Life and Literature Part 93

"Before my marriage I thought they could," was the guarded reply.

"And afterward?" anxiously.

"Afterward I found they had to."

1288

MARRIAGE,--CHOICE IN.

_Boswell_: "Pray, sir, do you not suppose that there are fifty women in the world, with any one of whom a man may be as happy, as with any one woman in particular?" _Johnson_: "Ay, sir, fifty thousand." _Boswell_: "Then, sir, you are not of opinion with some who imagine that certain men and certain women are made for each other, and that they cannot be happy if they miss their counterparts." _Johnson_: "To be sure not, sir.

I believe marriages would in general be as happy, and often more so, if they were all made by the Lord Chancellor, upon a due consideration of the characters and circ.u.mstances, without the parties having any choice in the matter."

_Boswell's Johnson, p. 283._ --_Samuel Johnson._

1289

Choose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.

--_Cowper._

1290

When a man and woman are married their romance ceases and their history commences.

1291

Wedlock, indeed, hath oft compared been To public feasts, where meet a public rout, Where they that are without, would fain go in, And they that are within, would fain go out.

--_Sir J. Davis._

1292

Marriage somewhat resembles a pair of shears, so joined that they cannot be separated, often moving in opposite directions, yet always punishing anyone who comes between them.

--_S. Smith._

1293

_Marry in your own Rank._ Wise was the man, ay, wise indeed, who first weighed well this maxim, and with his tongue published it abroad, that to marry in one's own cla.s.s is best by far, and that a peasant should woo the hand neither of any that have waxed wanton by riches, nor of such as pride themselves in high-traced lineage.

--_Aeschylus._

1294

THE NEWLY WEDDED.

Now the rite is duly done, Now the word is spoken, And the spell has made us one Which may ne'er be broken; Rest we, dearest, in our home, Roam we o'er the heather; We shall rest, and we shall roam, Shall we not--together?

From this hour the summer rose Sweeter breathes to charm us; From this hour the winter snows Lighter fall to harm us; Fair or foul--on land or sea-- Come the wind or weather, Best or worst, whate'er they be, We shall (D.V.) always share--together!

--_Winthrop Mackworth Praed._

1295

Whom first we love, you know one seldom weds.

--_Owen Meredith._

1296

A pious elder once said to his son in view of marriage,--"My boy, piety is essential for the life to come, but good temper is the great requisite for happiness in this world."

1297

The reason why so few marriages are happy is because young ladies spend their time in making nets, not in making cages.

--_Swift._

1298

COMPANIONSHIP IN MARRIAGE.

If G.o.d had designed woman as man's master, He would have taken her from his head; if as his slave, He would have taken her from his feet; but as He designed her for his companion and equal, He took her from his side.

--_St. Augustine._

1299

The following was written on a card by an old friend of a young lady's when he sent her some flowers on the eve of her wedding day:--"I have sent you a few flowers to adorn the dying moments of your single life."

1300

The treasures of the deep are not so precious As are the concealed comforts of a man Lock'd up in woman's love. I scent the air Of blessings, when I come but near the house.

What a delicious breath marriage sends forth-- The violet bed's not sweeter!

--_Middleton._