of, that there are very few men indeed who are good enough for
women.

I know of nothing more pleasant than the company of a jolly,
broad-minded, intelligent old maid, who knows that she can let herself
'go' and be a good 'pal' to you, without running the risk of hearing
remarks passed of a more or less objectionable character. I know of
nothing more enjoyable than the pleasure of such an old maid's company.
I count old maids among my most cheerful and companionable friends.

The old bachelor is a social failure, a sort of rebellious outcast, who
ought to pay an income-tax of ten shillings in the pound. But the old
maid who is bright, clever, cheerful, generous, charitable, hospitable,
is an ornament to society and one of its most useful members.

CHAPTER XL

SHOULD PEOPLE REMARRY?

The excuse most people give for remarrying--St. Peter's opinion of
men who have been married more than once--Stepmothers.

In some countries of the Far East the question has been settled, so far
as women are concerned: they burn their widows. In many places much
nearer home it is not unfrequent to hear the opinion expressed that
widows should be disposed of as in Malabar. Our genial friend Mr. Sam
Weller, senior, entertained, on the subject, views which did not much
differ from those of the sages of Malabar.

In the case of widowers I should feel inclined to answer the question
in the negative. If you have been happy in your first marriage, do not
risk comparisons which might be odious. If you have been unhappy, do
not ask for a second dose. In both cases, therefore, I come to the
conclusion that the answer should be, Don't!

People who remarry, men or women, have invariably the same excuse. They
apologize by saying that they take the important step for their
children's sake. If they were to follow their own inclination, they
would spend the rest of their natural lives weeping over the graves of
the beloved defunct, but they must not be selfish and think of
themselves alone, they must remember that they have children who depend
on them for their welfare, and they are ready to do their duty and
sacrifice their own inclinations and feelings. The devotion of which
the human heart is capable, man's especially, will save the race from
oblivion when it is gone from the earth.

A widower who remarries invariably reminds his friends that children
should be brought up under the sweet and beneficial care of a woman,
and he