Society has done this. The laws man makes, man must enforce. But what God hath joined together, no man can put asunder. What God hath not joined together, man is not very successful in combining. We have demonetized woman, taking away from her the natural strength, courage and independence that belong to the mother; made of her a slave, under which condition she does not thrive. And neither does man thrive in being master, for the chain that holds the one is fastened to the wrist of the other. Woman must make herself economically free, find work that exercises her body and her mind, and most of the cause of discord, unrest and unhappiness will have disappeared. THE MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE _Its only end is the principle of existence.--Disraeli._ People who marry without ideals entering in as part of the contract have few disappointments or troubles. If the woman expects the man simply to provide shelter, food, raiment, and the man expects a good cook, housekeeper and valet, and each fulfils his part of the expectation, there are few other demands. Tenderness, kindness, attentions are asked for very moderately, and good service brings its own reward. Each understands the situation and has accepted this business arrangement with marriage. So there is no disappointment, no heartache. They get out of their marriage all they had expected. They are not guilty of experiment and folly. They have their quota of commonsense--and use it. Their ideals are simple and easily attained. CONCLUSION _We two have climbed together, Maybe we shall go on yet, side by side.--Schreiner._ Lovers who marry think more of the Ideal than of all else. And if or when the Ideal ceases to remain in the presence of the husband or the wife, then love is gone. In its place sorrow sits. * * * * * Whatever marriage may have been in the past, it has now two distinct phases which should be definitely understood by all people. I. The business partnership. II. The spiritual relation. THE BUSINESS OF MARRIAGE _You are dealing with something far more precious than any plant--the priceless soul of a child.--Burbank._ The civic recognition of marriage does not take direct cognizance of the Ideal, or love-phase, of this unilateral contract, although it assumes that love is the motive of the union. The state takes it for granted that the purpose of this union is to perpetuate the race, give to the state citizens. The permanence of the marriage is supposed to be desirable, because the physical support and welfare of wife and children rests with the husband, unless he become insane, sick or criminal. Then Charity gives the pauperizing support of a tyrant. Desirable citizens are seldom evolved in "Institutions." Occasionally, a mother is endowed with power to maintain her family alone; but the instances are few.