Weekly miners' express. (DuBuque, Iowa) 184?-1849, 1848-10-03
Courtship and Marriage.

NourIsillP dllu MARRIAGE.
Wedock's an i'll that men eary.em-
brace, was the remark of a great man, in
fact one Of the greatest ever known to the
world, who in explanation and calculation
of the subjects which are designated by
our caption offered the following very
sensible views.
My father, whom ! must always men
ZION with honor and gratitude, frequently
talked TO me upon the subject Of marriage.
| was in my younger years engaged part
|y by his advice, and partly by my own
inclinallons, iii tie courtship Of lady
who had great deal of beauty, and did
not at my first approaches seem to have
any aversion to me; but as my natural
tacitu-nily, or disposition TO be silent, hin
dered me from showing myself to the
best advantage, she by degrees began to
look upon me as very silly fellow: and
being resolved to regard merit more than
any thing, in the persons who made their
applications to her, she married Il captain
who happened to be beating up Cor re-
crults in those parts.
This unlucky accident gave me an aver
sion to pretty fellows, and almost discour-
aged me from trying my fortune with the
! fair sex. The observations that | made
at this juncture, and the repeated advices
which ! received from the old gentleman
above mentioned, have produced the fol-
lowing essay upon love and marriage.
The plcasantest part of man s life is
that which passes in courtship, provided
his passion be sincere, and the lady he.
loved with discretion. Love, desire, hope,
all the pleasing emotions Of the soul, rise
in the pursuit. ...... ..-.-. .u.<
| 1t is easier for an art(ul man who is
/ not in love, TO persuade his mistress he
has passion for her, and to succeed in
mis- pursuits, thin for one who loves with
the greatest violence. True love has ten
thousand grie(s, impatiencies, and resent
ments, that render man unamiable in
the eyes Of the person whose affection he
soicits; besides that, it sinks his figure;
gives him fears, apprehensons, and poor
ness Of spirit, and often makes him ap,
pear ridiculous where he has mind to
recommend himself -. IL. : =
Those marriages generally abound
with love and conslancy, that are reced-
ed by long courtsh,p. The passion should
strike root, and gather strength before
marriage be grated on it. A long course
Of Ihopes and expectations fixes the idea
in our minds, and habituates us to a fond
ness Of the person beloved. .gsre..
There is nothing of so great import
ance to us, rs the good qualities of Que to
whom we join ourselves for life; they do
not only, make our present agr eeable, but
often dete rhine our happiness to all eter-
nity.-Where the choice is left ofriends,
the chief point under consideration is an
estate where the parties choose for them
selves, tneir thoughts turn most upon the
person. They have both their reasons.
The first would procure many convent
ences aid pleasures Of life to the party
whose interests they spouse; and at the
same time may hope that the wealth Of
theirlriends will turn 10 thelr own credit
and advantage. The others are prepar-
ing for themselves perpetual feast: a
good person does not only raise but con-
tinue love and breeds secret pleasure
and .complacency in the beholder, when
the first heats ordesire are extinguished
1t puts the husband and wife in counte-
nance, both among friends andstrangers,
and generally fills the family withla heal.
thy and beautiful race ofachildren. nal
i should prefer a woman that is agree
ablein my own eye, and 10. deiormed in
that Of the world, ia a celebrated beauty
nyou marry one remarkably beautifully
you must have violent passion for her,
charms; and IT, you have such a passion
for her, lit is odds but it would be embit-
tered with fears and jealousies.a aaijolooa
Good nature and evenness Of temper
will give you an easy companions for life;
virtue and good sense, an agreeable friend
love and constancy, good wife or hus-'
band. Where we meet one person with,
all these accomplishments, we find d hus-
band without any Of them, The world,
Notwithstanding, is more intent on trains
and equipages, and all the snowy parts Of
life; we love rather 10 dazzle the .nulti-
|tude than consult our. proper interests; /
and as I have, elsewhere observed, it is
one &c the most naccountable passions Of
human nature, that We are d greater