Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-08-23
WHY Marriages Decrease.

The falling of in marriages is found
in the centers of population, where the
needs of life press hard. The old-fash-
ioned disinterestedness has of late years
been losing ground in these places.
Thirty or forty years ago it was plain
sailing; a gibbous hat and the Italian
opera were unknown; all worked for a
living, and none we're rich as compared
with those of to-day. 1t has become
evident that in cities Hymen is losing
his power; yet the goddess who came
out of the seafoam continues to exer-
else her wonted charms over men,
Though they refuse to follow Hymen.
There is hide-and. seek process on the
part of man to avoid supporting the
woman, which would be to the last de-
gree ungenerous if it were not in some
measure compulsory. Fathers endeav-
or to dispose of daughters to those
who stand upon conditions, and each
tries to shirk the expense OF keeping
them. Thus regarded, the woman
becomes a possible encumbrance to
a marrying man, and almost a parasite
in her own family. A great number OF
those who live in luxury in the metropo-
lis make both ends meet with difficulty.
The head o. the family is stretched on a
financial wheel, which never ceases to
turn every day in the year. He is pressed
for what he considers the necessaries OF
life, and spends twenty thousand dollars
a year. The capital of this man who
spends twenty thousand dollars year,
at legal interest, would not perhaps yield
him a third of what he expends; thus he
is obliged to word hard for his living,
and without relaxation. He is not in
position to help any one but himself
however willing he may be to do so. The
Young man making his way through
an ocean of difficulties, and carrying
heavy ballast in the shape of clubs and
social dissipation, may like the daughter
of the poor rich father; but he has not
the audacity, even it she were Wiling, 10
make the sacrifice, to take her out OF her
handsome nest into an inferior one. In
resisting the matrimonial temptation he
haa something to say for himself. His
knowledee of life tells him that there
are scarcely any hours of happiness
which are compensation for the rasping,
wearihg, daily want OF means to provide
for every day necessities and comforts,
and that it is not long before domestic
peace gives way before this terrible pres
sure. 1t is human, too, for the woman
in unguarded moments to make compar-
isops between her married and single
life, in which regrets and reproaches are
implied if not spoken. When matters
reach this point it is the coup de grace,
and matrimonial felicity is at an end.
An adviser may say to this young
man. if he wants TO marry the poor rich
girl. Go West; but this is counsel he
cannot follow. His lot is cast here, and
through industry he has reasonable ex-
pectations of ultimately acquiring.
modest competency. 1t would be foolish |
for him to give up the bird IN hand tor
two out West in the bush, to say
nothing Of bis likings, which ten to one
favor his Dresept Surroundings. Here
he field OF labor is plainly indicated,
and he is already in the harness. his |
futnra being here he must submit TO the
ambitions Of life around hip, and ac-
cert civilization IS he finds it. Thus
reasoning be turns away from the poor
rich mans sHmptuous Dwelling With
sigh; he may not pluck the coveted
flower. Andif the expected bridegroom
in purple and fine linen, from Lydian
shores, fail to come, the daughter is con-
iemned to life of celibacy. If the
father has several such, who wait in vain,
his house, according to the Dutch prov
srb, becomes like cellar full Of sour
beer. Hl &c..
There are three issues out Of the ain
suities which involve marriage in the |
cities; a simpler mode Of life; the inde-
Dendence which the woman mey acquire
o solf.support; and the aowry, which |
concerns rather the parents tsSp the |
roneE herself.-September GALAXY