Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-10-01
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Marriage
From the Cincinnati Enquirer.

FROM the CinCtnnali enquirer
Marriage makes man Zone with his |
kind" 1t should give q stronger impetus TO |
all that is best aud uohlest in his nature, con-
fer on him new powers, open 10 hum new pos
sibilities. By 1t man comes into his king
dom, a sovereign, yet subject governing
aud serving at one and the same time. He
should prepare Tor 1t 10y stern seltsuhiection,
by holding his vsssal passions in leash, by
weaving the wOof OF a iar fabric Of life. Then
may be search for his pearl in the sea, and
give her love, loyal and lOrdly, intense and
Immortal. And the woman should be soft
souled and sweet.spirlted, visiting all that is
base and unworthy with noble scorn and cor
rosive contempt, 10 merit a love that is strong
and tender ana eternal For she can bind or
loose, cheer or chide, held or hinder in the
fierce fray OF lite. How Oxen none of these
elements enter iuto a marriage! The young
people take things into their own hand and
flee to their fate, or else the preliminaries are
arranged and managed by Interested elders
Our girls have q summer and winter cam
pain, into which they plunge on sn amstory
mission to dazzle and bewilder the other sex,
and whether tie resultant affairs are the
evolution OF blind impulse or cool cllCelation
the chances OF happiness are Is one in ten.
Take the case of very young people. The
girls know that they must dress to look
pretty aud air their small attractions. Like
water lilies on the placid surface of lake
they nod their graceful heads, and with
warm, wooing breath enthrall the knghtly
admirer who bends over them. Amid scenes
and surroundings pOtently romantic they
make eyes at each other smile aud simper
The parents may be entirely ignorant Of
what is going on, or else they knew their
place and do not interfere ID they
did 1t would avail little. The lovers
seize their maiden opportunity in
some momentary mood OF fond
illusion, an immediate marriage Is proposed.
and the nuPtial knot is quickly tied. Men
say they do not marry because they can not
support wife in luxury, and the nineteenth
century woman expects that, and can not
live on a moderate income. This is un-
dOubtedly true of many women. They could
not possibly understand the love of Romeo
| Jitiict they can sympathi2e fully with the
| Laiy Of Lyons, looking lOngIDgiy toward
| tine palace OF the Lake Of Como. Then some
men want wives who Will be a mere echo Of
| themselves who will regard them as
| sort OF god on wheels, forgetting
that the relation is the truest which re-
| cognizes the worth and dignity of each
member, and does not demand the suppress
| sion, contraction or etiacement of the indi,
yiduality. What petty tyraut a man be-
| comes when he marries woman who
1 IAerges her selihOOd in his But that view
| OF the case would never occur to him. He
| does not want heip-meet; he merely wishes
| TO add wife TO his possessions, and Will
| give her excellent care, as he does the rest
| But all honor to those OF whom it can be
| the foundation stones OF marriage LOOK al
| the young man or the man In his prime upon
| whom desCends the divine insanity, His
| love seems To spring up in single day, ex,
| pand!ng within his heart to perfect flower.
| All that has gone before reCedes into i'm.
| measurable distance and darkness In his
| dOdbts and fears, his watching OF the beloved
| one to see whether she shares his feelings, he
| thrills with the fever a tOretaste of the feryoI
| of love. lie would not miss any o
| it: "al other pleasures are not worth It's
pains" Above the iume and foam OF passion
| is the serene sun Of love. And the maiden
| she has struck the keynote OF life's melody,
aud is like bird singing its glad song ali the
| day. Her senses are fed full of felicity
sweeter than aught else on earth is the hope
| that is hers. The lover speaks and gains hi:
! prlZe his heart Is elate and triumphant; hi;
| passion rises TO rapture, and he nnds HEAVIER
IN the heart OF his loved one. Now he i
| reused to effort and achievement for her
| and she feels it a worthy destiny to giy,
| purpose and breadth to bis life. Virtues ar,
| recognized bonds OF union faults and weak
| nesses are tenderly dealt witt, and their cur,
sought. The lovers grow together, and TIN
| traits OF each are modified. \ nature shoulC
| never be entirely disclosed, even TO the near
| est and dearest still hold inviOlate the inne
| chambers OF the seifhoOd still keep beyon,
| reach the hottest ana best. The lovers res
pect and reverence these qualities in eaci
| otner; truth and trust are the Certaiuties upOi
| which they rest. At last comes the crownin.
| hour which is the seal and the signet O
union and life is set to measureless music.
The early years of welded lie are the de
| ciduous spring, which bring q summer o
the bloom, blossom and iruitage .oi affection
| and an autumn of perfect content. All! he
cause we are so frivolous and false, do no
| let us say that this gift divine. from God I
| man, no longer blesses the earth. Love
the only sovereign, his the only reign tina
endures and to him we say: "Hail King
live forever"