y a girl below nineteen, because her mental sexuality is not as mature
as his, and again her natural coyness requires more delicate and
affectionate treatment than he is likely to bestow. A girl of twenty or
under should seldom if ever marry a man of thirty or over, because the love
of an elderly man for a girl is more parental than conjugal; while hers for
him is like that of a daughter to a father. He may pet, flatter and indulge
her as he would a grown-up daughter, yet all this is not genuine masculine
and feminine love, nor can she exert over him the influence every man
requires from his wife.

12. THE BEST TIME.--All things considered, we advise the male reader to
keep his desires in check till he is at least twenty-five, and the female
not to enter the pale of wedlock until she has attained the age of twenty.
After those periods, marriage is the proper sphere of action, and one in
which nearly every individual is called by nature to play his proper part.

13. SELECT CAREFULLY.--While character, health, accomplishments and social
position should be considered, yet one must not overlook mental
construction and physical conformation. The rule always to be followed in
choosing a life partner is _identity of taste and diversity of
temperament_. Another essential is that they be physically adapted to each
other. For example: The pelvis--that part of the anatomy containing all the
internal organs of gestation--is not only essential to beauty and symmetry,
but is a matter of vital importance to her who contemplates matrimony, and
its usual consequences. Therefore, the woman with a very narrow and
contracted pelvis should never choose a man of giant physical development
lest they cannot duly realize the most important of the enjoyments of the
marriage state, while the birth of large infants will impose upon her
intense labor pains, or even cost her her life. {148}

* * * * *

CHOOSE INTELLECTUALLY--LOVE AFTERWARD.

[Illustration: Explaining the Necessity for a New Bonnet.]

1. LOVE.--Let it ever be remembered that love is one of the most sacred
elements of our nature, and the most dangerous with which to tamper. It is
a very beautiful and delicately contrived faculty, producing the most
delightful results, but easily thrown out of repair--like a tender plant,
the delicate fibers of which incline gradually to entwine themselves around
its beloved one, uniting two willing hearts by a thousa