Absence Inspires Love

1874

But Not Always!

"A man should absent himself from his family at least six hours a day," remarks a well-known lady writer, "if he wishes to secure its happiness and its own."

This signifies, we presume, that uninterrupted domestic intimacy is fatal to peace and affection. Newly-married couples will hardly be able to comprehend the philosophy of such a notion. And yet, "too much of a good thing," even, "is good for nothing!" And excess of happiness possibly may render happiness itself unenjoyable.

Satiety is a sad foe to satisfaction. We do not believe, nevertheless, that this absence is indispensable to the life of love. Small absences naturally tend to keep alive that exciting suspense which is conducive to the perpetuation of affection; but when those absences become regular they lose their exciting force. There is no state of suspense in them, under these circumstances; and it is suspense that is the exciting cause in the premises.

Mutual sufferings endear those who love each other. Mutual hopes and mutual fears stimulate the mutual passion; and unexpected separations, however temporary, inspire both; while separations that are frequent and anticipated become commonplace, and inspire neither.