THE name of Craigenputtock Farm has become a
symbol for the early married life of the Carlyles,
but, as we know, their first home was at number
21 of a row of houses called Comly or Comley Bank on
the north side of Edinburgh. It was small, compact,
furnished with pieces from Haddington, and had been
prepared under the trained and skilful eye Mrs. Welsh.
They remained at Comley Bank for two years, a time
sufficiently long to leave no doubt in the mind of either.
Indeed, before the honeymoon is over, the fate of any
engagement is known. Three weeks are enough to dis-
sipate a sensual passion; to reveal a born bachelor, to
expose a feminine snare. The love that can survive three
weeks of married life is proved to be sterling, whatever
troubles may lie in store for husband or wife.

To very innocent and unsophisticated people, the first
surprise on leaving church or register-office is to discover
that there has been no mysterious change; that no one
feels any different after the ceremony; that the ring seems
not to rest on any right, and the signature to represent no
new fact in experience. Newly married women are often
as shy of showing their encircled left finger as a freshman
is of appearing before dusk in his Cambridge gown, and
the sensation of not being able to say good-bye may be as

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