The Ladies of his Majesty's Domains whether married or unmarried young or old are it must be confessed much inclined to gaiety. Their ideas of chastity are so confined as scarcely to exist and their conscience in this respect is as elastic as a silk stocking. They always grant the last favour for a Bottle of rum yet such is the show of modesty they wish to keep up that none of them is ever met without a child or some female companion who however serves more as a key than a lock to the private closets of those prudes. The men aware of this Disposition and naturally very jealous watch them closely – particularily in drinking Frolicks tho' fond of rum to an uncommon excess some of them keep sober to guard the motions of their wives and Daughters. But at the same time they carry on Intrigues of their own with those of their Neighbours for they, any more than their dear Ribs, are not very punctual in observing the tenth commandment. And here I shall beg have to relate, an anecdote which in point of elegance perfectly corresponds with the present subject.

About seven years ago lived at the chasqua[n] or Bear's Tail a Canadian with his wife who

happen'd

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