself
Before me; Woman is her name, of Man
Extracted; for this cause he shall forego
Father and mother, and to his wife adhere;
And they shall be one flesh, one heart, one soul."
PARADISE LOST.

"Suum cuique."

In all but as relates to a few other considerations which have reference to the general question,-whether, by so prevailing a resort to men-midwives as is now customary, results in moral and natural consequences are not likely to be

produced, fatal to virtue, destructive of the hopes and happiness of individuals, the peace of families, and detrimental to the great interests of society? the task to which this treatise is devoted, is performed.

Without inquiring into the philosophy upon which is based the saying, "Coming events cast their shadows before,' it would appear that the practice of man-midwifery became established as an apt precursor of the principles of Simonism. "Community of women" was the leading feature of the sect, as tending in morals (Heaven save the mark!) to the eradication of the passion of jealousy, as a vice under the christian dispensation of universal love.* If then a received

It may be acceptable to many of the readers of these pages to be informed somewhat of the Owenite scheme of moral improvement, in respect of those considerations which are embraced, directly or relatively, in this treatise. It is maintained as a 66 fundamental fact"- "That man is compelled by his original constitution to receive

and orthodox communion is to be maintained in society under the practice of man-midwifeism, why not proceed openly a little further, and acknowledge absolute St. Simonism at once? or is the latter, like simony in the church, to be professedly abjured, whilst actually practised "under the rose?" If it be that

his feelings and his convictions independent of his will." As to "the constitution of human nature" it is laid down that-"human nature is a compound of animal propensities, intellectual faculties, and moral qualities, or the germs of them." Also that, each individual is so organized that his feelings, and his convictions, are formed for him by the impression which circumstances produce upon his individual organization." It claims, as a condition requisite for human happiness, "the utmost individual freedom of action compatible with the permanent good of society." It provides that, no one shall be responsible for the sensations made on his organization by external circumstances." "All children, from their birth, shall be under the especial care of the community in which they are born; but their PARENTS shall have free access to them at all times. (This is somewhat jesuitical, the rule being in the plural

66

society has actually arrived in the nineteenth century, (as would indeed appear from the scan mag of high life and some certain fashionable novels) at that pitch of unnatural refinement and overcourteous, heartless, and degrading complacency, as in the days of antient Rome, when philosophers, orators, and moralists

as to children, it is so also, as to parents; but "mothers" should have stood in the place of "parents;" for there is no provision whatever as to marriage, or for the ascertaining the individuality of the fathers! and the next rule will shew that none is intended!) "Both sexes shall have equal education, rights, privileges, and personal liberty; their associations will arise from the general sympathies of their nature, uninfluenced by artificial distinctions." Society shall not be composed, as at present, of single families, but of communities or associations of men, women, and children in the usual proportions from three hundred to two thousand as local circumstances determine." This makes the matter clear enough, as to associating under the sympathies of nature!!! The sect called "Shakers" pretend to absolute continency in both sexes of their communities!!!