It has also been objected, that if the physical means of preventing undesirable conceptions were to become general, debauchery, immorality, and misery would be increased, and society would be much more degraded than it is. But this is a fallacy easily exposed, and those who conclude that dissolute conduct would be increased, are but ill-formed as to the actual amount of such conduct, and it is more than probable that if the facts were disclosed to them as they are known to exist by magistrates, overseers, and medical men, they would be astounded. Multitudes of men never marry, a still greater number refrain from marrying until they grow comparatively old; yet most such men are practiced debauchees, and the mischief they do by the fraud and hypocrisy they produce is incalculable. This would not be so were a freer intercourse permitted and physical means adopted to prevent conceptions. But the great good which would result from physical preventives, would be, that alliances would be early formed and in most cases would be lasting. Girls would not then surrender themselves to the caprice and injustice of men as they do now; men would not then be able to practice upon them as they do now. A girl would then tell her lover that there was no impediment to their submitting to the form whatever it was that society had established, and as she would be sure to make a match, she would take care to keep herself in that state which would induce the man she liked to conform. The great obstacle to marriage under its present form, is the fear of a large family, and the poverty which results therefrom. This removed, marriages would become much more common. People would form alliances while young and unpracticed in deceit and hypocrisy, and would live virtuously and happily all their lives. Whoever will examine the statements here put forth, will assuredly be convinced that a physical preventive of conception, if in general use, would put an end to an immense quantity of debauchery, and its attendant—misery; and would greatly improve the condition of the whole body of the people. Women, if we may be allowed the expression, would then be in much greater demand, as every young man would take a wife, and women would be all but infinitely more respected, than they are now. It is not possible to anticipate the happiness which would result from the physical check, if once brought into general use. CHAPTER IX. THE PURPOSES AND OBLIGATIONS OF MARRIAGE.