mind, at such times, to descend for a moment from the lofty pinnacle of love to a prosaic analysis of e very-day's affairs, among which they, nevertheless, must spend their life when they are married. They do not think — they can- not think — that marriage is a contract of "give and take/' and that, as in all contracts, there must he honesty and in- tegrity in the fulfillment as well as in the promise. They themselves would laugh at others entering upon engage- ments so solemn and so binding on simple protestations of friendship and good faith. They would see to it, that, before they make such solemn vows, each possesses the means to discharge his self-imposed duties to the very let- ter, not only by words, but by such securities as will insure a true fulfillment, — so important to a continuation of har- mony in that partnership where individuality is lost, dual- ism abandoned, and union sought and achieved.
With our knowledge of human affairs, is it safe to allow two inexperienced beings, young in the ways of the world, to enter into a contract unassisted by the warnings and knowledge of the parents?
But how can the parents act without infringing upon the right of selection, which is a natural privilege of their children?
First of all, encourage the associations of your children with such as bear no great contrast in social status or edu- cation. Educate your daughter to take a practical view of life, by enjoining industry and self-reliance. Educate her to be a co-laborer with man, recognizing, that, if she be- come married, in the fulfillment of the contract she must take a share of the toil as well as the enjoyment; that, while he is toiling for the support of the family, she is not to sit with hands on her lap, wasting her mental capacity on the novels of the day, or the small earnings of her hus-
