Multum in Parvo Library.

Entered at Post Office as Second-Class matter.

Vol. I.

June, 1894. Published Monthly.

No. 6.

Dr. Courtney’s Guide TO Happy Marriage.

Smallest Magazine in the World. Subscription price, 50 cts. per year. Single copies, 5 cents each.

PUBLISHED BY A. B. COURTNEY, 671 Tremont Street, Boston.

MARRIAGE GUIDE.

The Newly Wed.

We will suppose you have read and profited by the excellent suggestions contained in an article published in a previous issue of this library, under the head of “How to Woo, Win and Wed.” You have succeeded in winning the object of your affections, and have set sail upon the sea of matrimony. It is often called a troublous sea. Such indeed it proves in truth to be for those who embark upon it not fully prepared for the voyage. Do you really, married or unmarried, know the full meaning of the word marriage. It is something far more serious than a mere civil contract or religious ceremony. These are only the marks of outward show. There is a good deal behind these—a good deal that you ought to know, and of which, perchance, you are ignorant. The aim of this article is to give some practical advice to those who have already entered into the bonds of matrimony, and it will not, it is hoped, come amiss to those about to marry, but who have not yet taken the step that leads to misery or bliss. “Marriage,” says Selden, “is a desperate thing; the frogs in Æsop were extremely wise; they had a great mind to some water, but they would not leap into the well, because they could not get out again.” Would that most of us possessed the wisdom of the fabled frogs.

Purpose of Marriage.

Marriage ought to be consummated as the result of mutual love and esteem, and not for the purpose of simply gratifying the desires of our lower nature. This last consideration is, it must be acknowledged, a controlling one with a great many people, and marriages contracted in this manner are not generally, and cannot hope to be, happy ones. The sacredness of the marriage relation ought never to be violated. We must not forget that we are rational beings with a will to withstand the weaknesses of our animal natures.

Happy and Unhappy Marriages.

A happy marriage is without doubt the ideal state of living, the end for which mankind has always striven, while an unhappy marriage is a veritable hell on earth. Examples of both of these states need not be given. We see them every day. To one who reads the daily papers regularly with particular note of the records of divorces, assaults of drunken or jealous husbands, the faithlessness of women and the elopements, the thought must present itself that there are more unhappy marriages than happy ones. This, fortunately, is not true. Where we read of one unhappy marriage and its terrible consequences there are ten happy ones of which the world never hears.

“Marriage,” writes Addison, “enlarges the scene of our happiness and miseries.”

“It is a mistake,” says another writer, “to consider marriage merely as a scheme to happiness; it is also a bond of service, it is the most ancient of that social ministration which God has ordained for all human beings, and which is symbolized by all the relations of nature.”

Still another writer says: “Married life appears to me a sort of philosophical discipline, training persons to honorable duties, worthy of the good and wise. Few unmarried people are affected as they ought to be toward the public good, and perceive what are really the most important objects in life.”

How to be Happy.

Those who wish to lead happy married lives cannot do better than to follow a few rules which we present herewith.

Husband and wife ought to maintain entire confidence in each other, have no secrets each from the other; don’t quarrel; have forbearance for each other’s failings; you have neither of you married an angel. Remember, husband, that of every dollar you own, fifty cents belongs to your wife; she is an equal partner with you in the business of life; don’t compel her to become a mere household drudge, working for her board and clothes; she did not marry you for that. Try to see the good points of your husband or wife; don’t magnify the faults; we are all only human; don’t have the first quarrel and the second will never come.

Golden Precepts.

Let the rebuke be preceded by a kiss.

Don’t require a request to be repeated.

Never should both be angry at the same time.

Be lovers all your life. Let the courtship be continued after marriage.

Never neglect the other for all the world beside.

Let each strive always to accommodate the other.

Let the angry word be answered with a kiss.

Bestow your warmest sympathies in each other’s trials.