LATE MARRIAGES. 265 



themselves ; and in estimating their value, we must 

 not forget what self-depreciation in this particular the 

 blushing bride of over 35, or the budding Benedict 

 of a decade later is capable of.) The man of 40 to 

 50 should marry a woman of 25 to 30. From such 

 a union, healthy children may be reasonably looked 

 for. The man of over 50* unless in rare instances 

 where the strength and vigour are exceptionally well 

 maintained, had far better not marry with a view to 

 rearing a family. Karely indeed will he live in 

 distant posterity. 



To advise the female portion of humanity as to the 

 age at which they should abandon all ideas of matri- 

 mony, or as to the point at which the youthfulness of 

 a husband becomes objectionable, would, I fear, be a 

 work of supererogation, and for that reason I shall 

 not enter upon it. 



13 



