Page:New letter writer, or, Polite correspondence, on friendship, business, courtship, love, and marriage.pdf/20

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.

( 20 )

conformable to what they deſign to undertake or put in execution; they never act but by agreement: their thoughts and ſentiments reſt on the foundation of mutual confidence; and the good underſtanding which ſubſiſts between them, adds unſpeakable charms to the union. A huſband may leave home and enjoy uninterrupted tranquillity, becauſe he leaves the care of family concerns to a frugal and good houſewife. If he has children—how ſweet are the effects of his love, who will hereafter be the ſupport of his old age? Single life in men can no where find the conſolation and aſſiſtance that are to be met with in the ſociety of women. Providence has given this help to man as a ſort of helpmate, and therefore, as the ſcripture ſays, "it is not good for man to be alone."

The Romans (as appears in hiſtory) expelled from their city thoſe who perſiſted to live in a ſtate of celibacy, as being uſeleſs to the republic. There is ſomething unnatural in a man deſiring to remain a bachelor all the days of his life? It is contradictory to the laws of reaſon and nature! He that hates a woman, hates the lovelieſiet part of heaven's creation, and well deſerves to be hated himſelf! I hope, then, my friend will change his opinion of a ſingle life, and lay upon himſelf the injunction of matrimony, which, no doubt, will be more agreeable than he has hitherto thought it. He will, I hope, take in part the