Page:Wedding-ring, fit for the finger, or, The salve of divinity on the sore of humanity (4).pdf/22

 22       above her portion. Men love curious pictures but they would have them set in golden frames. Some are so degenerate, as to think any good enough, who have but goods enough. Take heed, for sometimes the bag and bag- gage go together. The person should he       a figure, and the portion a cypher, which added to her advances the sum, but alone signifies nothing. When Themistocles was to marry his daughter, two suitors courted her together, the one rich, and a fool; the other wise, but poor; and being demanded, which of the two he had rather his daughter should have? he answered, mallem virum sine pecunia, &c. I had rather she should have a       man without money, than money without a        man. 3. Chuse not by your ears, for the dignity of her parentage. A good old stock may nourish a fruitless branch. There are many children who are not the blessings, but the blemishes of their parents. They are nobly descended, but ignobly minded. Such was Aurelius Antoninus, of whom it was said, that he injured his country in nothing, but being the father of such a child. There are many low in their decents, that are high in their deserts. Such as the cobler's son, who grew to be a famous captain; when a great person: upbraided the meanness of his original, My       nobility, saith he, begins with me, but thy nobility ends with thee. Piety is a greater honour than parentage. She is the best gentlewoman that is heir of her own deserts, and not the degenerated offspring of ano- ther's virtue.