Page:Advice to young ladies on their duties and conduct in life - Arthur - 1849.djvu/177

Rh rather say for a preference, for there is no love in the question) are merely selfish. The lady does not desire a union with the man because she loves the moral perfections of his character, and seeks to become one with him; but her pride, overshadowing all such holy considerations, seeks to unite her name with his that she may stand higher in the world’s estimation. That this is so will be plain to any one who will think calmly on the subject. On the other hand, the man does not seek a union with her because he regards marriage with a high and sacred regard, as a means whereby a pure, virtuous, and loving spirit may become blended as one with his own, and both be more perfected by the union; he does not love her because she imbodies the very virtues and perfections that seem purest and best in his eyes. No! He wants more money than he has yet been able to possess, and, loving money better than any thing else, he takes her because she has enough of this valuable commodity to satisfy to some extent his cupidity. Or, having an admiration for beauty, and vanity enough to consider the eclat attached to a beautiful wife as something desirable, he is guided in his choice by beauty alone, unregardful of the more important qualifications necessary to make a woman his true and loving companion.