husbands are dead." Sometimes a mortal hatred
springs up, which induces a man, like Henry VIII., to cause the murder
of those whom he has sworn to love and preserve; or a woman, like Livia,
to poison her husband. Not only is a great dissimilarity of rank and
condition a cause of dislike, but a great variation in age is frequently
the cause of distrust and unhappiness. The proportion which Aristotle
suggests (a man of thirty-seven to a woman of eighteen,) may be
appropriate in one respect, but it is objectionable in others. The life
of the female is just as long as that of the male; and the union of
middle age and youth, where the one is twice as old as the other, will
not always allow an uniformity of feelings and disposition. The case of
Seneca (to which we have alluded,) and that of Sir Matthew Hale, are
exceptions. Youth is generally gay, thoughtless, and frivolous; but
life, in more advanced periods, is sober, thoughtful, and dignified. A
husband should not be deemed a teacher or guardian for the wife so much
as a companion; and the wife should not be considered as guardian for
the husband: there ought to be a mutual sympathy, and in most respects
an equality of influence.

Jealousy is a passion which allows the hapless possessor to enjoy
neither rest nor confidence. It is frequently the companion of love.
Shakspeare says,

"For where love reigns, disturbing jealousy
Doth call himself affection's sentinel."

When this principle obtains possession of the breast, it destroys the
health and spirits: the streams which gladden the heart become
corrupted, and productive of rage and melancholy. Jealousy is like the
snake which insidiously entwines itself around its victim; or like the
bohun upas of Java, which diffuses death. The bright beams of hope,
which cheered the possessor, and carried his vision to distant days and
distant scenes of enjoyment, are all eclipsed by this pillar of
darkness. Moliere the poet was endowed with an eminent genius--he was
esteemed as the first wit in Europe; but his wife was faithless, and no
enjoyment, or success, or honor could tranquillize his mind, and make
him happy. The attractions of youth and beauty will sometimes excite an
illicit passion, but the indulgence of this feeling is the path to
anxiety and degradation. The female may be less faulty; but she will be
the greater sufferer; for, with regard to her lawful companion,
confidence is changed to timidity, love to hypocrisy,