Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-04-08
The Proper Time to Marry.
mHAu-WEpDED LOVE..'

We believe that some Of the mJst distin-
guished pAiloso pliers and closest observers
of human nature, have recommended early
marriages, as, in the long run, calculated to
prove most advantageous TO both parties -
There are two sides to this delicate ques-
ton, and we be elieve that the great error in
this country is in disposition to marry too
young, or before the mind is fully develop
ed, or the Judgment sufficiently ripe to make
proper decision There are. however, va
rieus arguments, both pro and con. We per-
ceive by some statistics just published, that
in the city of Boston, during the last year,
three males under twenty-one years oil age :,
chose partners whose ages ranged from 20
to 80 years, while 422 whose ages varied
from 81 to 45 songh: partners for lie under
90. OF the males. more tkan 80 per cent.
married between the ages of 25 and thirty,
and over 81 per cent. between the ages ot
81 anG %. OF the females, more than A
per cent. married between the ages of 20
and %. The general rule seems to be, that
males marry between the ages of 20 and 80,
while females enter into The silken bond be-
tween the ages Of 20 and %. There are, of
course, many exceptions.
Hasty and indiscreet marriages cannot be
too carefully guarded. They produce moth
ing but disappointment and misery. Tha;
the welded life, generally speaking, is the
condition intended for both sexes. is beyond
all question; nature has so ordered, and
tbose who, with the means, steadily shun
matrimony, cannot be said to live up to
their duties and obligations. A distinguish
ed journalist of New York used to remark
play yfully, yet forcibly, that she seem to
re-lve N the life of every child that was
born unto him, while the comPanionship of
his wife was calm, sweet and exquisite de-
light" A happy marriage-one OF affection
harmony and taste--is indeed blessing
while discordant union, if we may SO speak
is u constant anxiety and curse.
The many divorces which take place in
the United States show that there is u sad
want of forethought and reflection on the
part of hundreds who unite themselves for
better or for worse. There are, doubtless,
in most of such cases, faults on both sides,
and the man or the woman who expects 10
realize all the dreams of youth, ,and who can
not practice the virtue OF .or5earance, sadly
mistakes poor human nature. While, how
ever, we would depreca.e hasty and prema-
ture marriages, we believe that in such hal
lowed contracts, delays are dangerous, es-
pecial, if they be proiracted beyond reas-
enable limits And yet in our humble judy
ment, it is never too late I'd marry, unless
the facilities be exhausted, the frame be en-
feebled, and age BE present with all lis in-
firmities.
Dull times exert ises sad influence ugon
ma,rim NAL affairs. We fear, too. that the
extravaganza of dress and of fashion, in
which TOO many of the inir eek of this roun-
try indulge, deters hundreds OF active and
enterprisins young men from encountrrinc
all the risks and responsibilities Involved IN
the selection of partner for lie. Far bet
ter 10 begin moderately and economically
and thus to save something from year II
wear, than to enter the world with dashin4
reckless spirit, with the chance OF an early
fall. Mutual forbearaEce is absolutely es-
sent al in the marriage state. Nothing Ia
perfect in this world, and we should make
allowance ior the errors and inilrmtles oI
each other. This is essential, indeed i'll al
the relations OF life. None are inialiiblr
an d this being the fact, we should not loof
for infallibilisy even in those they love bes
and esteem most.-PaH. Ing.