OR, THE RIGHT RELATIONS OF THE SEXES: DISCLOSING The Laws of Conjugal Selection, AND SHOWING WHO MAY, AND WHO MAY NOT MARRY. BY S. R. WELLS, NEW PHYSIOGNOMY ""HOW TO READ CHARACTER," AND EDITOR OF NEW YORK: FOWLER & WELLS CO., PUBLISHERS, 1888. vault 646.77 W456w Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1869, BY S. R. WELLS, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Scuitnorv PREFACE. T HAN a happy union of two ripe, rich, congenial, and loving numan hearts, satisfied and cemented in a thorough understanding of each other, and a perfect adaptation to each other, in the well-adjusted bands of holy wedlock, what can be more pleasing to contemplate? Science and revelation, God and nature, approve the match, and endless blessings crown the nuptials. The noble and loving husband with his beautiful and loving wife now enter together upon the new duties and the pleasant responsibilities of domestic life. By such a union a new family is established, and a heaven on earth begins. What other interest, what other relation or condition, is comparable in importance with this? If the motive for marriage be high and holy; if the parties be of proper age, of sound body and mind; and if there be an irresistible affinity for each other, such as will not only truly unite their souls, but hold them firmly together through all trials and to all time, then it is both their privilege and their duty to unite in the holy bonds of matrimony. Of such relations are born children-offspring of love and design rather than of lust and of chance-more favorably organized, harmonious, self-regulating, law-abiding, well-disposed. Now reverse the picture. Consider the many incongruous matches, or mis-matches, made among all classes. How little thought is given to steps of such momentous import! how selfish the motives of many, and how fatal to happiness the results! First, there are the ignorant and thoughtless; second, the selfish and sordid; third, the vain and ambitious; fourth, the lustful and dishonest. The first of these marry in haste and repent-too late-at their leisure, regretting all their lives the inconsiderate step. Children born to them are often unwelcome, a burden, and "in the way." They grow up in poverty and ignorance, filling our poor-houses. The second class seldom realize anything more than the deep disappointment which, by their cupidity, they deserve. f the laws of hereditary descent are applicable to the human as to the animal creation, the children of such an alliance will be low, if not pro disposed to become criminal. The third class may shine for a time in the world of foolish fashion, be courted by empty-headed nobodies; but very soon vain pride will have a fall,” and nothing be left but bubbles and froth. The fourth class people our hospitals, our asylums, and our prisons. The voluptuary lives in his propensities, and perpetuates the passions in an inordinate degree, subordinating the higher intellectual and spiritual to the lower propensities. Such become idolaters, and worship at the shrine of lasciviousness, in whose train come insanity, imbecility, and idiocy. Dissipation and consanguineous marriages lead to similar results. Seeing these things, and believing it was the intention of an all-wise Creator that marriage, though consummated on earth, should be such as would be approved in heaven; and believing, furthermore, that SCIENCE may and should be applied in the work of conjugal selection, to enable us to know, in advance, what to expect from each other, and how to obtain the most perfect adaptation and felicity; and also how the better to adapt ourselves to each other where differences exist, this volume has been prepared with a sincere aim to impart such scientific and ethical information, which our experience warrants us in believing is calculated to aid those who would enter upon the married relation in the proper spirit, who earnestly seek by so doing to further their best interests as members of human society. If without science such sad mistakes be made, and such unfortunate results occur, why not invoke Phrenology, Physiology, Physiognomy, and Psychology to throw all their bright light on the subject? We do not let go, or propose to let go, the teachings of past history, sacred or profane; but simply to add the knowledge gained through human science, to mitigate existing evils, and to prevent their occurrence in future. Mankind is composed of many different races and temperaments. Our characters and dispositions are as diverse as are our physical organization or our looks. "Variety gives the spice of life;" but while difference is desirable, incongruity must be avoided. In the following pages we have endeavored to point out who may and who may not unite in marriage, with the prospect of assimilating and becoming one in purpose, one in sentiment, one in soul. God's laws are open to us; let us read them and obey them. If He gave man “dominion over nature," He certainly intended that man should elevate and not degrade his own race. If by judicious grafting or breeding and selection we can improve flowers, fruits, horses, cattle, and poultry, is it not a higher and a more sacred duty to do the same for the race of man? If happiness be the end of our existence, why not so act as to secure the greatest measure of it? Happiness comes of right relations, health, development, and a careful observance of God's laws. To aid in more complete realization of these great blessings through holy wedlock is the object of this work. |