ber of wives who are even less inviting.

[Illustration: "WE HAVE CHANGED OUR MINDS."]

6. FIRST OFFER.--The appearance and outgiving of many wives denote that
they have accepted the first offer; the appearance and outgiving of many
old maids that they have declined repeated offers. It is undeniable, that
wives, in the mass, have no more charm than old maids have, in the mass.
But, as the majority of women are married, they are no more criticised nor
commented on, in the bulk, than the whole sex are. They are spoken of
individually as pretty or {143} plain, bright or dull, pleasant or
unpleasant; while old maids are judged as a species, and almost always
unfavorable.

7. BECOMES A WIFE.--Many an old maid, so-called, unexpectedly to her
associates becomes a wife, some man of taste, discernment and sympathy
having induced her to change her state. Probably no other man of his kind
has proposed before, which accounts for her singleness. After her marriage
hundreds of persons who had sneered at her condition find her charming,
thus showing the extent of their prejudice against feminine celibacy. Old
maids in general, it is fair to presume, do not wait for opportunities, but
for proposers of an acceptable sort. They may have, indeed they are likely
to have, those, but not to meet these.

8. NO LONGER MARRY FOR SUPPORT.--The time has changed and women have
changed with it. They have grown more sensible, more independent in
disposition as well as circumstances. They no longer marry for support;
they have proved their capacity to support themselves, and self-support has
developed them in every way. Assured that they can get on comfortably and
contentedly alone they are better adapted by the assurance for consortship.
They have rapidly increased from this and cognate causes, and have so
improved in person, mind and character that an old maid of to-day is wholly
different from an old maid of forty years ago.

[Illustration: CONVINCING HIS WIFE.]

{144}

When and Whom to Marry.

1. EARLY MARRIAGES.--Women too early married always remain small in
stature, weak, pale, emaciated, and more or less miserable. We have no
natural nor moral right to perpetuate unhealthy constitutions, therefore
women should not marry too young and take upon themselves the
responsibility, by producing a weak and feeble generation of children. It
is better not to consummate a marriage until a full development of body and
mind has taken place. A youn