But we deny that marriage has any necessary resemblance to a lottery.  When girls are taught wisely how to love, and what qualities to esteem in a companion for life, instead of being left to gather their stock of information on the subject from the fictitious and generally false personations given to them in novels; and when young men accustom themselves to think of the virtues, graces, and solid acquirements requisite in a wife, with whom they are to spend their days, and on whose temper and good sense the whole happiness of their home is to depend, then it will be found that there is very little of the “lottery " in marriage; and that, like any concern of business or of life, the man or woman who judges and acts wisely, with proper foresight and discrimination, will reap the almost certain consequences in a happy and prosperous future.  True, mistakes may be made, and will be made, as in all things human; but nothing like the grievous mistake of those who stake their happiness in the venture of a lottery.

Another great point is, to be able to say No on proper occasions.  When enticements allure, or temptations assail, say No at once, resolutely and determinedly.  “No; I can’t” afford it.”  Many have not the moral courage to adopt this course.  They consider only their selfish gratification.  They are unable to practise self-denial.  They yield, give way, and “enjoy themselves.”  The end is often defalcation, fraud, and ruin.  What is the verdict of society in such cases?  “The man has been living beyond his means.”  Of those who may have been entertained by him, not one of them will thank him, not one of them will pity him, not one of them will help him.

Every one has heard of the man who couldn’t say No.  He was everybody’s friend but his own.  His worst enemy was himself.  He ran rapidly through his means, and then called upon his friends for bonds, bails, and “promises to pay.”  After spending his last guinea, he died in the odour of harmless stupidity and folly.

His course in life seemed to be directed by the maxim of doing for everybody what everybody asked him to do.  Whether it was that his heart beat responsive to every other heart, or that he did not like to give offence, could never be ascertained; but certain it is, that he was rarely asked to sign a requisition, to promise a vote, to lend money, or to endorse a bill, that he did not comply.  He couldn’t say “No;” and there were many who knew him well, who said he had not the moral courage to do so.

His father left him a snug little fortune, and he was at once beset by persons wanting a share of it.  Now was the time to say “No,” if he could; but he couldn’t.  His habit of yielding had been formed; he did not like to be bored; could not bear to refuse; could not stand importunity; and almost invariably yielded to the demands made upon his purse.  While his money lasted, he had no end of friends.  He was a universal referee—­everybody’s