propensity does not exist in forcible influence, but that it is in all cases corrected, suppressed, and regulated by the higher attributes of our nature, moral principle, in the men-midwives, and virtue, which is something more, in the women their patients. But whatever degree of reliance husbands may place upon the latter, let them not place very much upon the former, nor in force of it yield implicitly to

"That monster custom, who all sense doth eat :" HAMLET.

for Shakespeare perfectly understanding every quality of human nature, drew in Angelo a character which has been more than once hideously exemplified in real life, and might perhaps be paralleled in numberless instances however some persons may think

"None but himself could be his parallel."

Not to go so far in purpose as the virtuous and indignant Mrs. Page,

Why I'll exhibit a bill in the parliament for the putting down of men,"

(which effected, would have proved to the sex a fatal realization of the celebrated fable of Mnenius Agrippa!) the object of this treatise is to open the way "for the putting down of men" only as midwives, officiators in the mere practical art which is the province of women:

"Nature's own work it seem'd, (Nature taught Art,)"

and in such object general liabilities, and possible results of probable occurrence, and of immediate or remote consequences, are suggested and warned against, sufficiently startling in the bare idea; whilst the actual immodesty of a practice-which abounds at best in indecencies, and is in fact based in indelicacy is insisted on. And who, but such as disregard the moral of the classical quotation placed at the head of this chapter, would pursue a

dangerous road beset with annoyances and liabilities, when a safe and appropriate course was before them, more especially if nature supports in fact, the following conclusion?

"Mrs. Page. Well, I will find you twenty lascivious turtles, ere one chaste man."

If, as has been suggested, against the general conclusion which it is the aim of this treatise to establish, the force of the rational principle is advanced by the male practitioners, or by those who would support their practice: grant it possible in the present day, as perhaps it is, to emulate the chastity of Joseph, the self-possession and high principle of Bellerophon, or the continence of Scipio:

66 he surnam'd of Africa dismiss'd

In his prime youth the fair Iberian maid."

Admit that some men-midwives, as other men, have high honour and stedfast principle; no man will venture to assert that all of them have; and probably, for every one who could in any degree vie

with the high examples quoted, a hundred might fall as Angelo! Many of them having allowed their passions to have unbridled sway, and whose debaucheries have been excessive during their probationary period of life, though not perhaps totally devoid of the ennobling quality, possess it only in moderate degree, or assume only the hypocritical appearance of it, probably, from a prudent regard to their worldly welfare; their fancies having once ranged uncontrolled, are still, though temporarily restrained, ready to break loose; and to depend on such, as possessing or influenced by principle, is veritably absolute folly. There are, in fact, of such men, those who know or care as little about principle, in value of its innate quality, as Shylock did about mercy; and as the cry with O'Connell is "agitate-agitate -agitate," theirs is, "digitate-digitate -digitate!" and their practice is corresponding.

In truth, if even a man of principle

be off his guard, he may have occasion to say of principle, as Falstaff commented. on honour, "there it lies prostrated." What becomes of principle, abounding in "good intentions," when agitated by familiarities which no human being can take without feeling those effects which nature intended they should producethe whole man is in a tumult of desire? the utmost in truth that principle can do in such circumstances, is to lead honourable men steadfastly to guard against, or, if necessary, to fly from temptation; guarding as no doubt, honourable men do endeavour to guard, or flying from the couch of allurement, even as Joseph fled! But, nevertheless, even if pos-> sessed of the reasoning faculties of a Newton, the principles of a Joseph, or the high honour and generosity of a Scipio!

"A man's a man for a' that." BURNS.

To serve the object of this dissertation