The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-04-14
Telntions of the Sexes.

publish his Byron acquisitions.
Relations of the Sexes.
The following is from q very pleasant arr
liclc By Prof. FELTON, in the Christian En-
aminer:
The relations OF tie sexes have, in all hu-
man societies been more or less the subject
of doubt and discussion. There can, how
ever, be but little question, that nations have
been truly civilized in proportion as this mat
ter has been correctly understood. The
poygamy Of so large part Of the ancient
world was fruitful source cf disaster and
decline, as II is even now, in many Of the
countries where it formerly prevailed. The
European races, beginning with the ancient
Greeks, set this relation in its proper light
BY adopting the principle of monogamy-or
the marriage ofon mnn 10 one women. So
far ali is we'll But the difficult problem is
10 guard the welfare of women, in this do
mcslic union, without creating diversity Of
interests incompatible with the highest hap
piness it is capable of yielding 10 both. No
doubt our law, like the laws Of many other
countries. makes the marriage tic legal
contract and it does not, like the canon
law Of some countries, make it indissolube.
Still, TO the common sense and correct feel
ing Of all rieht-minded men,it is legal con-
tract SUI gene,is, and like no other. 1t in
wolves the entire happiness, in this world, Of
those who enter the state 10 which marriage
is the preliminary step; and its consequent
ces are not rammeIlcd up with the lives of
the immediate parties. 1t is. therefore, n
most solemn matter, not 10 be dealt with in
a business way, hut TO be approached in 4
spirit of earnest reflection, remote alike from
the frivol,ies of fashionable life aud worldly
calculations of avarice.
In The present age, and in a country like
our own the vast majority of marriages con-
tracted arc happy ones. Thus, some men
and women rush into this relation under the
Influence of youthful, unrclecting passion,
without due knowledge of each others char
acicr, and then repent at their leisure. The
qualification of whini, or the obstinate adj
herence 10 caprice, is punished by the
misery OF lifetime. These, however, are
cases Of exception. But they have been
sufficiently numerous 10 attract tho attention
If Legislators and thinkers. Milton long ago
advocated the doctrine Of divorce TO meet
The difficulties and remedy The wrongs OF
such ill-ussoried marriages. His principles
have been often adopted, and oitener advo>
Gated. Even where not formally enacted,
they have been followed by courts in the
exercise Of Judicial discretion. II is by no
means clear that these ready separations
have contributed 10 the happiness OF The in
dividuals Immediately concerned; and it is
very clear that they have not contributed
to the sound morals of society at large.
Another class Of cases has excited great
sympathy for those who have appeared in
the light OF victims. Sometimes the fortune
brought into the marriage by the wife has
been placed wholly at the disposal of the hus.
band and made responsible for his debts and
obligations. This is generally the case, un'
ess the property is already secured by hav-
ing been placed in trust, either by the will
Of the person from whom tho woman inner
lis, or by marriage settlements. In either
way, the interest of the wife may now be
sufficiently secured against the possible ex
travagancc, or prc6igacy of the husband
Whether there is any sufficient safeguard
on the other side, is not so certain and
whether i, is expedieni and makes for the
general good, to provide 80 carefully for the
cases OF exception to which we have above
alluded, may admit of doubt.
1t is certain, however, that every view o
the case, every legislative enactment, ever,
usage of society, which tends to create di.
versity of interests, or even to sustain The
idea of one, between the husband and wife
lowers The dignity and nobeness ofthi
most beautiful relation. The urging of ad
verse claims, the chaaering for legal secu
rites, the debates, arguments, and eveI
quarrels, on questions Of property, iha, some
times take place between the contracting
parties, or their lega representatives, de
grade the highest and the hoiest Of God
inslilutions,-a sacrament, as the Caiholi
Church rightly regards ito a mere huck
siering bargain it converts union, whic
was intended to blend Two immortal being
into one, BY surrounding them with 'h
dearest charities and sweeies, affections q
life,-t converts this gracious state Of in
separable hopes, common fortune, equal
shared delights and joys, inio limited part
nership, gross and unsanclifed in Us purpose
secular in its forms, selfish in its ends;--
Such an act .fs
That blurs the grace and blush S modesty