RULES FOR HUSBANDS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 903, 11 October 1910, Page 4

RULES FOR HUSBANDS.

SARCASTIC AND OTHERWISE. Some presumptuous man published a list of commandments for wives, one of which ran: —“Now and then acknowledge gracefully that thy husband knows more about some things than thou. After all, thou art not infallible.’’ A second, and still more daring, rule for wives was, “Never be aggressive in thy arguments with thy husband, but always consider him as superior to thee.” This was too much for French feminists, and no wonder. One lady answers the presumptuous man indignantly : “ The weaker sex has not merely duties ; it has also rights. Feminism is advancing, and nothing will stop it. The weaker sex is the equal of the sterner. Equality for ever. Here are the commandments which women oppose to those of men.” The lady then gives her rules for husbands with more spirit than logic: “Woman has a right to have whims ; it is a privilege of her sex. Never put her out. She might have hysterics, which would impair her health and cost thee money in doctors’ bills.” Another commandment runs : “ Remember, good man, that thy wife is thy superior by her grace, her beauty and refinement. Therefore always worship at her feet.” Where, then, good lady, does “equality for ever ” come in, if woman not only has privileges because she is a woman, but is decidedly superior to man. Surely the strong-minded suffragist would spurn privileges of sex. In another rule the lady seems to show some sly knowledge of her sisters. “If, good man, thou desirest mountain air, ask thy wife to come to the seaside; she will immediately propose a holiday in Switzerland.” But this is a very mild gibe at her own sex compared with her last rule for husbands : “ Man was created before woman as a preliminary sketch for the masterpiece. Remember, then, O husband, that thou art but a rough draft.”