This question and answer appeared in the Athenian Mercury’s regular advice column, where readers wrote in to the London newspaper for advice. It was published on the 7th February 1693.

Quest. 4. A Married Lady meets another Womans Husband, stays frequently with him, some hours at a time, in secret, and permits all the Freedom and Liberty that Man and Wife are capable of, only the last Favour excepted, pretending to Conscience and Principles, because she does not go thro’ Hitch! Pray what do you think she means by Conscience and Principles under such a Practice?

Answ. Tis possible her Conscience and Principles are Some Natural Impediment or that she her self is injur’d, and would not be so ungenerous to prejudice her Friend; or perhaps she expects to be ravish’d, or – we don’t know what; yet we are not ignorant what Notions she ought to have of Conscience and Principles. Supposing the matter of Fact true, ‘tis unnatural Hypocrite, and Adultery before God, who being a Spirit, does look at the Spirit and inward Inclinations: So that whatever little pretences I have to Vertue and Honour in outward appearances, if I’m a Slave to my Lusts and brutish Inclinations, the rest avails me nothing. Besides the immediate Sin against God, the Injury to the Husband, the Perjury to her self, in breaking her Marriage Vows; she might reflect what Presidents have been in like Cases, as the Ruine of Families, Bloodshed, Jealousie, Infamy, and after all, the afflicting resentments of a real Conscience; these things considered, might be a means to reclaim her. ——– We believe it more than probable, this Question might be sent by some that wish the Lady very well, and would Admonish her secretly, and we shou’d be glad if it had a good Effect.

Katie Barclay reflects that some marital problems are age-old, even if the solutions might vary across time. She is a historian at the University of Adelaide.