Gildon, Charles (1665-1724)

The Post-boy rob'd of his Mail: or, the Pacquet Broke Open

London

The Post-boy rob'd of his Mail: or, the Pacquet Broke Open

1692

"Nor would a man be willing always to be breaking his Brains to chain up the free will of his Wife, which, as some Opinions hold has a free dispensation from above."

Upon this consideration the divine Law-giver made the Crime equal, as well in reference to the Man as the Woman, the Crime being alike, so long as the transgression of a Duty which is equal is the same. Men perhaps in this particular imitate your Grandees, who deny submission to the Law, denying to be subject to this Law of Dishonour, as superiour to Women, by whom it was enacted. Wise men therefore, as they condemn this Opinion, in relation to Princes, so they reject it in the particular of married men. Hence it follows, that not being under any Obligation, they shew the Law to be vain, in regard that partial or particular Laws never oblige in common Interests. Thus the Lawyers determin it, by whom a Woman is acquitted, tho' married, that meerly for Love surrenders her Body to another. An evident consequence, which removes those rigorous Impositions of Scandal from marry'd men, who permit that liberty, since no man can be absolv'd, to the prejudice of the Party interested. And therefore I would not have you be so rigorous in condemning your Friend, very judicious in not contending always to keep the Keys of his Wives Lock, for fear her Reputation should run a gadding. Nor would a man be willing always to be breaking his Brains to chain up the free will of his Wife, which, as some Opinions hold has a free dispensation from above. By my Faith, I should always chuse to converse with Gentlemen of this humour, and should profess my self to be their humble Servant. He that has any Sence, is of this opinion; and he that will live without disturbance, confirms the same by Experience, imitating those great men, who are the Exemplars of a quiet and happy Life. He that cannot bring his Brains to conform to this opinion, let him forbear marrying: Nor let him be a Slave to the Humour of the blind Vulgar, which when they undertake to be your Guides, lead ye into Precipices. If you are not satisfied with my Reasons, excuse the weakness of my Wit, and the misfortune of a Truth, which cannot be made publick, because all men are so blind, as not to see it. Excuse my Rashness, in presuming to contradict ye, and when you acknowledge this Boldness to be an Effect of my Confidence, assure your self, that as I preserve the Memory of your Favour to confide in it, so it is my Care to maintain my Obligations. In conformity to which, being desirous to serve ye, I shall attend your farther Commands.
(pp. 318-20)

Fetters::Chains

C-H Lion

Charles Gildon, The Post-boy rob'd of his Mail: or, the Pacquet Broke Open. Consisting of Five Hundred Letters, to Persons of several Qualities and Conditions. With Observations Upon each Letter. Publish'd by a Gentleman concern'd in the Frolick. Licens'd and Entred, according to Order (London: Printed for John Dunton, 1692). <Link to EEBO-TCP>

06/30/2013