. The Congress of Texas recently offered a premium of nearly
three thousand acres of land to every woman who would marry a citizen of
Texas, who was one at the declaration of Independence.

Let me warn my female friends against this influence. Marry for riches
alone, and you will be a neglected, unhappy wife, as sure as gold is not
kindness. How many of your sex have sold their honor for paltry lucre.
Our cities contain awful testimonies to this fact. Beware of that path,
which leads in this fearful direction. Marry only a good man. Heed the
advice of Themistocles to that Athenian, who consulted him in relation
to the marriage of his daughter. She had two suitors, one a man of worth
with a small fortune, the other rich, but in low repute. "I would bestow
my daughter," said he, "upon a man without money, rather than upon money
without a man."

Never fear to form this connection with an individual of merit, though
his circumstances be humble. Poverty indeed is often the nurse of rare
virtues. It imparts energy, prudence, and industry, when rightly
regarded. I like the reply of the Irish maid, when reminded of the
extreme poverty of herself and her lover. "Sure, two people eat no more
when they're together, than they do when they're separate." And if this
were not true, there are advantages in equality of condition which often
render such alliances among the most happy ever found on earth. God will
bless those who act from principle and affection, as in all other
relations, so in the formation of the marriage tie.

Woman sometimes gives herself to Beauty of Person. She is led captive by
a fair face and an elegant exterior. These cases are less frequent than
those, in which men marry for beauty. Still, they do occur, and although
outward graces are not to be contemned more than other gifts of
Providence, yet she who bestows her hand for their sake alone is a
victim to folly. Should such be free from impure passion, they still
build their hopes on a foundation of straw. In the conflict of life, we
need, in our nearest friend, inward charms. Where these are wanting, our
lot is pitiable indeed.

There are vain men, so weak, as to pride themselves on external
attractions alone. But they are hollow-hearted. Woe to her, who commits
her happiness to one of these shells of humanity. She is trusting to a
treacherous hope. Her love, far from being pure, is that which

"dies
With beauty, wh