Page 8 - Francis Cotes - A winning end-game

I chose my wife, as she did her wedding gown, not for a fine glossy surface, but such qualities as would wear well.
OLIVER GOLDSMITH (1730-1774), The Vicar of Wakefield, 1766

A Man of taste and delicacy marries a woman because he loves her more than any other. A woman of equal taste
and delicacy marries him because she esteems him, and because he gives her that preference.
JOHN GREGORY (1724-1773), A Father’s Legacy to his Daughters, 1790

In taste, in learning, wit, or science,
Still kindled souls demand alliance;

Each in the other joys to find
The image answering to the mind

But sparks electric only strike
On souls electrical alike;

The flash of intellect expires,
Unless it meet congenial fires.
HANNAH MORE (1745-1833), ‘ Conversation’, 1787

Marriage is the strictest tie of perpetual friendship, and there can be no friendship without confidence,
and no confidence without integrity.

SAMUEL JOHNSON (1709-1784), The Rambler, May, 1750

‘Never marry but for love; but see that thou lovest
what is lovely. He that minds a body and not a soul
has not the better part of that relationship, and will
consequently lack the noblest comfort of a married life……
Let not enjoyment lessen, but augment, affection; it being
the basest of passions to like when we have not, what we

slight when we possess.

Here it is we ought to search out our pleasure, where the
field is large and full of variety, and of an enduring
nature; sickness, poverty or disgrace being not able to

shake it because it is not under the moving influences of
worldly contingencies.

Nothing can be more entire and without reserve;
nothing more zealous, affectionate and sincere;

nothing more contented than such a couple,
nor greater temporal felicity than to be one of them’.

WILLIAM PENN (1644-1718), Some Fruits of Solitude (1693).