按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
manner of presents； such as pocket…books； pencil…cases； pen…wipers；
watch… papers； pin…cushions； sleeve…buckles； worked…slippers； watch…
guards； and even a nutmeg…grater： the latter article being presented by a
very chubby and very little boy； who exhibits it in great triumph as an
extraordinary variety。 The old couple's emotion at these tokens of
remembrance occasions quite a pathetic scene； of which the chief
ingredients are a vast quantity of kissing and hugging； and repeated
wipings of small eyes and noses with small square pocket…handkerchiefs；
which don't come at all easily out of small pockets。 Even the peevish
bachelor is moved； and he says； as he presents the old gentleman with a
queer sort of antique ring from his own finger； that he'll be de'ed if he
doesn't think he looks younger than he did ten years ago。
But the great time is after dinner； when the dessert and wine are on the
table； which is pushed back to make plenty of room； and they are all
gathered in a large circle round the fire； for it is then … the glasses being
filled； and everybody ready to drink the toast … that two great…
grandchildren rush out at a given signal； and presently return； dragging in
old Jane Adams leaning upon her crutched stick； and trembling with age
and pleasure。 Who so popular as poor old Jane； nurse and story…teller in
ordinary to two generations； and who so happy as she； striving to bend her
stiff limbs into a curtsey； while tears of pleasure steal down her withered
cheeks！
50
… Page 51…
Sketches of Young Couples
The old couple sit side by side； and the old time seems like yesterday
indeed。 Looking back upon the path they have travelled； its dust and ashes
disappear； the flowers that withered long ago； show brightly again upon its
borders； and they grow young once more in the youth of those about them。
51
… Page 52…
Sketches of Young Couples
CONCLUSION
We have taken for the subjects of the foregoing moral essays； twelve
samples of married couples； carefully selected from a large stock on hand；
open to the inspection of all comers。 These samples are intended for the
benefit of the rising generation of both sexes； and； for their more easy and
pleasant information； have been separately ticketed and labelled in the
manner they have seen。
We have purposely excluded from consideration the couple in which
the lady reigns paramount and supreme； holding such cases to be of a very
unnatural kind； and like hideous births and other monstrous deformities；
only to be discreetly and sparingly exhibited。
And here our self…imposed task would have ended； but that to those
young ladies and gentlemen who are yet revolving singly round the church；
awaiting the advent of that time when the mysterious laws of attraction
shall draw them towards it in couples； we are desirous of addressing a few
last words。
Before marriage and afterwards； let them learn to centre all their hopes
of real and lasting happiness in their own fireside； let them cherish the
faith that in home； and all the English virtues which the love of home
engenders； lies the only true source of domestic felicity； let them believe
that round the household gods； contentment and tranquillity cluster in their
gentlest and most graceful forms； and that many weary hunters of
happiness through the noisy world； have learnt this truth too late； and
found a cheerful spirit and a quiet mind only at home at last。
How much may depend on the education of daughters and the conduct
of mothers； how much of the brightest part of our old national character
may be perpetuated by their wisdom or frittered away by their folly … how
much of it may have been lost already； and how much more in danger of
vanishing every day … are questions too weighty for discussion here； but
well deserving a little serious consideration from all young couples
nevertheless。
To that one young couple on whose bright destiny the thoughts of
52
… Page 53…
Sketches of Young Couples
nations are fixed； may the youth of England look； and not in vain； for an
example。 From that one young couple； blessed and favoured as they are；
may they learn that even the glare and glitter of a court； the splendour of a
palace； and the pomp and glory of a throne； yield in their power of
conferring happiness； to domestic worth and virtue。 From that one young
couple may they learn that the crown of a great empire； costly and
jewelled though it be； gives place in the estimation of a Queen to the plain
gold ring that links her woman's nature to that of tens of thousands of her
humble subjects； and guards in her woman's heart one secret store of
tenderness； whose proudest boast shall be that it knows no Royalty save
Nature's own； and no pride of birth but being the child of heaven！
So shall the highest young couple in the land for once hear the truth；
when men throw up their caps； and cry with loving shouts …
GOD BLESS THEM。
53