Year: 1873

" nat n N1aSaZ1ne writer Has 10 sS0y

 About 1t.

 The falling off in marriages is found in the centres of population, where the needs of life press hard. The old-fash- toned disinterestedness has of late years been losing groundin these places. Thirty or forty years ago it was plain sailing; gibbons hat and the opera were unknown all worked for o living, and none were rich as compared with those of to-day. It has become evident that in cities Hymen is losing his power; yet the goddess who came out of the sea foam continues to exercise her wonted charms over men, though they refuse to follow Hymen. There is a hide-and-seek process on the part of man to avoid supporting the woman, which would be to the last degree un- generous if it were not in some meas ure compulsory. Fathers endeavor to stand upon conditions, and each tries Thus regarded, the woman becomes a man, and almost parasite in her own live in luxury in the metropolis make 

 head of the family is stretched on f. nancial wheel, which never ceases to turn every day in the year. He is essaries of life. and spends twenty thousand dollars year. The capital of this man who spends twenty thous- and dollars year, at legal interest, would not, perhaps, yield him third of what he expends thus he is obliged to work hard for his living, and without relaxation. He is not in a position to help any one but himself, however will ling he may be to do so. The young man making his way through an ocean of difficulties, and carrying heavy bal | last in the shape of clubs and social dissipation, may like the daughter of the poor, rich father but he has not the audacity, even if she were willing to make the sacrifice, to take her out of a handsome nest into an inferior one. In resisting the matrimonial temptation he has something to say for himself. His knowledge of life tells him that there are scarcely any hours of happiness which are compensation for the rasping, wearing, daily want of means to pro- vide for everyday necessaries and com forts, and that it is not long before do- nestle peace gives way under this ter rible pressure. It is human, too, for the woman in unguarded moments to make comparisons between her married and single life, on which regrets and re- breaches 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, if he wants to marry the poor, rich girl, "Go West;" but this is coun- sel he cannot follow. His lot is cast here, and through industry he has req sonable expectations of ultimately ac- quiring modest competency. It would be foolish for him to give up the bird in hand for the two out West ill the bush, to say nothing of his ikings, which, ten to one favor his present sur roundings. Here the field of labor is plainly indicated and he is already in the harness. His future being here, he must submit to the conditions of life around him and accept civilization as he finds it. Thus reasoning, he turns away from the poor, rich man s sumptu- ous dwelling with a sigh; he may not pluck the coveted flower. And if the expected bridegroom in purple and fine linen. from Lydian shores fail to come, the daughter is condemned to life oi celibacy. If the father has several such who wait in vain, his house, ac- cording to the Dutch proverb, becomes like cellar full of sour beer.

 There are three issues out of the diff ficulties which involve marriage in the cities-a simpler mode of life; the in dependence which the woman may ac. quire in selfsupport and the dowry, which concerns rather the parents than the woman herself.