New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-11-15

nnisjon according 10 the Law OF loses and Of israel
REunEN the Son Of Jacob ,w;,,s....r
ELEA7EA the Son OF Glead. Witnesses
This bill having been signed and sealed was de-
livered by the husband the wife with declara-
ton Behold This is thy Bill OF Divorce I" Upon
the delivery OF the bill she left the house and if she
remained anv time in il, after the granting of
the bill, new was required as it might be
presumed the husband re assumed his marital rights
bur II is supposed that if the wife left the house i'm
ncda,elv on receiving the bill OF divorce some rea
sonabe provision was made for her-she then had il
registered in the archives of the SHnhedrirn but
moi permitted 10 marry again until ninety days had
elapsed in order 10 ascertain distinctly whether she
was pregnant: the neglect OF such delay being cal
cuated TO produce perpexng difficulties as TO the
man, she did not again marry, and her former hus-
hand retaining for her his original affection the par
ties ui,br again marry; but il the divorced woman
married and her second husband died or she was
again divorced her first husband could not marry her.
she was defied. For woman 20 return 10 her first
husband under these circumstances. was called an
abomination before the Lord. lDcut. cit -
This. saws the learned A6arbonel, TO initiate the
Z syptians whe were frequently polluted by con-
slant and repeated change OF wives.
On the decay OF the Jewish power it was not an
uncommon event for woman 10 divorce her hus
band particuarv il he was jealous or dsagreeable
Herod sister sent letter OF divorce to her husband
L
maintained by Josephus and Others, that in this she
violated the laws, IN detylng the power and rights
of her husband although the learned ScaAeer is Of
opnion that the sin consisted not much in the
divorce as in marrying again without her hus
hands nermission The wife has the right to marry
if her husband in the bill OF divorce, gives her per
mission. but she cannot this right, when she
sees fit 10 separate herself from her husband. The
example however OF Salome followed by
others Of equal rank Herodias deserted her husband
to marry Herod; Agrppa sister, Bercnice. did the
same with more aggravating circumstances, for she
compelled Polemon, King OF Lycia. to become
Jew and marry her and then she divorced him.
From the foregoing laws and ceremonies it will
be readily seen that the Jews We're devoiedy at
tached 10 the honor ana sanctity OF marriage; that
they deemed it infinitely more valuable, respect
able and honorable, than single lite-more advan-
tageous 10 society more acceptable 10 God. and
hence it was deemed an affirmative precept, and
obligatory upon the whole nation when at mature
or proper wears. W hen young man IN the early
ages was disposed to marry, his parents generally
made the necessary inquiries tor suitable wife and
having found one calculated TO make their son hap
py he is made acquainted with il. and negotiations
are opened with the parents of the lady and if the
consent of all parties is obtained. the young couple
have dav fixed for being betrothed, what
call being engaged. which was done with some GER
enony, either by written acknowledgment or by
the man placing in her hand piece of money, which
lock A considerable time elapsed between the be-
trothing and marriage sometimes whole year, the
ladV residing with her parents, that she might sup
ply herself with her nuptial garments and orna-
ments, and things necessary III the contemplated
change in her condition. In the marriage contract,
the husband binds himself his heirs and assigns 10
pay certain amount OF dover 10 his wife, but this
is always fixed at low amsunt-two hundred zu-
zm or iftv crowns-in order TO meet the ability OF
rich and poor alike; bat the husband adds TO II
whatever his circumstance will allow. In old
times the bridegroom was under the necessity OF
making present TO his bctroihed, and TO her father;
thus Shcchem says 10 Jacob. whose daughter he
was anxious 10 obtain. Ask me never so much
dowry and gifts: by which ne meant, dowry .or
the wife and gifts for the father. And when David.
being poor, could not be son-inlaw to the King the
messenger said, " The King dcsreth not any dow
ry.'' Ii may seem strange 10 as. who frequently
expect fortunes with wives that in ancient times
the fortune and gifts always came from the men,
but il was 4 uniform custom, even among the
Greeks; numerous family OF daughters was ire
ouentlv source OF emolumcnt TO their parents
The dowry or presents, however, depended upon
the ability Of the husband and frequently, and even
this day. in Oriental countries, the amount Is aid
out in furniture clothes jewels ornaments OF gold tor
the bride and these gifts exhibited In ostentatous
display before her. Carpets cushions, coverlets,
dishes. basins. ewery rinkcs OF gold, pearls. CIR
dies pate--all displayed on waters or horses
tracting universal attention, speculation and con
versation This is done in order TO do honor 10 the
institution of Marriage and avoid every thing like
concealmcnt, such a thing as a private or runa.
way match being unknown in those times and
would carry with it stigma and suspicion, and such
was the estimation in which women were held, that
those who were poor were compelled TO serve GER
tain time for their wives Jacob underwent, Tor IA
chel and Leah, serv,ude OF fourteen years, and in
Asia Young men without property are at times com
PEELED to serve the father five or six years as COM
pensaton for the bride Women, as we have al.
ready said marry very young in those countries and
from the climate and other causes, become prema'
turelv old the human frame is brought 10 maturity
at eleven. and women have become mothers at that
age. erandmohers al twenty-five, and past child
bearing a, thirty. Early marriages being deemed
necessary for the preservation of character, as ie
male cannot long remain single with honor in those
countries youths always married Virgins, widowers
married widows; hence it deemed proper as
early as possible to betroth the female. Mahomet
married his favorc wife 1yeSha at six years OF age
Among the Hinioos, between seven and nine are
the periods and among the Persians, seldom before
nine -