Such a procedure is fraught with danger.  It perils the happiness of all coming days.  How many have, under such circumstances, left the abode of their childhood, where every comfort surrounded them, to spend a life of wrangling, bitterness, and, sometimes, abject poverty.  Better, a thousand times, to remain at home, better live in “single blessedness” all your days, than to become connected with a man whose disposition, habits, or character, you cannot fully approve.  Though he may be as rich as Cresus—­though he may lead you to a palace for an abode, and deck you with jewels—­yet, if you cannot give him your entire approbation, if your heart’s fondest affections are not centred upon him, if he is not all you can sanction and love, unite not your destiny with him.  The life of a contented, useful “old maid” is infinitely to be preferred to that of a wretched, heart-broken wife.  “Those unequal marriages which are sometimes called excellent matches, seldom produce much happiness.  And where happiness is not, what is all the rest?”

In accepting the addresses of young men, with a view to matrimony, allow me to caution you against being too much influenced by good looks and fascinating manners.  It is due to young ladies to say, that they show much more good sense in this respect than the other sex.  They do not select their companions so much on the ground of mere personal beauty, without reference to higher and better qualifications, as do young men.  Still, a precaution to them on this point will not be wholly useless.

Here is a young man who is gay in his manners, and fashionable in his attire—­a dandy of the first water, all buckled and strapped after the latest pattern.  His bosom is decked with golden chains, and his fingers with platter rings.  His tongue is as prolific of lackadaisical words, as his head is devoid of good sense.  He showers the politest attentions in the assembly room, or during the ride, or walk.  He is, in fine, the very beau ideal of a “ladies’ man!” There is another young man.  His manners are respectful, but without courtly polish.  His dress is plain and neat, with no display and no gaudy ornaments.  He knows nothing of the thousand ways and arts by which the other makes himself so agreeable.  He has no “small talk” in his vocabulary, and must utter sound sense, on useful subjects, or remain silent He may appear somewhat awkward in his attentions to ladies, but is, nevertheless, friendly and obliging in his demeanor.  In his whole life and character, he is a retiring, but most worthy youth.  Are there not some young ladies who would prefer the company of the showy, chattering fop; who would receive his address, yea, accept him as a husband, and reject the diffident, modest youth?  Yet the latter would make a kind, affectionate, provident husband; likely to attain to respectability, high-standing, and wealth:  while the former would most probably prove a poor, cross-grained broken-stick; ill-natured, and perhaps dissipated; dragging wife and family into the insignificance and poverty to which he speedily would sink!  Surely discreet young ladies will think many times, and weigh well the consequences, before making such a choice.