entering into bonds and penalties to stint himself to

such a particular small sum at play for the future,

which makes him but the more eager and, not being

able to hold out, loses his money again and his forfeit

to boot. Act 1 Scene 1

This quote on the subject of marriage derives from the Restoration Comedy, `The Country Wife' written by William Wycherley in 1676, a time when marriage was often perceived to be for financial and social gain rather than love. Wycherley was a `man of the town' or what was more commonly described as a `wit' and social situations which he himself participated in or observed, often feature in his plays, marriage included. Mrs Inchbald, a former actress, noticed how, `marriage was likewise the catastrophe of all poor Wycherley's own schemes; for he married, and the rest...