Boston Feby. 2d. 1756 Dr. Sir,

Upon reflecting on the modern Modes of Deportment, I have been lately almost tempted, to credit an Observation I have met with some where, That "many of the Fair Sex are formed of so indelicate a Mould as to seem rather better distinguished by the Appelation of Men than Women." This Observation, to the Enthusiastick Frenzy of the341Lover, which pictures to itself a beloved Object, in the Attitude of an Angel, will I know, be looked upon as entirely groundless, & without Foundation; But Alass! Who is there, that has thus given a Loose to Fancy, but has at last been undeceived & forced to confess that this Angel of the Imagination, was but a fall'n one in Reality.

America, I am well satisfied has been reputed famous for producing the finest natural Beauties on the known Globe; and so striking an Expereince has often convinced me of This, that I have not the least Room left to admit a Doubt of it's Truth; But I could sincerely wish, how well soever it may deserve that Character, That the Introduction of foreign Customs, as well as of Foreigners, had not so fully assured us, that Art may sometimes even unpolish Nature, and make that, odious & fulsom, which was just before agreable & lovely.

I am led to These Remarks, by observing of late, the too general Deviation, from Modesty the Standard of Decorum; the reigning Indecencies of Dress; And I'd almost said of Manners, & Behaviour! Is there any, that now turns his Eye on the Circle of Beuties, but instead of the amiable Blushes of the Virgin, beholds an unusual Boldness and Assurance? An immodest, masculine Air, that creates rather Aversion than Esteem? Where is now that Tenderness & Delicacy, Those engaging Criterions of Beauty, that once bloomed in the Countenance of the Fair, & gladdened the Face of Nature? Who sees not insted of concealing, an Endeavour to reveal Those charms that should shun the Appearance of Day? Carried away with a Notion that such & such Fancies are in Vogue in the politest Cities abroad, They are now taught to warp Nature, & Imbibe Principles of Decency, that Lewdness would be almost ashamed to own! Fluctuating like Straws & Bubbles in the Tide & on the Waves of Fashion, We now see nothing but a new Trick of Deportment, with the Change of every Wind, & an inconstant Vicissitude of Gesture & Dress.

But who are the Losers by all This? If we are once admitted behind the Scene & shewn all, What is there further to entrance or engage our Affection? There is Nobody that has once seen a fine Piece of Painting, or heard an agreable Concert of Musick, that has so fond a Desire to see the One, or hear the Other. I cannot believe it is the Design of that Sex in general, to obtain the other's Sphere of Action, & become Men; No, I would rather think, their Amibition is still to please; That tho the Efforts of a powerful Fancy, & the Prevalence of Example, may have implanted in them an Over-fondness for Novelty, yet that on a little cool Reflection,342They will again return to the wonted Paths of true Politeness, & shine most in the proper Sphere of domestick Life.

For my Part I'm not insensible of the soft Powers that Nature (our common Mother) has bestowed on them with a liberal hand; Nor am I so great a Stoick to imagine as some have done, that They have neither Capacity nor Inclination for the Improvement of Reason & Science: I am apt to think this Reflection may with equal Propriety be cast on our Sex as Their's; for the Number of Beaux has always been equal to that of Belles. But be This as it will; We have neither of us any Reason to complain of the Author of our Being; but I think, have it entirely in our own Breasts, whether we will be pleasing to each other or Disgustful.

You may perhaps, by this Time, imagine These Observations might with more Propriety have been addressed to a Lady; I had serious Thoughts of it I assure you; But then the Misfortune was, I looked upon 'em In great Danger of never being read; And of Consequence my losing that Notice, for which an Author braves the rough Hills of Parnassus.

"Besides a Fate attend on all I write, For when I aim at Praise They say I bite."1

This lucky Forecast, gave me the first Thought of writing to you; both on account of your Genious & Taste for every Thing, & your having the Interest of both Sexes equally at Heart; And you need but imagine, a Breast warm with the Fire of Friendship, & a Mind that always thinks of you with Esteem and Honor, to be convinced who writes.

SAMUEL QUINCY

RC.

1.

Alexander Pope, The First Epistle of the Second Book of Horace Imitated (London, 1737), line 409.