Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-11-16
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER l6, 1851.


bat often eloquent, aud generally sensible, the
original mind Of this noted character has mere
exercised itself in a work which Processes to aim
at real and extensive usefulness. Notwithstand-
ing ITS celebrity among the middle classes IN Eng
land, we have never before met with It, and have
only nov had tine to glance at its contents
They appear to be homely and practical lectures
upoa conduct and morals, written in the style
we have above ascribed to them, and Astounding
in personal anecdote and shrewd remark, found
ed upon the writer's own experience. We give
the following extract, not as particularly charac'
,eri,lc of the book, but from the oddity OF asso-
citation between the name Of the writer, and the
subject matter-Cubbet on Loyc!--A. !. am
There are two descriptions Of Lovers on whom
a all advice would be asted; namely, those In
whose minds passion SD wholly oyerpowers rea-
son as to deprive the party of his sober senses.
Few people are entitled 70 more compassion than
Young men thus affected: it is species OF lnsa-
nifty that assaiIs them; and, when 1t produces
sef-destruction, which 1t does III England more
frequently than in all the other countries IN the
world put together, the mortal remains OF the
sufferer ought to be dealt with in as tender
manner Is tndt OF WHICH, uiUSt WI
structon Of the law will allow.
If, IN any case, are to presume the exist
cnce of insanity: if, in any case, we are led to
believe the thing without positive proof; II, IN
any case, there can be an apology 10 human ma
tire ITSELF for such all act II is IN such as these
We all know (as observed at the time,) that is
20 say. all of Us who cannot wait tn calculate up
on the gains and losses of the affair: all OF US.
excep, those who are endowed with this provident
frugalIty, know we'll what youthful love is, and
what ITS torments are. when accompanied by
even the smallest portion of jealousy. Every
man. and especially every Engishman. for here
we seldom love OF hate by haives,( will recoiect
how many mad pranks he has played; how many
wild and ridiculous things he has said and donr
between the aye OF sixteen and that oil twenty
two; how many TINES a kind glance has scatter
ed all his reasoning and resolutions to the winds;
how many times cool look has plunged him INTO
the deepest misery!
To reason with some is useless; you may, with
as much chance o( success, reason and demonstrate
with the winds and the waves: If you make an
impression, IL lasts but TOR a moment: your ell
fort like an inadequate stoppagc OF waters, only
adds. in the end, to the violence OF the torrent:
the current must have and will have Its course,
be the consequences What they may. In cases
not quite so decided, absence, the sight OF new
faces, the sound of new voices, generally serve,
If not as radical cure, as mitigation, at least
of the disease. But, the worst OF it Is, that, on
this point, we have the girls land women too)
against US, For they look upon 1t as right that
every lover should be a little maddish; and every
altempt TO rescue him from the thraldom imposed
by their charms, they look upon an overt act OF
treason against their natural sovereignty. No
Girl ever liked young man less for his having
lone things foolish and wild and ridiculous, pro-
yided she was sure that love for her had been the
cause: let her bit be satisfied on this score ana
there are few things which she will not forgive.
And, though wholly unconscious OF the Tact, she
is a great and sound philosopher after all. For,
from the nature Of things. the rearing OF faml-
" alwavs has been. is. and mist ever be, attend
ed with cares and troubles. which must ln'alii0iy
produce, at times, feelings to be combatted ana
overcome bv nothiog short OF that ardent alice
ton which first brought the parties together.
So that. talk as long as Paison Maitrus iiKes
about moral restraints" and report as long as
the Committees Of Parliament please about pre-
yentino =. premature and improvident marriages
among the laboring classes, the passion that they
would restrain, while it is necessary to the eX-
istepce of mankind, is the greatest OF all the
conversations for the inevitable cares. troubles,
p h,rIsbps. and sorrows of life; and as to the
marriages. il they could once be rendered uni
yersalIy provident. every generous sentiment
would quickly be banishcd from the world -,
The other description of lovers, with whom II
is useless to reascn are those who love according
TO the rules of arithmetic, or who measure their
matrimonial expectations by the chain OF the
lanG-surveyor. These are not love and marr'-
age; they are bargain and sale. Young men
will naturally, and almost necessarily Tx their
choice on young women IN their own RANK IN
life: because from habit and intercourse they
will know them best. But. if the length OF the
girls purse, present or contingent, be consl-
Iteration with the man. or the length OF his purse,
present or contingent, be consideration with
her, il is an affair of bargain and sale. know
that kings, princes and prncesses are. in respect
of marriage, restrained BY the law; know that
mobiles, if not thus restrained by positive law.
are restrained, in fact. by the very nature OF
their order And here is disavantage which,
a. far as real enjoyment OF life is concerned,
more than counterbalances all the advantages that
thew possess over the rest Of the community