The Feliciana Democrat., 1859-03-26

HAPPY AND UNHAPPY MARRIAGES An old
mail correspondent of n weekly Newspaper
saws: il is all idle to talk about choosing life
partners according to the rucs which science
aud phrcnoloogy have laid down as the best
aOnn'cd 10 improve the human race, and secure
domestic happiness 20 long ms the privilege Of
making tie choice is extended to the male side
a society is now organic d. women can wed
only by chaUce-they must receive whatever
lot men aud circumstances force upon them.
If n gentleman says to one Of the opposite sex,
IL choose you for my wife, she may either
accept or remain single; but she cannot say to
the man sh" fnnrics, II choose you for my
husband" We cquotc--
Take for instance, n small community Of
Young persons, and suppose among them Il
Young woman of unusual refinement and SUI
peror sentiments. She mingles socially and
freely in her circle, but none of the young men
would suit her for husband, nor can she love
or adapt herself to any of them but she re-
mains there, and the years roll away, till at
last she is universally considered u hopeless
'old maid
"But if she had been man. she might have
been allowed to look about change residence
and business or pursue any course crcumstan-
CTS NlClutt'i, anu tiNSNHNlt.
"She may have seen or heard, or mct one
who, she felt impressed, would be a proper
companion for her, but she is forbidden BY Gus
tom to make known her preference to any what
ever But at last, not relishng lonely aim,
less life. she accepts some offer, because she
feels satisfied she will never do better, and thus,
whether married or single, drags out an unhap,
ry existence.
"Of what use to talk or preach about being
'phrcnologically adapted" while woman has
no resource but to marry whoever happens to
want her for Il wife, or do what, at the time
she considers the worst of the two evils-re-
main single.
at is true. beautiful, or highly talented,
orwealthy woman has abundant opportunities
to choose among her many suitors, bnt plain
unassuming undistingulshcd, untitled girl, how
ever lovely in character, or how well qualified
to adorn and bless n home, is compelled to re.
main unknown, and comparatively unnoticed,
and If she marres at all, is likely to do so un.
happily.
"Isn0t this so? Who will answer? Iwould
like to challenge some correspondent of the
press to discussion on this subject, not be
cause am crusty, disappointed old maid,
or ever can be one, but | think the subject
will bear an investigation, and harm no one.
Has woman equal rights with man in selecting
life, companion, or ought she to have? and
how does the law or principle Of adaptability
affect us?
"Lct us have some understanding about it.
as it too much to assert there are not ten
happy marriages in a hGndred, the world over;
and is not one great cause the fact that girls,
conscious they have no right to select, accept
offers they do not really approve, fearful of
not being choosen again? For men universal
ly, whether old oryoung, choose a young wife,
more often under than over twenty Few men,
whether for first, second or third wife, choose
matured and perfect woman
What is the cause Of this? Men are far
more attractive after they have reached full
maturity, or even in middle life, than,in their
extreme youth. Why is "A woman set out OF
the pale Of existence almost, after twenty or
twenty-five?
"You " no understand these why's and where.
iorcs, please give some solution"
A SUBLIME PERoRAuoN.-The closing pas,