women, and through no fault of theirs--"all
these," said an eminent neurologist, in talking of this absorbing
topic, "are impairing the agreeableness and curtailing the usefulness
of our women, and will in the end destroy our women themselves."

I hope it is not true. If it is true, we had better find the cause of
it and apply the remedy, or we are a lost people; for that nation is
doomed whose women have ceased to be vital, good-tempered, and
home-loving.

May not the too heavy early education of young girls have something to
do with this later desperation of their nerves? Is not the blood taken
from vital centers where Nature meant it to go for the upbuilding of
womanhood and forced into the brain at a period when Nature meant that
brain to be the very paradise of joyous dreams and happy imaginings?
While we may thus gain a staccato smartness, a jerky and inconsequent
brilliancy, do we not lose something of the natural woman and the
delicious heartiness, spontaneous wit and instinctive wisdom of her? I
venture no opinion here--I merely suggest the query. Why don't the
doctors begin a crusade about this? It is their business.

The keen, practical sense of women in purely business affairs has been
noted in other papers, and the causes of it. The young man who
neglects this helpfulness simply throws away wisdom. Not to counsel
with your wife on business matters that affect your mutual fortune is
sheer stupidity. Also, it is morally wrong. From the very nature of
her she is more interested than you in strengthening the walls of your
new home, in making your joint experiment in the living of life a
beautiful success. Her words are the counsel of instinct, and
therefore of Nature. And Nature is wise.

Of course there are some things you cannot tell her. If you are a
lawyer, or a doctor, you are dishonorable if you tell your wife or any
other human being any secret of client or patient. Not that she is not
to be trusted--for she is. She will carry to her grave any secret that
affects you. But the disclosures of client or patient are not _your_
secrets. If they were, she would be entitled to know them--ought to
know them. But no woman of sense will permit you to tell her any
professional confidences. Don't expect her to be helpful to you in
your profession or occupation except by counsel.

Of course there is the great and inestimable help that comes from the
mere fact that she is your wife. After all, that is the very g