I entirely agree with the amiable and unfortunate LESBIA, that an Insult upon a Woman in her Circumstances, is as infamous in a Man, as a tame Behaviour when the Lie or a Buffet is given; which Truth, I shall beg leave of her to illustrate by the following Observation.

It is a Mark of Cowardice passively to forbear resenting an Affront, the Resenting of which would lead a Man into Danger; it is no less a Sign of Cowardice to affront a Creature, that hath not Power to avenge it self.  Whatever Name therefore this ungenerous Man may bestow on the helpless Lady he hath injur’d, I shall not scruple to give him in return for it, the Appellation of Coward.

A Man, that can so far descend from his Dignity, as to strike a Lady, can never recover his Reputation with either Sex, because no Provocation is thought strong enough to justifie such Treatment from the Powerful towards the Weak.  In the Circumstances, in which poor LESBIA is situated, she can appeal to no Man whatsoever to avenge an Insult, more grievous than a Blow.  If she could open her Mouth, the base Man knows, that a Husband, a Brother, a generous Friend would die to see her righted.

A generous Mind, however enrag’d against an Enemy, feels its Resentments sink and vanish away, when the Object of its Wrath falls into its Power.  An estranged Friend, filled with Jealousie and Discontent towards a Bosom-Acquaintance, is apt to overflow with Tenderness and Remorse, when a Creature, that was once dear to him, undergoes any Misfortune.  What Name then shall we give to his Ingratitude, (who forgetting the Favours he sollicited with Eagerness, and receiv’d with Rapture) can insult the Miseries that he himself caused, and make Sport with the Pain to which he owes his greatest Pleasure?  There is but one Being in the Creation whose Province it is to practise upon the Imbecillities of frail Creatures, and triumph in the Woes which his own Artifices brought about; and we well know, those who follow his Example, will receive his Reward.

Leaving my fair Correspondent to the Direction of her own Wisdom and Modesty; and her Enemy, and his mean Accomplices, to the Compunction of their own Hearts; I shall conclude this Paper with a memorable Instance of Revenge, taken by a Spanish Lady upon a guilty Lover, which may serve to show what violent Effects are wrought by the most tender Passion, when sower’d into Hatred; and may deter the Young and unwary from unlawful Love.  The Story, however Romantick it may appear, I have heard affirmed for a Truth.

Not many Years ago an English Gentleman, who in a Rencounter by Night in the Streets of Madrid had the Misfortune to kill his Man, fled into a Church-Porch for Sanctuary.  Leaning against the Door, he was surprized to find it open, and a glimmering Light in the Church.  He had the Courage to advance towards the Light; but was terribly startled at the sight of a Woman in White who ascended from a Grave