The Ideal Husband: A Seattle Social Survey

At a recent gathering where a large number of Seattle ladies were present, the subject of masculine qualities desirable in a husband fell under discussion. 'A model husband,' exclaimed a lady, 'is one who allows his wife a pocketbook of her own. Nothing makes a woman feel so small and degraded as to be obliged to say, when asked to contribute to some worthy charity, 'Well, I may be able to assist; I must see my husband.''

Another lady, whose name and face are familiar as always being in the company of a man who is not her husband, said, 'It's dreadfully tiresome to be always dragging around with the same person. My idea is a man who makes money and lets me spend it!' The little lady in the north end, whose husband is still her devoted lover, said, 'My idea of a husband is that our own is a perfect beau ideal. He is so tender, so forgiving of my faults, so generous, and never forgets to show his love in all the little ways we women like.' By the end of the discussion, the writer concluded: Women want to be loved; a model husband must be an all-around man, and he must be well-bred—no woman wants to sit opposite a man who soaks his mustache in his coffee.