If by some mischance he should so far forget to forget himself, it were much better for him had he not done so, for the choice of a bride is not his, nor of a bridegroom hers.

Marriage to a Far Oriental is the most important mercantile transaction of his whole life.

It is, therefore, far too weighty a matter to be entrusted to his youthful indiscretion; for although the person herself is of lamentably little account in the bargain, the character of her worldly circumstances is most material to it.

So she is contracted for with the same care one would exercise in the choice of any staple business commodity.

The particular sample is not vital to the trade, but the grade of goods is.
She is selected much as the bride of the Vicar of Wakefield chose her wedding-gown, only that the one was at least cut to suit, while the other is not.