The-Conquest-of-Happiness-by-Bertrand-Russell

continually increasing protest. At last he told her
that she really must learn moderation, and that in
future he would only pay her bills when the amount
seemed reasonable. When her next dressmaker’s
bill came in, she was for a moment at her wits’
end, but presently she bethought herself of a
scheme. She went to the War Minister and
demanded that he should pay her bill out of the
funds provided for the war. Since he knew that she
had the power to get him dismissed, he did so, and
the French lost Genoa in consequence. So at least
some books say, though I am not prepared to vouch
for the exact truth of the story. For our purpose it is
equally apt whether true or an exaggeration, since
it serves to show how far the passion for clothes
may carry a woman who has the opportunity to
indulge it. Dipsomaniacs and nymphomaniacs are
obvious examples of the same kind of thing. The
principle in these matters is fairly obvious. All our
separate tastes and desires have to fit into the
general framework of life. If they are to be a
source of happiness they must be compatible with
health, with the affection of those whom we love,