[PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES] Dedicated TO THE YOUNG WIVES WHO DESIRE THE BEST FOR THEMSELVES, FOR THEIR HUSBANDS AND FOR THEIR OFFSPRING PREFACE To this generation as to no other, are we indebted for the awakening of woman. Not the awakening alone which has led her out of the old lines into nearly every avenue open to man in his pursuit of the necessities and luxuries of life; but that other and larger awakening which has set her down face to face with herself, and in her study of woman she has shown herself courageous. Bravely acknowledging her own limitations, she has set herself the task of fortifying the weak points, curbing the more daring aspirations, and getting herself into trim, so to speak, that she may traverse the sea of life, without danger to herself, her cargo, or to any of the countless ships which follow in her wake, or that pass her in the day or the night. Not all women have yet awakened, and for those who have eyes to see, and have seen, a great work is still waiting to be done. They must reach out and rouse their sisters. Will they do it? With our young wives rests the weal or woe of the future generations. To them we say, “What of the future, and what sort of souls shall you give to it?” EMMA F. A. DRAKE. DENVER, Colorado, United States of America. _February 1st, 1901._ CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. INTELLIGENCE OF THE YOUNG WIFE. Out of girlhood into wifehood.—The setting up of a new home.—Woman’s exalted place.—Earlier influences.—Importance of intelligence.—Woman fitted by creator for wifehood and motherhood.—The position of reproductive organs in the body.—Dangers of crowding contents of abdomen.—What all young wives need to know.—Premium previously set upon ignorance.—Heredity.—Failures and successes of our ancestors.—Faults and virtues transmitted through heredity, 21-35 CHAPTER II. HOME AND DRESS. Preparations for successful home-makers.—The importance of sensible dress.—An opportunity for reform.—The conditions of attractive dress.—A question of healthfulness.—What wives need to know concerning dress.—The kind to be avoided.—Injurious dress destroying the race.—The ailments caused by wrong dressing.—The corset curse.—A summary of the evils of dress, 37-46 CHAPTER III. HEALTH OF THE YOUNG WIFE.