Visit to my Surgeon, out of whose hands I did not get a hasty
Discharge.
    I now forswore all future Dealings with the Sex, complained loudly that the
Pleasure did not compensate the Pain, and railed at the beautiful Creatures, in
as gross Language as Juvenal himself formerly reviled them in. I looked on all
the Town-Harlots with a Detestation not easy to be conceived, their Persons
appeared to me as painted Palaces inhabited by Disease and Death: Nor could
their Beauty make them more desirable Objects in my Eyes, than Gilding could
make me covet a Pill, or golden Plates a Coffin. But tho' I was no longer the
absolute Slave, I found some Reasons to own myself still the Subject of Love. My
Hatred for Women decreased daily; and I am not positive but Time might have
betrayed me again to some common Hartlot, had I not been secured by a Passion
for the charming Saphira; which having once entered upon, made a violent
Progress in my Heart. Saphira was Wife to a Man of Fashion and Gallantry, and
one who seemed, I own, every way worthy of her Affections, which however he had
not the Reputation of having. She was indeed a Coquette achevée. »Pray Sir,«
says Adams, »What is a Coquette? I have met with the Word in French Authors, but
never could assign any Idea to it. I believe it is the same with une Sotte,
Anglicé a Fool.« Sir, answer'd the Gentleman, perhaps you are not much mistaken:
but as it is a particular kind of Folly, I will endeavour to describe it. Were
all Creatures to be ranked in the Order of Creation, according to their
Usefulness, I know few Animals that would not take place of a Coquette; nor
indeed hath this Creature much Pretence to any thing beyond Instinct: for tho'
sometimes we might imagine it was animated by the Passion of Vanity, yet far the
greater part of its Actions fall beneath even that low Motive; For instance,
several absurd Gestures and Tricks, infinitely more foolish than what can be
observed in the most ridiculous Birds and Beasts, and which would persuade the
Beholder that the silly Wretch was aiming at our Contempt. Indeed its
Characteristick is Affectation, and this led and governed by Whim only: for as
Beauty, Wisdom, Wit, Good-nature, Politeness and Health are sometimes affected
by this Creature; so are Ugliness, Folly, Nonsense, Ill-nature, Ill-breeding and
Sickness likewise put on by it in their Turn. Its Life is one constant Lye, and