where a man’s home is transformed suddenly into what has been bitterly but justly termed a “hell on earth,” are more than half the time traceable to the carelessness of the husband in not throwing around his wife those barriers which shall ever keep her from temptation.  The wife of pure instincts will generally object to the admission of another man to her home as a member of it.  How often her womanly and honorable objection is overruled by the husband as the mark of an inhospitable nature.  Live alone.  Let no one see your meannesses, for the third party will remember and recite those meannesses where you would either never have seen them, or have forgotten them altogether.

BE KIND TO YOUR WIFE.

If you find this difficult, begin by making up your mind that, during the next week, you will not, under any circumstances whatever, speak a cross word to her.  Carry out this resolution as well as you can.  Then the next week takes off the strain.  The natural tendency of cross words to misery will so startle you that you will soon try it for another week.  You will do better on the second trial.  This is important for your own peace of mind, for, in scolding and fretting, the average woman, if you get her started, can easily hold her own.  This woman is bound to you by stronger ties than you suppose.

GO OFF TWO HUNDRED MILES AND SEE!

She is also bound to you by very strong bonds in the law, as you would find out if you deserted her.  She is also entitled to a very high place in your goings and comings, as society teaches you.  When the President is inaugurated, there is a front seat close by for his wife.  The Chief Justice administers the oath, and there is another front seat for his wife, also.  So you need not be afraid of doing her too much honor.  Speak to her respectfully.  Perhaps there is a youngster watching you—­you have no idea how closely.  This youngster will try on his hand governing his mother, if he sees any opportunity whatsoever.  Just look to it that he does not see such an opening!  Your wife as you will know, has cares of a multifarious kind.  Her hours of labor greatly exceed yours, though she cannot concentrate her mind on one thing as you can.  She is fitted, by long years of inherited housewifery, to do this and then that with untiring devotion to the interests of her household.  You cannot, as a general thing, lighten those legitimate cares save by your smiles.  But you are a selfish man if you increase them by requiring any great amount of extra personal attention.  You will find it her nature to minister to you in many ways.  Let her alone in it.  Accept all gratefully, and do something in return

BY WAY OF FORMAL RECEIPT.