Marriage is arranged by the family: it is a family matter, indeed a family duty and not a romantic pursuit.

At one time, very long ago, in Europe, marriages were arranged in much the same way.

But nowadays it may be said in general that no young man in England or America can even imagine whom he will marry.

He has to find his wife for himself; and he has nobody to help him; and if he makes a mistake, so much the worse for him.

So to Western imagination the wife of the future is a mystery, a romance, an anxiety--something to dream about and to write poetry about.
This little book that I hold in my hand is now very rare.