23. IT fhould therefore, methinks, be an eafy determination, whether to embrace that Clemency and Compaffion, which we fee exemplify'd in the wisest and best of Men, nay, in the Omniscient, Immortal God; or that favage fiercenefs of the ignobleft creatures. This is certain, that no Woman would be content to affume the outward form of any of those: why then fhould they fubject their noble part, the Mind, to fuch a transformation? For as there are no Monsters fo deform'd, as those which are compounded of Man and Beaft; fo among them all, nothing can be more unnatural, more odious, than a WomanTiger. I conclude all with the advice of Solomon, Prov. 17. 14. The beginning of ftrife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be medled with. When once a breach is made upon the spirit by immoderate anger, all the confequent mifchief will flow in, like a rapid ftream, when the banks are broken down; nor is there any way to prevent it, but by keeping the mounds entire, preferving that Tendernefs and Compaffion, which God and Nature do equally enforce and recommend.

SECT.

SECT. IV.
Of Affability.

N the next place we may reckon Affability and Courtefy; which as it is amiable in all, fo it is fingularly fo in Women of Quality, and more univerfally neceffary in them than in the other Sex. For Men have often charges and employments which do juftify, nay perhaps, require fomewhat of fternnefs and aufterity; but Women ordinarily have few or no occafions of it, and those who have well digested the former Lectures of Meeknefs and Compaffion, will not be apt to put it on unneceffarily. Now Affability may be confider'd, either as a meer human Accomplishment, or as a divine Vertue: in either notion 'tis commendable, but 'tis the latter that gives it the higheft Excellence and Perfection.

2. To begin with the first notion of it, we

may make an eftimate of its worth, by its Caufe and by its Effects. For it's Caufe, it derives it felf either from a native candour and generofity of Mind, or from a noble and ingenuous Education, or fometimes joyntly from both; and thefe are as good Originals, as any thing meerly moral can flow from. And that thefe are indeed its fources, common experience will atteft: thofe of the greateft Minds and best Extractions,being ufually moft condefcending and obliging; whereas those of most abject Spirits and Birth, are the most insulting and imperious. Alexander the Great, tho' terrible in the Field, yet was of a gentle, complaifant converfation, familiarly treating thofe about him: yet Crifpinus, Narciffus, Nymphidius, and other enfranchis'd bond-men, we find infolently trampling on the Roman Senatours and Confuls. 'Tis therefore a great errour for Perfons of Honour, to think they acquire a reverence, by putting on a fupercilious gravity, looking coyly and difdainfully upon all about them: 'tis fo far from that, that it gives a fufpicion, that 'tis but a pageantry of greatnefs, fome mufhroom newly fprung up, that ftands so stiff, and fwells fo much. But instead of teaching others to keep their diftance, this faftidious difdain invites them to a clofer infpection, that if there be any flaw, either in their life or birth, 'twill be fure to be discover'd, there being no fuch prying inquifitour, as curiofity, when 'tis egg'd on by a fenfe of contempt.

3. On the other fide, if we confider the effects of Courtesy, they are quite contrary; it endears to all, and often keeps up a Reputation in spight of any blemishes: a kind look or word from a Superiour, is ftrangely charming, and infenfibly steals away Mens hearts from them. This the wife Man refers to, Ecclus 18. 16. when he prefers a word before a Gift. And 'tis Plutarch's obfervation of Cleomenes King of Sparta, that when the Grecians compar'd his Affability and easiness of Access, with the fullen ftate and pride of other Princes; they were fo enamour'd with it, that they judg'd him only worthy to be a King. And as there is no certainer, fo alfo no cheaper way of gaining love: a friendly falutation is as easy as a frown or reproach: and that kindness may be preferv'd by them, which, if once forfeited, will not at a far greater price be recover'd.

4. BESIDES, when human viciffitudes are confider'd, it may be a point of Prudence too; the greatest Perfons may fometimes want affiftance from the meaneft; nay, fometimes the face of affairs is quite chang'd, and the wheel of Fortune turns them lowest that were uppermoft, and proportionably elevates the meaneft. 'Tis wisdom therefore fo to treat all, as to leave no impreffions of unkindness, fince none is fo deplorable, but may poffibly at one time or other have an opportunity to retaliate. 'Twas therefore a prudent, as well as an equitable refolution of that Emperour, who faid, he would

fo

fo entertain the addreffes of his Subjects, as, if he were a Subject, he would wish the Prince fhould entertain him: a rule very worthy to fway all Perfons of Honour in their entercourfe with others. And fince even among Persons in command there are degrees, and the which is Superiour to one, is Inferiour to another; they have a ready way to compare the civility they pay, with what they expect. Let therefore one who meets with a cold, neglect. ful Treatment from any above her, examine her own refentments, and then reflect; that if fhe gives the like to those below her, they will doubtless have the fame sense; and therefore let her refolve never to offer, what fhe fo much dislikes to bear: and fhe that do's thus, that makes fuch inferences, will convert an injury into a benefit; civilize her felf by the rudeness of others, and make that ill nurture her own difcipline.

5. BUT hitherto we confider Affability only in its ethnick dress, as it is a human ornament: 'twill appear yet more enamouring upon a fecond view, when we look on it as bearing the imprefs of the Sanctuary, as a divine Vertue. And that it is capable of being fo, we have the Authority of St. Paul, who inferts it in the nunber of those Chriftian Graces which he recommends to his Roman Profelytes; Condefcend to men of low eftate, Rom. 12. 16. And that we may the better difcern its value, 'tis obfervable, that he links it with the most eminent Vertue

of