No: far be it from me to scorn the pleasures of the palate. I would by no means consider it wicked to eat, semi-occasionally, a bit of cake; and there may be times in the year when even pie would be in order. But I protest against making these things the essentials; against its being taken for granted, that in whatever press for time,--in sickness and in health, in strength and in weakness, in sorrow and in joy,--the table must be spread with this prescribed, though needless, variety of food. And, as it is the men-folks who are to “be satisfied,” I appeal to them to “be satisfied” with that which requires less of woman’s labor and of woman’s life. III. CONCERNING COMMON THINGS. Whoever would be tranquil, let him not investigate. Ever since I began inquiring into household affairs, my mind has been disturbed by a doubt--not quite a doubt; call it an uneasiness--as to the mental superiority of the dominant sex. No, it cannot amount to positive doubting. That would be to fly in the face of facts. History proves that the greatest philosophers, the greatest artists, the greatest writers, the greatest thinkers, have been men. If woman has the ability to be as great in these directions, why has she not been as great? There has certainly been time enough,--six thousand years at the lowest calculation. Well, then, since facts cannot be disputed, there can be no reasonable doubt upon this subject; but--No, I won’t say _but_: I won’t admit the possibility of a _but_. I will only say that it is very puzzling and very annoying to have one’s daily observations tend to undermine--not undermine, conflict with--one’s belief. And it may happen, that, if a man watch too closely what goes on in-doors, the idea will be suggested to him, that while he prides himself, very likely, on working well at one trade, a woman may work well at half a dozen, and not pride herself at all. Mr. Fennel is a carpenter. Mr. Melendy is a shoemaker. Each is master of one trade, and only one, and works at that all day. Mr. Fennel doesn’t stop to mend his shoes. Mr. Melendy doesn’t leave off pegging to make a new front-door. Mrs. Fennel is mistress of many trades. Mrs. Fennel is cook, tailoress, dressmaker, milliner, dyer, housemaid, doctor, and boy’s capmaker; also, at times, schoolmaster, lawyer, and minister. For she hears the children’s lessons; she adjusts their quarrels with the judgment of a judge; and she gives them sermons on morals which contain the gist of the whole matter.