The Levellers A Dialogue Between Two Young Ladies, Concerning Matrimony, Proposing an Act for Enforcing Marriage, for the Equality of Matches, and Taxing Single Persons

"The Levellers" by Anonymous is a thought-provoking conversation piece from the 1700s where two young women, Politica and Sophia, examine the world of marriage and its many problems. They point out how money often matters more than love, and how society pushes people into marriages that aren't fair or based on true connection. They even float the idea of a law to encourage marriage, maybe by taxing single men! The women believe that who you are as a person should count for more than your bank account when choosing a partner. Their discussion highlights the importance of having children for the good of society but also shows how easily good character is overlooked in the rush to make a profitable match, ultimately calling for a fairer, more virtuous approach to how people choose to spend their lives together.