Without female society, it has been justly said, that the beginning of men's lives would be helpless, the middle without pleasure, and the end .without comfort. The celebrated D'Alembert makes a reflection that does honour to the female sex, and to his own feeling. "We are, in a peculiar manner," says he, "in want of the society of a gentle and amiable woman, when our passions have subsided, to participate in our cares, calm and alleviate our sufferings, and enable us to support our infirmities. Happy is the man possessed of such a friend! and more happy still, if he can preserve her, and escape the misfortune of a survival." |