honour could not bind to veracity. It is false tenderness to disguise the faults of those whom you have found to be incorrigibly profligate; since by so doing, under the weak pretence of not robbing a poor servant of her bread, you may chance to introduce depravity into a well-principled household, some of whom they may probably contaminate. Certainly there are degrees of guilt; and when favourable circumstances appear in extenuation of a fault, let not resentment induce us to paint it in its blackest colours. We should in this case be so candid to inquirers, as to discover what was done amiss, that they may be guarded against bad consequences, supposing they venture upon the trial.

Faultless characters are not to be found, even in those situations most favourable to virtue; much less must we hope for them in the rank of life which

is most exposed to temptation, and furnished with but weak antidotes, either from education, habit, example, or general opinion. It is, therefore, more than possible, that those who believe themselves to possess a super-excellent dependent are the dupes of chicanery and duplicity. There are some qualities which are more

pecially to be valued, and others with which we may dispense. It is also possible, indeed I hope it often happens, that a servant is reformed by admonition, good example and discreet management. We must allow much for the errors of ignorance. That mild indulgence for female frailty, which it is so fashionable to claim from our sex, with respect to what are called gentle errors, though culpable and dangerous when exercised to those whom fortune secured from solicitation, and rank-hedged round from pollution, is not only merciful but just, when excited

by the backslidings of the untaught child of indigence. It is in a humble station, in which loss of character exposes women to all the infamy and misery of venal prostitution, that we should extend our arm to rescue a fallen sister, and once more restore her to the competence of industry. Whenever youth, or extreme. simplicity, or gross ignorance, or bad ex-. ample, or strong temptation, or great neglect, can be pleaded in excuse of a first offence, pardon should be prompt. I do not say it, should precede contrition in all instances; in some, perhaps, our first act of kindness must be to awaken remorse. We should, however, take care so to proportion our pity, that it can never be construed into an encouragement to sin. This caution is extremely necessary in these times, when it is lamentable to observe what slight ideas are formed of the value of chastity among women in low

life. Bastardy is scarcely reckoned a disgrace, and criminality before marriage is too common even to excite surprise. When we add, to this lax idea of our first distinction, the universal passion for dress and expence which has seized those who have no honest dependence but on frugality and industry, we must discover a most alarming prospect of degradation and extreme infamy. Yet where shall our censure point? Surely, at those who by their luxury and untempted profligacy set an example of evil; at those from whom as more inducements to virtue and better guards of discretion were given to them, more correctness of morals will be required.

I am firmly persuaded, that a general determination of mistresses to discountenance all improper and unsuitable ap- · parel, all needless expence, and ridiculous imitation of fashionable modes,

would effect a speedy reformation in the appearance not only of female servants, but of all the humble ranks of life. But here unhappily, as in every other instance, our own vanity betrays us into the inconvenience which we afterwards find such cause to regret. Some silly gentlewoman, adopting the supercilious humour of Addison's Brunetta*, determines that her handmaid shall rival, in smartness, that competitor whom she herself cannot eclipse in taste or beauty. An attempt of this kind cannot be made without causing a general tumult in the neighbourhood; for all the Mollies and Betties immediately recollect some degrading anecdote of the poor decorated jackdaw, or some reason why they have an equal right to wear peacocks' feathers. No mistress (I mean no vain mistress, which qualified negative almost

Spectator, No. 80.