The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1855-12-13

'"oois,l nccorunr 10 which, WkdoWs mny not
marry again, "evcn when they lose their hus-
bands al the aye of six or wven fnr 70 h moi
rarc TO 500 widows no older, particularly among
tho Brahmins, where an old man Of sixty, or
upwards, takes for his second vile child Of
that tender age."
Nall nations, the Chinese carry out the
system oi early betrothal most completely
parents in China not ouly bargain fur the
marriage Of their chillNn during their infancy,
but while they are yet unborn. 1.-Two friends
will make solemn promise or even take an
oath, to unitc In marriage the children Of dif
iercnt sexes that may be born OF thcm AMI
tho solcmnity OF the engagement Is marked by
their tearing rcciprocally a piece out Of their
tunics, and giving u TO each other" In cur
ious contrast "a this custom. W. find u still
greater stNtch of parental assumption among
tho Mongols. who not unffcqucntly betroth or
marry their ehiklrcn af,er they are dead !
The contract having been regularly drawn up.
and rude representations OF tho various gifia.
usually received by the parents or tho bride
when living couple is botrothed, having been
made, they commit the whole TO the ilanesand
thus, as they believe, convey them through the
medium Of smoke 20 their children In the 9th.
or work. that they may become husband and
wiie IN duo form. Tho parents Of each after this
ceremony, consider themselves an mutually re-
latel, Just as much u u real conneSion ha,'
taken place between their living children.
Among tho Mosolcms "thc marriage contract
Is often performed several years before tho con.
summation, when the two parties are yet chil-
dren, or during the infancy of the girl II,
when daughter II bctrothcd during infancy,
the contract should not assume the form Of Nc.
tual nalc. II " nevertheless usual for the bride
groom, at tho time he acquires posssssion OF
his bride To pay into the hands Of hcr fathora
sam considered equivalent 10 the current val
no OF wife.
but the cumbersome AMI tedious custom oi
early bctrothal Is often dispensed with alto
together, In favor Of much spcciier methods Of
acquiring wife. Tho cheapest and most en-
peditous plan, IL the ono sciesl on by the ioun.
dcrs Of Rome viz that Of stealing. II IL
constantly practiscsI by the New Ilollandcrs.
and gives rlsc 10 endless disputes and intcr.tri
bal wars. TIA woman thus violently scinsl
upon, should attempt " escape ffom her cap
lor, ho ut onco thruntr spear through the
heshy part oi her Icg or thigh. Or u wretch
nj victim Of infant bcirothaI clor md be aiter
wards recovered by her legitimate e. hus
hand, he subjects hcr To the same punishment.
but despite the suffering she must undergo Il
captured, the knowledge that stealing vii,
Is generally punished with death, and that, II
the scdncer cannot bc secured, one Of his rcla
tivcs 10 sure, eventually, 10 be slain, nnch case
Of elopcmeni, or rather of wiiestoaling, IRE
luenily occur. The wife Of an Australian
lcauty, Ia graphically portrayed In the follow
Ing passage from 1feya Journal
/" Should kmaIc br rossssed II fcowi,lerpbt'
|nfsoDal attractions. the first years oi ler l's'
must sc'~sarily la very unhappy. Ia her carly
Infancy Ahe is bctroihcd 10 aolnc man, even NJ
his ssi"a SlyassdS Y, ...'. 80, si li,,. hs we2q . 4
crns~ IN proportion 10 the disparity Of yar
between them. II u probably ifom ths circun,
stance 40 many cf them are addicted to intrigues
IN which. " they arr detected by their hasba'"is
death, ar spear run throagh some portion oi
tloir body, u their certain late, Indeed ib
bare suspicion Of iu6ieliiy upon their I@rt " sui
8cicnt 10 ensure 10 them tho most brutal treat
mrnt For tls~ cnu@s during youth they arr
compelled. whether pregnant or mt, 10 accom-
pany their husbands IN all excursions, and ar
thus sabjcct 10 violent and continued exercIs'
anil fatigue at periods when rpose u lndrpcn
aablc.
" but even suppoHing thc woman 10 give no
10 hcr admirers, many plots arr
always laid 10 carry ber III, and IN the enroun-
tc~ which result ffom these she Is almoH, ccr
tain 10 receive soine violent INJURY ior e,cb of
tlw combaianis orders her IN follow him. and
In the event Of her refusing, throws spear al
her The early lit u young woman nj all
celebrated ibr beauty " yrnrally one continued
wrie- ~ captivity to diffrent masters, oi ghast
Iy wounds, Of wansleriDRs Ia strange families. Of
rapid nigbb, Of bad trcatInent from other h'oales
amongst whom she Ia brought stranger bylur
captor and rarely DO you ~c n forrn Of unusual
grace but II h marked and SCARED by the fur
rows ID oil woupsk AMI many G,rnale thu
wander. several huB,iaej milr irca thu homc Of
hrr infancy, lriDy carried on succcssiyely todts
tnnt and more distant points.