Now we do not intend to assert that there are not many men who are unwearied in their tenderness in time of illness; but this we must say, that there are thousands more who “vote sickness a bore,” who have little sympathy with, little tolerance for it; who married to have a cheerful companion, not a drooping, languid invalid to come home to; and who soon begin to seek elsewhere that companionship and that cheerfulness they have failed to find at home. And alas! when a man’s love has once been dimmed, or alienated from his wife, it never wholly recovers its lost lustre, but remains a mere mechanical matter of duty or honour, and too often not even that. Matrimony may bind a man to his wife legally, but herself only can retain her empire over his heart; and to do this, she will need even more than her former charms, and attractions, and fascination, besides a vast variety of other attributes which her new position will require of her. Our great poet, Shakspere, says— “Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper, Thy head, thy sovereign; one that cares for thee And for thy maintenance—commits his body To painful labour both by sea and land, While thou ly’st warm at home, secure and safe; And craves no other tribute at thy hands But love, fair looks, and true obedience.” Women little dream what they peril when, after marriage, they neglect the accomplishments, the tasteful dress and adornments, the charming _coquetterie_ of manner which enthralled the lover. They not only risk their happiness, for it depends on him, but they neglect what ought to be their highest ambition—that of proving how much dearer is the wife than the mistress, and of rendering home a refuge from cares, a scene of tranquil happiness, social enjoyment, and real comfort. * * * * * There are few things more perplexing at first to young housewives than the momentous question of dinner. Now, a good cookery book, a short walk round the region where the marketing is done, and a knowledge of family likes and dislikes, will generally enable even a novice to arrange this important matter, at least so far as the ordering goes, the cooking being another consideration. A glance at those pages in which we give a list of the things in season for each month, will assist the housewife in her selection for the table, and enable her to cater for variety, whilst a visit to the market will enable her to expend her money economically. Things must not only be “in season,” but “in reason,” to make a moderate income productive of the greatest degree of comfort. _Joints_ should always, when weather permits, be purchased fresh, and then hung as long as is deemed requisite to fit them for eating. A knowledge of the _sauces_ and _condiments_ appropriate to every dish, is a subject well worth attention.