e used by the married ladies
alone, and are much liked by them, the more so perhaps that in the
colleges girls of all ranks are not allowed to use any seats but those
without backs.

XX.

CHOICE OF A HUSBAND.

"Women are the mothers of the nation. The happiness of our life
depends on theirs. They have much to bear. If we neglect them we
neglect ourselves."

Having taken care by means of education to eradicate all incipient
faults in woman, to confirm her health, to increase her powers of
attraction, and fit her for the station which her talents and virtues
entitle her to fill, we take the best means to ensure that the maiden
shall at the proper age marry the man most pleasing to her, and most
likely to secure the happiness of both.

In every district a council of ladies, who have passed through certain
ordeals, and a council of elders, regulate all matters relating to
marriage. Over each of these presides a man of a certain age, and of
spotless character, whose qualities, actions, and mode of life have been
observed and recorded from early youth.

Let me more particularly describe how the lady makes choice of a
husband.

During thirty-one evenings in succession the girl intended for the
marriage state is placed in an assemblage composed of eighty-five young
men, one of whom she is expected to choose, but however quickly her mind
may be made up she is not allowed to announce her decision till the
thirty-first evening has arrived.

The eighty-five young men are selected by the councils from those only
who have declared their intention of marrying. Any man of the same rank
as the lady, who is desirous to be one of the eighty-five, is generally
nominated at once, and if the girl has any especial liking for one
particular person, she is allowed to communicate the fact privately to
one of the ladies of the council.

In cases, however, where both the councils are of opinion that there is
any serious objection to the eligibility of the young man, they have the
right to withhold the summons. This right they rarely exercise, and
never until after communicating with the lady where she has named the
gentleman. Every contingency is well considered; besides, the
regulations which govern every step connected with these meetings, and
the sacred feeling with which the councils regard the delicate trust
confided to them, prevent any inconvenience which might otherwise arise
from their proceedings.