A man changes wives so often in the Orient that they cannot be in charge of the household. It is therefore the eunuchs who do that : they are given all the keys, and they have the disposition of the household business. In Persia, says Mr. Chardin, women are given their clothing, as children would be. [1] Thus this duty that seems to suit them so well, this duty which everywhere else is the first of their duties, is no concern of theirs.