Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1871-08-03
HUSBANDS AND WIVES.

~AoOAA VI SAO OoutiuCe Sittu IcSt
more lightly on the parties to it.
Others would introduce certain in
dependence of restraint, sO-called
equality" which shall he destruc-
tive of just distinctions OF the sexes,
while it impairs the clearly defined
duties resting on each. These be-
long to the class of professed re-
formers who talk loudly of the
emancipation of woman," of the
Tyranny of man" and other vague
notions expressed in cant phrases.
There are other tinkerers who,
without going to the extent of those
just named, fancy they can suggest
improvements in the management
of households and home affairs, and
in the mutual marital economy.
One of these recently set forth his
views i'll the pages Of a popular
magazine.
The writer's theory is that hus-
bands and waves weary of each
other after some years of marriage;
that their lives cease to he kindred
III interest; that the objects which
enlist their attention diverge more
and more; and that the sympathy
which is strong in the first stages
of wedlOck grows weaker and weak
on, until it is entirely lost. The
reason assigned by the writer for
this deplorable state of affairs is,
that while the mans life is largely
in and of the world, the woman's is,
with the gathering years, more
closely restricted to the domestic
circle, and that family cares mon
"polize her attention to the exclu-
sion of outside interests. The reme-
dy proposed by the writer is that
husbands shall seek to withdraw
their wives attention from en-
crossing household duties, and di-
vert it occasionally to concerns be-
yond then lome-borlers, and pre-
vent their wives lapsing into mo-
nOtonOus freside routine.
1t may be said in reply to this,
first, that the theory is false as
sumption. 1t is not fact that
husbands and wives weary of each
other as the marriage term extends.
The truth is directly the contrary
when men and women are wisely
mated. Their affection may be of
IA different kind, it may be less de
monstrative, (although that is by
no means necessarily the case, but
it is really stronger as they get ON
in life. The theory failing, the al
legged reason fails with it; but the
reason itself is unphilosophical.
Men, it is true, are mainly and un-
avoidably engaged in outside af-
fairs, but it is about the home that
their choicest and most enjoyable
interests cluster. To the home they
gladly turn for relief from the
cares, perplexities, and disappoint-
ments of business, and there they
find recreation from the oyerwork
of the world, and realize true hap
piness. --H4
1t is equally true that women S
life is chiefly in the home, but it is
not tlrno that it is therefore dull
and devoid of genuine stimulus.
To the intelligent woman her we'll
ordered household is full Of contin-
uous and varying attractions that
forbid its experiences, ever to be-
come mOnOtOnOus. In proof of
this is the fact, which mono has
failed to observe, that when at the
evening reunion the husband and
wife compare the notes Of the day,
the latter has quite as much of i'll
cident and suggestion to offer as
the former.
Even If the evil complained OF
by this writer existed, his proposed
remedy is worse than the disease.
Those husbands and wives who
cannot attain sympathetic COM
panionship at home. cannot attain
it anywhere. The woman who can
not find objects Of interest, and
therefore happiness, within her own
household, will not find them out
side of it, and those who are NOR
bidly dissatisfied with what they
regard as tiresids routine, will not
learn contentment BY busyine
themselves abroad. s =,
The author Of "We're Coming,
Eafhar Abraham Three Hundred