our theories from the facts within our cognizance. Now looking round
the world, is it the fact that old maids and old bachelors are so much
more spiritually advanced than married folks? Do they pass their
time, like an Indian dervish, in serene contemplation of divine
excellence and beatitude? Are they not quite as worldly in their own
way as persons who have been married as often as the Wife of Bath,
and, generally speaking, more selfish, more frivolous, and more
spiteful? I am sure I don't wish to speak uncharitably against old
maids and old bachelors. I have three aunts who are old maids, and
fine specimens of the genus; but I am sure they would all three have
been more agreeable companions, and quite as spiritually gifted, if
they had been happily married, and were caressing their children,
instead of lapdogs. So, too, I have an old bachelor cousin,
Chillingly Mivers, whom you know. As clever as a man can be. But,
Lord bless you! as to being wrapped in spiritual meditation, he could
not be more devoted to the things of earth if he had married as many
wives as Solomon, and had as many children as Priam. Finally, have
not half the mistakes in the world arisen from a separation between
the spiritual and the moral nature of man? Is it not, after all,
through his dealings with his fellow-men that man makes his safest
'approach to the angels'? And is not the moral system a very muscular
system? Does it not require for healthful vigour plenty of continued
exercise, and does it not get that exercise naturally by the
relationships of family, with all the wider collateral struggles with
life which the care of family necessitates?

"I put these questions to you with the humblest diffidence. I expect
to hear such answers as will thoroughly convince my reason, and I
shall be delighted if so. For at the root of the controversy lies the
passion of love. And love must be a very disquieting, troublesome