WOMAN'S WORLD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 329, 3 March 1910, Page 6

WOMAN'S WORLD

WHAT ONE SHOULD KNOW BEFORE MAKlilliNU. j If ii were possible to"*"know' the woman before marriage many it lieaitbreak would be saved. Like the proverbial bull in a china shop is' a man when he first enters into a woman's life. If it were not for the love, which acts as an infallible stickfast, the new menage would be in pieces a-t the end of the first fortnight. Of course, women are aware that it is out of the question for man to know them in the limited time that is usually 'given to engagements; but the amus'ing part is that h* does not try. He would not think of taking charge of a motor-car before he ' had learned to drive, but any and every day he lightly undertakes the management of a machine infinitely more complicated. There are some things he can know, and some lie can't; but in his sublime complacency he ignores them all. He thinks he knows! "The nrst few weeks of married life are spent iu recovering from his' delusion. WOMAN—THE MYSTERIOUS. The only drawback to knowledge before marriage is the possibility of no marriage. Man is good at taking risks, but he is particularly shy of certainties. And if he had the choice of knowing and not knowing he would probably choose the latter—the uncertainty is the spice of the tiling to . him. With woman it is different. It is agony to her not to know;, and if sffe thinks somebody else knows more than she does —one may be sorry for somebody. If the man is wise he will paint for Tier as vividly as he can. each episode in his life. On 'his wife's knowledge of 'details, his luture happiness depends. Even the shady scenes are best related. A woman will forgive more before marriage than slie will after. Before his love is a novelty, his confidence a trust which she is proud to have even though it 'pains her; afterwards she feels she has been trapped, her confidence is shaken, suspicion is aroused, and she is never sure when the next revelation will come. A. man wants to treat a woman exactly as he would not treat a man. Let him not do to her as' he would hav<s her do to him is a very safe guide for him. Woman should clothe herself in a | certain amount of mystery. Only so can she hope to keep her husband's interest. Once let him know that he has got all there is to get and he will be off 1 on another quest; he wants "more worlds to conquer." MAN TAKES THE RISK. Jfow, that is one of the things' to know before marriage, for a woman is very apt to tell a man all she knows in the first days of courtship. Let her prolong the process, let him do the finding out, he will be long enough about it; and meanwhile she has him on a little hit of string. This follows all through. A secret may almost remain a s'ecret until after marriage. By that time lie has gained a pride of property —she is his wife—her strongest I pica to clemency. Had he known beiore marriage—— As it is, the knot is tied, rml it i-akes u verv great deal to make iiim break it. For all tuat woman thinks so much of the sacred relationship, it is generally sne who dissolves it. Now, if a man takes a good deal of , risk with nis marriage, woman takes i an equal amount on trust. Slie thinks because she loves him he must be all she imagines him to be. She builds an imaginary being, and then blames him that he bears no likeness' to ;t. For her j future peace of mind it is necessary for iier to know witli wnom s;ie has to deal. There is hope for her and for him if she takes him with open arms. But a woman in love scouts tiie very idea of' dissecting tiie man she is' to marry, and if you suggested that she should bring his bachelor days into the [ light of day——: ! ! And yet if she were buying a horse or a dog the pedigree would lie of importance. It is only the human animal which is accepted without question. Of course, fathers and mothers' are to blame. If tbev would put tlia veto on di-easc and drunkenness, the children of the one would die out and the others might, reform. . SICK-ROOM HINTS. Keeping the patient's feet warm'will prevent headaches. Oil all iocks and soap window cords to make them work easily, and thus save any undue noise. Hot sand well rubbed and brushed off will clean boards in a sick-room where scrubbing is impossible. When the sic'k-room is being ventilated, a screen should be passed in front of the window to prevent the danger ot a draught. People in general are not aware how es'sential it is to the health and happiness of the patient that there should be a free admission of ligTit into the sickroom. If the patient wishes to read by candle-light, place the candle behind the body so that the rays may pass over the patient's shoulder on to the book. This will greatly relieve the eyes. Flowers' should be always kept fresh in a sick-room and the water frequently changed. A small piece of charcoal

or half a teaspoonful of Condy's Fluid will keep the water sweet. Avoid all flowers with a strong scent. An excellent way to prevent the taste of medicine iss to take the mixture in a' glass as usual, and a tumbler of water beside it ; take the medicine and retain it in the mouth, which should be kept closed, and if you then commence drinking the water the taste of the medicine should be washed away. Another remedy is to hold the nostrils with the thumb and finger firmly while taking a disagreeable draught. If the patient objects to the medicine staining his or her teeth, a good plan is to take it through a straw. Feather beds should be banished from the sick-room. They are unnatural and have a weakening effect on the mus'cles. If hot-water bottles are not procurable, the next best substitute is a brick. Heat it well in the oven and then wrap it round with flannel. A sick person's hair should never be allowed to become tangled. Braid the hair, in the case of a woman, in one or two plaits, and arrange as attractively as possible. Linen rags should be carefully saved, for they are extremely useful in sickness. If they have become dirty and worn by cleaning silver, wash them and scrape them into lint. Never, when warming a "bottle which is to do duty as a foot-warmer, place it in the oven with the cork or stopper in, as it will probably burst, and there might be a serious aecidemt. If there is a strong wind and the doctor has left orders that a window in tne sicK-room must De kept open an night, nail a piece of muslin over the aperture. This will prevent draughts and at the same time not obstruct the ventilation. The material should be coarse. : .