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Editorial
January 23, 1799
The Providence Journal, And Town And Country Advertiser
Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
An editorial critiques the societal obsession with a suitor's fortune over his character, education, or faith in marriage decisions, arguing it leads to women's misery. It advocates for women choosing partners based on personal compatibility and moral qualities rather than wealth alone.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
HAS HE A FORTUNE?
WHY do you ask that question? Will no fortune? I am tired of hearing this question, as if the salvation of soul and body depended on fortune. You never ask if the young gentleman has a good education--If he has abilities--If he is a man of sincerity and truth--If he is a Christian? No, these are matters of no account, --but has he a fortune? If he has that, the young lady must certainly be happy; never considering he may be a blockhead, a deceitful villain, or an atheist. Should he turn out to be either of these, the lady that is to be his wife, must be miserable, were he possess'd of all the wealth in the Indies.
It is strange that mankind are so blinded by riches, that they cannot, nay, will not see a man's defects and vices, while he is possess'd of wealth: But the God of nature has so ordered the affairs of the world, that this garb is generally stript from wicked men before they die; and then their vices appear in all their deformity. This may be one consolation to the generality of mankind; but to a lady of sensibility who has resign'd herself into the arms of one of these miscreants, it must be a terrible mortification. He is every thing to her--on him must her happiness in this life depend; and to see him despis'd and detested by all good men, must "harrow up her soul," and make her wretched indeed,
Were the ladies left to choose for themselves, I am satisfied they would, generally speaking, make better choices than are generally made for them.---I know, dear Mrs. Prudence, that you have more experience, and perhaps more judgment than your daughter; but you must consider, that she can better judge what will please herself, than you can: And it is she, and not you, that must spend her days with the man she marries. I do not contend that a man ought to be poor. With good qualifications, wealth is desirable. These united, tend to produce as much happiness as this world is capable of. Perfect happiness cannot be expected: Nor am I certain that perfect misery can be experienced in this life--but if there can be a situation more wretched than that of a woman of Sensibility under the tyranny of an unfeeling, wicked brute of a husband, it must be a dreadful place indeed!
[Farmer's Journal.]
WHY do you ask that question? Will no fortune? I am tired of hearing this question, as if the salvation of soul and body depended on fortune. You never ask if the young gentleman has a good education--If he has abilities--If he is a man of sincerity and truth--If he is a Christian? No, these are matters of no account, --but has he a fortune? If he has that, the young lady must certainly be happy; never considering he may be a blockhead, a deceitful villain, or an atheist. Should he turn out to be either of these, the lady that is to be his wife, must be miserable, were he possess'd of all the wealth in the Indies.
It is strange that mankind are so blinded by riches, that they cannot, nay, will not see a man's defects and vices, while he is possess'd of wealth: But the God of nature has so ordered the affairs of the world, that this garb is generally stript from wicked men before they die; and then their vices appear in all their deformity. This may be one consolation to the generality of mankind; but to a lady of sensibility who has resign'd herself into the arms of one of these miscreants, it must be a terrible mortification. He is every thing to her--on him must her happiness in this life depend; and to see him despis'd and detested by all good men, must "harrow up her soul," and make her wretched indeed,
Were the ladies left to choose for themselves, I am satisfied they would, generally speaking, make better choices than are generally made for them.---I know, dear Mrs. Prudence, that you have more experience, and perhaps more judgment than your daughter; but you must consider, that she can better judge what will please herself, than you can: And it is she, and not you, that must spend her days with the man she marries. I do not contend that a man ought to be poor. With good qualifications, wealth is desirable. These united, tend to produce as much happiness as this world is capable of. Perfect happiness cannot be expected: Nor am I certain that perfect misery can be experienced in this life--but if there can be a situation more wretched than that of a woman of Sensibility under the tyranny of an unfeeling, wicked brute of a husband, it must be a dreadful place indeed!
[Farmer's Journal.]
What sub-type of article is it?
Moral Or Religious
Social Reform
Feminism
What keywords are associated?
Marriage Choices
Wealth Obsession
Character Judgment
Women's Happiness
Moral Vices
Parental Interference
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Prioritizing Wealth Over Character In Marriage
Stance / Tone
Critical Of Fortune Focused Marriages, Advocating Character And Women's Choice
Key Arguments
Salvation Of Soul And Body Does Not Depend On Fortune
Character, Education, Sincerity, And Faith Matter More Than Wealth
Wealth Blinds People To A Man's Vices
Wicked Men Lose Their Riches Before Death, Revealing Deformities
Women Would Make Better Marriage Choices If Allowed
A Sensible Woman Suffers Under A Wicked Husband Despite Wealth