Cod. Then follow my example, and ratify the agreement by a hearty conjugal embrace; I will give the word of command. Make ready!—(As CODDLE puts his arm round his wife’s waist, each of the husbands do the same to their wives.)—Present!—(CODDLE takes his wife’s chin between his fingers and thumb, and prepares to kiss her, all the husbands do the same.)—Fire!—(They all kiss and embrace at the same moment.)
Cod. There, this is the way that all matrimonial quarrels should end—and if you are of the same opinion—(to the audience)—then, indeed, will our conjugal joy be complete, and our light lesson not have been read in vain. You have seen the result of perpetual jealousy, in the case of Mr. and Mrs. Lynx; of continual disputes and contradiction in that of Mr. and Mrs. Younghusband; of a want of cheerfulness and attention in Mr. and Mrs. Dismal; of the impolicy of public correction in the instance of Mrs. Dove; and the necessity of assimilating habits and tempers in the singular case of Mr. and Mrs. Coddle; and though these may not be one half the causes of quarrel between man and wife—yet, even their exposure may serve as beacon lights, to avoid the rocks of altercation when sailing on the sea of matrimony. So think of us, all ye anticipating and smiling single people; for you must, or ought, all to be married, and the sooner the better—and remember us ye already paired; and let our example prove to you that to mutual forbearance, mutual confidence, mutual habits, mutual everything, must we owe mutual happiness. And where can the best of happiness be found, but in a loyal and affectionate Married Life?
Disposition of the Characters at the fall of the Curtain.
Mr. L. Mrs. L.—Mr.Y. Mrs.Y—Mr. C. Mrs. C.—Mr. D. Mrs. D.—Mrs. Dove, Mr. Dove.
THE END.
G. Cowie, Printer, 13, Newcastle Street, Strand.
[Transcriber’s Note]
Two sets of images of the same edition were used in this transcription. The first, digitized by the Internet Archive from a copy made available by the Robarts Library at the University of Toronto, is posted at: