No, they assume that in one condition only can they be
happy, and in that, therefore, let what may betide them, they must
centre their every hope of coming peace.

Now I believe this impression to be erroneous; and so disastrous are its
consequences, that it should be removed from the mind of every girl who
entertains it. God has not left woman but one alternative in this
respect. Marriage is the general lot of her sex. It is productive of
joys and blessings peculiar to itself. But not always, not of necessity.
There may be, and there doubtless often is, great suffering in this
connection. No small share of this might be ultimately traced to the
fact that so many form this tie under the belief that they _must_ be
married; that all which concerns them is to ascertain who the individual
is, in whose hands they must place their whole earthly destiny.

But although Providence did intend woman, in all ordinary cases, to
enter the marriage state, yet precisely as much did He design some of
this sex to remain single. He made all for the sake of character,
usefulness, and happiness. Every institution he appointed was to be
instrumental to the production of these three grand objects. Hence woman
was not made for marriage; but marriage for woman. If in any instance it
shall appear that her improvement will probably be retarded by her
entering that state, or her usefulness less extensive, or her happiness
evidently sacrificed, then is it manifest that she belongs to the class
of exceptions. It is her duty to continue unmarried. So that it is not
simply a choice among many suitors, with the necessity of selecting or
accepting some one of them, that is given her, but the whole subject is
to be seriously pondered. If, after doing this, she is convinced that
no individual has offered her particular attentions, whose character
promises to enhance her virtue, usefulness, or happiness, then should
she calmly resolve,--let the decision be painful, as it may, and perhaps
must be,--that she will remain, under present prospects, through life,
as she is.

But the reproach of being an "old maid," how can she endure this? I
answer, let her not, in the first place, unduly magnify this reproach. I
know that certain charges are preferred against "old maids," as this
class are ignominiously termed, which do much to strengthen the
impression just spoken of. They are said to possess an inordinate
curiosity. Addison, like many others, alleges that