The Statesman.
London, England, 1822-08-29 00:00:00

THE STATESMAN

NEW M.4RRI4GB ecr..

The New Marriage Act, Is one in which the 1,014
are more in t ted, than 99 out of 100 chapters
of the Statute Hookl for it comes home to the
feelings of every indivTdual about to enter into the
molests contract of matrimony. Although the Aet
takes pleas on ski Ist of September, It has lot
been until recently that printed copies hare been oh
tainable : and there is seeks want of method is its
provisions, and so absented are the clauses with techni-
cality, that it is probable sot one in ten unprofessional
readers will will rise from its perusal with a clear
Ilea of its meaning.
it is very commonly supposed, that the only ef-
fect of the Act is to create diSculties in the way of
marriage; bet this is not correct. By the old Act.
If a marriage was *solemnized by license irregularly
obtained, such marriage was liable to be declared void
at any distance of tint*, even though the pertles bad
lived together all their lives, and had left their chil-
dren to the quiet inheritance of their property. Hut,
Isv the nes Act, a marriage once celebrated, is valid
to all intents and purposes, or se far at least as
marriages were allowable by the Ecclesiastical Law,
before the Act of Oro. 20d%
Mach greater formality- is now required, than
heretofore, both in °Walsh,/ a license, and in pro-
curing the .puhlication of Banns. The Surrogate,
the Miniver, and the parties to be married, are all
punishable for neglecting or improperly tint
the diiretions of the Act: yet when once the marriage
takes place, it cannot be set a.itle for any previous
Irregularity. i
Hereto is sub oined, as coacisely as possible, the
substance of the regulations, so far as concerns the
parties to be married. And first as to the maul-
age by

Ltrawatt.
1. Esrh of the Parties belongs to one of three tal-
ky/rine:lassos:—
A Person of 21 f arr, or upwards, et
A WiJtorer or Willow under that age, or
A Barhelor, or Spinster, antler that age.
2. Nora person belonging to either of the twe first
clauses, no consent of parents or guardians is re-
quired.
3. A person belonging to the 31 class, must obtain the
consent of his or her father, if Hying ; or if dead, then
of at least one gnardian lawfully appointed ; or if none,
then of his or her mother, being unmarried; or if none,
she, of his or her guardian, appointed by the Court of
Cbanrery.
4. Such consent must be In writing, signed by the
party giving the same, and the signature attested by two
witnesses.

h. Such written consent most also specify is what cha-
racter she party _•ion consent.
6. Every person belonging to the first class most pro-
cure as extract from the Register of his or hrr Baptism;
and the extract must be mad• or compared by a dish:-
terestad person.
7. The Parties to he married. having obtaiserl such
written consents. and extracts from Registers, as their
rate may reqoire. may then, apply to a Surrogate for a
Crease.

_
S. EACh Party must make oath before the Sem:rate.
as to the Class to which he or she, and also t►e other
patty, belongs; Also, as to the parish where be or she
has rrsided far the last fore weeks. The oath to be po-
sitive, as to the party swearing; and according to belief,
as to the other party.
9. in ease either party belongs to the 3d Class, both
parties must maks. oat► that the necessary consent has
been obtained in the maser mentioned above (3).
10. If an 7 extract or Register be required (G), the
parson making or comparing it, mast attend, and prove
the same on oath, before the Surrogate, and further
identify the party described therein, according to his

I I. 1f any written consent be required (4 and 5) one
of the nitaesses to the consent must attend, and prove
the same upon oath before the Surrogate.
12. Some disinterested person must also make oath,
that be believes the person giving such written consent,
to hr the person who has authority to give the same ;
and also that he knows the party, to whose marriage
such consent is necessary.
13. It seems that the witness, proving the written
consent. may also (if capable) identify the parties, as
rrr:nireti in the last pirarraph.
14. License is only in force for three months, that is
to say, 12 Wecks.—('Po be continued.)

The followin: is the opinion of the King's Advocate,
Sir Christopher Robinson, upon the above Act:—
Referring to the late Act, 311 George IV. e. 75, ere. IR,
and the former Marriage Art, the opinion of the King's
Advocate is requested, on the following questions.—
whether any Marriage or Marriages, from and after the
Ist September next ensuing, can be valid, or any Minis.
ter or Ministers solemnizing the same, be in the legal
exercise of his or their duty, of which Marriage or Mar-
riages all the three I publications of banns, or two
or one of such publications which have taken place
onformatey with the beforeqnentioned Act of his Ma.
jesty King tieorge the Second, " for preventing Clan-
lestine Marriages," and previously to Me Ist of Sep-
tember P
" Doctors' Commons, Aug. 27, 1822.

" The clauses of the late Marriage Act (s. 16. 22.) re-
lating to banns, contain nothing contrary to the former
Act, nor substantially differing therefrom
" The names, abode, and age of the parties are re-
spired to he stated in affidavit, and the names and
~toodes are to be affived to the I.;burels dews., sad reenaiw
there- during the three Sondays on which the banns
shall be published t that is, in future Cases (as I under-
stand it), hot nut excluding exceptions of former pahli-
• aliens, brier • 14700/ existing. which are no‘gigulled
be any term. in ibis Act, nor be necessary impllation
arising therefrom.
" The 19:11Claose declares that after the solemnize-
ti to of any marriage under • publication by banns,
such marriage shall not be avoidable for want of, or by
reason of any defect in, any such affidavit, or on account
of the true name or names of either party, not being
used in the publication of such banns, or for such
name or names not having been affixed as afore-
said." There can be no nullity or invalidity, there-
fore, arising out of the forms introduced in the above
(denies. . . .

" Considering that those Clauses are to he construed,l
in conjunction with the former Act, beneficially for the
furtherance of marriage, and so as not to interrupt the
ordinary means of contracting lawful marriage, I am of
opinion that henna published under the former Act be-
fore the ht of September, will ensure and be valid,
:Orly, if completed. or as the case may be, in conjunc-
tion with banns duly published after that day, under the
provisions of the late Act ; and that the Minister solem-
nising marriage tl trews, will be in the legal exercise
of his duty. (Signed) " Cuartrr. ItonissoN."
v.,••••••••
Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of
Gloucester have arrived at their seat at nagshot from
Leamington sad Cheltenham, at *WY places they had
remained some time.

• • ruk ntatv OP suassx:

--mar—

[ream Tilt TOSS COURANI.I
You, Auouer 2G -•;-The Doke hiving caseated to
receive the address of the Corporation hawse twelve
and Die this day, the corporate body were samatotted
to attend at file Comma Hall, at the bear'of tad*.
They soon after proceeded is a body to the bean of
Robert Chaloner, Esq. at which his Royal Higheas is
now on a visit; asd never, is the memory of any lobs-
latent of York, was there a more numerous attendant:
—s certain proof that the public ad private virtues
of the Royal stranger are, in this city, universally ad-
mired. The orate and the windows were crowded
to ewes. while the dogleg of bells added MID the
busy .
It having bees considered that there was sot use
room in Mr. Chaloser's house sufficiently large to
amain the whole corporate body ad the several
friends of Mr. Chaloner who were pasta, the mem-
bers of the Corporation were, en their arrival at the
mansion, shown into large rooms, where they remained
a short time during a shower of rain.
I: was afterwards announced that his Royal High-
ness was desirous that all should be preent daring the
reading of the address, &c.; sod the weather having
improved, be bad repaired to the front of the Isom
where his Royal Highness would have great *ow
is meeting the corporate body. :
The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, with
der, Aldermen, Common Conseil. &e. aad Atello
quires, bearing the sword and mace, then preeeeeed
In regular order to the Duke, whilst the wisdoms
and the roofs of the adjoining bases were crowded
with spectators.
As the procession approached. the royal visitor
stood io feat of a small but neat summer haw, with
his star on his breast, and his bat in one heed. The
partirs respectfully bowed to each other, and the Lord
Mayer stepped forward, and addressed his Royal High.
nets in nearly the following words :
" May it please your Royal Highness,-1 have the ho.
noor to approach your Royal person I. behalf of myself,
the Recorder, the City Council, my brother Aldermen,
and the Corporation at !Argo, to congratulate you upon
your safe arrival in this ancient city. The Recorder
will present you with an address upon Ibis occation,
which you have graciously condescended to accet, tad
which he will have the honour of reading to you.'
The Duke bowed most graciously ; and the wor-
thy Recorder immediately read the following ad
dress

" TO MS ROYAL 11101011511 AUOVSTVI PBCDIIIICII, MT

Or SUSSEX.

" May it please your Royal Highnem,—The Lord
Marie and Commonalty of the ancient city of York, i a
their owe names, and in the names of all the inhabitants
thereof, humbly offer your Royal Ilighness their weeni-
est thanks for condescending to honour thew with your
presence and countenance.
" Your Royal Highness's ',ohne and private virtues
have long been objects of their observation and approba•
Lion; and their estimation of anse virtues is not likely
to be lessened by a more intimate acqa4iotenee with
your Royal Highness's well known affability and good
nature.

"The plinciples that first placed the peese.ot gilheto-
- family (of libido your Royal Highness se as ami-
able sod exeelleet member) upon Hie throne of them
realms, at the same time established a ceastitutiori
founded on the basis of liberty and law; basj
nourished a mealy spirit and proud national ekaracter
amongst us. and has spread the British time and WM. .1
by sea and land, to the uttermost ends of the mirth.
Reflections from these sources cannot fail to ex-
cite in your Royal Highness's generwas breast, as they
do in the hearts of all his Majesty's loyal subject',
the warmest feelings of dignified pride sad geneibe ph-
triotism.
" Your Royal Highness is humbly requested to accept
the freedom of this ancient city, and to !wooer it by
permitting your Royal name to be enrolled among its
freemen.
" Given nailer our common seal, this 26th day of
August, 1822."

During the reading of the Address, a few drops of rain
caused a gentlemen to offer an umbrella to Lis Hoye,
Highness; but he very politely declined baring Vs own
person screened from the rain, whilst the corporate body
were exposed to it.
The Recorder having read the Address, .hipresented
the same, and then made the following remarks':—
" Allow me to add, that it gives me real and un►ffeet-
ed pleasure,in thus bring favoured with an opportunity
of testifying, as an individual, my profound respect and
Lion for your Royal Highness's general deport-
ment and character, and specially for your patriotic
and dignified system of public conduct. And likewise
of having the honour to p nt to your Royal Highness
this Address of the Lord Mayor and Commonality of the
city of York."

The Duke seemed highly. gratified, and immediately
commenced with the following reply:—
`• lily Lord Mayor, and Gentlemenuf the Communality
of the antleotrity of York,-1 retoro yea my best thanks
for the kind manner in which I have been received by
you and the inhabitants of this city on my arrival
here, as well as for your very flattering compliment on
the occasion.
" It is with pl , gentlemen, that I accept of the
freedom of your ancient city; and I shall alway's,be
proud to know that my name is enrolled amongst its
freemen ; being assured by you that 1 am indebted fur
this distinction to your approval of those principles
which 1 have hitherto adopted, and ever shall iiitasisltr.
for the regulation of my public conduct, have *lrmo
been taught to believe that the more attentively aid
reslonsly the liberty of the subject is watehed and pre-
served, the greater is the security of the Throne ; and
surely no owe can have a greater interest in supporting
the constitution than a member of the Royal family,
however bumble lie may be, who derives from it all the
blessings he enjoys, and which he is equally anxious,
therefore, to secure to his fellow-subjects."
The Right Hoe. the Lord Mayor then again stepped
forward, and presented to his Royal Highness the
•freedoin of the city, with the gold box, &c. His
_ _

Lordship, in presenting them, said,
" May it please your Royal Highness to accept the
freedom of the city, with this box: and it is my anxious
wish that yon may live long to continue amongat the
independent freemen of this happy country."
The Duke received them, sad evidently with high
satisfaction and pl . The ceremony thus closed,
and as the corporate body passed by his Royal High-
ness on their retort: to the house, be bowed to each
individual with the greatest condescession sad affa-
bility.

The Regisseuts doing duty in future at St. James's,
except on polestar occasions, are to mount guard in
grey over-ails, instead of breeches sad gaiters ; the
Officers to wear the sante, with a *dodos stripe down
the sides. Hessian boots and pantaloons to be coosi-
dered the full dress.

MIR.
I DIMS

MAILS.
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