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Command of the Parent cannot be lawfully obeyed, because it is unlawful for the Child to marry any Person he or she cannot love; nay, the very doing it is destructive of Matrimony, and they must either lie one way or other, or else they cannot obey it, for they cannot be married: For example,
A Father says to his Son, I would have you marry such a young Lady.
Oh! Sir, says the Son, I beg of you don't desire of it me, she is a Woman that of all the Women in the World, I would not marry upon any Account whatever.
Don't tell me you will not marry her, says the Father, I have good Reasons for your having her.
But, Sir, says the Son, I hope you won't insist upon it; for I can't do it.
What do you mean? You can't do it, says the Father angrily.
Why, Sir, says the Son, I can't love her.
O, well; you must venture that, says the Father, marry her first, and you'll love her afterwards.
Indeed, I can't marry upon that Foot Sir, says the Son, but respectfully, it would be a Sin to marry a Woman I can't love.
I tell you, says the Father, I have singled her out for you, and I expect you should have her.
I am sorry, Sir, you should choose a Wife for me, says the Son, and never let me know it.
I think 'tis your Duty to submit, says the Father, as long as I think she is a suitable Match for you, and for the Family.
But,
