Page:Lady Anne Granard 1.pdf/118

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LADY ANNE GRANARD.
113

highest medical authorities." One system, however, still requires its organization and its treatise;—we allude to the sublime, yet delicate, the universal, yet domestic science of managing a husband. The science has its practice, but it lacks its theory. Theory follows the practice which it improves. Aristotle found his examples of poetry in Homer and Eschylus; and Ude's dishes had made the felicity of dinners, before either reduced their divine art to received and written rules. Conjugal government requires its treatises. A young woman setting out in life lacks a printed guide. Her cookery-book, however, may afford some useful hints till one be actually directed to the important subject just mentioned. Many well-known receipts are equally available for a batterie de cuisine or du cœur. Your roasted husband is subdued by the fire of fierce words and fiercer looks—your broiled husband, under the pepper and salt of taunt and innuendo—your stewed husband, under the constant application of petty vexations—your boiled husband dissolves under the watery influences—while your confectionized husband goes through a course of the blanc mange of flattery, or the preserves and sweets of caresses and smiles.

"So you are quite decided on not purchasing those lovely inlaid tables?" said Lady Penrhyn, as she stepped into her carriage, accompanied by her husband.

"Quite," replied Lord Penrhyn; "our drawing-rooms are already so crowded that it is much as one's neck is worth to walk across them."