Five weeks after Alexander Hamilton married Betsy Schuyler, Betsy wrote to her younger sister Margarita telling her how wonderful marriage was, and told her she should get married right away so that she could be truly happy … Alexander added the following note as a postscript:
Because your sister has the talent of growing more amiable every day, or because I am afanatic in love, or both — or if you prefer another interpretation, because I have address enough to be a good dissembler, she fancies herself the happiest woman in the world, and would need persuade all her friends to embark with her in the matrimonial voyage. But I pray you do not let her advice have so much influence as to make you matrimony-mad. ‘Tis a very good thing when their stars unite two people who are fit for each other, who have souls capable of relishing the fruits of friendship.
But it’s a dog’s life when two dissonant tempers meet, and ’tis ten to one but this is the case. Be cautious in the choice. Get a man of sense, not ugly enough to be pointed at — with some good nature — a few grains of feeling — a little taste — a little imagination — and above all a good deal of decision to keep you in order. If you can find one with all these qualities willing to marry you, marry him as soon as you please. I must tell you in confidence that I think I have been very fortunate.
