THE MATRIMONIAL GARDEN. 9 3 



one another [with the resolution of rivals, determined 

 to dispute the prize of beauty ; while each is improved, 

 by the opposition, into the highest vivacity of com- 

 plexion. 



THE MATRIMONIAL GARDEN. 



Man is formed for social enjoyment, and if it be 

 allowed that Cf it is not good for man to be alone," it 

 may be justly inferred that it is not good that woman 

 should be alone ; hence a union of interests indicates a 

 union of persons for their mutual benefit. By this 

 union, a sort of seclusion from the rest of our species 

 takes place ; and as a garden is a retired apartment, 

 appropriated to culture and improvements, the married 

 state may not be inaptly compared with it in many 

 respects. 



It is good and honourable for the human species, 

 prudently and cautiously to approach this delightful 

 enclosure. Its entrance in general is extremely gay 

 and glittering, being strewed with flowers of every 

 hue and every fragrance, calculated to charm the eye 

 and please the taste ; but they are not all so ; and as 

 there are many persons who may wish to enter this 

 garden at some time or other, who are yet strangers to 

 its various productions, their attention should be di- 

 rected to the cultivation of those plants which are 

 beneficial, and to the avoiding or rooting up of those 

 which are injurious. 



