Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-11-17

frequent occasion to quote. seems to be brimful
of all sorts of odd "reminiscences about European
people, dig bugs and little bugs,) customs,
manners, traditions and superstitions, and most:
every thing else Just now he has been writing
some sketches of Irish doings, and goes into a
review of the funny old custom they used to
have over there, of running off with the girls
when one Barkis was "willin' and tother
wasn't
The Doctor is led into these reflections by -
The case of Mr.. John Garden, "a fine Young
| Irish gentleman, one of the modern time, !" who
was imprisoned, with hard labor, in 1s54-'5S,
for forcibly attempting to run away with an
heiress, in Hpperary. It has suggested the idea
of tracing the history.of Abduction, as an insti-
tuition, in Ireland First, we would say that
wheneyerw we write a Dictionary, it shall contain,
such an item as this:
| ABDUCTION, n. S. Latin, G6 and duc0)-The
forcibly running away with an heiress.-
See Ireland.
For centuries it has been part and parcel of
Irish privileges to obtain Sabine wives; to seize
them by the right of the strong arm; wed them,
| in fear of ruined character; and bring them
home, rather exulting than otherwise, at the
ectat OF such rough wooing. at the same
time, it must be admitted that abduction is not
exclusively confined to Ireland Itaourishes on
other soils, but is indigenous to that of the
Emerald Isle.
Rather, to be correct, should we speak oft in
the past tense. As Gardens case shows, things
are so changed in Ireland, that man cannot run
OFT with pretty girl, to marry her, by the en-
ticemeRt Of force-for, if he fail in the attempt,
the law lays him by the heels, tries him, and
Furnishes him
Therefore, to be accurate, let US say that All
duction used to be one of the "blessed insttu-
tlons of old Ireland" A man fancied girl,
(he did not much mind her beauty, provided
she had money! and knowing that her rela-
tions would object to the marriage, summoned
an armed party of friends who assisted him in
running away with her. Taken off to the noun
talns, the lady had no alternative between dis
grace and marriage; and, almost inevitably ac-
copied the latter, performed by degraded
clergyman usually called "a couple-beggar,' ~
would return in a few days or weeks, as the case
might be, and Immediately take as matronIy
place IN society as if she had been solemnly
married bysa Cardinal in cathedrall There
were anti.abduction laws, of course against
those who sscarried away maydens- that be in
herlters:" but the instances where prosecution
or punishment followed are lare. Like the Sa-
Dimes, the maidens gotreconcllcd to their ravishZ
ers. On the whole, the offence was so popular
that even abduction Clubs were established.
AS to the antiquity of Abductions. The car
Liest authentic record is dated about the year
NO. andis to the effect that the King of Lein-
Ster ran away with the fair and frail Devorgle
which led to her husbands soliciting aid from
Henry II, of England, ending, us every one
knows, in the invasion and conquest of the
first gem of the sea-"
From that period abduction became prevalent
in ireland. 1t was an outrage, confessedly-
but so agreeable to the spirit of. the times SO
congenial to the ardent character of the men:
SO, accordant with the romantic feelings of the
women, that the gallant who accomplished this
feat was looked upon as fine dashing fellow
a lnFiT AZ.
rough wooing was rather gratificd than dis
pleased with it. So, no doubt, felt the Sabine
maIdens towards the bold followers of Romuus
| So IN the olden time In later years, within
tue last half century, much of the romance has
eYaporated Formerly theabductions frequent
| lyswere of the description POLITICALLY recorded
IN the ballad of s'Lochinyar,n which the be-
wltching Lady Heron sang for the entertainment
OF MarInion. The romance vanished, and, sooth
to say, au Irish datnsel, beautiful as Grecian
iielen, would have small prospect of being alb
Quoted, unless she had money or other tangible
property. Buff gentleman or farmer had
uauSnteT, entitled to what was called ga for
tune," his life would be a perpetual anxiety.
from the dread that, with or without his consent
Eshe would run great chance of being. run away
with. OF course the widest and most dnshing
were the fellows to perform snch achievements,
and 1T has generally happened that such had
most attractions Tor young and romantic girl.
Atlength the evil became so general that the
Legislature had to interfere. In England as
| well as Ireland, Acts of Parliament were passed
punish abduction. The Irish statutes were
much more severe than the English, as the Of
fence was much more general. In 1854, the
act was passed to punish all who "carried away
naydens that be inheriters." This was drawn
too mild, and another statute was framed in
1907, by which .forci6te abduction was made a
capital felony. CThis law was repealed only
sixteen years ago. There was legal provision,
/ also, for punishment of all who even with the
damsel's own consent, should carry off an heir
ess, and one proyiso went to prevent the abduc-.
tor from enjoying any part ofhis wife's property
q clause which amounted to nothing, ms, in.
nlnety.nine cases out of a hundred, an tTrish)a
wife, overlooking with affection, would contra.
vene the law by giving her husband UNI, strict
ed power over all her worldly posSessions.-
/ Lord st. Leonard (Sugden) once stated, when
Chancellor of Ireland, that marriage, settlements
in atcountry were worth nothing, as the wife
would be kissed out of them or. frightened out of
them, whenever the husband was shari ups
There sprung up, to eyade the law which,
made .Iorcible abduction capital felony, a cley-
er system of evasion. Tile law punished the.
man who ran away with young woman. A.
practice commenced of putting the dnU.ss5 be.
fore the man on the horse, and thus it appeared
as if it was she who was carrying him Off,
| - +