Page:Advice to young ladies on their duties and conduct in life - Arthur - 1849.djvu/194

186 from childhood up, with all the good principles taught them by parents and teachers, becomes means in their hands whereby they are to resist their natural tendencies to evil and overcome them. But this is not the work of a moment, but of a whole lifetime. At the period when marriage usually takes place, but little progress has been made in overcoming the natural inclinations. From pride, interest, a love of reputation, or other causes, they are concealed from view; but whatever they are, they will inevitably show themselves to the young wife or young husband before much time passes beyond the honeymoon. The selfishness of one or both, in some little or great matter, will inevitably exhibit itself, to the surprise and grief of the other.

The young man has been, we will suppose, his own master for some two or three years. He has been in the habit of thinking for himself, and consulting his own reason and inclinations in every thing. He has been in perfect freedom. But now he finds that he can no longer do this; he is no longer free. Another has come into so close a relationship with him, that he can scarcely think without in some way affecting her. There is another will, also, whose promptings have to be regarded. It is hardly to be supposed that he will at once be able to see his duty to his young