The mediæval ideal was an ascetic and monastic life. To-day, millions regard such a course as unwise, if not wicked. Poverty, heretofore esteemed as the badge of honor and dignity, is by our era adjudged offensive. Nomadism prevailed in a former age. Now gypsies and tramps are the outcasts of society. Regarding marriage, public opinion has varied through all phases, without attaining finality. In earliest times how indiscriminate is the tie--the monstrous relation of brother and sister being the rule, rather than the exception. Polygamy prevails with one people and polyandry among another. In India and the Orient a wife is hidden from the dearest friend, while in Africa a chief will put his mate to bed with a guest. In Japan young women, even of good birth, “are free in their intercourse with men, till they are married; at Paris they are free after.” In ancient Greece and Rome, again, marriage was not the highest conception, and largely “a matter of convenience and housekeeping.” Wives were little, if any better, than slaves. The class of women known as Hetairai (concubines and mistresses) were openly honored and trusted by both political and social leaders. The name of Aspasia is closely associated with that of Pericles. Theodota was the intimate of Socrates. Diotima has been immortalized in the “Symposium” of Plato. The splendid ideal of our century is the monogamic state--“the great theme of romantic literature, and the climax of a myriad novels and poems.” In classic Greece the idealistic model was male friendship--comradeship. We have its type in the heroic figures of Harmodius and Aristogiton. The Theban Legion, or “Sacred Band,” exemplified the principle. No man might enter without his lover. Although annihilated at the battle of Chæronæa, it was never vanquished. The literature of Greece and Rome illuminate this exalted sentiment. The writings of Pliny the younger, Cicero and Lucian, are worthy of especial mention. Many sweet and noble friendships are embalmed in the poetry of Hellas and Latium; Demetrius and Antiphilus; Damon and Pythias; Phocion and Nicoles; Glaucus and Diomedes; Philades and Orestes; Cicero and Atticus; Socrates and Alcibiades; Lucilius and Brutus; Tiberius Gracchus and Blossius; Caius Gracchus and Licinus.