, 1868-11-27
Modern MatrImOny.

Marriage is becoming more and more ex>
pensive and unattainable. The single, male
and female increase in numbers. In oldeu
time it was said marry young and strug,
gle up together" To-day. it is more CON.
mon, singly to struggle up in the morning Of
life, aud if marriage is cousummated at all, it
is when at least, a competency has been ac>
quired by one or the other of the contracting
parties. Marriage at present is most CONS
mon among the very poor and very rich. No
reason is necessary for such action on the
part of the wealthy. Those very poor marry,
arguing that as but small portion Of the
presumed luxuries Of existence aill be grant
ed them, they will appropriate what CONES
within their reach. Between the two classes,
is large and increasing number who do mol
marry because they can not commence this
condition Of existence respectfully Res.
pectability,' in a matrimonial point of view,
implies the possession of a Well-furnished
dwelling, servants, in fact it implies money
1t is difficult to ascertain where more respec
liability merges into luxury. 1t requires a
good income aud one that should be yearly
increasing. Good incomes are realized but
by few. Consequently, but few marry. Our
young women think occasionally of their
future prospective husband. If they do not
they are hardly women, at least, young
women. Often in their estimation, to be a
lovable being, he must possess the means of
supporting them according to their idea of
respectability. The attractive qualities af
life companion, seem to depend much on bis
business prospects. A reputation for keen>
ness 10 business covers a multitude of defects.
The struggle for wealth becomes harder and
harder. There are more clever men so
there are more to struggle for the few fnaD>
cial crowns. Hence, the prizes are less, the
blanks more numerous and the labor of more
individuals is required to build up a few
colossal fortunes. Respectable incomes be-
ing deemed an essential by SO many young
ladies, but few are able to marry. Modern
education is in some respects bar to matri>
mony. BY it, tastes and incliuatiOns are
formed not always possible to be gratifed
TSelr influence is useful and refining, but
with them is not always Implanted any idea
of the practice Of necessity of self-denial.
The female graduate OF High School may
be a thorough musician, au admrer and
judge OF painting and statuary; but if she
deem it indispensable to have these tastes
gratifed, rich husband is necessary. Rich
husbands are not plentiful. Hence, we do
not immediately get married. A true taste
tor the elegant aud beautiful in nature, will
find pleasure 10 the simplest objects. 1t
may become quite independent of any artii,
cial creations aud discover inexhaustible
treasures in the kingdom of Nature. There
are thousands of rejected diamonds strewn in
life's path. We do not impute all the present
stagnstion 10 the matrimonial market to our
girls, mankind also must shoulder their por-
tiOn of the burthen. On becoming prosper
Gus, we marry because we want wife. A
wife may mean a housekeeper and conver
nience. In such case, she cannot be blamed
at fixing as high a price as possible for her
services. We stated at first that modern
marriage was luxury. We might have said
an apparent luxury. Where the principal
inducements to enter the matrimonial state
are on one side the mere desire for husband
and home, without any regard to their lit
ness for each other, marriage is apt to be-
come anything but luxury or even com
fort.-Drdmdttc Re0iec.