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222 ESOTERIC ANTHROPOLOGY.
CONTINUANCE OF SEXUAL DESIRE.
There are some grave questions connected with the
continuance of the desire for and pleasure in sexual in
tercourse, which we may discuss, but, perhaps, shall
not be able to determine.
Many persons believe that the sole object and only
justifiable motive to sexual indulgence, is the begetting
of children, and that the act is sinful under all other
circumstances. There are many difficulties attending
this theory. The passion of love, and its sentimental
enjoyments, the influence it has npon the character, the
strength of the attraction for sexual union, and the ex
quisite and delicious pleasure it brings, in a healthy state,
to both sexes, all point to other uses and end9 than
those of procreation. If this were the only use of sex
ual connection, why should the passionate desire for,
and complete enjoyment of it, continue, when the gen
erative power has ceased? A woman ceases to be
capable of bearing children at forty-five to fifty-five.
There comes then what is called "
the turn of life."
The ovaries cease to produce germs
—there is no longer
any appearance of the menses ; but the power to love
remains in its full force and ardor, and the desire and
capacity for sexual pleasure. Women sometimes con
tinue beautiful, attractive, and exceedingly amorous
until they are seventy. They make conquests, and en
joy them; and the strongest and most healthy wo
men have this capacity for enjoyment. "Nothing is
made in vain." It is for something that women have
this power. It is folly to say that the exercise of such
a faculty, and the enjoyment of such a pleasure, is a