It calls for no great acumen to spot a connection between adultery and theft. According to Dr Johnson, 'the essence of the crime' lay in 'the confusion of progeny', for by imposing bastards on her husband the adulterous wife diminished the inheritance of his legitimate issue. Since his infidelities were without this material consequence, they counted for much less - a tumble with a chambermaid was 'mere wantonness of appetite'. Boswell says that this opinion showed Johnson's usual solid judgment and knowledge of human nature: but he was moved to ask whether it wasn't a little hard that 'one deviation from chastity should so absolutely ruin a young woman.' Not at all, said Johnson. 'It is the great principle she is taught. When she has given up that principle she has given up every notion of female honour and virtue.' Like Eve before her, she has by one wicked act disordered the entire fabric of social happiness and stability, of which property is only another aspect.

LRB 15 May 1980 | PDF Download