Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-08-27
THE FIRE-SHDE.
Married Life,

There is much good sense and truth in the
following sketch of married life, and the advan-
tages and pleasures, morally and physically, which
are connected with the wise and ennoblng in
stitntion of marriage 1t is taken from a report
of lecture on woman delivered in Phadel-
phia few years since, by R. Morris-and will
be read with interest by every one--and posi-
bly, with profit, by that crusty class of our spe-
cies know as old bachelors or by " voluntary
old maids"
" Marriage is desirable and recommendable
in every point Of view. In national point of
view it is indispensable. No nation can exist
long and successfully that does not in the first
place recognize the institution of marriage, and
in the second, endcavor to observe the principle
of that sacred obligation.
Marriage is calculated to improve all the re-
lationy of life But for the links between the
world of sympathy and virtue, and the world of
intemperance and guilt, how many of the pen
itent and reformed would have plunged head
long into the abyss of darkness and despair
Even Byron, when speaking of the Corsairs
love for Medona, makes consistency the redeeming
virtue of his favorite hero:
"He died, and left his name to after times,
Linked with one virtue and thousand crime"
But miserable indeed is the condition of two
beings unhappiy united, who live together in
the constant practice of hypocrisy, or in perpet-
ual discord The heart does not light up the
smile that plays upon the lips, the soul does not
participate in the feelings that the tongue is
compelled to counterfeit. 1t is related Of Cob
bett, that though frequently called from home
by business, he never in solitary instance dis
appointed his wife as to the hour of his return.
If all young men knew how much value woman
attached to this species of fidelity, there would
be fewer unhappy couples in the world
Well regulated marriages, though they in
crease the responsibilities Of our condition, sell
dom result but in an increase Of happiness and
prosperity. 1t is the condition intended for
man by his Creator, A happy marrage-a I'M
ion of feeling, of sentiment and Of taste-is
indeed the chief bliss that survived the fall
Blessed is the man that has Iirtuous wife, for
the number of his days shall be doubled.
We conceive of no more heayen-like circle
than is embraced within the limits of virtuous
happy family. Nothing beneath the skies is
more enobling to human nature, than such a
household-where mildness and virtue, kindness
and love, industry and peace go hand in hand
together. Where contented and cheerful
spirit chases away the gloom of the world, and
religion, with her sweet lessons of philosophy,
soltens and purfes the heart. Where the head
of the family is recognized and respected as
such-and the greatest happiness within the cir
Gle is derived from his approving smile. Where
the low, sweet voice Of woman is seldom heard
but in accents Of gentleness and love, and the
name of mother is never uttered unassociated
with some endearng epithet Such a family
can only be collected together under the infu-
ence of a happy MARRIAGE union of hearts
as we'll as hands-a tie consecrated by pure and
chaste afection-an engagement formed on
earth, but sanctioned in heaven On such an
union the angels who dwell in the bright abodes
of the best, must downward turn their spiritual
eyes, and while they gaze with looks of interest
and love, delight in and rejoice over the same.