CHAPTER V

THE HUSBAND, AND THE VARIOUS WAYS OF SLIPPING HIS YOKE

The husband lord and master: his absolute authority—The stick—The wife’s insignificance—The husband’s grievances against marriage—The wife’s grievances—Beware love!—_Modus vivendi_—Women dowered or not: growth of women’s influence on the dowry system—Practical philosophy—Unsatisfied affections—Wives separated or divorced—Widows—Sentimental finery—The wife of a dead husband—Classical widows: their spirit of order and piety—Gay widows—Widows’ virtue—Advantages and disadvantages of widowhood—Re-marriage—Sincerity of women’s praise of marriage. Pages 109-135

_BOOK II. SOCIAL LIFE_