8. But, _secondly_, let it be granted, that the _generality_ of people are not of such restless, fickle tempers as _Flatus_, the difference is only this, _Flatus_ is continually changing and trying something new, but others are content with some one state; they don’t leave _gaming_, and then fall to _hunting_, but follow one or the other all their life. Some have so much _steadiness_ in their tempers, that they seek after no other happiness, but that of _heaping_ up riches; others grow old in the sports of the _field_; others are content to _drink_ themselves to death, without the least enquiry after any other happiness.
Now, is there any thing more _happy_ or _reasonable_, in such a life as this, than in the life of _Flatus_? Is it not as wise and happy, to be constantly changing from one thing to another, as to be nothing else but a _gatherer_ of money, a _hunter_, a _gamester_, or a _drunkard_, all your life?
Shall religion be looked upon as a burden, as a dull and melancholy state, for calling men from such _happiness_ as this, to labour after the perfection of their nature, and prepare themselves for an endless state of joy and glory in the presence of God?
9. *But turn your eyes now another way, and let the _trifling joys_, the _gewgaw_ happiness of _Feliciana_, teach you how wise they are, what delusion they escape, whose hearts and hopes are fixed upon happiness in God.
If you was to live with _Feliciana_ but one half year, you would see all the happiness that she is to have as long as she lives. She has no more to come, but the poor repetition of that which could never have pleased once, but thro’ a littleness of mind, and want of thought.
She is to be again dressed fine, and keep her visiting-day. She is again to change the colour of her _cloaths_, again to have a new _head_. She is again to see who acts best at the _playhouse_, and who sings finest at the _opera_. She is again to make ten visits in a day, and be ten times in a day trying to talk artfully, easily, and politely, about nothing.
She is to be again delighted with some new fashion, and again angry at the change of some old one. She is to be again at cards, and gaming at midnight, and again in bed at noon. She is to be again pleased with hypocritical compliments, and again disturbed with imaginary affronts. She is to be again delighted with her good luck at _gaming_, and again tormented with the loss of her money. She is again to prepare herself for a birth-night, and again to see the town full of good company. She is again to hear the cabals and intrigues of the town, again to have secret intelligence of private amours, and early notice of marriages, quarrels and partings.
If you see her come out of her chariot more briskly than usual, converse with more spirit, and seem fuller of joy than she was last week, it is because there is some surprising new dress, or new diversion just come to town.
10. These are all the _substantial_ and _regular_ parts of _Feliciana_’s happiness; and she never knew a pleasant day in her life, but it was owing to some one, or more, of these things.
It is for this happiness, that she has always been deaf to the reasonings of religion, that her heart has been too gay and chearful to consider what is _right_ or _wrong_ in regard to eternity; or to listen to the sound of such dull words, as _wisdom_, _piety_, and _devotion_.
It is for fear of losing some of this happiness, that she dares not meditate on the immortality of her soul, consider her relation to God, or turn her thoughts towards those joys, which make saints and angels infinitely happy in the presence and glory of God.
But let it be observed, that as poor a round of happiness as this appears, yet most women that avoid the restraints of religion for a gay life, must be content with very small parts of it. As they have not _Feliciana_’s fortune; so they must give away the comforts of a pious life, for a very small part of her happiness.
11. And if you look into the world, and observe the lives of those women, whom no arguments can persuade to live wholly unto God, you will find most of them such, as lose all the comforts of religion without gaining the tenth part of _Feliciana_’s happiness. They are such as spend their times and fortunes only in mimicking the pleasures of richer people; and rather look and long after, than enjoy those delusions, which are not to be purchased but by considerable fortunes.