Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1836-09-14
w EDDED LO V e.
BY ROBERT WALSH,

We have somewhere seen the doctrine
that love, in the state of courtship, is the true
beautide of this life and to be desired, be-
yond any other fond relation, ever for a thou
sand years! The writer of those opinions
could not have been married, or, at least,
not experienced a wedlock even commonly
fortunate, otherwise, his own happiness
would have taught a different and juster
theory.
In the conjugal union, love may lose some
of its vivacity it may be less vehement or
rapturous and the imagination, which, du-
ring courtshiP, commonly feeds as il were.
on nectar and ambrosia, and sports on a bed
Of roses may become comparatively IN
ert and sterile; but the pleasures Of pure,
intense sentiment, and boundless, mutual
confidence, and the excitenents of v~irtuous
and tender hope, are infinitely multiplied.
Lord Verulam has truly said, that mar
riages halves griefs, and doubles joy. 1t
combines, in fact and transfuses existence
for each party; it blends and Identifies
souls, so that to render common to them
their several susceptibilities Of qualification
and refinement, it creates new energies, and
generous sympathies new objects of en-
dearment and reliance I; numberless reflect
ed and reciprocated fervors of reward and
respect. :
But what gives it a superior character of
inherent dignity and genuine enjoyment, is
the religious essence peculiar to it the con.
seriousness of those who are suitably allied
in it, that they have adopted a tie hallowed
by divine sanction, and are fulfilling one of
the noblest ends Of existence.
The ecstacies of courtship are dashed by
fears, jealousies, misapprehensions, which
are unknown to welded partners of sound
and afiectionatc heart With them all is
trust and security their faith is beyond the
sphere Of temptation or accident, their adj
versity, if misfortune come, has consultations
derived from the most exalted sources I; from
the invisible and holy world, as we'll as the
present ~chequered scene of human action.
The qualified worship of an excellent fell
low being, natural and delightful as it is, in
wolves something more rational and elevat-
ed, when the object is q wife or husband,
than when it refers to a mere mistress or
lover. In the first case, it associates itself
with duty, and implies an esteem the more
proper and graceful as accompanied by in
innate knowledge.
In proportion, however, as marriage is OF
a sacred and permanent nature, producing
weighty obligations, and liable to Especial and
severe cares or calamities, ought it to be
cautiously and deliberately, and piously con-
tracted. 1t is not to be viewed or antici-
pated as a merely halcyon career, rich as 1t
often is in smiling prospects and suspicious
events, and serene as it may be rendered in
all that the human creature can control. A
childish penchant, a calculation of convent
ence, a momentary caprice, form no war;
rant for it; though they be SO frequently
the only incentives.
Such a band requires mutual and dis
eliminating attachment comprehension OF
its good and evil resignation to all the
chances. But he or she who has the RICH.
intelligence, feeling, and opportunity, and
yet avoids it, yielding to selfshness or
cowardice, sins against the designs of Pro-
violence, and1oses the final rewards of coura-
geous and successful trial.
II was a favorite remark of Lord Lyttle.
ton, the younger, that marriage is a lottery,
and that of course, it is as preposterous to
rejoice ut a wedding, as it would be to exul
in purchasing a ticket for the Statewheel.
l. According 10 the same questionable au'
{ thority, all epithalemiums are, therefore, a