READER. I like your system better than that of the law, not only because woman is the equal of man therein, but because wards will be better protected by it; I have known men to cause their wives, over-excited by their ill treatment, to be placed under interdict, in order to remain masters of their property; on the other hand, you know how many children are wronged or made unhappy by the second marriage of their father. A step-mother has full power to inflict suffering on the little unfortunates. But you have said nothing of the authority of parents over their children. AUTHOR. The authority of the parents over the children is the same; the expression, paternal authority, is incomplete; the true phrase would be _parental_ authority. On this head, we demand that if there be dissension between the father and mother with regard to the children, the family council shall decide in the first instance. That neither the father nor the mother shall have power to shut up the child unless _both are agreed_. That the father or the mother acting as guardian shall not have power to have recourse to this measure except with the concurrence of the inspecting guardian, or, in case of difference, with the approbation of the family council, always reserving the right of appeal to the court. That the marriageable age shall be fixed at twenty-five for both sexes. READER. Shall we demand the suppression of separation from bed and board? AUTHOR. No; but we must demand that _divorce shall be established_. That divorce may be obtained for the adultery of one of the parties, cruelty, grave abuses, condemnation to punishment affecting the liberty or person, notorious vices, incompatibility of temper, mutual consent. That, during the suit for separation or for divorce, the guardianship of the children shall be given to the most deserving parent; and that, if both are alike unworthy, a guardian and inspecting guardian of different sexes shall be appointed. That, if both are deserving, they shall settle it amicably between themselves before the family council. That parties married under the dotal system or under that of the separation of goods, shall have control of their own property. That if the petition for divorce be on account of the bad management of the common property, the administration shall be taken away from the husband and entrusted to the wife. That if the petition be on account of the condemnation of one of the parties to punishment affecting the liberty or person, the other shall remain administrator. That, in all other cases, an inventory shall be made and the spouse best fitted to the task be appointed guardian under the surveillance of one or two members of the family of the other spouse, with the obligation of furnishing estovers to the other.