Status Updates From Precaution

[...] but happiness in this world cannot or does not, in any situation, exist without alloy.

The peace of mind and fortitude of Emily were fated to receive a blow, as unlooked for to herself as it was unexpected to the world. Bonaparte appeared in France, and Europe became in motion.

“Oh! Peter Johnson; they are young, and rich, and beloved; but, after all, it avails but little if they be not good."

"Good!" cried the steward in astonishment; "they are as good as angels."

The master's ideas of human excellence had suffered a heavy blow in the view of his viscountess, but he answered mildly,
"As good as mankind can well be.”

“Well, Denbigh, when do you mean to have the young couple spliced?"

"Why, the better way is to bring the young people together, in order that they may become acquainted, you know."

"Acquainted—together—" cried his companion, in a little surprise, "what better way is there to bring them together, than to have them up before a priest, or to make them acquainted by letting them swing in the same hammock?”

[...] But, although a Christian, and an humble and devout one, Emily Moseley was a woman, and had loved ardently, confidingly, and gratefully. Marriage is the business of life with her sex,—with all, next to a preparation for a better world,—and it cannot be supposed that a first passion in a bosom like that of our heroine was to be suddenly erased and to leave no vestiges of its existence.

You know the Moseleys, Caroline? said Jarvis...

Yes, replied the lady, what fine arms those of the Duke's are—and the coronet, it is so noble—so rich—I am sure if I were a man, laying great emphasis on the word— I would be a Lord.

If you could, you mean, cried the captain.

Could—why money will buy a title, you know—only most people are fonder of their cash than of honor

“Taste is a poor criterion, I am afraid," said Mrs. Wilson, gravely, "on which to found matrimonial felicity."

"To what would you refer the decision, my dear madam?" inquired the Lady Laura.

"Judgment."

Lady Laura shook her hear doubtingly.

"You remind me so much of Lord Pendennyss! Everything he wishes to bring under the subjection of judgment and principles."

In fact,my child,our natures are guilty of the grossest inconsistencies.Long & tried friendships are those only which can be trusted,& these oftentimes fail.Marriage is a fearful step in a woman,& one she is compelled,in some measure,to adventure her happiness on,without fitting opportunities of judging of the merit of the man she confides in.Jane is an instance in point,but I devoutly hope you are not to be aother

Why, master, I would have done as well for Miss Emmy and your honor as I would have done for myself. Now, sir, when I courted Patty Steele, your honor, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-five, I should have been married but for one difficulty, which your honor says is removed in the case of Miss Emmy.

What was that, Peter? asked his master, in a tender tone.

She wasn't willing, sir.

“I remember when we were in, there was not a man of doubtful integrity in the ministry, or on our side even; and then again, when we went out, the opposition benches were filled with sterling characters, making a parliament that was correct throughout. Can you show me such a thing at this day?”

Marriage is called a lottery, and it is thought, like all other, lotteries, there are more blanks than prizes; yet is it not made more precarious than it ought to be, by our neglect of that degree of precaution which we would be ridiculed for omitting in conducting our every-day concerns? Is not the standard of matrimonial felicity placed too low?

Jane Moseley had a heart to love, and to love strongly; her danger existed in her imagination: it was brilliant, unchastened by her judgment, we had almost said unfettered by her principles. Principles such as are found in every-day maxims and rules of conduct sufficient to restrain her within the bounds of perfect decorum she was furnished with in abundance; but to that principle which was to teach her submission..

“Do you disapprove of dancing, ma'am?" said Mr. Haughton, who held her opinions in great respect as well as a little dread.

"I neither approve nor disapprove of it—jumping up and down is innocent enough in itself, and if it must be done it is well it were done gracefully; as for the accompaniments of dancing I say nothing—what do you say, Doctor Ives?"

"To what, my dear madam?"

"To dancing."

So, girl, I suppose you expect a kiss... [...] Kissing has gone much out of fashion lately. [...] — but—so—kiss me.
After which he continued, as they went into the house, "Marrying in that day was a serious business. You might visit a lady a dozen times before you could get a sight of her naked hand.”

While sitting in the drawingroom that afternoon she made an attempt to bring her eldest daughter & the elegant soldier together over a chess-board;a game the young lady had been required to learn because it was one at which a gentleman could be kept longer than any other without having his attention drawn away by any of those straggling charms which might be travelling a drawingroom "seeking whom they may devour”

“And, after all, what is this love? In nineteen cases in twenty of what we call affairs of the heart, it would be better to term them affairs of the imagination."

"And is there not a great deal of imagination in all love?" inquired Lady Moseley, smiling.”

“The rudeness of refusing a request that is improper to grant is a very venial offence. I confess I think it improper to allow any attentions to be forced on us that may subject us to disagreeable consequences; but the attentions of Colonel Egerton are becoming marked, Anne."

"Do you for a moment doubt their being honorable, or that he dares to trifle with a daughter of Sir Edward Moseley?”

In the ordinary meaning of the words,my dear;yet you soon tire of sentiments which will not stand the test of examination,&of a manner you cannot but see is artificial.He may do very well for a companion,but very ill for a friend;in short,he has neither been satisfied to yield to his natural impressions,nor to obtain new ones from a proper source;he has copied from bad models,&his work must necessarily be imperfect