Chapter III: Preface: To the Second Edition

The "wee, modest, crimson-tipped flower," as I called this book when it first made its appearance, has not been crushed with the ploughshare of criticism "among the stoure." On the contrary, it has been so well received that I am full of gratitude to the reviewers who recommended it and to the public who bought it. One critic suggested that to make the work complete a chapter on second marriages should be added. My reason for not writing such a chapter is that, not having myself been as yet often married, I did not presume to give advice to widows and widowers who have their own experience to guide them.

Taking up the book in a lending library a friend read aloud the title to a lady who accompanied her--"How to be Happy though Married." _Lady_: "Oh, bother the happiness; does it tell how to be married?" I hope that I may be pardoned if I cannot always do this.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. Page
HOW TO BE HAPPY _THOUGH_ MARRIED 1

CHAPTER II.
TO BE OR NOT TO BE--MARRIED? 9

CHAPTER III.
MARRIAGE-MADE MEN 20

CHAPTER IV.
THE CHOICE OF A WIFE 33

CHAPTER V.
THE CHOICE OF A HUSBAND 45

CHAPTER VI.
ON MAKING THE BEST OF A BAD MATRIMONIAL BARGAIN 52

CHAPTER VII.
MARRIAGE CONSIDERED AS A DISCIPLINE OF CHARACTER 65

CHAPTER VIII.
BEING MARRIED 71

CHAPTER IX.
HONEYMOONING 80

CHAPTER X.
MARRIAGE VOWS 87

CHAPTER XI.
"DRIVE GENTLY OVER THE STONES!" 101

CHAPTER XII.
FURNISHING 113

CHAPTER XIII.
MARRIED PEOPLE'S MONEY 119

CHAPTER XIV.
THE MANAGEMENT OF SERVANTS 129

CHAPTER XV.
PREPARATION FOR PARENTHOOD 140

CHAPTER XVI.
"WHAT IS THE USE OF A CHILD?" 146

CHAPTER XVII.
THE EDUCATION OF PARENTS 155

CHAPTER XVIII.
WANTED!--MOTHERS 162

CHAPTER XIX.
"NURSING FATHERS" 172

CHAPTER XX.
POLITENESS AT HOME 184

CHAPTER XXI.
SUNSHINE 192

CHAPTER XXII.
THEY HAD A FEW WORDS 201

CHAPTER XXIII.
PULLING TOGETHER 211

CHAPTER XXIV.
NETS AND CAGES 221

CHAPTER XXV.
HUSBANDS HAVE DUTIES TOO 235

CHAPTER XXVI.
THE HEALTH OF THE FAMILY 244

CHAPTER XXVII.
LOVE SURVIVING MARRIAGE 254

CHAPTER XXVIII.
"HE WILL NOT SEPARATE US, WE HAVE BEEN SO
HAPPY" 260