THE HONEYMOON: BY THE Marguerite (Pair) Form. COUNTESS OF BLESSINGTON. Gainer AND OTHER TALES, 66 BY THE AUTHORS OF PELHAM,' THE GIPSY, 99 66 VIVIAN GREY," "CECIL HYDE,”—H. F. CHORLEY, MISS MITFORD, L. E. L., MRS. S. C. HALL, MISS SHERIDAN, CROFTON IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. PHILADELPHIA : E. L. CAREY AND A. HART. 1837. ENL3 THE HONEY-MOON. BY THE COUNTESS OF BLESSINGTON. "Some persons pay for a month of honey with a life of vinegar." NOVELS and comedies end generally in a marriage, because, after that event, it is supposed that nothing remains to be told. This supposition is erroneous, as the history of many a wedded pair might exemplify: for, how many hearts have fallen away from their allegiance, after hands have been joined by the saffron-robed god, which had remained true, while suffering all the pangs that, from time immemorial, have attended the progress of the archer boy! Passion-possession-what a history is comprised in these two words! But how often might its moral be conveyed in a third-indifference! Marriage, we are told, is the portal at which Love resigns his votaries to the dominion of sober Reason; but, alas! many have so little predilection for his empire, that they rather endeavour to retain the illusions of the pastgone for ever-than to content themselves with the reality in their power. During the days of courtship, the objects beloved are viewed through a magic mirror, which gives only perfections to the sight; but, after marriage, a magnifying glass seems to supply its place, which draws objects so unpleasingly near, that even the most trivial defects are made prominent. Courtship is a dream; marriage, the time of awaking. Fortunate are they who can lay aside |