he world in which it
moves and has its being.

Far be it, that I should write thee sin or blame,
Or think thee unbefitting holiest place,
Perpetual fountain of domestic sweets,
Whose bed is undefiled and chaste pronounced,
Present, or past, as saints and patriarchs used.
Here Love his golden shafts employs, here lights
His constant lamp, and waves his purple wings,
Reigns here and revels; not in the bought smile
Of harlots, loveless, joyless, unendeared,
Casual fruition; nor in court-amours,
Mixed dance, or wanton mask, or midnight ball,
Or serenate, which the starved lover sings
To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain.
These, lulled by nightingales, embracing slept,
And on their naked limbs the flowery roof
Showered roses, which the morn repaired.

_Paradise Lost,_
Book IV.

LOVE--MARRIAGE--BIRTH CONTROL

May I make certain preliminary observations? Painters and poets depict
Love to us in golden hues and arouse in us happy and sympathetic, and, I
trust, reminiscent response, helping us to realise that life without the
love of man and woman would be like the world without sunshine.

Though, therefore, the social student in his approach to the subject is
not helped by the beauties of colour and song, it behoves him to avoid
undue solemnity, and still more an air of portentous foreboding.

In each age customs have been deplored as heralds of evil, but the evils
have seldom materialised.

One of the difficulties of this subject is that those who are called
upon to give counsel are apt to forget the strength of the forces to be
dealt with, for it is during youth especially that sex attractions are
so powerful, and, may I add, so delightful. Middle-aged people may be
divided into three classes.

Those who are still young.

Those who have forgotten they were young.

Those who were never young.

And it is with the first class before my eyes that I am privileged to
address this audience.

I will confine my attention to the sexual relationships between
unrelated adult people in youth and prime.

It is common ground that sex love between such people should be the
physical expression of a lasting affection, and be so intimately blended
with the feelings of helpfulness, sympathy, and intimate friendship as
to form a union