How to be Polite to Your Mother. in-Law.

Otago Witness, Volume 25, Issue 2321, 25 August 1898, Page 60

How to be Polite to Your Mother. in-Law.

' The mother-in-law in real life is not nearly so bad as she is pictured. The comic-paper jokes have misrepresented her. Sons-in-law have persisted in viewing her through hostile eyes. If she is a " lone widow," her lot in life is apt to be anything but happy. For, generally speaking, Brio is more sinned against than sinning. He is tho wise son-in-law who keeps in the good gxaces of his mother-in-law. The man who regards his mother-in-law as wholly without influence in his home is the most mistaken individual in the land. If she happens to be a member of his immediate family her influence is generally both seen and heard. Every son-in-law should treat his mother- , in-law with the same courtesy and deference that he showed during the time he was courting her daughter. He should welcome her to his home with the same cordiality that he would show any other of his wife's guests. He should bear in mind that he owes her something for robbing her of her daughter, and that it is something he can never repay. He should, therefore, continually show his indebtedness to her by kindness and thoughtfulness. He should be attentive to her wants. He should never assume the role of a jealous husband in relation to his wife's devotion to her mother.

He ohould always be affectionate and kinfl to his wife and children in the presence of

his mother-in-law. If he wilfully scorn this bit of advice he can rely upon it that oven the most angelio of mothers-in-law will straightway begin to make his life wretched. And there is no wretchedness and havoc like unto that a mother-in-law can accomplish if she will. He should remember that no doubt all his wife's virtues were inherited from her mother, and that to his mother-in-law, therefore, he should offer thanks. He should always regard his mother-in-law as the guest of the

Ihis mother-in-law. If he wilfully scorn this bit of advice he can rely upon it that even the most angelic of mothers-in-law will I straightway begin to make his life wretched. ', And there is no wretchedness and havoc like unto that a mother-in-law can accomplish if > sha will. 1 Ho should remember that no doubt all his i wife's virtues wore inherited from her mother, I and that to his mother-in-law, therefore., he should offer thanks. He should always regard his mother-in-law as the guesi> of the house. He should also bear patiently any little ' suggestions she may offer as to how the house ' should or should not be run. He may not ; necessarily adopt all of them, but in any ' caso he should remember that they are offered usually in a kindly spirit and with intent to help. I He should never force Iho care of the children upon her, nor ask her to do menial work about tho house. ; Ke should not expect her to stay home and . rock the baby while he and his wife go to • the theatre, but instead he should ask her to , join them. In sending his wife flowers on such an occasion, he should not forget his mother-in-law. 1 Ho should refrain from continually telling his wife of her mother's faults. | He should not suggest that his moiher-in-1 law occuoy the fourth-storey hall beclvoom. 1 She should have one of the best rooms in the | house. — New York Journal.