Rules for Wives

[W. Gray]

1846 rules for wives.

"A good wife will always receive her husband with smiles, leaving nothing undone to render home agreeable and gratefully reciprocate kindness and attention. She will study to discover means to gratify his inclinations in regard to food and cooking; in the management of her family; in her dress, manner, and deportment. She will in everything reasonably comply with his wishes, and as far as possible, anticipate them."

From the Illinois Gazette, July 25, 1846, as quoted by Daniel James Brown in his The Indifferent Stars Above.

In the same newspaper of the same date:

"A good husband will always regard his wife as his equal, treat her with kindness, respect, and attention and never address her with an air of authority as if she were, as some husbands appear to regard their wives, mere housekeepers."