THISConjunctionof bothSexes, is theConsummationofLove, and thePinnacleof theLover’s natural Felicity. It is the Sum and superlative Degree of theirterrene Happiness; above which theLoverscannot aspire, naturally speaking, inHuman Society.
THISis also the utmostHeightof their eager Desires, and the greatestExtentof their languishing Wishes. It is theAbatement, as well as theCompletionof their unboundedPassions, and theTranquillityof their restlessMinds. However yet——
THISActisTwo-fold;Fæcundand successful, orSterileand unsuccessful in the Event.
I.ASto theFirst, some most famousAuthorshave written their Minds freely and copiously upon it, and have given certain pertinentInstructions, touching theTime, andManner, as well asConductof thePartiesconcern’d, both before and after theAct: ParticularlyAvicenna[37](noProletarian Writer, but a most Illustrious and most LearnedPrince) has insisted at large upon every Case belonging to this Head, together with theWayandManner, as well as the properTimeof begetting eitherSex;“Ubi, inquit, menses defluxerint, sitq; abstersus Uterus, quod quinto ferè die usu venit, aut septimo; Si Vir Mulieri congrediatur, à primo quàm est purgata die ad quintum,MAREMproduci: à quinto verò ad octavum,FÆMELLAM: rursus ab octavo ad duodecimum denuo,MASCULUM, &c.”
WHICHexcellent Opinion is fully proved byLevinus Lemnius(another greatMasterofNature): According to whose authentick Judgment also, there are likewise many things[38]of anoccult specifick Quality, andsecret Effect,for answering the sameEnds, as well asFecundityitself: which both commonReasonand dailyExperienceconfirm forTruth.
BUTbecause I lie under the Disadvantage (at present) of writing in ourvernacular Tongue, it may be proper to pass by, what (otherways) might be plentifully said on thisHead: However I shall observe, that theGeneralityofRulesare most commonly calculated forPersonsof a discording Constitution of naturalTemperamentsandFaculties; whichDifference of Constitutionbrings often false and ungroundedReproachesupon the Reputation of fruitfulWomen. From whence it is justly to be remarked, that, tho’ few or noChildrenare got meerly byArt; yet if a littleDexterityor ingeniousSubtiltywas used with someWomen, there would not (perhaps)OneinThreeof those, who are rashly accounted so, be foundBARREN.
II.ASto theunsuccessfulActofCoition, I shall refer what may be offer’d onthat Point, until I come to treat ofSterility, inSectionviii: And therefore I shall only farther observeHere, that thePartiesought not to encounter with fullStomachs,Bellies, orBladders; much less whenBoth, orEither, areweary,fatigu’d,depriv’d of Sleep,angry,troubled in Mind, or in any other real respectout of Order. For in theseCases, it is very detrimental to the Health[39]of such imprudentParents; and (ifConceptionfollows) it infalliblyintailssome respectiveEvilupon theInnocent Production: Because all theAffectionsorDisturbancesof theirMinds, virtually devolve upon theEmbryo. And besides, as (by such perverse Means) theConceptionbecomesirregular; so also does theMaturation,Nutrition, andBirthcarry the sameImpression: For from the leastPerturbationofSPIRIT, theInfantmay contract variousBlemishesofBody, as well asErrorsofMind.
WHEREFORE, in fine, as thisAffairis to be undertaken with a serene and contentedMind, a chearful and undisturbedHeart, so it ought to be perform’dwithModerationandDecency: Not in anybrutal MannerorPosture; but according to the rationalLawand properInstinctofNature.