properly cared for, after the age of forty-five years she has a decided advantage over the man. It is really surprising what toil some women will endure, and how superior they often are to their married partners in middle age. Food, dress, tastes, and habits, have all no doubt an influence upon the general health; but it is a fact, that must be clear to everyone who has studied human nature, that he who was the protector in early life is the object of solicitude at a later period, and is often grateful for an able nurse in an affectionate wife. It is not necessary that we should descend to particulars in this matter; what we wish to impress upon the reader is, that in the decline of life, when age lays its hand upon the constitution, nature deals less gently with the male than the female.
We have already spoken of the aid which we can give to the corpulent lady in the decline of life. Let not those, however, who suffer from the opposite evil suppose that there is no aid for them. The stooping of the body, or the straight inelegant appearance which characterizes the lady who is what is generally termed "thin," may be as easily corrected. We forbear saying much upon this subject; but those who know precisely how the bones should be clothed can easily supply the appearance of what nature has denied, and if they cannot give the freshness of youth, they can at least impart the external proportions of mature life; but this is a matter to be accomplished, not written about.
We are often asked why it is that ladies are not so strong and healthy now as they were in former times. Our reply is, our grandmothers did not cut the waist with an unyielding ligature, and by dividing the abdomen induce those diseases which always accompany premature old age. Let those who value life and dread a premature death be careful how they dress.
