I detest Utopia, and these things seem so far away that I am more content to take marriage as it is in the hope that unhealthy novels, unnecessary discussions, unwholesome views, and unnatural feelings may little by little reform mankind. Meanwhile, I hold fast to the private maxim that hardly anything is unendurable if one sets up that all mankind could not give one a quite worthy mate. But there is another alleviation: understanding not only that one is married to somebody else, but also that somebody else is married to yourself, and that it is quite as hard for the other party. There are many excellent things to be done; here are a few: (1) Do not open each other's letters. (For one reason you might not like the contents.) And try not to look liberal if you don't even glance at the address or the postmark. (2) Vary your pursuits, your conversation, and your clothes. If required, vary your hair. (3) If you absolutely must be sincere, let it be in private. (4) (Especially for wives.) Find out on the honeymoon whether crying or swearing is the more effective. (5) Once a day say to a wife: "I love you"; to a husband: "How strong you are!" If the latter remark is ridiculous, say: "How clever you are!" for everybody believes that. (6) Forgive your partner seventy times seven. Then burn the ledger. [Illustration] * * * * * _By the author of "The Second Blooming"_ THE STRANGERS' WEDDING _By_ W. L. GEORGE 12mo. Cloth. 450 pages. $1.35 _net_. Readers of "The Second Blooming," one of the most discussed novels of 1915, will welcome the announcement of another novel of married life by this talented English author. "The Strangers' Wedding" is the story of Roger Huncote, a young man of the upper classes who, inflamed with philanthropic ideals, joins a settlement to work among the poor. He is speedily undeceived as to the usefulness of the movement and the worthiness of those who control it, and conceiving an unreasonable disgust of his own class, marries the daughter of a washerwoman. Realizing that there may be little difficulties, he believes that when two people care deeply for each other nothing else can matter. But Huncote has much to learn; and most of the story is concerned with the pitiful misunderstandings between the young husband and the young wife, both of whom are charming but as unable to meet as east and west. Mr. George indicates with much psychological subtlety the reversion of the "strangers" to their own class, which ultimately leads them to a happy ending. This novel is throughout pathetic, but it contains a great deal of broad humor and deserves its sub-title, "The Comedy of a Romantic." _By the Author of "The Stranger's Wedding"_ THE SECOND BLOOMING _By_ W. L. GEORGE 12mo. 438 pages. $1.35 _net_. A strong and thoughtful story.--_New York World._ A story of amazing power and insight.--_Washington Evening Star._