New-York tribune., 1873-03-06
ORA FLNG-ROOM PHILOSOpHY.

ORA TVING-R0OM PHIL0SOpHY.
JOHN WEISS ESSAY ON THE LAW o. }iAERIAGF.
TO ne Edttor OF The Trt6WHe.
SIR; in q charming uptown drawing room,
where pictures by old ana young masters gratined the
eye while the gave heed TO eloquent wisdom out-
waited men and assembled at the invitation OF
the a6 OF the bOuse 20 John Neisss essay on
the Law Of Marriage" Gray hairs came TO compare
their dreams and their experience with thoe OF Inc ex
FOUNDER tho evening" middle ago vas ured either by
curiosity S7 the hope of callnge flower with which
TO render home fragrant and more picturesque;
youth drew near 10 sit 'st The feet Of Gamaliel
and learn the lessen which they would
fam believe poem yet dread with corresponding fear Of
disiusion II was entertaining 20 note the various
pression visible Oneltc faces II was strange to OBJ
eerve Rev stodly some listened. as though realities had
crushed out all philosophers and left not On aspiration
Behind 1t curious 70 watch the cynic who smiling
within at the farce OF having faith in anything
especially la the divinity Of marriage, maintained
supreme eomp0sure aud deferred TO social
epiniep by appaudng in the right places. 1t
was interesting to mark how seriously quiet both
became needing earnestly than confession would
have admitted the doctrines OF the feryd whose
oye speaks glowing language, while the less faeile
tongue hats for word. II was q strange study, and
denoted in busy lfe For Boston to boast OF
Radical Club, where conundrums of varying depth and
Significance are hurled at It's members with intense
satisfaction 20 the assembled brains, is not singular.
Boston is the Athens of Lmerica and intellect Is its
birthrght to propound is not TO live, and move,
and have its being ut-NewYoIk is given TO the
pomps and vanines Of wicked world, and when its
citizens gather together for the purpose Of find ng an
answer to the greatest OF all gethe
"Old Probabilities OF society IS wise IN recording sign
Of the times.
John Weiss is always IN earnest therefore whether
you agree or disagree with him, he commands your
liking and respect He il saturated with his subject he
has convictions lie believes in his opinions The fire IN
his soul never burns low. IL lie always bright
md ready to warn the cold, faint-hearted way
farer Therefore his essay Oh the Law Of
Marriage" inspires though it does not prescribe
a panaeea for happiness. He believes that marriage
is the best wine Of rie, and his eloquence makes
converts Of the willing To his theories are too
radical 20 others not radical enough to the few they
are inadequate; to ALL many passages q Tie essay are
beautiful The scofer dares not show bis cOlOrs in the
presence Of much genuine enthusiasm The reader Of
French novels breathe atmosphere;ipposssie when
under the inauence OF morbid thought MT. Weiss does
not describe marimODy unaduterated bliss, but be
does assert be the nearest approach to individual
completion. According 20 his law
"TIe contract OF marriage is as broad and deep
human nature, and must therefore, and always must.
comprise both the folly and the strength which and
women contribute To that they do 20 every other
human condition. Domestic lie becomes the arena
where the natural Ia both against the spiritual
both; there eau be compromise unless 1t be that of
Inntual nteractiOn and abatement, for the and
cannot call temperament back TO The intrench
cannot storm another AID abolish 1t,
any more than the man can change brains with the
woman confined ey the Sabcty OF marriage tue self
will Of ls held 10 its labor the gtts regard each
other and begin 10 baItern1tnng danted. the ganees
meet hnuehoe GdNtIs 20 ahu IO OS every nerve OF
custom aud convenience. 10 shock 10 OOthe. Doni
neeng pfopenses must come TO terms with the sacred
necessity of this conjunction Each person in the
tract something which the other lacks yet
vantage of mine because there is virtue which
be decaued in thar way IL shows that 1t Is virtue by
linz
gaish Both spirits safer in this strennou. wrestling
which at last changes to mild embrace"
Vaor, sacrifice anguish The enthusiast sees In the
union of man and strenuous wrestling. lie is
as right as Original in maintaining that there must be an
equality thus union order that may comprc-
bend the other II il possible for men and women TO be
as much too good as too bad & ch other The human
being male or female that caunot sympathze with the
folly the weakness of the selected partner has uade
sad mistake. The woman who is shocked by the pro-
pensies OF the she loves wasnever intended be
his WIFE This truth NJ. Weiss iptlmates by claiming
that
Part OF the delight end point Of living consists IA
finding that our'eoutrasts are on ual footing; vice
and yiTtEe for virtne the fencers well bal
anced and because neither prevail ana boat down
the other they must eventually snakehand5 and be re-
cOnciled."
Ii this not the strongest possible plea for equaHty
There must be struggle What good fencer will deig1
90 cross rapers with worthy Of his steel Ever
In game of cards none wlingy SIT dowr with those
terOr IN SKILL Should there be less eXae1cn the game
Of lifeg
lir. Weiss sees in marriage tho great CONSERVATION
II protects two people till their teR6er romance
hstSens into the hrmDess OF spiritual affinity. It
stat N which Imperfect affinity often IL dscOv-
cred becomes the object OF reEgiO s0li itude
spirit OF mutual Difference and with conduct Jealousy
directed tO make II disappear Ii IS a shield against
which magnetic glances shiyero1 while this process
Of Intervening two hearts' pulses goes on Ii defes
the world 10 interfere IN this attempt 10 Justify pledge
and 10 xor from bitter difficulty household nutri-
men character more substantial than youth maiden
ever ancied reconciliation OF diveriIies marriage.
rite long after the certificate was signed"
Dir. Weiss believes mutual ignorance OF the SEXES TO
be the cb.ef cause Of matrimonial unkappiness and
thiBks that this ignorance
"EOuld be modified by mixed educatIa1. And itBs |
strange hatt1 country which permits euub social free
dom u its wOen there should be.tbis moment OF pru
dsh hesitation on the point OF throwing wide the doors
of G academies and colleges to the boys srs who
need not only equal education but suffer because
they caun0t have II In each others company. Bring
them into personal contact from the age Of II 10 TO- and
there would be an distinctive observation others
traits entirely nfye and unconscious Judging such
boys already exercise among boys aud girls among
girls aud this would lead 10 better mqtnal under.
standing Those persoss who hint at the dangers of
such intercourse give htte credit TO natures recenoe
and 10 the admirable which lies deep underneath
the cordial m@""s-' 4 our women. ready threat
S~rge nHe sre mystic bsnt that beld Arth1rs ssprd