Searchlights on Health: The Science of EugenicsJefferis, B. G. (Benjamin Grant)
Philosophy
Searchlights on Health: The Science of Eugenics
Jefferis, B. G. (Benjamin Grant)
Eugenics; Hygiene; Marriage; Medicine, Popular; Sexual ethics
13. SELECT CAREFULLY.--While character, health, accomplishments and
social position should be considered, yet one must not overlook mental
construction and physical conformation. The rule always to be followed
in choosing a life partner is _identity of taste and diversity of
temperament_. Another essential is that they be physically adapted
to each other. For example: The pelvis--that part of the anatomy
containing all the internal organs of gestation--is not only essential
to beauty and symmetry, but is a matter of vital importance to her
who contemplates matrimony, and its usual consequences. Therefore, the
woman with a very narrow and contracted pelvis should never choose a
man of giant physical development lest they cannot duly realize the
most important of the enjoyments of the marriage state, while the
birth of large infants will impose upon her intense labor pains, or
even cost her her life.
[Illustration: EXPLAINING THE NEED OF A NEW HAT.]
* * * * *
CHOOSE INTELLECTUALLY--LOVE AFTERWARD.
1. LOVE.--Let it ever be remembered that love is one of the most
sacred elements of our nature, and the most dangerous with which
to tamper. It is a very beautiful and delicately contrived faculty,
producing the most delightful results, but easily thrown out of
repair--like a tender plant, the delicate fibers of which incline
gradually to entwine themselves around its beloved one, uniting two
willing hearts by a thousand endearing ties, and making of "twain one
flesh": but they are easily torn asunder, and then adieu to the joys
of connubial bliss!
2. COURTING BY THE QUARTER.--This courting by the quarter, "here a
little and there a little," is one of the greatest evils of the day.
This getting a little in love with Julia, and then a little with
Eliza, and a little more with Mary,--this fashionable flirtation
and coquetry of both sexes--is ruinous to the domestic affections;
besides, effectually preventing the formation of true connubial love.
I consider this dissipation of the affections one of the greatest
sins against Heaven, ourselves, and the one trifled with, that can be
committed.
3. FRITTERING AWAY AFFECTIONS.--Young men commence courting long
before they think of marrying, and where they entertain no thoughts of
marriage. They fritter away their own affections, and pride themselves
on their conquests over the female heart; triumphing in having so
nicely fooled them. They pursue this sinful course so far as to drive
their pitiable victims, one after another, from respectable society,
who, becoming disgraced, retaliate by heaping upon them all the
indignities and impositions which the fertile imagination of woman can
invent or execute.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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