Sir, – I enjoyed Donald Clarke's take on why marriage remains so popular (Opinion & Analysis, October 3rd). It reminded me of the advice I received in California when I announced my engagement, many years ago: "Why not just select some woman at random and buy her a new house? That's how it will end." What a shame I didn't listen. Indeed, if I had waited until recent legislation was passed, I might have even considered the other 50 per cent of the population for that lottery too. – Yours, etc,
ULTAN Ó BROIN,
Redwood City,
California.