11.  DIFFERENCE IN AGE.—­It is generally admitted that the husband should be a few years older than the wife.  The question seems to be how much difference.  Up to twenty-two those who propose marriage should be about the same age; however, other things being equal, a difference of fifteen years after the younger is twenty-five, need not prevent a marriage.  A man of forty-five may marry a woman of twenty-five much more safely than one of thirty a girl below nineteen, because her mental sexuality is not as mature as his, and again her natural coyness requires more delicate and affectionate treatment than he is likely to bestow.  A girl of twenty or under should seldom if ever marry a man of thirty or over, because the love of an elderly man for a girl is more parental than conjugal; while hers for him is like that of a daughter to a father.  He may pet, flatter and indulge her as he would a grown-up daughter, yet all this is not genuine masculine and feminine love, nor can she exert over him the influence every man requires from his wife.

12.  THE BEST TIME.—­All things considered, we advise the male reader to keep his desires in check till he is at least twenty-five, and the female not to enter the pale of wedlock until she has attained the age of twenty.  After those periods, marriage is the proper sphere of action, and one in which nearly every individual is called by nature to play his proper part.

13.  SELECT CAREFULLY.—­While character, health, accomplishments and social position should be considered, yet one must not overlook mental construction and physical conformation.  The rule always to be followed in choosing a life partner is identity of taste and diversity of temperament.  Another essential is that they be physically adapted to each other.  For example:  The pelvis—­that part of the anatomy containing all the internal organs of gestation—­is not only essential to beauty and symmetry, but is a matter of vital importance to her who contemplates matrimony, and its usual consequences.  Therefore, the woman with a very narrow and contracted pelvis should never choose a man of giant physical development lest they cannot duly realize the most important of the enjoyments of the marriage state, while the birth of large infants will impose upon her intense labor pains, or even cost her her life.

[Illustration:  EXPLAINING THE NEED OF A NEW HAT.]

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CHOOSE INTELLECTUALLY—­LOVE AFTERWARD.

1.  LOVE.—­Let it ever be remembered that love is one of the most sacred elements of our nature, and the most dangerous with which to tamper.  It is a very beautiful and delicately contrived faculty, producing the most delightful results, but easily thrown out of repair—­like a tender plant, the delicate fibers of which incline gradually to entwine themselves around its beloved one, uniting two willing hearts by a thousand endearing ties, and making of “twain one flesh”:  but they are easily torn asunder, and then adieu to the joys of connubial bliss!