g woman of twenty-one to twenty-five, and a
young man of twenty-three to twenty-eight, are considered the right age in
order to produce an intelligent and healthy offspring. "First make the tree
good, then shall the fruit be good also."

2. If marriage is delayed too long in either sex, say from thirty to
forty-five, the offspring will often be puny and more liable to insanity,
idiocy, and other maladies.

3. PUBERTY.--This is the period when childhood passes from immaturity of
the sexual functions to maturity. Woman attains this state a year or two
sooner than man. In the hotter climates the period of puberty is from
twelve to fifteen years of age, while in cold climates, such as Russia, the
United States, and Canada, puberty is frequently delayed until the
seventeenth year.

4. DISEASED PARENTS.--We do the race a serious wrong in multiplying the
number of hereditary invalids. Whole families of children have fallen heir
to lives of misery and suffering by the indiscretion and poor judgment of
parents. No young man in the vigor of health should think for a moment of
marrying a girl who has the impress of consumption or other disease already
stamped upon her feeble constitution. It only multiplies his own suffering,
and brings no material happiness to his invalid wife. On the other hand, no
healthy, vigorous young woman ought to unite her destiny with a man, no
matter how much she adored him, who is not healthy and able to brave the
hardships of life. If a young man or young woman with feeble body cannot
find permanent relief either by medicine or change of climate, no thoughts
of marriage should be entertained. Courting a patient may be pleasant, but
a hard thing in married life to enjoy. The young lady who supposes that any
young man wishes to marry her for the sake of nursing her through life
makes a very grave mistake.

[Illustration: THE BASHFUL YOUNG COUPLE.
"A faint heart never won a fair lady."]

5. WHOM TO CHOOSE FOR A HUSBAND.--The choice of a husband requires the
coolest judgment and the most {146} vigilant sagacity. A true union based
on organic law is happiness, but let all remember that oil and water will
not mix; the lion will not lie down with the lamb, nor can ill-assorted
marriages be productive of aught but discord.

"Let the woman take
An elder than herself, so wears she to him--
So sways she, rules in her husband's heart."

Look carefully at the disposition.--See that your in