As A Frenchman Piques Himself On
His Gallantry, He No Sooner Makes A Conquest Of A Female's Heart,
Than He Exposes Her Character, For The Gratification Of His
Vanity.
Nay, if he should miscarry in his schemes, he will forge
letters and stories, to the ruin of the lady's reputation.
This
is a species of perfidy which one would think should render them
odious and detestable to the whole sex; but the case is
otherwise. I beg your pardon, Madam; but women are never better
pleased, than when they see one another exposed; and every
individual has such confidence in her own superior charms and
discretion, that she thinks she can fix the most volatile, and
reform the most treacherous lover.
If a Frenchman is admitted into your family, and distinguished by
repeated marks of your friendship and regard, the first return he
makes for your civilities is to make love to your wife, if she is
handsome; if not, to your sister, or daughter, or niece. If he
suffers a repulse from your wife, or attempts in vain to debauch
your sister, or your daughter, or your niece, he will, rather
than not play the traitor with his gallantry, make his addresses
to your grandmother; and ten to one, but in one shape or another,
he will find means to ruin the peace of a family, in which he has
been so kindly entertained. What he cannot accomplish by dint of
compliment, and personal attendance, he will endeavour to effect,
by reinforcing these with billets-doux, songs, and verses, of
which he always makes a provision for such purposes.
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