XXXII. I think I have pointed out as many advantages on the side of the
women, as will balance, if not out-weigh, the qualities in which the
men excel. Who now is to give sentence in this plea? If I had authority
to do it, I might perhaps pronounce a short one, declaring, that the
qualities in which the women excel, conduce to make them better in
themselves; and that those in which the men excel, make them better
for, or, to speak more properly, of greater use to the public; though
as I am not exercising the office of a judge, but only that of an
advocate, the cause must for the present remain undecided.
XXXIII. And even supposing I had the necessary authority to determine,
I should be obliged to suspend giving judgment, as it might be urged on
behalf of the men, that the good qualities which are attributed to the
women are common to both sexes: I confess they are, but the same thing
may be said with equal justice with respect to those of the men. In
order not to confound the question, it will be necessary to point out
the good qualities which are more frequently found in the individuals
of one sex, and seldomer in those of the other. I grant then, that you
meet with men who are docile, candid, and capable of blushing; and I
will add, that blushing, which is a good symptom in women, is a better
still in men, because it denotes a generous nature and much ingenuity;
which John Barclay has more than once declared in his Satyricon; and it
can’t be denied, that the opinion of a man of his subtile genius, is a
vote of great consequence in such a question; and although this may not
be an infallible sign, I myself have made so much observation in these
matters as to be convinced, that no great expectations can be formed of
a boy, who is audacious and forward.
XXXIV. I say then, that various individuals of our sex, may be observed
to possess the fine qualities which enoble the other, though not with
the same frequency; but this by no means inclines the balance in our
favour, because, on the other hand, the perfections the men boast of,
being communicated to many women, have equal weight in the opposite
scale.