, 1860-08-03

A StronE-MIndel Wife and a Submis-
Bfye Husband.

INV WILLIAM july ~ letp.
One of the most extraordinary cases of the
reduction Of husband to domestic eubservien-
CT bY the wife, came under my observation
some time ago, and though it resulted upsuc-
cessfullv and even disastrously rs IN e1pcri-
ment, it nevertheless sffsrded striking exam.
pie Of the ascendancy strong.minded woman
cau obtain over a Weak-h1iuded mnn. Some
thing more than year ago woman wEo had
arrived at the respectable age OF shout forty
years, and had acquired fortune By not the
most respectable means, contracted q mar1iage
with man wboss chief recommendation 10 her
eyes must have been that he was ten or fifteen
years her junior. In what style the honeymoon
waxed md waned, is known only to the parties
themselves, but soon AFTER the expiration Of tie
time usually assigned to that interesting phase
of welded life, it leaked out that their marital
relations we're any thing but harmonious, and
that their household arrangements were of q
most unique and move! character.
The mansion in which they resided WAS q
large and fine one, with spacious yard on two
sides, filled With bushes and flowers, and to oil
external appearances they lacked nothing in the
way OF comfort and happiness, if worldly goods
we're alone required u Gil up their measure.
The lady owned the house and slave woman,
who performed the services Of cook, and this
Was the only servant she would have about the
establishment. The henpecked aud doeile hus-
baud Was charged with all the other menal du-
ties pertaining to the household, aud was COM
pel1ed to discharge not only those little Offices
supposed to belong peculiarly to chambarmaids,
but had 10 do the family washiugl By what
species OF coercion he was brought TO this
strange Observation-Disclosures by the fear Of
corporeal punishment At the hands Of his wife,
the dread Of being deprived Of pocket money,
or threat Of being discarded and kicked out
ofthe house altcgether-is one Of the secrets
that did not leak cut, but that b. did Tor long
time submit quietly to domestic tubjugation Of
the most humiliating sort, is established upon
as satisfactory eyiuerce as ever convicted
woman of being Bhtew.
The result would seem TO show, however,
that his docility and humble obedience we're as
sumed for an Interior purpose. 1t appears that
ha so far gained the confidence of his strong
minded spouse that she came to look upon him
as the mere creature Of her will, who dared not
for his life disobey or thwart her in any thiug.
She not only kept him busy with menial serFi-
ces at home, but frequently sent him on erraads
but into the city, and often entrusted him with
considerable sums Of money to deposit in bsnk
or for other purposes. It is clear now that she
did not know him, that he was too deer for her,
aud if she ever trusts a man again am much
mistaken in my estimate Of female caution. She
had at first anatemntized his stupidity for de.
posting her money in his own name, but soon
forgot the matter as unmportant, and troubled
herself no further about it. i few days ago she
banded him small sum Of money aud the pass
book, aud he proceeded to the bank, bat in
stead of depositing this addition to the fund,
he drew every cent credited 10 bis name and
fed from the city