There be men, and not bad men either, and men neither uneducated, or unintelligent, or irrational in ordinary matters, who seem to be absolutely unfitted by nature to have the custody or guardianship of others.

A woman in the hands of such a man can hardly save herself or him from endless trouble.

It may be that between such a one and his wife, events shall flow on so evenly that no ruling, no constraint is necessary,--that even the giving of advice is never called for by the circumstances of the day.

If the man be happily forced to labour daily for his living till he be weary, and the wife be laden with many ordinary cares, the routine of life may run on without storms;--but for such a one, if he be without work, the management of a wife will be a task full of peril.

The lesson may be learned at last; he may after years come to perceive how much and how little of guidance the partner of his life requires at his hands; and he may be taught how that guidance should be given;--but in the learning of the lesson there will be sorrow and gnashing of teeth.