Smyrna times., 1872-01-17
To Marry, or Not to MarrY2

resolutely turn to thoughts of matrmOnv At
least, that Is the inference from the troops
that flock just now nightly to the affairs, espe-
cially the fashionable affairs. Whether it is to
make sure of many wedding gayeties as posi-
bic before Fashion DEGREES a temporary death |
to all gayety ID the sack k-cOth and ashes of
Lent, we do not know, but this is asSuredlv |
the favored time when the temple of Hymen |
opens its doors to women who can enter them |
IL the approved grOs grain and point lace Of
marriages IN muslin, we hear of but few in |
tact, we hear of few at any time. Young men |
OF small salaries and penneSs young women |
noWa a-days lind every month too chilly TO cross |
the threshold Of that house in which Poverty |
IS so apt to put out the fire on the hearth, and
Love so uncertain about kiDdling it again |
They are exhOrted by practical people Of the |
past generation to remember how their grand |
fathers married; with only, very likely the
provision of an ak to cut down the trees in
their clearing, and the plenshing Of few pots
and pans, wooden chairs, and a feather bed
Those were the days, they tell us, when sturdy
men were hard listed and honest when their
sturdy wives washed, and knew the WAYS of
the churn instead of the piano; when dozens
OF hardy children grew up within their gates
into habits of frugality and honor The young
man with small salary dawding at the opera,
and the penniless young woman who spends
her time in making hats for herself and singing
! @lb' tOH ytUHyc, are DlQueD 10 90 ana 1Orth-
with do likewise. The whole of this money
less, aesthetic, non marrying generation, are
eXhorted to Awake, arise, or be forever
fallen; to betake themselves to hard work
and rearing children without delay.
Now, all this advice sounds eminentlv strong
and SENSIBLE but is it practicable? In two
generations not only the tastes and habits, but
the very nature of American men has altered,
under the influence of city life in degree
which, whether for better or worse is actual
and absolute. Nine out of ten Of these edu-
Gated poor young men would prefer death at
once to the life of pioneer; drudgery for the
bare nee. >Sties of food and clothes. exile from
the world Of books, music, and art the per-
petua sight of a shabby overworked wife whom
they could not relieve, and shabby children to
whom they could give neither culture nor
refinement. The mere possession Of wife and
children instead Of Deng reward, would add
to the chagrn and discomfort, which would
- grow more bitter with the intensity of their
love. How many of the decqte pretty girls
who nj our streets, too are fit to do their
grandmOthe'S 'stent" Of work at washtub,
churn, or broom? Weak backs and dyspeptic
stomachs are facts not to be Sncered or Scolded
away. The young people in town realize the
situation they are not wiling to remain
single, SO they shrewdly look out for rich part
ners They are anxious to put love into their
lives, If possible, but regard it as necessity to
put money In their purse at the same time
r Where is the remedy? Marriages grow to be
more matter of stocks furniture, and dress,
with every generation. The children, born of
much luxury and little love (if born at alI) be-
come more feeble in mind and body and shorter
+ lived, until foreigners who Judge us from our
! cities may well question whether Americans in
+ the next century will inherit America. The
problem is just this: How can young man
and woman, with the necessities of educated
and refined people and not strong health, afford
to marry and bring up children on small in
come?
\ The answer is here: First, by discovering
J that the necessities of education and refine
ment do not depend on money for their gratif-
= cation. Turkey carpets, silk dresses or coats
bought on Broadway have nothing to do with
{ the hight OF their owners lives, nor do they
contribute one whit to their culture or good
= breeding What will contribute to them, and
. give high caste to ;heir own lives and those OF
+ their children, are some high motive in living,
and cleanliness and beauty in their daily sur
n rounding. Now, pure love and sound common
8 sense are the rarest earthly motives which any
q man can bring into his daily work, and cleanli-
ness and beauty the cheapest of household
r plenlshlng. We know young couple who,
9 during the war, married with an outfit of 800
s a year, an utter disregard of fashion, much
;. love, and an absolute faith in sef-help and the
help of God. They have never lacked neces
e siy or a comfort of life, and their snuggery OF
: a home, which opens daily to the best people
j in Boston, is remembered by every guest as
n one would remember a heartsome, beautiful
q picture. Yet there is not Turkey carpet OF
:. costly painting in it. Any pair of true lovers,
:, who will put aside fashion and conventional
; opinions for common sense and good taste, may
. marry with like chance of success. In the
- West of course, and in country towns, more
tangible comfort is proeurabe for a small in
come than in the seabOard cities; but something
?. is lost in absence from the headquarters of art
, music, literature whose qualifications here are
l. cheap as daily air. In the Cities too, an edu
II Gated wife has Thousand chances of helping
n her husband. In this point indeed, lies the
; second answer to the problem. Our girls can
+ never go back to the waSh-tub or broom; but
l. in few years believe they will all go to the
y pencil, or brush, or burin, to some headword
!. or handicraft, and so prove themselves help
u rneets of another kind than their vigorous
;, grandmOthers, but quite as helpful and then
, 4 the gates of marriage need no longer turn on
l. golden hinges.-Nc,o York Tribune.
e THEN AND Now-In these degenerate days
'f we are happily spared poiteness of the good
:, old times, which guarded against danger in all
} matters that related to eating and drinking.
a When person was about to drink at a Saxon
e banquet he asked the guest who sat next him
q to pledge him, which was performed by his
e neighbOr holding up his knife or sword to pro-
n tect him while he drank-it being supposed
d that man, when burying his face in tankard,
was not able to guard against any act of treach
cry from behind Perhaps, however, the