On MATRIMONY. 83 
doCtrine, till they felt the fatal confcquences of it. We may 
reft fatisfied that no man or woman can be truly amiable with- 
out virtue, nor any contemptible with it. I am yours, Me. 
LETTER XXIX. 
To the fame . 
Mad am, 
A MONG the thoufand different ways which happinefs is 
purfued, lavifti encomiums are often bellowed on wed- 
lock, but experience and obfervation do not warrant a belief 
that there is no intermediate condition between the blifs of good 
fpirits, and the torments of the bad, in this ftate. The in- 
conliderate part of mankind are extremely apt to think, ma- 
trimony, celeftial or infernal, as they fee married perfons happy 
or miferable. A very little reflection convinces us of their mi- 
ftake : it is men and women who are heavenly-minded, or 
diabolical. The Institution is of vaft importance : chriftianity 
cannot Hand without it ; nor can the common liberty and 
rights of mankind fubfift without fome contract which Shall be 
equally binding to both fexes. But if love, or avarice, am- 
bition, or any other paflion, are the caufe of engagements 
which are not confident, we mull not lav it to the charge of the 
inftitution. But even here, the laws of god and of the land 
have provided for our fecurity ; no more is required than in all 
other cafes, a pious relignation to our condition, and to make 
up for the deficiency of one pleafure by another : I mean fo to 
cultivate reafon, as to raife our fenfe of duty, in proportion as 
our affeCtions flag. 
M 2 
And 
