feeling, and disposition as should induce a wise father, though he were a prince, to marry his son, without a moment’s hesitation, to the woman so adapted to him, were she born in a bad home, were she even the hangman’s daughter.  I maintain indeed that every possible misfortune may overtake husband and wife if they are thus united, yet they will enjoy more real happiness while they mingle their tears, than if they possessed all the riches of the world, poisoned by divided hearts.

Instead of providing a wife for Emile in childhood, I have waited till I knew what would suit him.  It is not for me to decide, but for nature; my task is to discover the choice she has made.  My business, mine I repeat, not his father’s; for when he entrusted his son to my care, he gave up his place to me.  He gave me his rights; it is I who am really Emile’s father; it is I who have made a man of him.  I would have refused to educate him if I were not free to marry him according to his own choice, which is mine.  Nothing but the pleasure of bestowing happiness on a man can repay me for the cost of making him capable of happiness.

Do not suppose, however, that I have delayed to find a wife for Emile till I sent him in search of her.  This search is only a pretext for acquainting him with women, so that he may perceive the value of a suitable wife.  Sophy was discovered long since; Emile may even have seen her already, but he will not recognise her till the time is come.

Although equality of rank is not essential in marriage, yet this equality along with other kinds of suitability increases their value; it is not to be weighed against any one of them, but, other things being equal, it turns the scale.

A man, unless he is a king, cannot seek a wife in any and every class; if he himself is free from prejudices, he will find them in others; and this girl or that might perhaps suit him and yet she would be beyond his reach.  A wise father will therefore restrict his inquiries within the bounds of prudence.  He should not wish to marry his pupil into a family above his own, for that is not within his power.  If he could do so he ought not desire it; for what difference does rank make to a young man, at least to my pupil?  Yet, if he rises he is exposed to all sorts of real evils which he will feel all his life long.  I even say that he should not try to adjust the balance between different gifts, such as rank and money; for each of these adds less to the value of the other than the amount deducted from its own value in the process of adjustment; moreover, we can never agree as to a common denominator; and finally the preference, which each feels for his own surroundings, paves the way for discord between the two families and often to difficulties between husband and wife.