LIFE COMPANIONSHIP 



too fully appreciative of the points of view that lie be- 

 yond his early horizons. Grant that, and recall that a 

 celibate life makes for selfishness, whereas matri- 

 monial cares develop the altruistic spirit, and the 

 question as to whether the aspiring enthusiast should 

 marry answers itself. In this view, it is self evident that 

 his own spiritual and artistic growth demands the mould- 

 ing influence that no one but a life-companion can give 

 to best advantage. 



But there is a no less urgent reason of a more per- 

 sonal character. It is found in the fact that the pleasure- 

 seeker of to-day will not always retain his youth, nor his 

 interest in the same pleasures. Sufficient unto its day 

 are the pleasures of youth; but what of the morrow? 

 What of those later years when you need disinterested 

 friendship and sympathetic companionship? 



The question answers itself; and if it did not, a goodly 

 proportion of the seemingly confirmed celibates answer 

 it in due course by finally deciding, perhaps in early 

 middle-life, to join the ranks of Benedicts. They 

 do well, for it is better to be wise late than never; 

 yet it is hardly to be admitted that these late comers 

 have now the same chance for happiness that they 

 might have hoped for had they not thrown away the 

 opportunities of the golden years. 



To be sure they have now matured that judgment 

 by which we have set such store; and they are perhaps 

 less likely to be carried away by a transient passion, 

 albeit the familiar verdict "no fool like an old fool" 

 must not be forgotten. But they have cultivated an 

 egoistic view of life throughout those formative years; 



