Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1822-10-26

"a
nembered want wives as we'll as those
who are more alluent, are put to prodgi-
GUS Inconvenience, both physical and mo-
raj IN their endeavors to fulfil one Of the
earliest mandates in the divine law. In
the first place. the act requires most fear,
iul series OF swearing from the part;es.-
This is certainly great evil. Marriage
oG:hs, If we are not much mistaken in
some OF the strongest principles Of human
nature, will be dangerous things, and in no
great length OF time will be in danger OF
sinking to the level OF those of the custom
house. II is q very unpleasant thing, 10
say the least Of it, 10 make people swear
to their ages. In many instances, age is
fact which is concealed ny the party con
cerned with the most scrupulous and per-
tinacious care. Some persons cannot be
more easily or more seriously affronted.
than by a scrutiny into their age. II Is
considered not merely as an impertinent
enquiry, bu! often downright insult
Now. with such feelings, what can be more
harsh and unkind, what more oppressive
and unjust, than for man and woman,
who have just passed through the trials
and difficulties of courtship, and among O.
theirs have sdrmOunted the ticklish and
thOrny point OF age, and are all prepared
in feeling and affection TO close the concern,
as the merchants say, not by dissoving
but by forming partnership for life, 10
be called up TO stern and grisly magis-
trate, and be forced under the pains OF
penalties Of perjury, to swear to their
ages?
F., The act, however, is not satisfied with
this most uncomfortable and vexatious pre-.
| limnary, but it goes on TO provide tor
certificate of baptism, licence, &c. for
all OF which, besides the labor and trou-
bic of procuring. fees must be paid 10 GER
tain officers specified. We have seen one
lawyer: bill in one of the English papers,
: for advice and assistance, and some fees
paid, containing no less than Is distinct
items OF charge, and amounting in the
whole to Lie IS IOd sterling - or between
fifty and sixty dollars. We presume this
sum is not exacted in every instance, for
If it were TO be, the nation in 10 great
length of time would be filled with old
Bachelors and old maids, or with some.
thing worse.
+, We have also seen it stated in other Ca
ses, that the parties, when all prepared,
in feeling, for the performance OF the ce.
remony, have been called upon for fees
under the act which neither OF them were
able to pay, and the poor disappointed
| creatures have been obliged TO retire with
disconsolate and perhaps broken hearts,
at the severe acquisitions Of this strange
| and unpre sedented law. Indeed, in one
instance, such was the shock to female,
who with her intended partner had rum.
mayed their pockets for the necessary a.
mount in vain, that, unable 10 support the
calamity even for short period, she ran
| away the following night with another
man, and was married before morning.
Matrimonial contracts in England have
long been considered by the mere rigid
moralisls as partaking too much Of Pc
cuniary and sordld character. However
great an evil this may be in itself, its mis-
| chiefs fall principally upon the parties con-
Gerned, and if they are disappointed in
their expectations, their disputes are CON-
monty settled like other money matters
by dissolution, and compromise. But when
the poorer classes are subjected, in this
most important OF all mere worldly trans
actions. TO fees, fines. penalties and pun.
ishments, and obstacles Of such serious,
and often iusurmountsble nature are pla-
ced in their way when endeayoring 10
torn themselves into that intimate and
virtuous connection, on which essentially
depend all the prosperity and happiness of
life, and frequently the hopes OF futurity,
is must be considered by rational and re-
Aecting people as great national calami-
ty--a measure that may deeply affect the
character of future generations.
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