"THE TIMES" ON BREACH OF PROMISE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6063, 23 April 1881, Page 7

"THE TIMES" ON BREACH OF PROMISE.

The existing., state, of the law making a promise to marry a legal contract defeats its purpose by encouraging long engagements and endless delays. A man promises to marry, hastily, perhaps, and without! due provision ; but if ho and the lady honestly wish for "love-in.a cottage," there can be no reason why they should not try it. ; The parents, however, especially on the lady's side, do not like this, and insist on , the young people waiting indefinitely for better or more certain prospects. His attachment is expected to stimulate his professional exertion or to overcome his independence of feeling, aud drive him to seek a patron or cultivate some interest. Meanwhile there is generally a certain reserve imposed upon his communications,with the lady ; he is not to see her too often, or too much alone. He is to go about as an engaged man, and to observe the duties of that position. In fact he is not to go about too much, or to be too much infemale company. Meanwhilenosuch restraints or limitations are placed on the lady who goes to as many picnics,' dances, garden parties or excursions, as she can get invitations for. All this time, if she changes her mind, it is only the privilege of her sex. Her own bonds are silk, gossamer rather, -while the gentleman's are iron manacles and fetters. This is to go on for years, and the gentleman is expected to be no worse for keeping, which the lady certainly will be. The way to meet this one-sided scheme is to offer a promise on the condition of early performance, which will generally have the legitimate effect of pro venting an engagement altogether. If people cannot marry now, there may be loss reason, but there may be also greater reason, why they should not marry five years hence. But it will alwajs be far better that both should be at liberty to recognize the changes which time, separation, general society, and other reasons are sure to bring about. If this be thought an abandonment of that high principle and that fixity of purpose which are among our natural virtues, then by all means let both parties accept the position of engaged persons—one already in heart and mind; but waiting for the happy day that is to remove the wall of circumstances now between them. Letnottheladybe dressed like a May fly, let her not go about the freest of the free, open to flirt with anybody, because in her case flirtation is to lead to nothing; unless, indeed, she should think fit to break her bonds altogether.