I know of no Medicine fit to diminish the violent natural Inclinations youOriginariamente Scritto da Arnald
mention; and if I did, I think I should not communicate it to you. Marriage is the
proper Remedy. It is the most natural State of Man, and therefore the State in
which you are most likely to find solid Happiness. Your Reasons against
entering into it at present, appear to me not well-founded. The circumstantial
Advantages you have in View by postponing it, are not only uncertain, but
they are small in comparison with that of the Thing itself, the being married
and settled. It is the Man and Woman united that make the compleat human
Being. Separate, she wants his Force of Body and Strength of Reason; he,
her Softness, Sensibility and acute Discernment. Together they are more
likely to succeed in the World. A single Man has not nearly the Value he would
have in that State of Union. He is an incomplete Animal. He resembles the
odd Half of a Pair of Scissars. If you get a prudent healthy Wife, your Industry
in your Profession, with her good Economy, will be a Fortune sufficient.
But if you will not take this Counsel, and persist in thinking a Commerce with
the Sex inevitable, then I repeat my former Advice, that in all your Amours you
should prefer old Women to young ones. You call this a Paradox, and demand
my Reasons. They are these:
i. Because as they have more Knowledge of the World and their Minds are
better stor'd with Observations, their Conversation is more improving and
more lastingly agreable.
2. Because when Women cease to be handsome, they study to be good. To
maintain their Influence over Men, they supply the Diminution of Beauty by an
Augmentation of Utility. They learn to do a 1000 Services small and great, and
are the most tender and useful of all Friends when you are sick. Thus they
continue amiable. And hence there is hardly such a thing to be found as an
old Woman who is not a good Woman.
3. Because there is no hazard of Children, which irregularly produc'd may be
attended with much Inconvenience.
4. Because thro' more Experience, they are more prudent and discreet in
conducting an Intrigue to prevent Suspicion. The Commerce with them is
therefore safer with regard to your Reputation. And with regard to theirs, if the
Affair should happen to be known, considerate People might be rather inclin'd
to excuse an old Woman who would kindly take care of a young Man, form his
Manners by her good Counsels, and prevent his ruining his Health and
Fortune among mercenary Prostitutes.
5. Because in every Animal that walks upright, the Deficiency of the Fluids
that fill the Muscles appears first in the highest Part: The Face first grows lank
and wrinkled; then the Neck; then the Breast and Arms; the lower Parts
continuing to the last as plump as ever: So that covering all above with a
Basket, and regarding2 only what is below the Girdle, it is impossible of two
Women to know an old from a young one. And as in the dark all Cats are
grey, the Pleasure of corporal Enjoyment with an old Woman is at least equal,
and frequently superior, every Knack being by Practice capable of
Improvement.
6. Because the Sin is less. The debauching a Virgin may be her Ruin, and
make her for Life unhappy.
7. Because the Compunction is less. The having made a young Girl miserable
may give you frequent bitter Reflections; none of which can attend the making
an old Woman happy.
8thly and Lastly They are so grateful!!
Thus much for my Paradox. But still I advise you to marry directly; being
sincerely Your affectionate Friend.
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