Re-Printed from the New Hampshire Gazette, May 10, 1771

Messieurs Fowles,
Your Female Readers are quite tired with Politics,and entreat you to entertain them with something amusing and instructive, suitable to their Sex and Situation in Life. — Although we highly approve the spirit of the Times and the Zeal for Liberty, and should despise a Gentleman who shew no Concern for the Welfare of his Country in these perilous days, when so many fallen wretches are seeking our destruction, yet we should be extremely glad if your correspondents would sometimes entertain us with different topics, and if they please, a little upon matrimony once in a while would not be disagreeable. — CHARLOTTE

Messieurs Fowles, if you think the following will gratify your female readers, you may give it a place in your gazette.

“Marriage the best state of life would be,
if hands were only join’d where hearts agree.”

Man was made for happiness, and altho’ few have wisdom enough to find it, the love of it is universal, and from the first dawn of reason to the latest moment of life, the enquiry of every one is “how shall I be happy.”  It would be endless to point out all the errors of mankind in the pursuit of happiness; I shall at present only touch upon one subject, a subject of as great importance as any in human life, and as little understood, until it is too late to guard against an error in the choice, viz. MATRIMONY.

All persons allow that companions well chosen increase human happiness, and that no transaction requires greater wisdom and penetration, although very few make use of any. Led by blind fancy without the eye of reason, they rush into chains while they dream of pleasure, and what heaven designed to be the greatest sweetener of life, clouds every beam of joy and wraps the mind in gloom.  If any thing could be done to set the sex right in this grand particular, and prevent the increase of wretched mortals, every one must ardently wish for it.  As I have not been altogether an idle spectator in the world, I will submit my observations to the fair, hoping to throw some light upon this dark subject, and contribute my mite to shew the sex to whom they may with safety give their hearts and hands.

Never be deluded with the empty sound of titles, the fame of ancestors, great families, or fortunes–clear your mind of all such rubbish, and banish every wish for pomp and vain Glory—-none of these should have any concern in the choice, they are not akin to manly love or good sense, which are the grand requisities.

Let nothing attract your love or draw your hand, but true sterling worth that will stand the test of time through all changes and never fade.

Chose one of a clear head and an honest heart;  a person of benevolent disposition, firmness of mind and intrepidity of soul, not to be daunted by difficulties or dangers, how numerous or great soever.

Chose One whose breast is planted with virtue, and fortified with true religion, who will by his wise conversation and instructive example, teach you true wisdom, and lead you in her paths of peace and pleasure.

Choose a man who esteems you above every other person for your personal endowments, and demonstrates his settled affection by an amiable speaking conduct.

Choose A man of a shining character and universal goodness, who will be a crown of glory and honour to you, and a source of happiness in all circumstances in life, be superiour to all disasters, and even in poverty (if it should ever be your lot) supply the place of fortune;  with such a man life will be a constant feast.

May heaven guide your hand when you throw the die for a COMPANION.

–LUCRETIA