BACHELOR CRITICS. 
by persisting in remaining bachelors. At all events 
thev always tried to impress up m them the n^'cessity 
of their going home immediately and bringing out a 
wife. Probably the charming flatterer had some hid= 
den object in view . she would have some female 
society, a neighbour who would strengthen her hands 
in the crusade she would like to make on the habits 
and customs of the planters. 
My friends may say : ‘‘You are not married { how 
do you know all this? You are writing about matters 
you know nothing about : the mere vagaries of a dis- 
ordered imagination. Stick to coffee planting : you 
know all about that, at least if you don’t you ought 
to.” Well, I am not married, and sometimes 
wonder whether it is my fault or misfortune* Oh rash 
expression ! It should not have been written, hut still 
it must be one of the e three. Is it a man's fault, mis- 
fortune, or good fortune, that he is not m >rried? If it 
is his fault it is n^ver too late to mend : ht him reform 
and am^^nd his fault. Is it his misfortune : let him 
submit to circumstances and live in hop 'S of better 
times. If it is his fortune let him be thankful and 
r.‘main in a position to be thankful. For, seriously 
speaking, there are some men who never were formed 
for domestic and matrimonial life : they would merely 
not only be unhappy themselves, but render their 
wivf’s so, unless they were also of the same dis- 
position. 
“ You are writing about matters you know nothing 
about.” 
Well, a silent acute observer often sees things that 
he says nothing about, and he knows where the “shge 
pinch' s ” on another, but his friend, having made the 
shoe himself, pronounces it to be an admirable fit, 
quite the thing ; it does pain a little sometimes on 
account of these corns, but you cant have everything 
as you would like ; a very handsome shoe it is, a 
very good fit, but it is easy to see it sometimes pinches 
you. Yes, at first all new shoes feel a little uncom- 
fortable ; by and by it will come all right. Remem- 
ber ; do not overlook the fact, that the “ bonds ” 
of matrimony have “ coupons ” attached to them These 
oaupcns” are called “ babies.” You cannot tie them 
up with red tape, deposit them in your office pigeon- 
holes, with the endorsement “Unemployed Capital,” 
for, in order eventually to become even self-supporting, 
a considerable amount of cash disbursement is necessary. 
Have you got it ? Have you any prospect of getting it ? 
For this is not a question relating entirely to self, but 
for the well-being of a future generation or generations. 
If you are prepared to do justice to the ‘* coupons,” 
by all means go in for investments in tiie “ bonds,’’ 
