Page:Notable Irishwomen.djvu/155

 X.

1800-1881.

T is a popular idea that a marriage between two literary people is almost sure to turn out a disastrous failure. The proverb, "two of a trade never agree," is constantly quoted, and instances are brought forward about certain literary wives, who neglect their husband's shirt buttons, and leave his dinners to be looked after by an incompetent cook. When he is exhausted by the burden and heat of the day, he comes in to find his wife, "her eye in a fine frenzy rolling," far too much absorbed to attend to his comforts. A cat and dog life is generally the result. So much has been said on this subject, that many literary men avoid authoresses, and look out for a bride who has " no ink on her thumb when they kiss her hand."

Any writing, except the entry of items in a tradesman's book, is considered undesirable; yet facts—stubborn facts—prove that marriages between literary people do occasionally turn out extremely well. What could be more ideally happy than the