DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18825#0337
224 character of the figure. [lECT. IX.
Here I entreat the attention of my auditors to their
own recollection, and observation ; for character be-
ing continually before us, we are accustomed to judge
for ourselves with sufficient certainty. Whenever
we have seen bending beneath the weight of his bur-
den, a slim spindle-shanks, whose form scarce indi-
cated strength enough to support his knot, we have
felt that such a figure is equally out of character for
a porter, as it is to employ a Hercules in measuring
a yard of gauze.
As character is most conspicuous at maturity, we
shall here pay attention to those of its branches,
which, we before observed, might be referred to the
sexes, to the natural inclinations, and to the
acquired habits of mankind.
The distinct character of form in the Sexes is
sufficiently apparent, and perfectly correspondent to
the general bias of their minds : in the female sex,
we observe, and permit without complaint, an earlier
and more lively sense of danger, because the female
form is less calculated for resistance and combat:
whereas, similar alarms would offend us in a man,
whose bolder nature is supported by superior strength.
On the same principle, the graces of an elegant wo-
man, are inconsistent with the athletic figure of a
man. When a man assumes the softness and deli-
cacy which belong to the other sex, he contradicts"
the course of nature, and becomes a just object of
ridicule ; as when a woman acts the hero, or be-
comes a good fellow, she has quitted her sphere, lost
her attractions, and forgotten her very self. Each
sex has employments and duties proper to it, nor is
any
Here I entreat the attention of my auditors to their
own recollection, and observation ; for character be-
ing continually before us, we are accustomed to judge
for ourselves with sufficient certainty. Whenever
we have seen bending beneath the weight of his bur-
den, a slim spindle-shanks, whose form scarce indi-
cated strength enough to support his knot, we have
felt that such a figure is equally out of character for
a porter, as it is to employ a Hercules in measuring
a yard of gauze.
As character is most conspicuous at maturity, we
shall here pay attention to those of its branches,
which, we before observed, might be referred to the
sexes, to the natural inclinations, and to the
acquired habits of mankind.
The distinct character of form in the Sexes is
sufficiently apparent, and perfectly correspondent to
the general bias of their minds : in the female sex,
we observe, and permit without complaint, an earlier
and more lively sense of danger, because the female
form is less calculated for resistance and combat:
whereas, similar alarms would offend us in a man,
whose bolder nature is supported by superior strength.
On the same principle, the graces of an elegant wo-
man, are inconsistent with the athletic figure of a
man. When a man assumes the softness and deli-
cacy which belong to the other sex, he contradicts"
the course of nature, and becomes a just object of
ridicule ; as when a woman acts the hero, or be-
comes a good fellow, she has quitted her sphere, lost
her attractions, and forgotten her very self. Each
sex has employments and duties proper to it, nor is
any