Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1871-09-30
MARRIAGE.

There arc few subjects more fire.
quently in the thoughts Of young and
old than that of marriage, and none
upon which more widely diverging
exist. The theme alike Of levity
and frlvolity on the one hand, and Of
mere worldly prudence on the other,
few appreciate Its real import, and
still fewer realize the rich blessings It
Is capable Of shedding on those who
athom and fulfil Its holy relations.
There are two aspects to this subject,
which to the thoughtful mind will
convey some idea of Its high character.
One is its important bearing on the
whole fabric Of society, the other the
fact that it has Its foundation in the
very essence OF our nature. Society Is
not a chance combination Of Isolated
individuals ; Il Is rather q collection Of
families united In one organization.
The family with Its own special laws,
privileges and duties, though an insti-
tuition complete In itself, does not exist
for itself alone. 1t is the groundwork
of the State. Marriage, therefore, as
the basis Of the family, involves not
merely personal interests aud happi-
ness, but the continuance and welfare
of the race. Thus the law rightfully
throws around 1t her protecting arm,
and resents all public insults to its
purity and dignity. The law Of mar
rage Is written on other tablets than
those Of the State. As the mental and
moral nature becomes elevated the
true idea Of marriage lsunfolded. The
natural passions that, without this
bond, tend only to degradation and
vice, are, by It, refined and chastened
love Is cemented, duties are shared,
joys are enhanced and sorrows light
ensd. 1t is only where simplicity snd
purity of heart dwell that the truest
blessings Of marriage can be enjoyed.
The passion that looks only to self
qualification, the fancy which iscaught
by a charming face or engaging man.
ner, and mistaken for love, the msr-
cenary spirit whose chief object in
marriage is to procure a home, or to
acquire influence and position in So
ciety, or to enjoy hitherto unknown
luxuries, all these are foreign to the
very essence Of true marriage, and
desecrate Its name. Those who enter
into this relation from such motives,
tail to appreciate its Significance, will
fail to fulfill Its duties, and can never
hope to enjoy its felicities. Marriage
must be founded on mutual love, II it
Is to be more than a soulless contract,
and that love must be founded on mu-
tual respect, esteem and trust, If 1t Is
to survive the storms and trials Of life.
There Is among some at the present
day q most unnatural and unwhole-
some shrinking from married life, on
account Of its expensiveness. Per-
suadlng themselves that a certain style
Of living Is Indispensable, and know
ing it to be beyond their present
means, they stifle their hopes, and put
aside or postpone indefinitely all
thoughts Of entering q state where, In
return for the delights Of home aud
the sweets Of domestic love, they may
be called upon to sacrifice some Of
their ambitions or self-indulgent cray
ings. When we witness the enormous
outlay so often expended on presents,
trousseaux and bridal tours, In fur
nishing and decorating dwellings, and
the general costly style aimed at in
commencing married life, we cannot
wonder that prudent young persons
shrink from involving themselves in a
course 50 likely to prove ruinous. But
their error lies in admitting the ne
cessity for such extravagance. In being
held in bondage by fashion, In spurn-
ing the simple, natural and holy joys
Of life for the sake of ostentation and
display. Love, that is worthy Of the
name, will not thus be cheated out Of
its very existence it will assert It's
supremacy over the tyrannical dictates
Of fashion and luxury, and thus de-
velop In strength and beauty, she'd
ding Its joys yer the hearts and lives
of Its loyal followers. John Ruskin
In his own inimitable style, thus
quantity and beautifully describes
marriage In the leaf world, illustrating
something of the fresh simplicity,
purity and happiness, which should
ever characterize the union Of heart
with heart. He says: "All plants
are composed essentially Of two parts,
the leaf and the root, one loving the
light, the other darkness one liking
to be clean, the other dirty 4; one liking
to grow for the most part up, the other
for the most part down ; and each hav-
ing faculties and purposes of its own.
But the pure one which loves the
light has, above all things, the pur-
pose of being married to another leaf,
and having child leaves and children's
children Of leaves, to make the earth
fair forever. And when the leaves
marry they put or wedding robes, and
are more glorious than Solomon In all
his glory, and they have feasts Of
honey, and we call them flowers"
A LAWYER FLooRKD BY A FooL.-
Lawyers make a point of cross-Ques-