This is an accepted matter of course, and not the result of any violent self-assertion on his part.

It is equally an accepted matter of course that the wife should be constantly occupied in keeping this little solar system in easy harmonious movement, evolving from it, if she has the skill, the music of the spheres.

She has no recognised independent personality of her own, nor even any right to go away by herself for a little change and recreation.

Any work of her own, play of her own, tastes of her own, must be strictly subordinated, if not suppressed altogether.
In the old days, from which our domestic traditions proceed, little hardship was thus inflicted on the wife.

Her rights and privileges were, indeed, far less than those of the modern woman, but for that very reason the home offered her a larger field; beneath the shelter of her husband the irresponsible wife might exert a maximum of influential activity with a minimum of rights and privileges of her own.