irst say, "Here
am I." But when it is seen that suicide is also child-murder, it must
appear that she is under doubly heavy bonds for herself.

Husbands, moreover, have claims, though wives often ignore them. It
is the commonest thing in the world to see parents tender of their
children's feelings, alive to their wants, indulgent to their tastes,
kind, considerate, and forbearing, but to each other hasty, careless,
and cold. Conjugal love often seems to die out before parental love.
It ought not so to be. Husband and wife should each stand first in the
other's estimation. They have no right to forget each other's comfort,
convenience, sensitiveness, tastes, or happiness in those of their
children. Nothing can discharge them from the obligations which they are
under to each other. But if a woman lets herself become shabby, drudgy,
and commonplace as a wife, in her efforts to be perfect as a mother, can
she expect to retain the consideration that is due to the wife? Not a
man in the world but would rather see his wife tidy, neat, and elegant
in her attire, easy and assured in her bearing, intelligent and
vivacious in her talk, than the contrary; and if she neglect these
things, ought she to be surprised, if he turns to fresh woods and
pastures new for the diversion and entertainment which he seeks in vain
at home? This is quaky ground, but I know where I am, and I am not
afraid. I don't expect men or women to say that they agree with me, but
I am right for all that. Let us bring our common sense to bear on this
point, and not be fooled by reiteration. Cause and effect obtain here as
elsewhere. If you add two and two, the result is four, however much
you may try to blink it. People do not always tell lies, when they are
telling what is not the truth; but falsehood is still disastrous.
Men and women think they believe a thousand things which they do not
believe; but as long as they think so, it is just as bad as if it
were so. Men talk--and women listen and echo--about the overpowering
loveliness and charm of a young mother surrounded by her blooming
family, ministering to their wants and absorbed in their welfare,
self-denying and self-forgetful; and she is lovely and charming; but
if this is all, it is little more than the charm and loveliness of a
picture. It is not magnetic and irresistible. It has the semblance, but
not the smell of life. It is pretty to look at, but it is not vigorous
for command. Her husband will hav