In declamatory periods Dr. Fordyce spins out Rousseau's eloquence;
and in most sentimental rant, details his opinions respecting the
female character, and the behaviour which woman ought to assume to
render her lovely.
He shall speak for himself, for thus he makes nature address man.
"Behold these smiling innocents, whom I have graced with my fairest
gifts, and committed to your protection; behold them with love and
respect; treat them with tenderness and honour. They are timid and
want to be defended. They are frail; O do not take advantage of
their weakness! Let their fears and blushes endear them. Let
their confidence in you never be abused. But is it possible, that
any of you can be such barbarians, so supremely wicked, as to abuse
it? Can you find in your hearts* to despoil the gentle, trusting
creatures of their treasure, or do any thing to strip them of their
native robe of virtue? Curst be the impious hand that would dare
to violate the unblemished form of Chastity! Thou wretch! thou
ruffian! forbear; nor venture to provoke heaven's fiercest
vengeance." I know not any comment that can be made seriously on
this curious passage, and I could produce many similar ones; and
some, so very sentimental, that I have heard rational men use the
word indecent, when they mentioned them with disgust.
(*Footnote. Can you?--Can you? would be the most emphatical
comment, were it drawled out in a whining voice.
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