“The wish to marry, if prudently indulged, will lead to honest and persevering exertions to obtain a reasonable income—­one which will be satisfactory to the object of your hopes, as well as to her friends.  He who is determined on living a single life, very naturally contracts his endeavors to his own narrow personal wants, or else squanders freely, in the belief that he can always procure enough to support himself.  Indeed it cannot have escaped even the careless observer that in proportion as an individual relinquishes the idea of matrimony, just in the same proportion do his mind and feelings contract.  On the contrary that hope which aims at a beloved partner—­a family—­a fireside—­will lead its possessor to activity in all his conduct.  It will elicit his talents, and urge them to their full energy, and probably call in the aid of economy; a quality so indispensable to every condition of life.  The single consideration, ‘What would she think were she now to see me?’ called up by the obtrusion of a favorite image,—­how often has it stimulated a noble mind and heart to deeds which otherwise had never been performed!

“I repeat it, I am aware that this advice is liable to abuse.  But what shall be done?  Images of some sort will haunt the mind more or less—­female influence in some shape or other, will operate.  Is it not better to give the imagination a virtuous direction than to leave it to range without control, and without end?

“I repeat it, nothing is better calculated to preserve a young man from the contamination of low pleasures and pursuits, than frequent intercourse with the more refined and virtuous of the other sex.  Besides, without such society his manners can never acquire the true polish of a gentleman,—­general character, dignity, and refinement;—­nor his mind and heart the truest and noblest sentiments of a man.  Make it an object then, I again say, to spend some portion of every week of your life in the company of intelligent and virtuous ladies.  At all events, flee solitude, and especially the exclusive society of your own sex.  The doctrines even of Zimmerman, the great apostle of solitude, would put to shame many young men, who seldom or never mix in female society.

“If you should be so unfortunate as not to have among your acquaintance any ladies whose society would, in these points of view, be profitable to you, do not be in haste to mix with the ignorant and vulgar; but wait patiently till your own industry and good conduct shall give you admission to better circles; and in the meantime cultivate your mind by reading and thinking, so that when you actually gain admission to good society, you may know how to prize and enjoy it.  Remember, too, that you are not to be so selfish as to think nothing of contributing to the happiness of others.  It is blessed to give as well as to receive.