Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-10-21
wiz Mnrrl.rs. pecreas..

The falling off in marriages is found
in the eenters OF population, where the
needs of life press hard. The old
fashioned 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
living, and none were rich as compared
with those of to-day. II has become
evident that in cities Hymen is losing
his power; yet the goddess who came
out OF the sea-foam continues TO exer-
else her wonted charm over men, though
they refuse to follow Hymen. There is
hide-andseek process on the part of
man to avoid supporting the woman,
which would be to the last degree ungen-
erous ifit were not in some measure CON-
pulsory. Fathers endeavor to dispose
of their daughters TO those who stand
upon conditions, and each tries to shirk
the expense of keeping them. Thus re-
garded, the woman becomes 6 possible
encumbrance to marrying man, and
almost parasite in her own family. A
great number of those who live in lux
ury in the metropolis make both ends
meet with difficulty. The head Of the
family is stretched on financial wheel,
which never ceases to turn every day in
| the wear. He is pressed for what he
Econsiders the hecessaries of life, and
spends twenty thousand dollars year.
The capital Of this man who spends
twenty thousands dollars a year, at legal
interest, would not perhaps yield him a
third of what he expends; thus he is
obliged to work hard for a living, and
without relaxation He is not in a
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 dissipa-
ton, may like the daughter of the poor
rich father; but he has not the audacity,
even If she we're willing TO make the
sacrifice, to take her out of her hand
some nest into an Inferior one. In re-
sisting the matrimonial temptation he
has something to say for himself. His
knowledge Of his life tells him that there
are scarcely any hours of happiness
which are compensation for the rasping,
wearing, daily want of means to provide
for everyday necessaries 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-
isons 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 domestic felicity is at an end.
An adviser may say to this young
man. il he wants to marry the poor rich
rirl, Go West; but this is counsel he can
not follow. His lot is cast here, and
through industry he has reasonable ex-
pectations of ultimately acquiring a
modest competency. 1t would be foolish
for him to give up the bird in hand for
the two out West in the bush, to say
nothing of his likings, which ten to one
favor his present surroundings Here
the field pt labor 10 plainly indicated,
and he is already in the harness. His
future being here, he must submit to the
conditions OF life around him, and ac-
cent civilization as he finds it. Thus
reasoning he turns away fFom the poor
rich mans sumptuous dwelling with
sigh, he may not pluck the coveted
flower. And IL the expected bridegroom
in purple and fine linen, from Lydian
sbdres, fails 10 soMe, the Aaushtep is
condemned to life Of cellbaoy. If the
father has several such, who wait in
vain bis s6tise, according to the Dutch
nroyerb becomes like a cellar iull Oi
sour beer. p laa 49,,
There are three Issues out Of the diff
culties which involve marriage in the
cities; simpler mode Of life the indde'
pendence which the woman may acquire
in self support; aud the dowry, which
concerns rather the parents than the
woman herself.-Albert Rhodes, IN
September Galaxy