The True Briton. No. 21. Monday, August 12. 1723. [A. Z.]

Vol. 1, pp. 178–185.

THE great Care which the Parliament hath taken for the Publick Welfare, is evident thro’ the whole Course of their Proceedings; but their [sic] is no greater instance of their Zeal, than the Act which pass’d the last Sessions to oblige the Female Part of this Kingdom to take the Oaths.

OUR wise Administration justly call’d to mind the fatal instance of a certain Island, where the Women murder’d the Men, and therefore, thought it prudent and necessary, for the security of our happy Establishment, to oblige them to take those Oaths which are the Bulwarks of the Protestant Succession.

THERE is another Reason which might be of some Weight on this Occasion; which is, That many Great Men are influenc’d by the Ladies in all Matters whatsoever, and therefore, it is certainly most proper to try their Loyalty in the strictest Manner we can.

I COULD have wish’d the little Ebony Doctor would have thought proper to imploy his Pen at this Juncture, to shew the Nature of Oaths; for the Ladies, I fear, will generally take them without understanding any of them, except the Abjuration, which is conceived in plain and easy Terms. I dare say the Bishops will supply his Defect, and will not decline giving any scrupulous Conscience all possible Satisfaction.

IT is said, That since the supposed Riot at Cripplegate a certain Eminent and Honest Lawyer has represented to his Friends, that it would be proper this Law should be extended to the Women; and that it should be Felony for Twelve Females to meet together, and not disperse on the Reading of the Proclamation; but it is hoped, that a certain Lady not far from St. James's will have Interest enough to prevent this Attempt, which would intirely destroy her Assemblée.

WHATEVER secret Methods the Ladies have of concealing their Sex, and creeping into Power, are unknown; yet it is certain, That there has scarce been an Age formerly, but Old Women have sate in the Cabinet, as M — rs; in Westminster-Hall as J—es, and in the H—se of L—ds as B—ps. [180] The Little Ebony Doctor at present bears that Character among the rational Part of Mankind.