THE HONEYMOON. 263 
bright existence, warmed by that " sacred flame," 
which can alone qualify us 
" To love in wintry age the same 
As first in youth we loved." 
A festival was given by a young married lady 
one of a numerous circle of acquaintances 
on the return of her birthday, which was likewise 
the first anniversary of her marriage. A large 
party of her young friends, the greater part of 
whom had knelt at the hymeneal altar at about 
the same time with herself, were present to en- 
liven the occasion. Mr. and Madam Mayland 
(for such shall be the name of the host and host- 
ess) presented a most felicitous union, and were 
noted for their tender regard for each other, which 
partook more of the romantic fondness which 
characterizes the young and the hopeful lover, than 
of what is usually observable in the staid realities 
of married life, of even less than a year's standing. 
Happy within themselves, they neglected no op- 
portunity to administer to the joy and comfort of 
their friends whom they gathered about them, and 
possessing the most agreeable and winning man- 
ners, it was rarely that their efforts to please were 
unsuccessful. 
With such beings to entertain, it is easily 
imagined that their visitors at such times would 
be under very little restraint in pursuing the pleas- 
ures of the hour; and restraint in such cases, as 
all know, is a great bar to enjoyment. The con- 
r - . g) 
