without walls for the shelter he is obliged to afford an invading
enemy.'

'True, my son,' cried I; 'but if the governor invites the enemy,
there he is justly culpable. And such is always the case with
those who embrace error. The vice does not lie in assenting to
the proofs they see; but in being blind to many of the proofs
that offer. So that, though our erroneous opinions be involuntary
when formed, yet as we have been wilfully corrupt, or very
negligent in forming them, we deserve punishment for our vice, or
contempt for our folly.' My wife now kept up the conversation,
though not the argument: she observed, that several very prudent
men of our acquaintance were free-thinkers, and made very good
husbands; and she knew some sensible girls that had skill enough
to make converts of their spouses: 'And who knows, my dear,'
continued she, 'what Olivia may be able to do. The girl has a
great deal to say upon every subject, and to my knowledge is very
well skilled in controversy.'

'Why, my dear, what controversy can she have read?' cried I. 'It
does not occur to me that I ever put such books into her hands:
you certainly over-rate her merit.' 'Indeed, pappa,' replied
Olivia, 'she does not: I have read a great deal of controversy. I
have read the disputes between Thwackum and Square; the
controversy between Robinson Crusoe and Friday the savage, and I
am now employed in reading the controversy in Religious
courtship' --'Very well,' cried I, 'that's a good girl, I find
you are perfectly qualified for making converts, and so go help
your mother to make the gooseberry-pye.'