The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-02
Living Together.

Dispositions differ to such an extent, that
for two persons to live together happily, for
ten, twenty, or thirty years, would seem In
credible, did not occasional cases authenti-
cate the statement. By living together hap
PLY, we do not understand calm, passive
existence unbroken by single dissenting
word or look, because persons who succeed
in winning such a reputation are incapaci,
tated for happiness, since they can adapt
themselves to so stupid mode of living.
Occasional differences of opinion indicate
mutual vitality, and, when backed by COM
mon sense and self control, are no drawback
to peaceful life.
Living together in its most important re-
lation-namely, the marital-is an art which
can only ripen into perfection through the
possession of certain requisites on the part
of the wife. Among these an even temper,
a clear head, certain pretence of giving in
to the enemy-mind-only a pretence-are
the most important.
As wives, women can WELD the sceptre,
but must never let the tip end of it be seen.
The secret lies in quietly having it all their
own way, taking good care to let the enemy
think be is master Of the position. We use
the word enemy here to imply not enmity of
husband to wife, but of man to woman's as
sumption of superiority.
There are genuine good husbands, and
there are opposite extremes, These latter
can be forced to be good husbands in spite
of themselves. Men possess less stamina
than is generally credited to them, and are
so easily moulded by feminine influence, that
a good, loving wife can refine and ennOble
the most hardened specimen Of husband if
she studies his pecuharities and lays siege to
them.
There are irritable men by nature, who
are denied the privilege of being irritable.
There are penprious men, whose houses
overflow with every luxury money can pur.
chase. They cannot understand it them
selves; they suspect this undertow of power.
but it is too strong for them. They can find
no reasonable cause of complaint; their homes
are models of attractive comfort; they love
to dwell therein; they pine for them when
absent Their slippers are always ready for
their weary feet at night; the biscuits are
nowhere so light, the coffee nowhere so de
lectable, as at their cosy breakfast tables;
they are the happiest of men, and all be-
cause their wives have the sense to apply
military tactics to the household regime and
reap the reward of their management by liv-
ing peacefully with men, who, in the hands
of less skillful women, would be simply de-
testable.
Withoutany disparagement of the opposite
sex-utterly discountenancing Mrs. Caudle,
Xantippe, and similar viragos-we do pro-
test against any woman meriting husband
till she knows how to manage one.
An old lady once remarked to US off
you ever have husband, remember three
separate advces, which | have learned from
experience: Never question him about his
business till he first breaches the subject:
never trouble him with domestic affairs when
you see shadow on his face; and last, but
not least, always have his dinner smoking
hot in the very nick of time.
Matrimonial felicity would be strikingly
enhanced were these sensible advices &C
cepted and folIowed-not in the delusiOn
that man is demi god to be fawned on aud
fattered, but most complex mixture of
good and evil. Simply held in durapce, a
formidable beast; but rightly managed, a
blessing to the family circle-a blessing to
the world.-Lady's Journal.