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mony is very captivating, and may in ſome meaſure be juſt, yet, (for example) I can draw one that is not only alarming, but equally true—huſband and wife are together without a competency for life; a child, year after year enters the world, to be both miſerable and to make them ſo! Are the cries of theſe children harmonious?—are they the ſweets of matrimony? "It is better for a man to be alone."
All politeneſs after marriage ceaſes: "A lover, when a huſband, is a lover no more." This is a common ſaying, and I believe it is verified by almoſt every couple after the honeymoon. Good manners and reſpect generally ceaſe after marriage, and of courſe ill-humour and anger fill their place! If a wife drops her handkerchief, her fan, or any thing elſe, the huſband leaves her to take it up herſelf; but when he was courting, how readily would he fly to her aſſiſtance, how gladly ſtop to ſerve her? A huſband you may ſee very often take the wall-ſide of his wife whenever they are walking together; they will frequently take a long walk and not exchange a ſingle word. Such are the pleaſures and harmony of matrimony.
My friend will now give me leave to point out the bleſſings of a ſingle life. A bachelor has no cauſe for jealouſy, nor is he fretted with the jealouſy of his wife! he is unacquainted with the actions of crim. con. and the diſquietudes attending a bad woman—he has no ſons to torment him with extra-
