he evidence, alluded to "the fallacy of
letting women plead their feelings, as an excuse for the violation of
the marriage-vow. For his part, he had always determined to oppose all
innovation, and the newfangled notions which incroached on the good old
rules of conduct. We did not want French principles in public or private
life--and, if women were allowed to plead their feelings, as an excuse
or palliation of infidelity, it was opening a flood-gate for immorality.
What virtuous woman thought of her feelings?--It was her duty to love
and obey the man chosen by her parents and relations, who were qualified
by their experience to judge better for her, than she could for
herself. As to the charges brought against the husband, they were vague,
supported by no witnesses, excepting that of imprisonment in a private
madhouse. The proofs of an insanity in the family, might render that
however a prudent measure; and indeed the conduct of the lady did not
appear that of a person of sane mind. Still such a mode of proceeding
could not be justified, and might perhaps entitle the lady [in another
court] to a sentence of separation from bed and board, during the joint
lives of the parties; but he hoped that no Englishman would legalize
adultery, by enabling the adulteress to enrich her seducer. Too many
restrictions could not be thrown in the way of divorces, if we wished to
maintain the sanctity of marriage; and, though they might bear a little
hard on a few, very few individuals, it was evidently for the good of
the whole."

CONCLUSION

BY THE EDITOR *

* i.e., Godwin [Publisher's note].

VERY FEW hints exist respecting the plan of the remainder of the work.
I find only two detached sentences, and some scattered heads for the
continuation of the story. I transcribe the whole.

I. "Darnford's letters were affectionate; but circumstances occasioned
delays, and the miscarriage of some letters rendered the reception of
wished-for answers doubtful: his return was necessary to calm Maria's
mind."

II. "As Darnford had informed her that his business was settled, his
delaying to return seemed extraordinary; but love to excess, excludes
fear or suspicion."

The scattered heads for the continuation of the story, are as follow. *

* To understand these minutes, it is necessary the reader
should consider each of them as setting out from the same
point in the story, viz. the point to which it is brought