Where the hand of a young woman is sought in marriage, she should look beyond the mere personal accomplishments of dress, manners, and conversational powers of him who would make her his wife.  Many an individual who has the appearance and manners of a gentleman, is, in reality, a black-hearted villain—­a marriage with, whom would seal their wretchedness for life.  In accepting a husband, there are certain requisite which young women should consider as indispensable.

He should have some honest and useful trade, profession, or occupation.  A “do-nothing” young man, will assuredly make a “good-for-nothing” husband.  No one can justly charge you with sordid motives, for scrutinizing critically his capability to secure to you, and such family as may gather around you, a maintenance that shall insure you against poverty and want.

His habits should be unexceptionable.  He should be honest, upright, truthful, industrious, and economical—­pure in his conversation and tastes.  Not only should he have the ability to obtain a livelihood, but should possess prudence and frugality to lay up and secure the fruits of his industry.

Above all, he should be strictly and rigidly temperate.  On this point I would speak with emphasis.  Most earnestly would I admonish young women never to unite their destiny with, that of a drinking young man.  Alas! how many a wife, when too late, has lamented in bitter tears her short-sightedness in this respect.  A young man, who, in this age of temperance, has not sufficient self-respect, pride of character, and good sense, to refrain from the intoxicating bowl before marriage, will be very likely to sink into a common drunkard afterwards.  This is not always the case; but the exceptions are so rare, that she who ventures the risk, places herself in a condition which hazards her happiness for life.  However proper his other habits may be, however amiable and pleasant his disposition, however bright and promising his prospects, however high his position, or respectable his family connections—­if he drinks the lethean draught, even but sparingly, he is tampering with a viper, which will almost certainly sting him to death, and poison the joys, and destroy the prosperity of all connected with him.

The world is filled with scenes which attest the need of this admonition.  All around we behold the wrecks of families, torn asunder by the intemperance of husbands and fathers, which otherwise might have been united and happy.  Wives forsaken broken-hearted, impoverished—­children beggared and neglected, growing up in rags and ignorance, to become the victims of sin and shame.  All these attest the danger that woman encounters, who links her destiny with a drinking young man.  O ye youthful and inexperienced, turn not a cold ear to my exhortation.  With all the solemnity the momentous topic inspires, I beseech you, as you value a life of peace and prosperity, never, under any possible consideration, give your