It is not all surprising, my dear Aza, that inconsistency is a consequence of the airy character of the French; but yet I cannot help being astonished, that as they certainly do not want for penetration, they should not themselves perceive the ridiculous contradictions which foreigners remark in them at the first sight.

Among a great number which strike me every day, I cannot help mentioning one, which I think much dishonours their understanding, I mean their manner of thinking with regard to our sex. They respect, and yet despise them, my dear Aza, at the same time.

The first law of their politeness or virtue, (for I think the whole of their virtue consists in politeness) is the deference they pay to women. A man of the first rank shows the utmost complaisance to a woman in the lowest state of life, and would blush, and think it an everlasting reproach to him, if he offered her any personal insult. And yet a man of the lowest credit, may deceive and betray a woman of credit, and blast her reputation, without fear of punishment.

If I was not well assured that you would yourself soon see these things, I should hardly dare to tell them you, as the contrast is so great, to the simplicity of our souls, that you cannot easily conceive them. Led by the hand of Nature, our genius goes no farther: By her we are taught, that the strength and courage of one sex, is designed for the support and defence of the other, and our laws are conformable to this discovery. Here, instead of looking with compassion on the weakness of women, those of the common sort, tied down to labour, have no relief, either from the laws or their husbands: While those of a more elevated rank, often become the prey either of the seduction or malice of the other sex; and have no resource from such perfidy, but a mere outside respect, which is continually followed by the most cutting satire.