MARRIAGE.

Hail, wedded joy! thou fairest growth of all
That bloom'd in Eden, or surviv'd the Fall.
Thy leaves, thy flowers, thy fragrance, and thy fruit,
Though human lips were dumb, and song were mute,
Were cheap and precious still, whate'er the price,
Save of lost innocence, or Paradise;

Thy leaves, with Love's immortal verdure green;
Thy flowers-the beauty of each marriage scene;
Thy fragrance,-is the buds of nuptial bliss,
The wife's first smile-the infant's earliest kiss:
Thy fruits-why name the loveliest fruits on earth,
A numerous offspring clustering round the hearth?
Oh! might the exulting theme exalt my song,
And the verse kindle as it flows along.

CHAPTER I.

THE subject of the following pages has been sung by the sweetest Poets; eulogized by the ablest of Philosophers, and has received from heaven both special appointment, and the approving blessing of the Divine presence. It carries with it the hopes and the hearts of men; it excites in

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them the tenderest and the sweetest affections of which they are susceptible; it fills their breasts with the kindliest feelings; and affects the pious mind with sentiments of holy friendship, and religious duty. "Marriage," says the Apostle of its Divine Institution, "marriage is honourable in all." It was instituted by God, in the time of man's primitive innocency, as the means of his happiness, and the perpetuity of his race. In every age the wisdom of its institution has been felt and acknowledged. Men, by experience, have found that it is not good for them to live in a state of celibacy, and isolated selfishness. Marriage, however, does not restrict its influence merely to the individuals immediately concerned; it takes in a wide range of interests; and operates, with sensible influence, on the prosperity and well being of the world in general. Whilst it appeals to the feelings, to the heart, and to the interests of the humblest peasant in the land: it offers matter of important consideration to the Statesman, and the Student of Political Economy. It is intimately connected with the interests of Nations, as well as with the happiness of individuals. "Marriage,' says Jeremy Taylor, "is the Mother of the

World, and preserves Kingdoms, and fills cities, churches, and even heaven itself. It is that state of things to which God hath designed the present constitution of the world. Marriage," he adds, "hath in it the labour of love, and the delicacies of friendship, the blessings of society, and the union of hands and hearts. It hath in it less of beauty, but more of safety than a single life; it is more merry and more sad; it is fuller of joys, and fuller of sorrow; it lies under more burdens, but is supported by the strength of love and charity; and these burdens are delightful."

Society is but a large family, and he will be the best member of it who is the most regular and conscientious in the discharge of his domestic duties; men being, in reality, only what they are at home. Here they act with unconstrained liberty; here the temper and disposition of the mind manifest themselves; and as the restraints of public opinion and self interest do not operate in the domestic circles, we may infer that the man is really what he here appears to be. The good husband, the kind father, the sincere friend, the benevolent master cannot fail to be a good citizen, and a loyal subject. He will carry his principles into every

situation and display their tendency and their excellency in every station in which he may be placed. On the other hand, the proud, the haughty, the morose domestic tyrant, will be in Society what he is at home, save when interest may allure, or fear awe him into better conduct. It is, therefore, a matter of deep and serious importance that the duties and obligations of our domestic relations should be accurately defined, and duly impressed, in all their solemn obligation, on the hearts and consciences of men: and where can this be done more effectually than in the marriage state, from which all the other relations of mankind, as well as charities of life flow? On a due understanding and a faithful discharge of these duties depends not only the happiness of the parties themselves, but also the prosperity and the welfare of present and future generations. The marriage union is an important one; the most important of any we are capable of forming in this life, as it is not our own happiness only, but that of others also, that is affected by our conduct in it. It is an union not merely constituted with a view to the reciprocal benefit of the two persons who agree to form it, but exercising, likewise, a paramount influence on the manners and happiness of Society at large.

In the following pages it is not proposed to discuss the subject of Marriage in all its bearings: which would require limits far exceeding those of a necessarily restricted Essay; but we shall select such branches of the subject as appear most suitable to the end we have in view. These topics we shall treat in order, and though our pages may, thereby, assume somewhat of a systematic form, yet we shall endeavour that they may prove, ultimately, interesting as well as useful.

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Our FIRST enquiry shall be into the DESIGN and DIVINE INSTITUTION of MARRIAGE. are, on this subject, two errors to be avoided that which would degrade marriage into a merely civil contract; and that which unduly elevates it into a Religious Sacrament. The former error leaves it, as a matter of interest, business, or convenience, dependent solely on the caprice of individuals for its perpetuity. Such a view destroys, at once, its sacred nature, and the obligation of its sacred duties: throws open the flood gate of human passións, unrestrained by moral obligation, or religious principles. It, also, does away with the indissolubility of the engagement, and leaves men at liberty to part with their wives as they would with