Of a surety, the most holy and closest tie in all the human family is
marriage. It binds together two beings of an opposite sex for life, and
makes them, if they be but worthy of that condition, supremely happy. I
say if they be worthy advisedly, because that solemn rite should only be
contracted with the mutual purpose that each is to seek the happiness
of the other, and such a union has for its base true love--that is,
celestial love, which the ancients rightly distinguished from sensual
passion, the former being that love of the soul which no worldly or
selfish views can ever influence. Even before the marriage contract its
anticipation does much to soften and improve the character of each, from
the new feeling that they must not fail to contribute to each other's
welfare. The very atmosphere of happiness makes married life nobler than
lonely life, while the love of parents for their offspring renders them
gentle and forbearing, and indulgent to their own first, and finally to
others, whose good-will they wish to win. Unfaithfulness, however, is,
unhappily, too frequently an incident of modern marriages, but they of
either sex who sin against that loyalty in wedlock which should bind
both indissolubly, unless hardened in vice beyond all hope, feel such
remorse that they would, if they could, return to their former purity by
any sacrifice. But truth, among other things, should suffice to fortify
the good against temptation and dishonor, which brings shame and ruin
to the soul. Oh, you whom this sacred tie has newly bound, be true as
heaven to one another! By your fidelity you will secure your conscience
in the future against sharp and stinging reflections. Out of noble and
heartfelt constancy will spring a paradise upon earth--the foretaste of
a blissful life beyond.
But priestly interference in this holy communion of hearts blights and
blasphemes the name of love, sowing the seeds of hatred; while more or
less all over the globe this plague is felt, by reason of the number
of unhappy marriages brought about or directed by these busy tonsured
meddlers. What, then, must this baneful influence be in Rome, where the
priests are so numerous as to reign almost supreme in society.
We have before stated that in the city of Rome the largest number
of illegitimate births take place, which arises naturally (or rather
unnaturally) from the infamous influences of priests, who traffic in
matches, and control the market of men and women for their own profit.
But we will draw the veil of silence over these lamentable facts, and
ask pardon of refined readers if we have shocked them, even by a hint.
Nevertheless, when we remember the degradation and misery to which
our beloved but unhappy country has been reduced by the despotism
and corruption of her corrupt Government, shame and grief are hard to
restrain. Oh, pardon me, you whose chaste eyes have no Rome to weep for!
Yes, marriage is a sacred act. By it a man imposes on himself the duty
to love, protect, and support his wife, and the children she may bear
him. And this act is the first cause of the progress and civilization
of mankind. The priest, being no other than a meddler and impostor, is
consequently unworthy of celebrating that most important act of life.
The municipal authorities, who ought to be cognizant of all that
concerns the citizens, and register all acts, should preside at the
ceremony of marriage, or, as immediate representatives of these, the
parents of the contracting parties, who are their natural and lawful
guardians.
To these latter authorities Attilio and Clelia referred themselves.
"My own! my own!" Clelia had whispered to herself during Irene's
narration; and in the hour when her beloved was at her feet, overjoyed
by the blissful atmosphere that surrounded her, she resisted his
passionate and honest solicitations for some time, but at last gave
him permission to demand her in marriage of her mother, adding, "If she
consents, I will be thine for life."
Although Silvia was of a somewhat hesitating temperament, and would have
preferred having her Manlio at hand to consult as to the destiny of her
dearly beloved child, still she had sufficient good sense to see that
a union between the two ardent lovers was very desirable, and felt that
under the peculiar circumstances of their banishment and forest life she
might be assured of her husband's sanction, and therefore accorded them
hers.
Silvia could not endure priests, and civil authorities there were none
to consult or employ, except the sylvan jurisdiction of their honest
preserver, Orazio, and her own maternal governance. These, she opined,
were sufficient for the occasion, and it was not difficult to persuade
her bold but gentle and enlightened conscience that this simple,
natural, and legal solemnization was all that was requisite.
The celebration of the marriage of our young friends, thus determined
upon and permitted, was a true feast for all in the castle, and
particularly for Irene, who, as the happy example herself of a rural
marriage, was thoroughly proud of being priestess to the natural and
noble rite. She erected, without their knowledge, an altar at the foot
of the most majestic oak in the neighborhood. With the help of her
maidens, and the sailor's assistance, who prided himself upon his marine
agility--Irene reared above this a small temple, formed of green boughs
and garlands of wild flowers, the crown of the oak serving as a cupola
illuminated far above by the sun, and at night by beautiful stars and
planets, the first-born creations of God.
The ceremony was not long, for it was simple, but serious. It took
place in the presence of those faithful children of Rome, who stood in a
circle around the handsome couple, while Irene joined their right hands,
pronounced them to be man and wife, and solemnized the sacred union by
the following address:-
"Dear and true-hearted friends, the act you have solemnized this
day unites you indissolubly body and soul. You must share together
henceforward the prosperities and reverses, the joys and sorrows of this
life. Remember that in mutual love and faithfulness you will find your
only and enduring happiness, while, if affliction descends, it will be
diminished and dissipated by your reciprocal love. May God bless your
union!"
Then Silvia, her eyes bedewed by maternal tears, placed her hands upon
the heads of her beloved children, and repeated _che Dio vi benedica!_
More she could not say for her emotion. The marriage contract, which
had been previously prepared, was now presented to the united couple by
Orazio for their signature, and then to the witnesses, the chief finally
signing it himself.
In this manner was celebrated, with the great-, est simplicity, in the
Almighty's own temple, illuminated by the bright golden lamp of all the
world, that solemn act of wedlock, none the less solemn or binding for
being so celebrated. Never did human pair feel themselves more sacredly
bound one to the other than Clelia and Attilio.
From the altar our joyful party directed their steps towards the castle,
where a right goodly woodland banquet awaited them. All were rejoiced at
the auspicious event, and many joyous toasts were given. Patriot songs
were freely sung, and Jack, elated by the general hilarity, treated his
friends to his own famous national airs, "God Save the Queen," and "Rule
Britannia."