WIVES AND HOUSEWIVES; A Story for the Times. BY MARY HOOPER, AUTHOR OF LITTLE DINNERS," etc., etc., and professor of domestic ECONOMY BODI London: HOULSTON AND SONS, PATERNOSTER SQUARE. MDCCCLXXV. 251. c. 263 "Give us wealth, and the home shall exist!' But that is a very imperfect and inglorious solution of the problem, and therefore no solution. 'Give us wealth. You ask too much. Few have wealth; but all must have a home. Men are not born rich; and in getting wealth the man is generally sacrificed, and often is sacrificed without acquiring wealth at last. "I think it plain that this voice of communities and ages, 'Give us wealth, and the good household shall exist,' is vicious, and leaves the whole difficulty untouched. It is better, certainly, in this form, 'Give us your labour, and the household begins.""-EMERSON. WIVES AND HOUSEWIVES. Can we with back?" CHAPTER I. Y dear, I think we really must give a dance next month. Lily has been to a dozen parties at least, and we have not returned one." "A ball, and a grand dinner à la Russe next week. I shall be ruined!" "Now, Fred, it's senseless to talk like that. any propriety go out and not ask people I am "Well, I suppose not: but I know inviting me out to dinner is like asking a postman to take a long walk. tired of cold cod, greasy mutton, and insipid entrées." "Indeed! you are becoming vastly particular!" "Not at all. I am always satisfied with a chop or cutlet at my own table; but when I come home worn and wearied from the City, I fail to find the pleasure of dressing and driving, often a long distance, in order to eat a bad dinner and drink wine which unfits me for work the next day." "But how are we to keep up our circle if we do not go out?" "Well, possibly we might judiciously narrow that circle." "Oh, really," pettishly responded Mrs. Williams, "one is to give up one's friends and one's life's work, just as it is beginning to bear fruit, because you are sleepy in the evening." "You are unjust, Anne. I wish to give up no real |