sh, and somewhat vulgar woman? But is it really any
worse? Is it less extravagant for a man to tickle his nose, than for a
woman to tickle her palate? If a cigar would enfoul the purity of a
woman, does it not of a man? Why is it more noble for a man to be the
slave of an appetite or a habit, than for a woman? Why is it less
impure for a man to saturate his hair, his breath and clothing, with
vile, stale odors, than for a woman? What right have men to suppose
that they can perfume themselves with stenches,--for whatever may be
the fragrance of a burning cigar, the after smell is a stench,--and be
any less offensive to a cleanly woman than a woman similarly perfumed
is to them? I have never heard that the female sense of smell is less
acute than the male. How dare men so presume on womanly sufferance?
They dare, because they know they are safe. I can think of a dozen of
my own friends who will read this and bring out a fresh box of cigars,
and smoke them under my very own face and eyes, and know all the time
that I shall keep liking them; and the worst of it is, I know I shall,
too. All the same, I do not thoroughly respect a man who has a habit
of smoking.

But if men will smoke, as they certainly will, because they are animal
and stubborn and self-indulgent and self-willed, let them at least
confine their fireworks to their own apartments. If a wife would rather
admit her fuliginous husband to her sitting-room than forego his
society altogether,--as undoubtedly most women would, for you see it is
not a question between a smoky husband and a clear husband, but between
a smoky one and none at all, because between his wife and his cigar the
man will almost invariably choose the cigar,--I have nothing to say.
But don't let a man go into other people's houses and smoke, or, above
all things, walk smoking by the side of women. No matter if she does
give you permission when you ask it. You should not have asked it. We
don't wish you to do it, you may be sure. It is a disrespectful thing.
It partakes of the nature of an insult. No matter how grand or learned
or distinguished you may be, don't do it. I saw once one of our
Cabinet Ministers walking, with his cigar in his mouth, by the side of
the wife of the British Minister, and it lowered them both in my
opinion, though I don't suppose either of them would take it much to
heart if they knew it. If you are walking in the woods or fields, it
may be pardonable; bu