Volumes could be written on how to be happy though married, but my last page is at hand. To sum up therefore. Wives: if you would be happy, remember, make much of your husband, flatter him discreetly, laugh at his jokes, don’t attempt to put down his club, never tell him home truths, and never cry.
Husbands: praise and admire your wife and let other men admire her too; don’t interfere in her department; write your monthly cheque with a cheerful mien; be reasonable about money even if you cannot be generous, and be not overfond of your own voice.
And, both of you: be very tolerant, expect little, give gladly, put respect before everything, cultivate courtesy and love each other all you can. If you do all this you are sure to be happy, though married. Hear also what Robert Burton says in his wonderful book, The Anatomy of Melancholy. ‘Hast thou means? Thou hast none, if unmarried, to keep and increase them. Hast none? Thou hast one, if married, to help and get them. Art in prosperity? Thine happiness is doubled with a wife. Art in adversity? She’ll comfort and assist thee. Art at home? She’ll drive away melancholy. Art abroad? She’ll wish for thee in thy absence and joyfully welcome thy return. There’s nothing delightsome without society, and no society as sweet as matrimony!’
THE END
COLSTONS LIMITED, PRINTERS, EDINBURGH.
[1.] Augusta Webster.
[2.] Schopenhauer’s Metaphysics of Love.
[3.] In 1903 one tenth of all the children born in France were illegitimate. In Paris alone the percentage was higher still—about one in every four.
[4.] Schopenhauer’s Metaphysics of Love.
[5.] W. T. Stead, Review of Reviews, January 1908.