to induce an offer, you may feel compelled to accept. Are you much
thrown by accident into the company of a particular gentleman? Be sure
that your deportment toward him be not such as to mislead him, in regard
to your estimate of his character. Avoid every thing that shall seem to
make it a matter of course that you will marry him. Study his traits,
and look on him in all respects precisely as you would on any other
associate. Let it not be said by others that you are fated to marry a
certain person, because you are so much in his society.

A young woman is often induced to marry a man for the sake of his Family
Connections. They are, perhaps, wealthy, and have a high standing in
society, on that account. Or, they are respected for their name and
rank, as descendants of worthy ancestors. The friends deem it "a good
match;" the alliance is desirable on many accounts. Who can think of
rejecting overtures from so eligible a quarter? All this is said and
done with much the same feelings as the crowned heads of the Old World
negociate intermarriages with one another, in cold blood, and as a
business transaction. If the parties are of about equal standing, as
regards their relatives, it is called on each side, "marrying into a
good family," and what more can be desired?

Or, the lady may be raised in the world by connecting herself with a
family superior, in fortune, or rank, to her own. To this surely, it
will be said, no one can object. Were it not folly to lose so fine an
opportunity of entering a renowned circle of relations? In Persia, the
father first of all, selects a family, with whom he wishes to have his
son connected. After this, he makes inquiries about the girl's personal
endowments. Is not something very like this often done in Christian
lands? The leading question, in these cases, is, "What are the
connections?" not, as it should be, the reverse of the practice in
Persia, "Who and what is the individual particularly concerned?" The
character, the principles, the disposition and heart of him, to whom a
lady consigns her whole destiny, are thus actually put out of view, for
the sake of his family! One may see, daily, alliances between
individuals who come together evidently on account of their kindred
alone; and who, for any congruity of disposition, or fitness of traits,
might as well, like the English nobility, have been betrothed in their
cradles.

Many females marry for Personal Distinction. A gentleman is