72 THE APPETITES. 



purchases, without always being compelled to call on him and make 

 pressing solicitations for it; as this is very unpleasant for her and 

 not a desirable task for anyone. Every reasonable and liberal hus- 

 band should and will accord to his wife the same rights and privi- 

 leges he himself exercises. He usually goes from home and returns 

 at will, as business or pleasure may demand. And has he any nat- 

 ural rights in this respect which she does not possess? If the hus- 

 band is animated by any of the true spirit of numan kindness and 

 liberality, he will no more ask or demand that the wife be eternally 

 domiciled within the walls of home than he would thus himself 

 consent to be immured. 



We find a husband making investments at will, even to pur- 

 chasing houses and lands, without consulting the wife. Should he 

 not, then, accord to her the privilege of making her own little per- 

 sonal and household investments without incurring censure? We 

 have not infrequently observed cases in which, if the wife only 

 made an investment of the most trifling article, even if it were but 

 an item of literature, as a book or magazine, she subjected herself 

 to reproach. The right course is, when it is not inconvenient, for 

 wife and husband to consult in matters of contemplated purchases. 

 This is especially the case when their means are limited or pecun- 

 iary embarrassment exists. Mutual confidence induces mutual re- 

 spect. For further remarks on this subject, the husband's attention 

 is invited to the article addressed to wives, where he will find many 

 observations that are likewise applicable to himself. 



THE APPETITES. 



Frequency of Indulgence On this subject it is impos- 

 sible, with propriety, to lay down any certain rule; since much 

 must depena upon the temperament and health of the individual. 

 As some require, and may safely take, more food and drink than 

 others, as we all know from experience and observation, it is plain 

 that a measure of indulgence quite safe and innocent in one case 

 would be wrong and dangerous in another. In this respect, it is 

 proper that every one should understand and govern himself. 

 "What and how much must I eat? And what and how much must I 

 drink? " are questions frequently asked of the physician, in reply to 

 which he can lay down no inflexible law. Much will depend upon 

 the constitution, and more upon the habits of the individual. Nature, 

 however, dictates except in special casee that we should eat and 

 drink as long as we are hungry and thirsty; and this, perhaps, as a 

 general statement, is a good, safe rule for the regulation of our in- 

 dulgence of these particular appetites. But the most important, by 

 far, of all our natural appetites is the sexual; and the proper limit 

 of indulgence here is still harder to be defined. Not only does it 

 depend, like those already named, upon the temperament, h&alth 



