JB/096/262/002

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SEDUCTION. INDIRECT LEGISLATION.

It should seem, that Seduction might advantageously be combated in the way of Indirect
Legislation, by deeming under which circumstances the act of deflowerment ipso facto a celebration of marriage — + + That is, at the Woman's choice — in choice of the Parents — For suppose the Man to be of inferior degree to the Woman —
in like manner as, by a very wise provision to take effect from the Judgment <add>pronounced of a Court, by an extension of that wise provision</add>
of the Law of Scotland, which marries by Habit & Repute.

This too as far as it were applied, would contribute to stop Fornication in it's source
I say as far as it were applied: for it must be managed it must be with caution, & applied with
limitation it can never. be.

Consider'd as a punishment, it would from the nature of things be perpetually
& so perpetually, that if inflicted in every instance, to say nothing of abuses, it this mischief
produced by it would be greater than that of the offence. Equality. That sweet equality, the growth of gradual deliberate product of wise & patristic Laws, the maximum of which is the maximum of happiness in society.

What for instance could be more shocking to the party or more alarming to persons
of the same rank, than for a Duke of Norfolk or of Bedford or Marlborough for the trespass
of one unguarded moment to have thus forcibly be coupled procreated to him for life to a servant-maid or Milliner's prentice
or other Female of the like low degree? (which injurius in it's degrees & wicked in it's cause, lasts not for a moment, but gives place to a contrary extreme)

The principal then of the mischief & the whole that careful is when

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Females Persons of the tender sex by the teaching of the other are down degraded from a state of Rank credit & character into Infamy and distress. Portion to be paid into Court within a limited or limitable time after Judgment.

But experience & observation testify, in spite of the declamations of popular moralizers, that
the Pride of Female Virtue terminates ceases in a great degree along with when the experiments of
polite education end terminate.

The great difficulty will be to adjust the several descriptions of Ranks so that in every case they may to the real place taken Station in
point of dignity & repute which a person occupies in Society. 1 Peers — Sons — & Heirs presumptive to aged Peers 2 Gentlemen exercising no Trade or profession 3 Gentlemen exercising a profession or Trade not Retail. 4 Opulent Tradesmen to be distinguished by a View taken by the Jury of the House — Provision against Fraud Opulent Superior Tradesmen might be such as occupy a pay for House-rentroom for their own occupation exclusive of what is any thing that may be made up to them by Lodgers to the amount value of 50£ a year. Middle Tradesmen £20 pr year 5 Inferior Tradesmen & Laborers 6 Qu. concerning persons in Office A. distinguish them by their House-Rent. £35 a year Further characteristic from Allowance.

There is danger likewise in these distinctions in a nation whose genius tends to equality becoming invidious & nourishing jealousies
between the ranks thus set at a precise and standing distance from each other.

Or give the an Action for not for his own benefit, upon the footing
of per quod servitium amisit, but for the benefit of the Woman, the Damages to be
laid out by the Court for her benefit. In case of subsequent seduction of another or Marriage Qu?

SEDUCTION. Indirect Legislation

Identifier: | JB/096/262/002 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 96.
Date_1		Marginal Summary Numbering	1-6
Box	096	Main Headings	indirect legislation
Folio number	262	Info in main headings field	adultery &c
Image	002	Titles
Category	text sheet	Number of Pages	2
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering
Penner	jeremy bentham	Watermarks	[[watermarks::j honig & zoonen [lion with vryheyt motif]]]
Marginals		Paper Producer	cc1
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year
Notes public		ID Number	31266
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