onsequently, feeble constitutions; hence they die young,
and besides, being nervous, suffer extremely as mothers.

12. HARD TIMES AND MATRIMONY.--Many persons, particularly young men, refuse
to marry, especially "these hard times," because they cannot support a wife
in the style they wish. To this I reply, that a good wife will care less
for the style in which she is supported, than for you. She will cheerfully
conform to your necessities, and be happy with you in a log-cabin. She will
even help you support yourself. To support a good wife, even if she have
children, is really less expensive than to board alone, besides being one
of the surest means of acquiring property.

13. MARRYING FOR A HOME.--Do not, however, marry for a home merely, unless
you wish to become even more destitute with one than without one; for, it
is on the same footing with "marrying for money." Marry a man for his
merit, and you take no chances.

14. MARRY TO PLEASE NO ONE BUT YOURSELF.--Marriage is a matter exclusively
your own; because you alone must abide its consequences. No person, not
even a parent, has the least right to interfere or dictate in this matter.
I never knew a marriage, made to please another, to turn out any otherwise
than most unhappily.

15. DO NOT MARRY TO PLEASE YOUR PARENTS. Parents cannot love for their
children any more than they can eat or sleep, or breathe, or die and go to
heaven for them. They may give wholesome advice merely, but should leave
the entire decision to the unbiased judgment of the parties themselves, who
mainly are to experience the consequences of their choice. Besides, such is
human nature, that to oppose lovers, or to speak against the person
beloved, only increases their desire and determination to marry.

16. RUN-AWAY MATCHES.--Many a run-away match would never have taken place
but for opposition or interference. Parents are mostly to be blamed for
these elopements. Their children marry partly out of spite and to be
contrary. Their very natures tell them that this interference is unjust--as
it really is--and this excites combativeness, firmness, and self-esteem, in
combination with the social faculties, to powerful and even blind
resistance--which turmoil of the faculties hastens the match. Let the
affections of a daughter be once slightly enlisted in your favor, and then
let the "old folks" start an opposition, and you may feel sure of your
prize. If she did not love you before, she will now,