The acquisition of great wealth, and the improvement of the elegant arts, together with the free intercourse of the sexes, have, in some of the modern European nations, had similar consequences to what they produced in ancient Rome, by introducing a strong disposition to pleasure.This is most especially remarkable in France and Italy, the countries in which opulence was first acquired, and in which the improvements of society are supposed to have made the greatest advances.But in these countries, the authority obtained by the clergy after the establishment of the Christian religion, and the notions which they endeavoured to inculcate with regard to abstinence from every sensual gratification, have concurred with the influence of the former usage and laws, not only to exclude polygamy, but in a great measure to prevent the dissolution of marriage by voluntary divorce.Many disorders, therefore, which were felt in the luxurious ages of Rome, have thus been avoided; and in modern Europe, the chief effect of debauchery, beside the encouragement given to common prostitution, has been to turn the attention, from the pursuits of business or ambition, to the amusements of gallantry; or rather to convert these last into a serious occupation.
It is not intended, however, in this discourse, to consider those variations, in the state of women, which arise from the civil or religious government of a people, or from such other causes as are peculiar to the inhabitants of different countries.
The revolutions that I have mentioned, in the condition and manners of the sexes, are chiefly derived from the progress of mankind in the common arts of life, and therefore make a part in the general history of society.
NOTES:
1.A late ingenious author imagines that this coldness of constitution is peculiar to the natives of America; and he accounts for it, in a most whimsical manner, from the moisture of the climate, by which the inhabitants of that county are, in his opinion, rendered inferior, both in mind and body, to those of the old world.(Recherches philosophiques sur les Americains.)But though it must, perhaps, be admitted that particular climates have some influence upon the passions of sex, yet, in most parts of the world, the character of savages, in this respect, exhibits a remarkable uniformity.(See an account of the Samoiedes, histoire generale des voyages, tome 18 pp.509, 510.-- Of the inhabitants of Kamtschatka, ibid.tome 19, liv.2, chap.4.)Even among people somewhat advanced beyond the mere savage life, we frequently meet with traces of a similar temperament.
'The virginity of youth,' says Tacitus of the Germans,' 'is late treasured, and puberty therefore inexhaustible; nor for the girls is there any hothouse forcing.
'So their life is one of fenced-in chastity.There is no arena with its seductions, no dinner-tables with their provocations to corrupt them.' Tacitus, de mor.Germ.?20, 19.
The same circumstance is mentioned by Caesar concerning the character of the ancient Gauls.'Those who retain their chastity longest are held in highest honour by their fellow men; for continence, so they believe, makes a man taller, hardier, more muscular.' Caesar, de bell.Gall.lib.6, ?21.
2.It seems unnecessary to observe, that what is here said with regard to marriage, together with many other Remarks which follow concerning the manners of early nations, can only be applied to those who had lost all knowledge of the original institutions, which; as the sacred scriptures inform us, were communicated to mankind by an extraordinary revelation from heaven.
3.Cicero, pro Flacco, Heineccius, antiq.Roman.
4.See Brisson, de vet.rit.nuptiar.
5.Father Lafitau takes notice of a particular custom among the savages of America, which shows the indifference with which their marriages are usually contracted, and marks, at the same time, the inattention of that people to the gratification of their passions.'There is an ancient custom, among most of the savage nations, of passing the first year after the contraction of a marriage without consummating it.To propose otherwise before such time has expired would be to offer an insult to the bride, who would take this to mean that one sought this alliance more for sensual gratification than out of esteem for her person.And although the young couple spend their nights together, this is done without prejudice to this ancient usage.The relatives of the bride keep close watch on their part and are careful to maintain a large fire before their sleeping-mat, which continually lights up their doing and which serves to guarantee that nothing occurs contrary to the prescribed order.'
Joseph Lafitau, moeurs des sauvages Ameriquains.
In some parts of Great Britain, the common people hold it a point of decorum, that, after the ceremony of marriage, the married persons should sleep together one night without consummation.
6.'Ten, and even twelve men have wives in common, and especially brothers, or parents and their children amongst themselves; but if there be any issue by these wives, they are reputed to be the children of those by whom, respectively, each was first espoused when a virgin.' Caesar, de bell.Gall.lib.5, ?14.
7.Plutarch,in vita Lycurg.
Soon as the sun dispelled the chilly night, The sounding doors flew wide, and from the tomb Of dead Hortensius grieving Marcia came.
First joined in wedlock to a greater man Three children did she bear to grace his home:
Then Cato to Hortensius gave the dame To be a fruitful mother of his sons And join their houses in a closer tie.
And now the last sad offices were done She came with hair dishevelled, beaten breast, And ashes on her brow, and features worn With grief; thus only pleasing to the man.
'When youth was in me and maternal power I did thy bidding, Cato, and revived A second husband: now in years grown old Ne'er to be parted I return to thee.
Renew our former pledges undefiled:
