existence of matrimonial happiness, was introduced upon the stage as having experienced a sudden change of heart, and become a convert, as by miracle, to the ways of religion and virtue. The same preposterous reformation occasionally finds a place in compositions of modern date. The reasons which have induced many writers, by no means unskilled in the science of human nature, to construct their dramas on a plan so unnatural, are evident. Following the bent of his own contaminated mind, or solicitous only to suit the taste of a corrupted audience, the author conceived immorality seasoned with wit to furnish the most copious and attractive fund of entertainment. He formed his plot, drew his characters, and arranged his incidents accordingly. His catastrophe was to turn on the usual hinge, marriage. But though he had, without scruple, exhibited his hero through four entire acts, and three-quarters of the fifth, as unprincipled; yet, in the final scene, to unite him, unprincipled as he was, to the lady of his wishes, a lady whom it had been found convenient to represent throughout the drama in a much more respectable light than her intended husband, was an indecorum too flagrant to be hazarded. For form's sake, therefore, it was necessary that an instantaneous reformation should be supposed to be wrought in his heart. Let the female sex be assured, that whenever, on the stage of real life, an irreligious and immoral young man is suddenly found, when on the eve of matrimony, to change his external conduct, and to recommend himself by professions of a determination to amend; the probability that the change is adopted, as in the theatre, for the sake of form and convenience, and that it will not be durable after the purposes of form and convenience shall have been answered by it, is one of those which approach the nearest to certainty. THE HYMENEAL CHARTER. TO HER NEPHEW, ON HIS MARRIAGE.-BY HELEN MARIA WILLIAMS. Child of my heart; while others hail While now you sign, with hope elate, Or, at the holy altar bow, To ratify the plighted vow, Which made aright, or breath'd amiss, While kneeling youth, and weeping beauty, Hear the grave ritual of their duty, Their happiness to be their mutual barter, And ever may its hallow'd law No principles of feudal sway Nor when true fondness with submission Nor bidding every blessing fade, Thus having ne'er from duty swerv'd, The faith of treaties well observ'd; When time your destin'd lot shall fling Of sorrow from his loaded wing; For you, of other good bereft, Unchanging love will still be left; Not like the world, he then will roam, But rest, the morning star of home. Not yours, their bitter fate, who know That agony of lonely woe, An alter'd heart was bound to share, For you, to every duty true, And treating change with stern rejection; For not alone with blooming youth Thus be the charter'd code imprest, Till time at length shall close the book; CHAP. VIII. THE PLEASURES OF MARRIED LIFE-continued. THE union of the virtuous in the holy state of matrimony, opens a new source of pure and innocent joys, and cherishes all the social affections of nature. The treasures of the deep are not so precious, As are the concealed comforts of a man Lock'd up in woman's love! Happy the man who is blessed with a virtuous wife. And, Happy the fair, who, with a virtuous mind, The world's vain praise, or blame, her least regard, Then will the pleasures of love be truly experienced, and the delighted husband will address his partner in some such language as the following: When on thy bosom I recline, I glory in the sacred ties, Which modern wits and fools despise, One mutual flame inspires our bliss, Have I a wish? 'tis all for thee; If cares arise, (and cares will come,) Í lull me there to rest; And is there ought disturbs my fair? And lose it on my breast. A wedded pair, united in the bonds of pure and virtuous Love, striving to please and be pleased, be come as it were, "one soul in two bodies." |