SCHOOLMASTERS AND CELIBACY.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
Sra,—Mr. Benson (Spectator, July 12th) can hardly cite his married friends to give evidence in defence of his position, May I give your readers the testimony of the Puritan, Joseph Alleine, who seems to have worked as hard as the rest of his brethren ? "'When he married he received a letter of con- gratulation from an old College friend, who said that he had some thoughts of following his example, but wished to be wary, and would therefore take the freedom of asking him to describe the inconveniences of a married life. Alleine replied: 'Thou wouldst know the inconveniences of a wife, and I will tell thee. First of all, whereas thou risest constantly at four in the morning, or before, she will keep thee till six ; secondly, whereas thou usest to study fourteen hours in the day, she will bring thee to eight or nine ; thirdly, whereas thou art wont to forbear one meal at least in the day for thy studies, she will bring thee to thy meat. If these are not mischief enough to affright thee, I know not what thou art.' "—I am,
Haseley Manor, Oxon.
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