eads the comic papers and
goes to afternoon receptions, it would seem that each woman should have
several husbands, to pay her bills and see that she is suitably escorted
to various social affairs.

[Sidenote: Seven Husbands]

If a woman had seven husbands, for instance, it is possible that some
one of them would be willing to take her out whenever she wanted to go.
If she yearned for a sealskin coat or a diamond pin and no one of them
was equal to the occasion, a collection could be taken up. Two or three
might contribute to the good cause and be so beautifully rewarded with
smiles and favourite dishes that the remainder of the husbands would be
inspired to do something in the same line.

At least five of them could go out every night in the week. The matter
could be arranged according to a simple system of rotation, or they
might draw lots. There could be a club-room in the house, where they
might smoke without affecting the curtains and Madam's temper. Politics
and poker make more widows than war, but no woman could find it in her
heart to object to the innocent pastime under such happy circumstances,
because she would be deprived of nothing--not even her husband's
society. Six of them might play, while the other read to their wife, and
those who won could buy some lovely new china for the house.

The sweetness of the lady of their several hearts would be increased
seven-fold, while her frowns would be equally divided among them. There
would be a large and enviable freedom accorded everyone. There would
always be enough at home so dinner need not wait, and Madam would be
spared one great annoyance. If the servants left suddenly, as is not
unusual, there would be men enough to cook a dinner Epicurus might envy,
each one using his own chafing-dish. Men make better cooks than women
because they put so much more feeling into it.

The spirit of gentle rivalry, which would thus be developed, is well
worth considering. Some one of the seven would always be a lover. To
sustain the old relation continuously after marriage undoubtedly
requires gifts of tact and temperament which are not often vouchsafed
to men, and this would not prove so irksome if the tender obligation
were shared. Marriage would no longer be the cold potato of love.

Different men always admire different qualities of the same woman, and
the beauty of the much-married lady would be developed far beyond that
of her who had only one husband, because a re