o nice a point that I, as a bachelor, dare only just hint, that
on this delicate question the poet has not gone an inch further than the
apostle. Nay, Paul is still more uncivilly explicit than Milton. If,
however, I could hope to bring over to my side critics, who, being of
the party, are too apt to prejudge the cause, I would point out to them
that the supposed harshness of the observation is quite done away by the
recollection that this scrupled "obedience" is so far from implying
degradation, that it is connected with the injunction to the woman "to
promote good works" in her husband; an injunction surely inferring a
degree of influence that raises her condition, and restores her to all
the dignity of equality; it makes her not only the associate but the
inspirer of his virtues.

But to return to the economical part of the character of Eve. And here
she exhibits a consummate specimen and beautiful model of domestic skill
and elegance. How exquisitely conceived is her reception and
entertainment of Raphael! How modest and yet how dignified! I am afraid
I know some husbands who would have had to encounter very ungracious
looks, not to say words, if they had brought home even an angel,
_unexpectedly_ to dinner. Not so our general mother:

Her dispatchful looks,
Her hospitable thoughts, * * * intent
What choice to choose for delicacy best,

all indicate not only the "prompt" but the cheerful "obedience." Though
her repast consisted only of the fruits of Paradise,

Whatever earth, all bearing mother, yields;

yet of these, with a liberal hospitality,

She gathers tribute large, and on the board
Heaps with unsparing hand.

The finest modern lady need not disdain the arrangement of her table,
which was

So contrived as not to mix
Tastes not well join'd, inelegant, but bring
Taste after taste, upheld by kindliest change.

It must, however, I fear, be conceded, by the way, that this "taste
_after_ taste" rather holds out an encouragement to second courses.

When this unmatched trio had finished their repast, which, let it be
observed, before they tasted, Adam acknowledged that

These bounties from our _Nourisher_ are given,
From whom all perfect good descends,

Milton, with great liberality to that sex against which he is accused of
so much severity, obligingly permitted Eve to sit much longer after
dinner, than most