On the other hand, a few young husbands, indeed none but now and then a “goody-good” (who usually turns out to be the worst of the whole lot, in course of time), are willing to “stand for” any such theory, much less to live any such life as this theory would impose.  These “don’t care what the book says,” and, from the manner of their bringing up, from all they have learned or heard by hearing men talk about married life, (which is usually of the most vulgar sort) they have come to the conclusion that marriage confers upon the parties the right to engage in sexual commerce at will; and, especially, that the husband has the right to the body of his wife whenever he chooses.  For, indeed, does not the law give him that right!  And so long as one “keeps inside the law” what more could be asked!  Yea, verily!  What more could be asked?

So it is that most brides and bridegrooms go to their marriage bed with the most widely diverse views as to what is right and wrong in the premises—­as to the life they will lead in their new estate.  The young wife is for “purity” and “chastity.”  The young husband, driven by a passion which he has long held in thrall, in the belief that he can now give the fullest vent to it, when he has got where such relief is possible, is like an excited hound when it seizes its prey, which he fully believes he has the right to deal with as he pleases!  What wonder that, in view of all these circumstances, the most extensive observer of marriage-bed phenomena should write:  “As a matter of fact, nine young husbands in ten practically rape their brides at their first sexual meeting.”  Could anything be more horrible, or criminally wicked?  And it is all so needless!  It is all the result of ignorance, of “innocence,” and the worst of false teaching.  The pity of it!

True, these unfortunate conditions are often modified by “mother nature,” who inspires the bride with curiosity, which, in a measure, controls her in spite of her false teachings, and with passion, which, to a degree, will assert itself over and above all false modesty, her religious scruples and her fear of pregnancy; and so she may come through the ordeal of introduction to the act of coitus in a fairly sane condition of mind, even though she may have practically been raped!  But, too often, the result of such first contact is a shock to the bride from which she may not recover during all the subsequent years of married life!  And “here is where the trouble lies,” for untold thousands of married men and women, all over the civilized world, to-day.  And it might all be so different!  It ought, in every case, to be all so different!  But if it ever does become different, knowledge has got to take the place of “innocence" on the part of the bride, and of ignorance on the part of the bridegroom, both of whom must be taught to “Know