Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1831-02-03
PRUDENTIAL MATCHES.

MortalS nave general love of taking
destiny from the hands Of Providence, but
in nothing does it show itself so strongly as
| in matrimonial affairs. 1t is a rare thing
to find parents wise enough to let the
matches oftheir children entirely alone
No wonder girls think of nothing but beaux,
when !" prudent connections and eligible
matches" are the everlasting theme Of dis
course. Love and matrimony are things
which should come unlocked for, il they
come at all. Allrules ndarguments, and
management upon the subject, are fatal to
the delicacy and refinement of female char
acter. A daughter should never hear her
marriage speculated upon at all.
The fact is, the young think too little of
money in concerns ofthe heart, and the old
think toe much; but the fault Of the young
is far the best. The want of money is no
doubt very great evil, but assurodly love
is better without money. than money with
out love- Time, and industry. and econ
omy, will infallibly gain gold : but alas
alas for the chained affections their bon-
dage is eternal. Yet have known those
who jeered at economy, as most con-
templible virtue, indicative Of the absence
of all high and honorable feelings. have
known such among the avowed advocates
of marrying for wealth. AS if there could
be any bondage SO vile as the life lease of
reluctant soul any bargain aud corruption
SO mean and so degrading as the sale Of the
affections.
After all, to look upon what are called
prudential matches, merely as a matter of
pOticy, do we find them usually successful {!
| do not say happy--do they answer the
end for which they we're so laboriously
schemed? Not in one instance out of ten !!
l know a rich man in whom the love Of
gold has swallowed up all the kindlier feel
ings. He argued, and persuaded, and coax
ed his favorite daughter to marry million
Of dollars against her will. The victim re-
sisted, and yielded at last to the powerful
arguments that love matches were always
unhappy, and the love that comes alte'
marriage is by far the most enduring. Fol
a little while, all was pomp and spIendor
In two short years, where was the millior
gone : the sea had swallowed it,-fres hat
consumed it, and the whirlwind had swep
it away. Even according to her fathers
views, she might as well have married the
mar she liked best. SO vain is it for NOR.
tails to contend with Providence.
! Another in the middle class Of life, had
the same views, on more moderate scale.
He had pretty, capable, intelligent daugh-
ter whose hand was sought by coarse and
selfish man, whom she regarded with utter
aversion. But the coarse and selfish man
had geld, accused, polluing gold, and
with it he bought the fathers heart. Long
and varied were the prosecutions which
broke the spirits Of the young creature, be-
fore they persuaded her that worldly pru-
dence sanctioned perjury. What could he
expect from such an union ? But the self
ish man was selfish still for he who con-
sents to take wife upon such terms, is ig-
norant of the pure and holy affection that
elevates and improves the whole character.
His fortune is nearly spent in dissipation
and she does her duty, as well as patience
and genileness can do it, towards her neg.
ligent and unfeeling husband. fla parent
have any heart, must il not bleed TO see
such fruit from his cold-blooded maxims
Assuredly tho thoughtless experience Of
the young, could hardly work out more
complete destruction than this restless and
officious avarice. Ye that are wise, lei
such subjects alone Give your childre1
high and honorable principles. Teach
them not to mistake the violence of pass.
ion, or caprice of fancy. for pure and holy
love-and when you have done this, trus
the rest to God
L ruE RrTaaFAM PEaFFY ENcE