Women have a perpetual envy of our
vices; they are less vicious than we, not from choice, but because we
restrict them; they are the slaves of order and fashion; their virtue is
of more consequence to us than our own, so far as concerns this world.'
Miss Adams mentioned a gentleman of licentious character, and said,
'Suppose I had a mind to marry that gentleman, would my parents
consent?' JOHNSON. 'Yes, they'd consent, and you'd go. You'd go though
they did not consent.' Miss ADAMS. 'Perhaps their opposing might make me
go.' JOHNSON. 'O, very well; you'd take one whom you think a bad man,
to have the pleasure of vexing your parents. You put me in mind of Dr.
Barrowby, the physician, who was very fond of swine's flesh. One day,
when he was eating it, he said, "I wish I was a Jew." "Why so? (said
somebody;) the Jews are not allowed to eat your favourite meat."
"Because, (said he,) I should then have the gust of eating it, with the
pleasure of sinning."' Johnson then proceeded in his declamation.
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